Bicyclic derivatives of the potent dual aromatase-steroid sulfatase inhibitor 2-bromo-4-{ (4-cyanophenyl)(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)amino methyl}phenylsul famate: synthesis, SAR, crystal structure, and in vitro and in vivo activities

The design and synthesis of a series of bicyclic ring containing dual aromatase-sulfatase inhibitors (DASIs) based on the aromatase inhibitor (AI) 4-[(4-bromobenzyl)(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl) amino] benzonitrile are reported. Biological evaluation with JEG-3 cells revealed structure-activity relationships. The X-ray crystal structure of sulfamate 23 was determined, and selected compounds were docked into the aromatase and steroid sulfatase (STS) crystal structures. In the sulfamate-containing series, compounds containing a naphthalene ring are both the most potent AI (39, IC50AROM = 0.25 nm) and the best STS inhibitor (31, IC50STS = 26 nm). The most promising DASI is 39 (IC50AROM = 0.25 nm, IC50STS = 205 nm), and this was evaluated orally in vivo at 10 mg kg(-1), showing potent inhibition of aromatase (93%) and STS (93%) after 3 h. Potent aromatase and STS inhibition can thus be achieved with a DASI containing a bicyclic ring system; development of such a DASI could provide an attractive new option for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer.