Molecular Design and Synthesis of New 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-Ones as Potential Anticancer Agents with VEGFR-2 Inhibiting Activity

Background: Two series of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives were designed based on the main structural features characterizing reported anticancer compounds with potent VEGFR-2 inhibiting activity. Methods: All the target compounds were synthesized and investigated for their in vitro anticancer activity using MTT assay and NCI protocol. The most active compounds were further investigated for the VEGFR-2 inhibiting activity using enzyme inhibition assay. Result: Of these derivatives, compound 8b possessed significant activity against Caco-2 (IC50 of 24.9 μM) and MCF7 (IC50 of 29.4 μM), compound 10 showed excellent potency against HCT-116 (IC50 of 32.6 μM), HEPG2 (IC50 of 16.4 μM) and MCF7 (IC50 of 32.8 μM), while compound 11b exhibited moderate anticancer activity towards MCF7 (IC50 of 41.7μM). Both 8b and 10 exhibited good potency regarding the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), with an IC50 of 14.00 and 21.62 nM, respectively. Conclusion: The activity was rationalized based on molecular docking study that supported their VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity; as indicated by their favorable binding with the active site.