AVN-944

AVN-944 is a novel inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor. It has antiproliferative effects and might be combined with other agents for treatment of human prostate cancer.This compound is suitable for pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) related research.

This orally available antineoplastic agent (FW = 310.36 g/mol; CAS 297730-17-7), also known as VX-944 and (R) -1-cyanobutan-2-yl- (S) -1- (3- (3- (3-methoxy-4- (oxazol-5-yl) phenyl) ureido) phenyl) ethyl) carbamate, inhibits inosine 5’-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of IMP into XMP, leading to the biosynthesis of GMP, GDP, GTP, and ultimately dGTP. IMPDH is overexpressed in some cancer cells, particularly in hematological malignancies, and AVN944 appears to have a selective cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Reduction of GTP in normal cells results in a temporary slowing of cell growth only. AVN944 treatment results in dose-dependent cell growth inhibition in all studied prostate cancer cells, independently of their androgen sensitivity . AVN944 treatment arrests LNCaP cells in G1-phase and and androgen- independent 22Rv1, DU145 and PC-3 cells in S-phase. AVN-944 treatment leads to the rapid disappearance of nucleostemin, a positive regulator of cell proliferation that is highly expressed in a variety of stem cells, tumors, and tumor cell lines.