Cyclodipeptide c(Orn-Pro) Conjugate with 4-Ethylpiperic Acid Abrogates Cancer Cell Metastasis through Modulating MDM2

Abstract

The present work describes the synthesis, characterization, and anticancer properties of c(Lys-Pro), P1; c(Orn-Pro), P2; and conjugates PA-c(Lys-Pro), C1; PA-c(Orn-Pro), C2; EPA-c(Lys-Pro), C3; and EPA-c(Orn-Pro), C4. Among all, conjugate C4 displays potent anticancer activity with IC₅₀ 1.3 μM in MDA-MB-231, 3.5 μM in PC-3, 8.9 μM in MCF-7, and 9.6 μM in Miapaca-2 cancer cells. In addition, C4 downregulates the expression of MDM2 and abrogates the cancer cell invasion/metastasis. Through knock-down of MDM2, we demonstrate that this abrogation of metastasis by C4 is primarily MDM2 dependent. Furthermore, the animal studies underscore the antitumor as well as antimetastatic potential of C4 in vivo in breast cancer model at a safe and tolerable dose of 20 mg/kg.