Synthesis of novel C-2-symmetric testosterone dimers and evaluation of antiproliferative activity on androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer cell lines

摘要

A series of 7 alpha-linked testosterone dimers were made and tested for biological activity on both androgen dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (DU-145 and PC3) prostate cancer cell lines. The synthesis proceeds through the formation of a trans-4-(17 beta-acetoxy-4-androsten-3-one-7 alpha-yl)-but-2-enoic acid 4-hydroxy-alkyl ester intermediate of various length (7a-d) followed by the final dimerization step. The dimers showed interesting biological activity in comparison to the omega-hydroxyalkyl ester intermediates 7a-d. The most active dimer 8a (n = 1) showed IC50 of 3.8, 1.4 and 1.8 mu M, respectively on LNCaP, DU-145 and PC3 cancer cell lines. On these cell lines, this dimer is about 12, 70 and 47 times more powerful than cyproterone acetate (CPA) the reference antiandrogen. Furthermore, dimers 8b-d (n = 2, 3, 4) were less active than 8a but showed selective activity on androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells. This indicates possible application for the treatment of androgen-dependent prostate cancer. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.