Design, synthesis, antitumor activity, and molecular dynamics simulations of novel sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitors

Targeting sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) has become a novel strategy for the treatment of cancer. However, potent and selective SphK2 inhibitors are rare. In our work, a series of novel SphK2 inhibitors were innovatively designed, synthesized and screened. Compound 12e showed the best inhibitory activity. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to analyze the detailed interactions between the SphK2 and its inhibitors. Moreover, 12e exhibited anti-proliferative activity in various cancer cells, and inhibited the migration of human breast cancer cells MCF-7.