Chiral 6,7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles with anti-breast cancer properties

The synthesis and biological evaluation of 6,7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles as anticancer agents against MCF7 breast cancer cell lines is reported. The design of the new compounds has been guided considering (3R)-6,7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5-methyl-3-phenyl-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole as the lead compound due to its good performance against MCF7 breast cancer cell lines (IC50 = 1.0 μM). The structural changes included the removal of the phenyl group at C-3, the replacement of this group by a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl group, the removal of the methyl group at C-5 from the lead scaffold and the replacement of this group by a phenyl substituent. Overall, these studies showed that the combined presence of a phenyl group at C-3 and a methyl group at C-5 in the 1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole ring system is essential to ensure high cytotoxicty against MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. To probe whether the absolute configuration of the lead compound might affect the anticancer activity, its enantiomer was prepared and the activity against MCF7 cells was evaluated. (3S)-6,7-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-5-methyl-3-phenyl-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole proved to be the most active compound so far studied, with IC50 value of 0.5 μM.

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► The synthesis and biological evaluation of new anticancer agents against MCF7.
► The study allowed conclusions to be redraw regarding structure-activity relationships.
► The presence of a phenyl at C-3 and a methyl at C-5 in the ring system is crucial.
► Compound 36 was the most active compound so far studied, with IC50 value of 0.5 μM.