Synthesis and screening of N-alkyl hydroxamates for inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

A small library of N-alkylated amino acid-derived sulfonamide hydroxamates was synthesized on solid phase and tested for inhibition of proliferation of the highly invasive breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The most active compound 4317 inhibited cell growth at IC(50) 30 microM. N-alkylation of N-H hydroxamate-based MMP inhibitors, a modification known to eliminate MMP activity, enhanced cell proliferation inhibition potency.