5-Oxo-hexahydroquinoline derivatives as modulators of P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP transporters to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer cells

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells is often associated with overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2). Modulators of these transporters might be helpful in overcoming MDR. Moreover, exploiting collateral sensitivity (CS) could be another approach for efficient treatment of cancer. Twelve novel 5-oxo-hexahydroquinoline derivatives bearing different aromatic substitutions at C4, while having 2-pyridyl alkyl carboxylate substituents at the C3 were synthesized and evaluated for MDR reversal activity by flow cytometric determination of rhodamine 123, calcein and mitoxantrone accumulations in P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP-overexpressing cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, to confirm the P-gp inhibitory activity, the effect of compounds on the reduction of doxorubicin's IC50 of drug-resistant human uterine sarcoma cell line, MES-SA/DX5, was evaluated. Compounds D6, D5 and D3 (bearing 3-chlorophenyl, 2,3-dichlorophenyl and 4-chlorophenyl substituents at C4 position of 5-oxo-hexahydroquinoline core) were the most potent P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP inhibitors, respectively, causing significant MDR reversal at concentrations of 1–10 μM. Additionally, D4 (containing 3-flourophenyl) was the most effective MRP1-dependent CS inducing agent. Overall, chlorine containing compounds D6, C4 and D3 were capable of significant inhibition of all 3 important efflux pumps in cancer cells. Moreover, D6 also induced CS triggered by reducing glutathione efflux. In conclusion, some of the 5-oxo-hexahydroquinoline derivatives are effective efflux pump inhibitors capable of simultaneously blocking 3 important ABC transporters involved in MDR, and represent promising agents to overcome MDR in cancer cells. [Display omitted] •5-Oxo-hexahydroquinolines were synthesized as multidrug resistance reversal agents.•Modulation of ABCB1, ABCC1 and ABCG2 transporters was tested by flow cytometry.•Chlorine containing derivatives inhibited 3 transporters at 1–10 μM in cancer cells.•D6 derivative also triggered collateral sensitivity by reducing glutathione efflux.•Some 5-oxo-hexahydroquinolines represent promising MDR reversal compounds.