One-Pot Two-Step Catalytic Synthesis of Rationally Designed 6-amino-2-pyridone-3,5-dicarbonitriles Enabling Anti-Cancer Bioactivity

Herein we report a one-pot two-step synthesis of a bioactive 6-amino-2-pyridone-3,5-dicarbonitrile derivative using natural product catalysts betaine and guanidine carbonate. Upon identification of the anticancer bioactivity of the compound, we carried out structure-activity relationship and rationally designed a library of 16 derivatives. Out of the compounds, 5o had the most potent anti-cancer activity against murine glioblastoma cell lines and was selected for further study. Compound 5o showed anti-cancer properties against liver, breast, lung as well as primary patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, 5o in combination with specific clinically relevant brain-penetrant small molecule inhibitors induces enhanced cytotoxicity in a murine glioblastoma cell line. Through our current work, we establish a promising 6-amino-2-pyridone-3,5-dicarbonitrile based lead compound with anti-cancer activity either on its own or in combination with specific clinically relevant small molecule kinase and proteasome inhibitors.