VEGFR-2 Targeting Oxadiazole-Pyrazole Hybrids: Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Cytotoxic Evaluation in Cancer Cells


Karcı B. N., ÇÖVEN F. O., Ergüç A., Kuzu B.

ChemistrySelect, cilt.11, sa.16, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 11 Sayı: 16
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/slct.73346
  • Dergi Adı: ChemistrySelect
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: anti-angiogenesis, cytotoxicity, oxadiazole, pyrazole, VEGFR-2
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The development of novel VEGFR-2-targeted anticancer agents remains essential due to the limitations of currently available therapies, including toxicity, resistance, and insufficient selectivity. In this study, a series of 20 oxadiazole-pyrazole hybrid derivatives (BNK-1-20) were rationally designed and synthesized based on key pharmacophoric features of VEGFR-2 inhibitors. The compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity using the MTT assay in A549 (lung), HepG2 (hepatocellular), and MDA-MB-231 (breast) cancer cell lines, along with CCD-34Lu normal fibroblasts to assess selectivity. The results revealed a clear cell-type-dependent response, with HepG2 cells showing the highest sensitivity, followed by A549, while minimal activity was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells. Among the synthesized compounds, BNK-3, BNK-6, BNK-7, and BNK-8 demonstrated the most favorable balance between cytotoxic activity and selectivity, particularly in HepG2 cells. Further investigation of VEGFR-2 protein levels revealed a compound-dependent modulation pattern, in which selected derivatives reduced VEGFR-2 expression, whereas others induced compensatory upregulation. Molecular docking studies supported these findings, showing that compounds with strong VEGFR-2 suppression exhibited favorable binding interactions within the ATP-binding pocket. Overall, these results highlight the potential of oxadiazole-pyrazole hybrids as promising scaffolds for the development of selective VEGFR-2-targeted anticancer agents.