Discovery of Novel Benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2- a]pyrazin-1-amine-3-amide-one Derivatives as Anticancer Human A2A Adenosine Receptor Antagonists

J Med Chem. 2022 Jul 14;65(13):8933-8947. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00101. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Abstract

The blockade of A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR) activates immunostimulatory response through regulating signaling in tumor microenvironment. Thus, A2AAR has been proposed as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. In this work, we designed a new series of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-1-amine derivatives bearing an amide substitution at 3-position to obtain potent antitumor antagonist in vivo. The structure-activity relationship studies were performed by molecular modeling and radioactive assay. The in vitro anticancer activities were evaluated by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) functional and T cell activation assay. The most potent compound 12o·2HCl showed much higher affinity toward A2AAR (Ki = 0.08 nM) and exhibited more significant in vitro immunostimulatory anticancer activity than clinical antagonist AZD4635. More importantly, 12o·2HCl significantly inhibited the growth of triple-negative breast cancer by reversing immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in the xenograft mouse model without severe toxicity at the testing dose. These results make 12o·2HCl a promising immunotherapy anticancer drug candidate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Amides
  • Amines
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists* / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Amides
  • Amines
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A