2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-isoindole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives:: a novel class of small molecule heparanase inhibitors

A novel class of 2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-isoindole-5-carboxylic acids are described as inhibitors of the endo-beta-glucuronidase heparanase. Several of the compounds, for example, 2-[4-propylamino-5-[5-(4-chloro)phenyl-benzoxazol-2-yl]phenyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-IH-isoindole-5-carboxylic acid (9c), display potent heparanase inhibitory activity (IC50 200-500nM) and have high selectivity ( > 100-fold) over human beta-glucuronidase. They also show anti-angiogenic effects. Such compounds should serve as useful biological tools and may provide a basis for the design of novel therapeutic agents. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.