Efficient optimization of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines derivatives as c-Src kinase inhibitors in neuroblastoma treatment

[Display omitted] •Synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines derivatives endowed with nM Ki values.•Best compound exerted good cytotoxicity activity against neuroblastoma cells.•Optimization process based on SAR study and ADME profile. The proto-oncogene c-Src is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase which is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes, such as differentiation, adhesion and survival. c-Src hyperactivation has been detected in many tumors, including neuroblastoma (NB), one of the major causes of death from neoplasia in infancy. We already reported a large family of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines active as c-Src inhibitors. Interestingly, some of these derivatives resulted also active on SH-SY5Y NB cell line. Herein, starting from our previous Free Energy Perturbation/Monte Carlo calculations, we report an optimization study which led to the identification of a new series of derivatives endowed with nanomolar Ki values against c-Src, interesting antiproliferative activity on SH-SY5Y cells and a suitable ADME profile.