Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of (<i>S</i>)-2-(Substituted arylmethyl)-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-<i>a</i>]indole-3-carboxamide Analogs and Their Synergistic Effect against PTEN-Deficient MDA-MB-468 Cells

Abstract

A series of twenty-six compounds of furfuryl or benzyl tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-a]indole analogs were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) over-expressed triple-negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-468). Among them, compounds 2b, 2f and 2i showed more potent activity and selectivity against MDA-MB-468 cells than gefitinib, as an EGFR- tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In addition, it was confirmed by means of isobologram analysis of combinational treatment with gefitinib that they have a synergistic effect, especially compounds 2b and 2f, which inhibit Akt T308 phosphorylation. Moreover, it was confirmed that 2-benzyl-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-a]indole-3-carboxamide analogs (2b, 2f, and Ref 2) tend to selectively inhibit PI3Kβ, which is involved in the phosphorylation of Akt.

Keywords

• anti-TNBC
• PTEN-deficient cancer cells
• pyrazinoindolone scaffold
• synergistic effects
• EGFR-TKI resistance