Discovery of substituted 3-(phenylamino)benzoic acids as potent and selective inhibitors of type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3)

Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) also known as type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase has been implicated as one of the key enzymes driving the elevated intratumoral androgen levels observed in castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). AKR1C3 inhibition therefore presents a rational approach to managing CRPC. Inhibitors should be selective for AKR1C3 over other AKR1C enzymes involved in androgen metabolism. We have synthesized 2-, 3-, and 4-(phenylamino)benzoic acids and identified 3-(phenylamino)benzoic acids that have nanomolar affinity and exhibit over 200-fold selectivity for AKR1C3 versus other AKR1C isoforms. The AKR1C3 inhibitory potency of the 4′-substituted 3-(phenylamino)benzoic acids shows a linear correlation with both electronic effects of substituents and the pK_a of the carboxylic acid and secondary amine groups, which are interdependent. These compounds may be useful in treatment and/or prevention of CRPC as well as understanding the role of AKR1C3 in endocrinology.     

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their analogues as inhibitors of aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3: new lead compounds for the development of anticancer agents

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like indomethacin, flufenamic acid, and related compounds have been recently identified as potent inhibitors of AKR1C3. We report that some other NSAIDs (diclofenac and naproxen) also inhibit AKR1C3, with the IC(50) values in the low micromolar range. In order to obtain more information about the structure-activity relationship and to identify new leads, a series of compounds designed on the basis of NSAIDs were synthesized and screened on AKR1C3. The most active compounds were 2-[(2,2-diphenylacetyl)amino]benzoic acid 4 (IC(50)=11microM) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid 10 (IC(50)=0.68microM). These compounds represent promising starting points for the development of new anticancer agents.     

Tissue distribution of human AKR1C3 and rat homolog in the adult genitourinary system

Human aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3 (type 2 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/type 5 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) catalyzes androgen, estrogen, and prostaglandin metabolism. AKR1C3 is therefore implicated in regulating ligand access to the androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, and peroxisome proliferator activating receptor gamma in hormone target tissues. Recent reports on close relationships between ARK1C3 and various cancers including breast and prostate cancers implicate the involvement of AKR1C3 in cancer development or progression. We previously described the characterization of an isoform-specific monoclonal antibody against AKR1C3 that does not cross-react with related, >86% sequence identity, human AKR1C1, AKR1C2, or AKR1C4, human aldehyde reductase AKR1A1, or rat 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C9). In this study, a clone of murine monoclonal antibody raised against AKR1C3 was identified and characterized for its recognition of rat homolog. Tissue distribution of human AKR1C3 and its rat homolog in adult genitourinary systems including kidney, bladder, prostate, and testis was studied by IHC. A strong immunoreactivity was detected not only in classically hormone-associated tissues such as prostate and testis but also in non-hormone-associated tissues such as kidney and bladder in humans and rats. The distribution of these two enzymes was comparable but not identical between the two species. These features warrant future studies of AKR1C3 in both hormone- and non-hormone-associated tissues and identification of the rodent homolog for establishing animal models.     

Computational modeling studies reveal the origin of the binding preference of 3‐(3,4‐di hydroisoquinolin‐2(1H)‐ylsulfonyl)benzoic acids for AKR1C3 over its isoforms

As a key regulator for hormone activity, human aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) plays crucial roles in the occurrence of various hormone‐dependent or independent malignancies. It is a promising target for treating castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the development of AKR1C3 specific inhibitors remains challenging due to the high sequence similarity to its isoform AKR1C2. Here, we performed a combined in silico study to illuminate the inhibitory preference of 3‐(3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐2(1H)‐ylsulfonyl)benzoic acids for AKR1C3 over AKR1C2, of which compound 38 can achieve up to 5000‐fold anti‐AKR1C3 selectivity. Our umbrella sampling (US) simulations together with end‐point binding free energy calculation MM/GBSA uncover that the high inhibition selectivity originates from the different binding modes, namely “Inward” and “Outward,” of this compound series in AKR1C3 and AKR1C2, respectively. In AKR1C3/38, the tetrahydroquinoline moiety of 38 is accommodated inside the SP1 pocket and interacts favorably with surrounding residues, while, in AKR1C2/38, the SP1 pocket is too small to hold the bulky tetrahydroquinoline group that instead moves out of the pocket with 38 transitioning from an “Inward” to an “Outward” state. Further 3D‐QSAR and energy decomposition analyses suggest that SP1 in AKR1C3 prefers to bind with a rigid bicyclic moiety and the modification of the R₃ group has important implication for the compound''s activity. This work is the first attempt to elucidate the selectivity mechanism of inhibitors toward AKR1C3 at the atomic level, which is anticipated to propel the development of next‐generation AKR1C3 inhibitors with enhanced efficacy and reduced “off‐target” effect for CRPC therapy.     

Overexpression of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in LNCaP cells diverts androgen metabolism towards testosterone resulting in resistance to the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride

Type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3) is the major enzyme in the prostate that reduces 4-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ(4)-Adione) to the androgen receptor (AR) ligand testosterone. AKR1C3 is upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) and castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) that develops after androgen deprivation therapy. PCa and CRPC often depend on intratumoral androgen biosynthesis and upregulation of AKR1C3 could contribute to intracellular synthesis of AR ligands and stimulation of proliferation through AR signaling. To test this hypothesis, we developed an LNCaP prostate cancer cell line overexpressing AKR1C3 (LNCaP-AKR1C3) and compared its metabolic and proliferative responses to Δ(4)-Adione treatment with that of the parental, AKR1C3 negative LNCaP cells. In LNCaP and LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells, metabolism proceeded via 5α-reduction to form 5α-androstane-3,17-dione and then (epi)androsterone-3-glucuronide. LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells made significantly higher amounts of testosterone-17β-glucuronide. When 5α-reductase was inhibited by finasteride, the production of testosterone-17β-glucuronide was further elevated in LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. When AKR1C3 activity was inhibited with indomethacin the production of testosterone-17β-glucuronide was significantly decreased. Δ(4)-Adione treatment stimulated cell proliferation in both cell lines. Finasteride inhibited LNCaP cell proliferation, consistent with 5α-androstane-3,17-dione acting as the major metabolite that stimulates growth by binding to the mutated AR. However, LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells were resistant to the growth inhibitory properties of finasteride, consistent with the diversion of Δ(4)-Adione metabolism from 5α-reduced androgens to increased formation of testosterone. Indomethacin did not result in differences in Δ(4)-Adione induced proliferation since this treatment led to the same metabolic profile in LNCaP and LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. We conclude that AKR1C3 overexpression diverts androgen metabolism to testosterone that results in proliferation in androgen sensitive prostate cancer. This effect is seen despite high levels of uridine glucuronosyl transferases suggesting that AKR1C3 activity can surmount the effects of this elimination pathway. Treatment options in prostate cancer that target 5α-reductase where AKR1C3 co-exists may be less effective due to the diversion of Δ(4)-Adione to testosterone.     

Discovery of 2-methyl-1-{1-[(5-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]piperidin-4-yl}propan-2-ol: A novel,potent and selective type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor

Type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD5), also known as aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3), is a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily of enzymes and is expressed in the human prostate. One of the main functions of 17β-HSD5 is to catalyze the conversion of the weak androgen, androstenedione, to the potent androgen, testosterone. The concentration of intraprostatic 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in patients following chemical or surgical castration has been reported to remain as high as 39% of that of healthy men, with 17β-HSD5 shown to be involved in this androgen synthesis. Inhibition of 17β-HSD5 therefore represents a promising target for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). To investigate this, we conducted high-throughput screening (HTS) and identified compound 2, which displayed a structure distinct from known 17β-HSD5 inhibitors. To optimize the inhibitory activity of compound 2, we first introduced a primary alcohol group. We then converted the primary alcohol group to a tertiary alcohol, which further enhanced the inhibitory activity, improved metabolic stability, and led to the identification of compound 17. Oral administration of compound 17 to castrated nude mice bearing the CWR22R xenograft resulted in the suppression of androstenedione (AD)-induced intratumoral testosterone production. Compound 17 also demonstrated good isoform selectivity, minimal inhibitory activity against either CYP or hERG, and enhanced pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpyrrolidine derivatives as novel androgen receptor antagonists

We designed and synthesized a series of 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpyrrolidine derivatives D and evaluated their potential as novel androgen receptor (AR) antagonists therapeutically effective against castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Introduction of a methyl group at the 2-position (R²) of the pyrrolidine ring increased the AR binding affinity. The (2S,3R) configuration of the pyrrolidine ring was favorable for the AR antagonistic activity. It was found that introduction of an amide substituent (R¹) and a pyridin-3-yl group (Q) was effective for reducing the AR agonistic activity which appeared during the optimization of lead compound 6. Compound 54 showed potent antitumor effects against a CRPC model of LNCaP-hr cell line in a mouse xenograft, in which bicalutamide exhibited only partial suppression of tumor growth. Thus, the pyrrolidine derivatives such as 54 are novel AR antagonists, and their properties having efficacy against CRPC are distinct from those of a representative first-generation antagonist, bicalutamide.     

Modeling single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 genes: implications for functional and genotyping analyses

Enzymes encoded by the AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 genes are responsible for the metabolism of progesterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), respectively. The effect of amino acid substitutions, resulting from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the AKR1C2 gene, on the enzyme kinetics of the AKR1C2 gene product were determined experimentally by Takashi et al. In this paper, we used homology modeling to predict and analyze the structure of AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 genetic variants. The experimental reduction in enzyme activity in the AKR1C2 variants F46Y and L172Q, as determined by Takahashi et al., is predicted to be due to increased instability in cofactor binding, caused by disruptions to the hydrogen bonds between NADP and AKR1C2, resulting from the insertion of polar residues into largely non-polar environments near the site of cofactor binding. Other AKR1C2 variants were shown to involve either conservative substitutions or changes taking place on the surface of the molecule and distant from the active site, confirming the experimental finding of Takahashi et al. that these variants do not result in any statistically significant reduction in enzyme activity. The AKR1C1 R258C variant is predicted to have no effect on enzyme activity for similar reasons. Thus, we provide further insight into the molecular mechanism of the enzyme kinetics of these proteins. Our data also highlight previously reported difficulties with online databases.     

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody for human aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3 (type 2 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/type 5 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase); immunohistochemical detection in breast and prostate

Human aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3 (type 2 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/type 5 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) catalyzes the reduction of Delta(4)-androstene-3,17-dione to yield testosterone, the reduction of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone to yield 3alpha- and 3beta-androstanediol, and the reduction of estrone to yield 17beta-estradiol. Relatively, high mRNA expression of AKR1C3 was found in human prostate and mammary gland where it is implicated in regulating ligand access to the androgen and estrogen receptor, respectively. AKR1C3 shares high sequence identity >86% with related plastic human 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (AKR1C1), type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C2) and type 1 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C4), and reagents are urgently needed to discriminate between these enzymes at the mRNA, protein and functional level. We describe the characterization of a high-titer isoform specific monoclonal antibody (Ab) for AKR1C3. It does not cross react with human AKR1C1, AKR1C2 or AKR1C4, human aldehyde reductase AKR1A1 or rat 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C9) on immunoblot analysis. The monoclonal Ab can be used to detect AKR1C3 expression by immunohistochemistry in sections of paraffin-embedded mammary gland and prostate. In the breast enzyme staining was detected in ductal carcinoma in situ where the cancerous cells were strongly immunoreactive. In normal prostate immunoreactivity was limited to stromal cells with only faint staining in the epithelial cells. In adenocarcinoma of the prostate elevated staining was observed in the endothelial cells and carcinoma cells. The reagent thus has utility to access the localized expression of AKR1C3 in hormonal dependent malignancies of the breast and prostate.     

Progestins as inhibitors of the human 20-ketosteroid reductases, AKR1C1 and AKR1C3

The human aldo-keto reductases 1C1 and 1C3 (AKR1C1 and AKR1C3) are important 20-ketosteroid reductases in pre-receptor regulation of progesterone action. Both AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 convert progesterone to the less potent metabolite 20α-hydroxyprogesterone, although AKR1C1 has a higher catalytic efficiency than AKR1C3. Recently, we reported significant up-regulation of AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 in ovarian endometriosis, a complex estrogen-dependent disease. The typical characteristics of endometriosis are increased formation of estradiol, which stimulates proliferation of endometriotic tissue, and disturbed action of the protective progesterone. Although progestins have been used for treatment of endometriosis since the 1960s, their detailed mechanisms of action are still not completely understood. In the present study, we evaluated the potential inhibitory effects of progestins on the pre-receptor regulatory enzymes AKR1C1 and AKR1C3. We examined the following progestins as inhibitors of progesterone reduction catalyzed by recombinant AKR1C1 and AKR1C3: progesterone derivatives (dydrogesterone, its metabolite, 20α-hydroxydydrogesterone; and medroxyprogesterone acetate), 19-nortestosterone derivatives (desogestrel, norethinodrone and levonorgestrel), and the androgen danazol. Dydrogesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, 20α-hydroxydydrogesterone and norethinodrone inhibited AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 with K(i) values of 1.9 μM, 7.9 μM, 20.8 μM and 48.0 μM, and of 0.5 μM, 1.4 μM, 18.2 μM and 6.6 μM, respectively. Levonorgestrel and desogestrel preferentially inhibited AKR1C3 with K(i) values of 5.6μM and 39.1μM, respectively. Our data thus show that dydrogesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, 20α-hydroxydydrogesterone and norethinodrone inhibit AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 in vitro, although their physiological inhibitory effects still need to be evaluated further. Additionally, we investigated whether progestin dydrogesterone can be metabolized to its active 20α-hydroxymetabolite by AKR1C1 and AKR1C3. AKR1C1 converted dydrogesterone with a high catalytic efficiency while AKR1C3 was less active, which suggests that in vivo dydrogesterone is metabolized mainly by AKR1C1. Docking simulations of dydrogesterone into AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 also support these experimental data.     

N-Benzoyl anthranilic acid derivatives as selective inhibitors of aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3

Human aldo-keto reductases AKR1C1-AKR1C3 are involved in the biosynthesis and inactivation of steroid hormones and prostaglandins and thus represent attractive targets for the development of new drugs. We synthesized a series of N-benzoyl anthranilic acid derivatives and tested their inhibitory activity on AKR1C enzymes. Our data show that these derivatives inhibit AKR1C1-AKR1C3 isoforms with low micromolar potency. In addition, five selective inhibitors of AKR1C3 were identified. The most promising inhibitors were compounds 10 and 13, with IC(50) values of 0.31μM and 0.35μM for AKR1C3, respectively.     

Aldo-keto reductases AKR1C1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C3 may enhance progesterone metabolism in ovarian endometriosis

Endometriosis is a very common disease that is characterized by increased formation of estradiol and disturbed progesterone action. This latter is usually explained by a lack of progesterone receptor B (PR-B) expression, while the role of pre-receptor metabolism of progesterone is not yet fully understood. In normal endometrium, progesterone is metabolized by reductive 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (20α-HSDs), 3α/β-HSDs and 5α/β-reductases. The aldo-keto reductases 1C1 and 1C3 (AKR1C1 and AKR1C3) are the major reductive 20α-HSDs, while the oxidative reaction is catalyzed by 17β-HSD type 2 (HSD17B2). Also, 3α-HSD and 3β-HSD activities have been associated with the AKR1C isozymes. Additionally, 5α-reductase types 1 and 2 (SRD5A1, SRD5A2) and 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) are responsible for the formation of 5α- and 5β-reduced pregnanes. In this study, we examined the expression of PR-AB and the progesterone metabolizing enzymes in 31 specimens of ovarian endometriosis and 28 specimens of normal endometrium. Real-time PCR analysis revealed significantly decreased mRNA levels of PR-AB, HSD17B2 and SRD5A2, significantly increased mRNA levels of AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3 and SRD5A1, and negligible mRNA levels of AKR1D1. Immunohistochemistry staining of endometriotic tissue compared to control endometrium showed significantly lower PR-B levels in epithelial cells and no significant differences in stromal cells, there were no significant differences in the expression of AKR1C3 and significantly higher AKR1C2 levels were seen only in stromal cells. Our expression analysis data at the mRNA level and partially at the cellular level thus suggest enhanced metabolism of progesterone by SRD5A1 and the 20α-HSD and 3α/β-HSD activities of AKR1C1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C3.     

Crystal Structures of Three Classes of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Complex with Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3

Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) catalyses the NADPH dependent reduction of carbonyl groups in a number of important steroid and prostanoid molecules. The enzyme is also over-expressed in prostate and breast cancer and its expression is correlated with the aggressiveness of the disease. The steroid products of AKR1C3 catalysis are important in proliferative signalling of hormone-responsive cells, while the prostanoid products promote prostaglandin-dependent proliferative pathways. In these ways, AKR1C3 contributes to tumour development and maintenance, and suggest that inhibition of AKR1C3 activity is an attractive target for the development of new anti-cancer therapies. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one well-known class of compounds that inhibits AKR1C3, yet crystal structures have only been determined for this enzyme with flufenamic acid, indomethacin, and closely related analogues bound. While the flufenamic acid and indomethacin structures have been used to design novel inhibitors, they provide only limited coverage of the NSAIDs that inhibit AKR1C3 and that may be used for the development of new AKR1C3 targeted drugs. To understand how other NSAIDs bind to AKR1C3, we have determined ten crystal structures of AKR1C3 complexes that cover three different classes of NSAID, N-phenylanthranilic acids (meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid), arylpropionic acids (flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, naproxen), and indomethacin analogues (indomethacin, sulindac, zomepirac). The N-phenylanthranilic and arylpropionic acids bind to common sites including the enzyme catalytic centre and a constitutive active site pocket, with the arylpropionic acids probing the constitutive pocket more effectively. By contrast, indomethacin and the indomethacin analogues sulindac and zomepirac, display three distinctly different binding modes that explain their relative inhibition of the AKR1C family members. This new data from ten crystal structures greatly broadens the base of structures available for future structure-guided drug discovery efforts.     

Involvement of an aldo-keto reductase (AKR1C3) in redox cycling of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone leading to apoptosis in human endothelial cells

9,10-Phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PQ), a major quinone found in diesel exhaust particles, is considered to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) through its redox cycling. Here, we show that 9,10-PQ evokes apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and its apoptotic signaling includes ROS generation and caspase activation. The 9,10-PQ-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited by ROS scavengers, indicating that intracellular ROS generation is responsible for the 9,10-PQ-induced apoptosis. Comparison of mRNA expression levels and kinetic constants in the 9,10-PQ reduction among 10 human reductases suggests that aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a 9,10-PQ reductase in HAECs. In in vitro 9,10-PQ reduction by AKR1C3, the reduced product 9,10-dihydroxyphenanthrene and superoxide anions were formed, suggesting the enzymatic two-electron reduction of 9,10-PQ that thereby causes oxidative stress through its redox cycling. In addition, the participation of AKR1C3 in 9,10-PQ-redox cycling was confirmed by the data that AKR1C3 overexpression in endothelial cells augmented the ROS generation and cytotoxicity by 9,10-PQ, and the ROS scavengers inhibited the toxic effects. Pretreatment of the overexpressing cells with AKR1C3 inhibitors, flufenamic acid and indomethacin, suppressed the 9,10-PQ-induced GSH depletion. These results suggest that AKR1C3 is a key enzyme in the initial step of 9,10-PQ-induced cytotoxicity in HAECs.     

Structure–function relationships in 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases: a comparison of the rat and human isoforms

3α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3α-HSDs) inactivate steroid hormones in the liver, regulate 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) levels in the prostate, and form the neurosteroid, allopregnanolone in the CNS. Four human 3α-HSD isoforms exist and correspond to AKR1C1–AKR1C4 of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. Unlike the related rat 3α-HSD (AKR1C9) which is positional and stereospecific, the human enzymes display varying ratios of 3-, 17-, and 20-ketosteroid reductase activity as well as 3α-, 17β-, and 20α-hydroxysteroid oxidase activity. Their k_cat values are 50–100-fold lower than that observed for AKR1C9. Based on their product profiles and discrete tissue localization, the human enzymes may regulate the levels of active androgens, estrogens, and progestins in target tissues. The X-ray crystal structures of AKR1C9 and AKR1C2 (human type 3 3α-HSD, bile acid binding protein and peripheral 3α-HSD) reveal that the AKR1C2 structure can bind steroids backwards (D-ring in the A-ring position) and upside down (β-face inverted) relative to the position of a 3-ketosteroid in AKR1C9 and this may account for its functional plasticity. Stopped-flow studies on both enzymes indicate that the conformational changes associated with binding cofactor (the first ligand) are slow; they are similar in both enzymes but are not rate-determining. Instead the low k_cat seen in AKR1C2 (50-fold less than AKR1C9) may be due to substrate “wobble” at the plastic active site.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 4-phenylpyrrole derivatives as novel androgen receptor antagonists

A series of 4-phenylpyrrole derivatives D were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their potential as novel orally available androgen receptor antagonists therapeutically effective against castration-resistant prostate cancers. 4-Phenylpyrrole compound 1 exhibited androgen receptor (AR) antagonistic activity against T877A and W741C mutant-type ARs as well as wild-type AR. An arylmethyl group incorporated into compound 1 contributed to enhancement of antagonistic activity. Compound 4n, 1-{[6-chloro-5-(hydroxymethyl)pyridin-3-yl]methyl}-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile exhibited inhibitory effects on tumor cell growth against the bicalutamide-resistant LNCaP-cxD2 cell line as well as the androgen receptor-dependent JDCaP cell line in a mouse xenograft model. These results demonstrate that this series of pyrrole compounds are novel androgen receptor antagonists with efficacy against prostate cancer cells, including castration-resistant prostate cancers such as bicalutamide-resistant prostate cancer.