The lead compound, an ⍺-N-heterocyclic
carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone <b>HCT-13</b>,
was highly potent against a panel of pancreatic, small cell lung carcinoma, and
prostate cancer models, with IC<sub>90</sub> values in the low-to-mid nanomolar
range.<b> </b>We show that the cytotoxicity of <b>HCT-13</b> is copper-dependent, that it acts as a copper ionophore,
induces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and promotes mitochondrial
dysfunction and S-phase arrest. Lastly, DNA damage response/replication stress
response (DDR/RSR) pathways, specifically Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)
and Rad3-related protein kinase (ATR), were identified as actionable adaptive
resistance mechanisms following <b>HCT-13 </b>treatment. Taken together, <b>HCT-13
</b>is potent against solid tumor models and warrants <i>in vivo</i> evaluation
against aggressive tumor models, either as a single agent or as part of a
combination therapy.
