Benzopyran derivative CDRI-85/287 induces G2-M arrest in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells via modulation of estrogen receptors α- and β-mediated signaling, in parallel to EGFR signaling and suppresses the growth of tumor xenograft

In an endeavor to develop novel and improved selective estrogen receptor modulators as anti-breast cancer agents, the benzopyran compounds have been synthesized and identified which act as potent anti-estrogen at uterine level. The present study evaluates the anti-tumor activity of 2-[piperidinoeth-oxyphenl]-3-phenyl-2H-benzo(b)pyran (CDRI-85/287) and explores the mechanism of action with a view to describe its potential to inhibit proliferation in ER-positive breast cancer cells MCF-7 and T47D. The compound decreased the expression of ER alpha while increased the expression of ER beta thereby altering ER alpha/ER beta ratio in both cell lines. Although the compound showed low binding affinity to ERs, it acted as ER alpha antagonist and ER beta agonist in decreasing ERE- or AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation in these cells. Transactivation studies in ER alpha/beta-transfected MDA-MB231 cells suggested that at cyclin D1 promoter, compound antagonized the action of ER alpha-mediated E-2 response while acted as estrogen agonist via ER beta. Further, the compound led to decreased expression of ER alpha-dependent proliferation markers and ER beta-dependent cell cycle progression markers. The expression of cell cycle inhibitory protein p21 was increased leading to G2/M phase arrest. In parallel, compound also interfered with EGFR activation, caused inhibition of PI-3-K/Akt pathway and subsequent induction of apoptosis via intrinsic pathway. A significant reduction in tumor mass and volume was observed in 85/287-treated mice bearing MCF-7 xenograft. We conclude that compound 85/287 exhibits significant anti-tumor activity via modulation of genomic as well as non-genomic mechanisms involved in cellular growth and arrested the cells in G2 phase in both MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. Study suggests that CDRI-85/287 may have therapeutic potential in ER-positive breast cancer. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc.