Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of arylidene indanones as small molecules for targeted therapy of non-small cell lung carcinoma and prostate cancer.

In an attempt to identify small molecules for targeted therapy of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and prostate cancer (PCa), new arylidene indanones (1-10) were synthesized via the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of 5,6-methylenedioxy-1-indanone with p-substituted benzaldehyde. Compounds 1-10 were assessed for their cytotoxic effects on human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and human pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PANC-1) cells as well as human normal lung fibroblast (CCD-19Lu) and human normal pancreatic ductal epithelial (hTERT-HPNE) cells. Among them, compounds 2, 4 and 10 were more effective on A549 and PANC-1 cells than cisplatin. Compounds 1 and 9 also showed more potent cytotoxic activity towards PANC-1 cells than cisplatin. In vitro assays were performed to assess their effects on DNA synthesis, apoptosis, caspase-3, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium levels, morphological changes in cancer cells. Furthermore, all compounds were investigated for their inhibitory effects on cathepsin L (CatL) and cathepsin D (CatD). Compounds 2 and 4 exerted potent anti-NSCLC action through caspase-independent apoptosis induced by an increase in intracellular calcium level and correspondingly the disruption of the ΔΨm. These compounds also caused apoptotic morphological alterations in A549 cells. Compound 4 also inhibited both cathepsins but its inhibitory potency on CatL was more significant. Based on in vitro mechanistic assays, compound 4 was identified as a promising anticancer agent for targeted therapy of NSCLC. On the other hand, the marked anti- PCa activity of compound 1 mediated by apoptotic cell death is also noteworthy, but further enzymatic assays are required to elucidate its main mechanism of action.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)