Discovery of 4-piperazinyl-2-aminopyrimidine derivatives as dual inhibitors of JAK2 and FLT3

Hybridization strategy is an effective strategy to obtain multi-target inhibitors in drug design. In this study, we assembled the pharmacophores of momelotinib and tandutinib to get a series of 4-piperazinyl-2-aminopyrimidine derivatives. All compounds were tested for the inhibition of JAK2 and FLT3 enzymes, of which, compounds with potent enzyme activities were assayed for antiproliferative activities against three cancer cell lines (HEL, MV4-11, and HL60). The structure-activity relationship studies were conducted through variations in two regions, the “A” phenyl ring and “B” phenyl ring. Compound 14j showed the most balanced in vitro inhibitory activity against JAK2 and FLT3 (JAK2 IC50 = 27 nM, FLT3 IC50 = 30 nM), and it also showed potent inhibition against the above tested cell lines. In the cellular context, 14j strongly induced apoptosis by arresting cell cycle in the G1/S phase, and was selected as a promising JAK2/FLT3 dual inhibitor. A series of 4-piperazinyl-2-aminopyrimidine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities. [Display omitted] •Novel JAK2/FLT3 dual inhibitors designed and synthesized by hybridization strategy.•IC50 of 14j to JAK2 and FLT3 are 27 nM and 30 nM, respectively.•14j arrested cell cycle in G1/S phase and induced the apoptosis of HEL cells in a dose-dependent manner.