Synthesis and Activity Study of Gefitinib Derivatives Inducing Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Hela Cells

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Its development is closely linked to accelerated cell cycle progression and the inhibition of apoptosis in cervical cancer tissues. Gefitinib has demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting cervical cancer cells, and the 1,2,3-triazole structure is widely recognized for its role in inducing mitochondrial apoptosis in tumor cells. In this study, we employed click chemistry to modify the structure of gefitinib, leading to the synthesis of 16 derivatives containing the 1,2,3-triazole moiety. These compounds were evaluated for their in vitro activity against Hela cells. Among them, compound 3p exhibited the most promising anticancer activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 4.09 ± 0.54 μM. Compound 3p significantly inhibited Hela cell colony formation in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by noticeable morphological changes. Further investigations revealed that 3p induced apoptosis and caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in Hela cells. Western blot analysis showed that 3p increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and elevated the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP1, indicating that apoptosis was mediated through the mitochondrial pathway. Additionally, 3p inhibited indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzymatic activity, and molecular docking studies revealed a strong interaction between 3p and the IDO1 active site, suggesting that IDO1 may be a potential target. In conclusion, compound 3p shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer.