Modification of cap group in δ-lactam-based histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors

Novel δ-lactam-based HDAC inhibitors which have various substituted benzyl, bi-aromatic cap groups were prepared using ring closure metathesis reaction, and evaluated their HDAC inhibitory activities and anti-proliferative effects. Among prepared analogues, 11m and 11o have very strong HDAC enzymatic inhibition and showed the most potent growth inhibitory activity to five human tumor cell lines including PC-3, ACHN, NUGC-3, HCT-15, and MBA-MB-231 tumor cell lines. Compounds 11m and 11o also showed good tumor growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells in in vivo xenograft model. Structure–activity relationship study using docking model explained the significance of hydrophobic aromatic cap groups for their in vitro activities.

Graphical abstractNovel δ-lactam-based HDAC inhibitors with various substituted benzyl or bi-aromatic CAP groups were prepared using ring closure metathesis reaction, and their HDAC inhibitory activities and anti-proliferative effects evaluated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide