Novel dual inhibitors targeting CDK4 and VEGFR2 synergistically suppressed cancer progression and angiogenesis.

Based on the significantly synergistic effects of CDK4 and VEGFR2 inhibitors on growth of cancer cells, a series of novel multi-kinase inhibitors targeting CDK4 and VEGFR2 were designed, synthesized and evaluated, among which Roxyl-ZV-5J exhibited potent and balanced activities against both CDK4 and VEGFR2 with half-maximal inhibitory concentration at the nanomolar level. It effectively induced breast and cervical cancer cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Roxyl-ZV-5J also inhibited the proliferation, tube formation and VEGFR2 downstream signaling pathways of HUVECs. Oral administration of Roxyl-ZV-5J led to significant tumor regression and anti-angiogenesis without obvious toxicity in SiHa xenograft mouse model. In addition, this compound showed good pharmacokinetics. This study confirmed a new tool for dual CDK-VEGFR2 pathways inhibition achieved with a single molecule, which provided valuable leads for further structural optimization and anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor mechanism study.