Novel indolizine derivatives with unprecedented inhibitory activity on human farnesyltransferase

The rational structural modification of new substituted indolizin-3-yl(phenyl) methanones 1a-i, 2a-i and 3a-i has greatly improved human farnesyltransferase inhibition. The para-bromophenyl analog 2f bearing an ester unit on the indolizine ring demonstrates the highest inhibition potential, with IC50 value of 1.3 +/- 0.2 mu M. The amidic series 1a-i proves to be the most promising for future modulations, particularly at the triple bond level. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.