Synthesis of thiophene-2-carboxamidines containing 2-amino-thiazoles and their biological evaluation as urokinase inhibitors

The serine protease urokinase (uPa) has been implicated in the progression of both breast and prostate cancer. Utilizing structure based design, the synthesis of a series of substituted 4-[2-amino- 1,3-thiazolyl]-thiophene-2-carboxamidine is described. Further optimization of this series by substitution of the terminal amine yielded urokinase inhibitors with excellent activities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.