New aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) inhibitors based on the hydroxytriazole scaffold

YesThe aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) enzyme is considered an attractive target in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) because of its role in the biosynthesis of androgens. Flufenamic acid, a non-selective AKR1C3 inhibitor, has previously been subjected to bioisosteric modulation to give rise to a series of compounds with the hydroxytriazole core. In this work, the hit compound of the previous series has been modulated further, and new, more potent, and selective derivatives have been obtained. The poor solubility of the most active compound (cpd 5) has been improved by substituting the triazole core with an isoxazole heteronucleous, with similar enzymatic activity being retained. Potent AKR1C3 inhibition is translated into antiproliferative effects against the 22RV1 CRPC cellular model, and the in-silico design, synthesis and biological activity of new compounds is described herein. Compounds have also been assayed in combination with two approved antitumor drugs, abiraterone and enzalutamide.This research was financially supported by the University of Turin (Ricerca Locale grants BOSD_RILO_20_01, LOLM_RILO_21_01, PIPA_RILO_20_01 and PIPA_RILO_21_01), Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino (Grant BOSD_CRT_17_2) and TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey-2219 program).The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 13 Apr 2023