Structure-Based Design of Dual-Acting Compounds Targeting Adenosine A2A Receptor and Histone Deacetylase as Novel Tumor Immunotherapeutic Agents

J Med Chem. 2021 Nov 25;64(22):16573-16597. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01155. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Abstract

Adenosine is an immunosuppressive factor in the tumor microenvironment mainly through activation of the A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR), which is a mechanism hijacked by tumors to escape immune surveillance. Small-molecule A2AR antagonists are being evaluated in clinical trials as immunotherapeutic agents, but their efficacy is limited as standalone therapies. To enhance the antitumor effects of A2AR antagonists, dual-acting compounds incorporating A2AR antagonism and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory actions were designed and synthesized, based on co-crystal structures of A2AR. Compound 24e (IHCH-3064) exhibited potent binding to A2AR (Ki = 2.2 nM) and selective inhibition of HDAC1 (IC50 = 80.2 nM), with good antiproliferative activity against tumor cell lines in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of 24e (60 mg/kg, bid) inhibited mouse MC38 tumor growth with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 95.3%. These results showed that dual-acting compounds targeting A2AR and HDAC are potentially immunotherapeutic agents that are worth further exploring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists / chemistry
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Design*
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / chemistry
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A