Introduction:
Limited treatment options and poor prognosis create a need for new therapies for triplenegative
breast cancer. Modulating lysine acetylation of histone and non-histone proteins via histone deacetylase inhibitors
is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. This study aimed to design, synthesize, and test novel panHDAC inhibitors
in vitro, building on our previous research.
Methods:
Compound design was based on a previously validated diphenylmethyl piperazine scaffold, used as a template for
further modifications. In silico studies included molecular docking and pharmacokinetic profiling for absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion, and toxicity. Compounds identified from these analyses were synthesized, tested for in vitro
enzymatic inhibition, and evaluated for cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines using the MTT assay.
Results:
Compound 8o had the strongest HDAC inhibitory profile. It was highly potent against HDAC6 (IC50 = 18.5
nM) and active against HDAC1 and HDAC8 (IC50 = 430 nM and 1620 nM, respectively). Compound 8p also inhibited
HDAC6 (IC50 = 54 nM) but was less potent against the nuclear isoforms. Both compounds were less active than trichostatin
A. In the cytotoxicity assay, 8o and 8p reduced the viability of triple-negative breast cancer cells in a dosedependent
manner. Compound 8o was the most active (IC50 = 6.74 μM on MDA-MB-231), exceeding the effect of tubastatin
A. Moderate activity was seen on MDA-MB-468 cells.
Discussion:
In vitro enzymatic assays showed that compound 8o strongly inhibited HDAC6, similar to the reference
compound 8b. However, its cellular activity did not exceed 8b, suggesting that factors other than target engagement
may limit its cell efficacy. These findings show the need to combine biochemical and physicochemical data when optimising
HDAC inhibitors for triple-negative breast cancer.
Conclusion:
Compounds 8o and 8p were identified as potent panHDAC inhibitors. They demonstrated cytotoxicity
against triple-negative breast cancer cells. This provides a promising foundation for future structural optimization and
preclinical development.