Synthesis and evaluation of N-(benzofuran-5-yl)aromaticsulfonamide derivatives as novel HIF-1 inhibitors that possess anti-angiogenic potential

Abstract Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) as a key mediator in tumor metastasis, angiogenesis, and poor patient prognosis has been recognized as an important cancer drug target. A novel series of N -(benzofuran-5-yl)aromaticsulfonamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as HIF-1 inhibitor. Among these compounds, 7q exhibited specific inhibitory effects on HIF-1 by downregulating the expression of HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions. It inhibited the HIF-1 transcriptional activity (IC 50  = 12.5 ± 0.7 μM) and secretion of VEGF (IC 50  = 18.8 μM) in MCF-7 cells. Meanwhile, it also significantly suppressed hypoxia-induced migration of HUVEC cells in nontoxic concentrations. Additionally, tube formation assay demonstrated its anti-angiogenesis activity. Finally, the in vivo study indicated that compound 7q could retard angiogenesis in CAM model. These findings supported the HIF-1 inhibitory effect and anti-angiogenic potential of this class of compounds as HIF-1 inhibitor.