Optimization of substituted cinnamic acyl sulfonamide derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors with anticancer activity

A new series of novel cinnamic acyl sulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized and evaluated their anti-tubulin polymerization activities and anticancer activities. One of these compounds, compound 5a with a benzdioxan group, was observed to be an excellent tubulin inhibitor (IC50 = 0.88 mu M) and display the best antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 with an IC50 value of 0.17 mu g/mL. Docking simulation was performed to insert compound 5a into the crystal structure of tubulin at colchicine binding site to determine the probable binding model. 3D-QSAR model was also built to provide more pharmacophore understanding that could be used to design new agents with more potent anti-tubulin polymerization activity.