Novel cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor with suppression of cancer stemness activity against non-small-cell lung cancer.

A series of novel, highly potent, selective CDK9 inhibitors with cancer stem cells (CSCs) inhibition activity were designed and synthesized for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. Structure-activity relationship analysis based on enzymatic and cellular activities led to the discovery of a promising inhibitor 21e. 21e potently inhibited CDK9 with IC 50 value of 11 nM and suppressed the stemness properties of NSCLC effectively. It could decrease the stemness phenotypes of NSCLC cells, including tumor sphere formation, side-population and stemness markers abundance. 21e displayed good selectivity over the CDK family kinases and kinase profiling assay against 381 kinases. In addition, 21e inhibited cell proliferation, colony-formation, and cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis in NSCLC. In H1299 xenograft mouse model, a once-daily dose of compound 21e at 20 mg/kg significantly suppressed the tumor growth without obvious toxicity. Studies of mechanisms of action indicated that 21e efficiently inhibited CDK9 signaling pathway and stemness both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, 21e as a novel CDK9 inhibitor with CSCs inhibition properties could be a promising agent for the treatment of NSCLC. A selective, potent and oral CDK9 inhibitor, 21e (IC 50 = 11 nM) with stemness suppression properties of NSCLC was discovered. In H1299 xenograft mouse model, 21e at 20 mg/kg led to significant tumor regression without obvious toxicity. Image 1 • A series of novel CDK9 inhibitors with cancer stem cells (CSCs) inhibition activity were designed and synthesized. • 21e inhibited CDK9 with IC 50 value of 11 nM and suppressed the stemness properties of NSCLC. • In H1299 xenograft mouse model, 21e led to significant tumor regression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]