SF2523 blocks BRD4 binding to MYCN promoter PS1/PS2. It blocks M1-M2 transition and decreases levels of p-AKT, N-MYC in several neuroblastoma cell lines. SF2523 treatment decreases protein levels of MYCN and Cyclin D1, the MYCN target, and inhibits AKT activation by blocking phosphorylation of AKT at Ser473. SF2523 interacts robustly with the full-length BRD4 (Kd = 140 nM) and exhibits comparable affinity to the BRD4 first BD (BD1) (Kd =150 nM), however it binds more weakly to the second BD (BD2) of BRD4 (Kd = 710 nM). Comparison of binding affinities of SF2523 for BDs of other proteins reveals that it binds equally well to BDs of BRD4, BRD2, and BRD3; shows moderate binding to BDs of CECR2 and BRDT; but associates much weaker with other BDs.
In vivo
SF2523 blocks spontaneous metastasis and tumor growth. SF2523 has demonstrated animal efficacy results without toxicity in the following 4 animal models: orthotopic pancreatic model, multiple myeloma model, renal cell carcinoma model, neuroblastoma xenograft model. SF2523 targets PI3K-driven and BRD4-driven oncogenic pathways in vivo. SF2523 is less toxic to the host organism in vivo than a combination of an equipotent PI3K inhibitor and BRD4 inhibitor.