Based on the analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) complexes with gefitinib with molecular docking, the scaffold-hopping strategy, combination of the active substructures, and structural optimization of EGFR inhibitors, a novel series of benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for antitumor activity in human cancer cell lines and cellular toxicity against human normal cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay and EGFR inhibitory activities in vitro. Some target compounds such as 2-(benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-yl)-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide (D04) and 2-(benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-yl)-N-(naphthalen-1-yl)acetamide (D08) have shown significant antitumor activity against the EGFR high-expressed human cell line HeLa. All the target compounds showed hardly any antitumor activity against the EGFR low-expressed human cell line HepG2, and nearly no cellular toxicity against the human normal cell lines HL7702 and human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines (HUVEC). The inhibitory activities against EGFR kinase in vitro of the three target compounds were greatly consistent with the anti-proliferative activities. The preliminary structure–activity relationships of the target compounds were summarized. Conclusively, the novel benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives as novel potential EGFR inhibitors may be used as the potential lead compounds for the development of antitumor agents.

Influenza virus infection remains a major global health burden, with severe disease outcomes driven not only by viral replication but also by excessive host inflammatory responses. Current antiviral therapies predominantly target viral components and fail to adequately control virus-induced hyperinflammation. In this study, we report a dual-target therapeutic strategy integrating direct antiviral activity with host-directed immunomodulation. Using a molecular hybridization approach, we designed and synthesized several dual-target inhibitors simultaneously targeting the influenza virus PB2 cap-binding subunit and host JAK2 kinase. Among them, PB05 emerged as the most promising candidate and was systematically evaluated in vitro and in vivo. PB05 exhibited potent broad-spectrum antiviral activity against influenza A viruses, with nanomolar EC₅₀ values. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that PB05 directly binds to the PB2 cap-binding domain, thereby disrupting viral cap-snatching and RNA synthesis. In parallel, PB05 inhibited JAK–STAT signaling by suppressing STAT2 phosphorylation and downstream ISRE-mediated transcription, leading to a marked reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokine production, including IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-β, in infected or stimulated immune cells. In a lethal influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) mouse model, oral administration of PB05 at 100 mg/kg (twice daily) markedly decreased lung viral titers, attenuated pulmonary tissue damage and edema, and moderated excessive inflammatory responses. Collectively, these findings identify PB05 as a dual PB2/JAK2 inhibitor that effectively couples antiviral efficacy with immunomodulatory activity, promoting a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of severe influenza and other viral diseases associated with excessive inflammation.

1. Elobixibat, the first-in-class ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor approved for clinical use, exerts its therapeutic effect by blocking the reabsorption of bile acids in the ileum [1,2]...

Currently, there are no approved first-line targeted inhibitors for ICC. ADAM8 is one of the most frequently over-expressed proteins in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). This review examines the potential of ADAM8 as a direct therapeutic target for ICC, emphasizing its downstream impact on Notch and Integrin signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest ADAM8 may represent a novel strategy for ICC management. We have consolidated pre-clinical research on ADAM8 inhibitors, which demonstrate inhibitory effects on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor angiogenesis by cleaving substrates such as CHL1 and CD23 to form their active fragments. And its substrate form may be monomers, dimers, or even polymers. This review provides a critical discussion of the therapeutic potential of ADAM8 inhibitors in ICC. However, further challenges remain, including enhancing inhibitor specificity, conducting long-term studies to thoroughly evaluate the benefits and risks associated with targeting ADAM8.