Exemestane metabolites: Synthesis, stereochemical elucidation, biochemical activity and anti-proliferative effects in a hormone-dependent breast cancer cell line

• Published in: European journal of medicinal chemistry 2014-11, Vol.87, p.336-345
• Main Authors: Varela, Carla L., Amaral, Cristina, Tavares da Silva, Elisiário, Lopes, Andreia, Correia-da-Silva, Georgina, Carvalho, Rui A., Costa, Saul C.P., Roleira, Fernanda M.F., Teixeira, Natércia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androstadienes - chemical synthesis; Androstadienes - chemistry; Androstadienes - pharmacology; Aromatase; Aromatase inhibitors; Aromatase Inhibitors - chemical synthesis; Aromatase Inhibitors - chemistry; Aromatase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Estradiol - pharmacology; Exemestane; Exemestane metabolites; Hormone-dependent breast cancer; Humans; MCF-7 Cells; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Stereoisomerism; Structure-Activity Relationship; Structure–activity relationships (SAR) studies; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0223-5234; 1768-3254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.09.074

Exemestane is a third-generation steroidal aromatase inhibitor that has been used in clinic for hormone-dependent breast cancer treatment in post-menopausal women. It is known that exemestane undergoes a complex metabolization, giving rise to some already identified metabolites, the 17β-hydroxy-6-methylenandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (17-βHE) and the 6-(hydroxymethyl)androsta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione (6-HME). In this study, four metabolites of exemestane have been analyzed, three of them were synthesized (6β-spirooxiranandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (2), 1α,2α-epoxy-6-methylenandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (3) and 17-βHE (4)) while one was acquired, the 6-HME (6). The stereochemistry of the epoxide group of 2 and 3 has been unequivocally elucidated for the first time on the basis of NOESY experiments. New structure–activity relationships (SAR) have been established through the observation that the substitution of the double bonds by epoxide groups led to less potent derivatives in microsomes. However, the reduction of the C-17 carbonyl group to a hydroxyl group originating 17-βHE (4) resulted in a significant increase in activity in MCF-7aro cells when compared to exemestane (IC50 0.25 μM vs 0.90 μM, respectively). All the studied metabolites reduced MCF-7aro cells viability in a dose and time-dependent manner, and metabolite 3 was the most potent one. Altogether our results showed that not only exemestane but also its main metabolites are potent aromatase inhibitors and reduce breast cancer cells viability. This suggests that exemestane efficacy may also be due to the active metabolites that result from its metabolic transformation. Our results emphasize the importance of performing further studies to expand our understanding of exemestane actions in breast cancer cells. [Display omitted] •Study of the anti-aromatase activity of four exemestane metabolites.•The stereochemistry of two metabolites was elucidated for the first time.•New structure–activity relationships for exemestane metabolites were established.•Metabolites strongly inhibit aromatase and reduced breast cancer cells viability.•Exemestane efficacy may also be due to the active metabolites.