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Discovery of azaindole/indole-fused pyrimidine tetracyclic scaffolds as novel potent CDK7 inhibitors

delete2026-05-28
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OA
AI
F
Fan Pu
A
Axiao Tao
P
Pengxiang Qiu *
W
Weishan Deng
Z
Zijian Chen
Z
Zheng Cao
Y
Yunjiao He
P
Peng George Wang
Y
Yan Zhang
宁澄清 (Chengqing Ning) *
李学臣 (Xuechen Li) *
J
Jing Xu *
DOI:10.1080/14756366.2026.2659998delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
CDK7 has emerged as a highly promising anticancer target, as its dual indispensable roles in cell cycle progression and transcriptional regulation for cancer cell proliferation and survival. Herein, we describe the rational design and identification of novel tetracyclic CDK7 inhibitors with an azaindole/indole-fused pyrimidine scaffold, achieved via a cyclisation-based conformational restriction strategy. Compound 7a emerged as a potent, highly selective CDK7 inhibitor (IC50 = 1.9 nM), outperforming clinical candidate SY-5609 (IC50 = 2.5 nM). It exhibited prominent antiproliferative activity against HCT116 colorectal cancer cells (IC50 = 1.7 nM) and excellent selectivity over other CDK isoforms. In vivo, 7a exerted robust dose-dependent antitumor efficacy in HCT116 xenograft model without obvious toxicity. Collectively, its superior in vitro potency, high CDK7 selectivity, and significant in vivo antitumor activity highlight the potential of 7a as a chemical tool for investigating CDK7 biology and as a lead compound for further pharmacokinetic optimisation.
Keywords:
CDK7
tetracyclic scaffold
CDK7 inhibitors
Conformational restriction
ring closure

Journal

Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry cover
Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry
IF:
5.4
Papers:
3.4K
Citations:
9.1K

Organization

T
The University of Hong Kong
Scholars:
5.7K
Papers: 2.8K
Citations: 7
S
southern university of science and technology
Scholars:
3.7K
Papers: 1.4K
Citations: 0
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