10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.05.096
The research focuses on the discovery and development of a novel series of dianilinopyrimidineurea and urea isostere inhibitors targeting the VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase, which plays a crucial role in angiogenesis, a process implicated in various diseases and cancer growth. The purpose of this study was to develop compounds that could inhibit VEGFR2, potentially starving cancers of necessary blood flow by limiting vasculature to the growth site. The researchers synthesized a series of dianilinopyrimidine ureas and urea isosteres, which were found to be low nanomolar inhibitors of the VEGFR2 enzyme and exhibited anti-proliferative activity on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Key chemicals used in the synthesis process included 2,4-dichloropyrimidine, methyl iodide, cesium carbonate, isopropanol, hydrochloric acid, and various substituted anilines, among others. The study concluded that the urea class of compounds demonstrated the best enzyme and cell potency, with diphenylureas showing particular promise. The researchers proposed a likely binding mode for a representative compound from their urea series based on homology modeling and X-ray crystal analysis, providing a foundation for further development of VEGFR2 kinase inhibitors.