EW-7197, a Novel ALK-5 Kinase Inhibitor, Potently Inhibits Breast to Lung Metastasis

Advanced tumors produce an excessive amount of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), which promotes tumor progression at late stages of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to develop anti-TGF beta therapeutics for cancer. We synthesized a novel small-molecule TGF beta receptor I kinase (activin receptor-like kinase 5) inhibitor termed N-[[4-([1,2,4] triazolo[1,5-a] pyridin-6-yl)-5-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]methyl]-2-fluoroaniline (EW-7197), and we investigated its potential antimetastatic efficacy in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)/c-Neu mice and 4T1 orthotopic-grafted mice. EW-7197 inhibited Smad/TGF beta signaling, cell migration, invasion, and lung metastasis in MMTV/c-Neu mice and 4T1 orthotopic-grafted mice. EW-7197 also inhibited the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in both TGF beta-treated breast cancer cells and 4T1 orthotopic-grafted mice. Furthermore, EW-7197 enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in 4T1 orthotopic-grafted mice and increased the survival time of 4T1-Luc and 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mice. In summary, EW-7197 showed potent in vivo antimetastatic activity, indicating its potential for use as an anticancer therapy. (C) 2014 AACR.