A novel EGFR inhibitor, HNPMI, regulates apoptosis and oncogenesis by modulating BCL‐2/BAX and p53 in colon cancer

Background and Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most lethal disease, with high mortality due to its heterogeneity and chemo‐resistance. Here, we have focused on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as an effective therapeutic target in CRC and studied the effects of polyphenols known to modulate several key signalling mechanisms including EGFR signalling, associated with anti‐proliferative and anti‐metastatic properties. Experimental Approach Using ligand‐ and structure‐based cheminformatics, we developed three potent, selective alkylaminophenols, 2‐[(3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐1(2H)‐yl)(p‐tolyl)methyl]phenol (THTMP), 2‐[(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolin‐1‐yl)(4‐methoxyphenyl)methyl]phenol (THMPP) and N‐[2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrophenyl(4′‐methylphenyl)methyl]indoline (HNPMI). These alkylaminophenols were assessed for EGFR interaction, EGFR‐pathway modulation, cytotoxic and apoptosis induction, caspase activation and transcriptional and translational regulation. The lead compound HNPMI was evaluated in mice bearing xenografts of CRC cells. Key Results Of the three alkylaminophenols tested, HNPMI exhibited the lowest IC50 in CRC cells and potential cytotoxic effects on other tumour cells. Modulation of EGFR pathway down‐regulated protein levels of osteopontin, survivin and cathepsin S, leading to apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed that HNPMI induced G0/G1 phase arrest in CRC cells. HNPMI altered the mRNA for and protein levels of several apoptosis‐related proteins including caspase 3, BCL‐2 and p53. HNPMI down‐regulated the proteins crucial to oncogenesis in CRC cells. Assays in mice bearing CRC xenografts showed that HNPMI reduced the relative tumour volume. Conclusions and Implications HNPMI is a promising EGFR inhibitor for clinical translation. HNPMI regulated apoptosis and oncogenesis by modulating BCL‐2/BAX and p53 in CRC cell lines, showing potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of CRC.