Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a hypermutable condition caused by DNA mismatch repair system defects, contributing to the development of various cancer types. Recent research has identified Werner syndrome ATP-dependent helicase (WRN) as a promising synthetic lethal target for MSI cancers. Herein, we report the first discovery of thiophen-2-ylmethylene bis-dimedone derivatives as novel WRN inhibitors for MSI cancer therapy. Initial computational analysis and biological evaluation identified a new scaffold for a WRN inhibitor. Subsequent SAR study led to the discovery of a highly potent WRN inhibitor. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the optimal compound induced DNA damage and apoptotic cell death in MSI cancer cells by inhibiting WRN. This study provides a new pharmacophore for WRN inhibitors, emphasizing their therapeutic potential for MSI cancers.

微卫星不稳定性 (MSI) 是一种由 DNA 错配修复系统缺陷引起的高突变状态，导致各种癌症类型的发展。最近的研究已确定维尔纳综合征 ATP 依赖性解旋酶 (WRN) 是 MSI 癌症的一个有前景的合成致死靶点。在此，我们报告了首次发现噻吩-2-基亚甲基双二甲酮衍生物作为用于 MSI 癌症治疗的新型 WRN 抑制剂。初步计算分析和生物学评估确定了 WRN 抑制剂的新支架。随后的 SAR 研究发现了一种高效的 WRN 抑制剂。此外，我们证明最佳化合物通过抑制 WRN 诱导 MSI 癌细胞 DNA 损伤和细胞凋亡。这项研究为 WRN 抑制剂提供了一种新的药效团，强调了它们对 MSI 癌症的治疗潜力。