Sunitinib containing carborane pharmacophore with ability to inhibit tyrosine kinases receptors, FLT3, KIT, and PDGFR-β, exhibits powerful in vivo anti-glioblastoma activity

Authors:   C. Alamón, B. Dávila, M. F. García, C. Sánche, M. Kovacs, E. Trias, L. Barbeito, M. Gabay, N. Zeineh, M. Gavish, F. Teixidor, C. Viñas, M. Couto and H. Cerecetto
Journal: Cancers
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12113423
Abstract: Malignant gliomas are the most common malignant and aggressive primary brain tumors in adults, the prognosis being—especially for glioblastomas—extremely poor. There are no effective treatments yet. However, tyrosine kinase receptor (TKR) inhibitors and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), together, have been proposed as future therapeutic strategies. In this sense in our ongoing project of developing new anti-glioblastoma drugs, we identified a sunitinib-carborane hybrid agent, 1, with both in vitro selective cytotoxicity and excellent BNCT-behavior. Consequently, we studied the ability of compound 1 to inhibit TKRs, its promotion of cellular death processes, and its effects on the cell cycle. Moreover, we analyzed some relevant drug-like properties of 1, i.e., mutagenicity and ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. These results encouraged us to perform an in vivo anti-glioblastoma proof of concept assay. It turned out to be a selective FLT3, KIT, and PDGFR-? inhibitor and increased the apoptotic glioma-cell numbers and arrested sub-G1-phase cell cycle. Its in vivo activity in immunosuppressed mice bearing U87 MG human glioblastoma evidenced excellent anti-tumor behavior.