Discovery of Novel Azaphenothiazine Derivatives to Suppress Endometrial Cancer by Targeting GRP75 to Impair Its Interaction with IP3R and Mitochondrial Ca2+ Homeostasis.

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract, and there is an urgent need to develop new candidate drugs with good efficacy and safety to improve the survival rate and life quality of EC patients. Herein, a series of new azaphenothiazine derivatives were designed and synthesized and their anti-EC activities were evaluated. Among them, compound 33 showed excellent antiproliferative activities against both progesterone-sensitive ISK cells and progesterone-resistant KLE cells. Moreover, 33 could significantly inhibit colony formation and migration of EC cells and induce cell apoptosis. Remarkably, 33 significantly suppressed KLE xenograft tumor growth without influencing body weights or key organs. In addition, 33 exhibited good pharmacokinetic properties and low extrapyramidal side effects. Mechanism research indicated that 33 reduced Ca²⁺ levels in mitochondria by targeting GRP75 and disrupting its interaction with IP3R. Overall, 33 showed promising potential as an anti-EC candidate agent.