Property-based optimization of hydroxamate-based γ-lactam HDAC inhibitors to improve their metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic profiles

Hydroxamate-based HDAC inhibitors have promising anticancer activities but metabolic instability and poor pharmacokinetics leading to poor in vivo results. QSAR and PK studies of HDAC inhibitors showed that a γ-lactam core and a modified cap group, including halo, alkyl, and alkoxy groups with various carbon chain linkers, improved HDAC inhibition and metabolic stability. The biological properties of the γ-lactam HDAC inhibitors were evaluated; the compound designated 8f had potent anticancer activity and high oral bioavailability.