Discovery of class I histone deacetylase inhibitors based on romidpesin with promising selectivity for cancer cells

Aim: Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) are considered to be promising anticancer targets, but selective inhibition of class I HDAC isoforms remains a challenge. Methods & results: Previously, we obtained a selective class I HDAC inhibitor 9 based on a macrocyclic HDAC inhibitor Romidpesin. As our continuous efforts, a library of novel cyclicdepsipeptides based on 9 was established using a convergent synthesis strategy. The most active compounds 10, 16 and 19 selectively inhibit class I HDACs and exhibit promising nanomolar antiproliferative activities against several cancer cell lines with excellent selectivity toward cancer cells over normal cells. Besides, compound 10 demonstrates excellent antitumor effects in human prostate carcinoma PC3 xenograft models with no observed toxicity. Conclusion: These cyclicdepsipeptides show great therapeutic potential as novel anticancer agents for clinical translation. Graphical abstract