It is estimated that 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Invasive breast cancer accounts for approximately 28% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Many anti-cancer drugs used to clinically treat these cancers mediate tumor cell death through the induction of apoptosis. Cancer cells, however, often acquire resistance following prolonged exposure to clinical chemotherapeutics. Consequently, molecular pathways involved in tumor cell proliferation have become potential targets for pharmacological intervention. Ceramide metabolism has been targeted as a potential pharmacological intervention in the treatment of breast cancer. One novel approach is to synthesize ceramide analogs with a greater efficacy and specificity than endogenous ceramides. <br/>We have previously shown that ceramide analogs have therapeutic potential in the treatment of chemo-sensitive and -resistant breast cancers. Our group has synthesized a number of different ceramide analogs by making modifications in the side chain and/or backbone. In one of our studies (J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 5748-5752), when the side chain amide with small alkyl group was replaced with an aromatic group, apoptotic activity increased by 5-15 folds against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7TN-R cell lines. We further extendedour studies by introducing new substituents on the aromatic ring. The newly synthesized compounds have been screenedfor apoptotic activity in breast cancer cell lines. We hypothesize that electron releasing substituents will increase the potency of these ceramides. Here, synthesis and initial biological studies of new analogs will be discussed.

Design, synthesis, and biological studies of new ceramide analogs

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.