Fluorinated benzylidene indanone exhibits antiproliferative activity through modulation of microtubule dynamics and antiangiogenic activity.

Abstract The application of fluorine in drug design has been understood significantly by the medicinal chemists in recent years. Modulation of tubulin-microtubule dynamics is one of the most effective targets for cancer chemotherapeutics. A logically designed and identified lead compound, fluorinated benzylidene indanone 1 has been extensively evaluated for cancer pharmacology. It occupied colchicine binding pocket acting as microtubule destabilizer and induced a G2/M phase arrest in MCF-7 cells. Compound 1 exerted an antiangiogenic effect in MCF-7 cells by down-regulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Hypoxia Inducible Factor-α (HIF-α). In in-vivo efficacy in C3H/Jax mice mammary carcinoma model, benzylidene indanone 1 reduced tumour volumes by 48.2%. Further in acute oral toxicity studies compound 1 was well tolerated and safe up to 1000 mg/kg dose in Swiss albino mice. The fluorinated benzylidene indanone 1, a new chemical entity (NCE) can further be optimized for better efficacy against breast adenocarcinoma. 1