Design and Development of Novel Hybrids Based on Pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]Triazine and 1-(Methylpiperidin-4-yl) Aniline–Based Analogs: Exploring the Utility as Anticancer Agents via MERTK Inhibition

Mer-tyrosine kinase (MERTK), a member of the AXL, TYRO3, and MERTK (TAM) family, is one of the promising targets for cancer treatment. It plays a key role in cancer cell survival and proliferation and regulates immune responses in cancer. The study aimed to rationally design and develop molecules considering the pharmacophoric requirements of MERTK using a multi-synthetic approach followed by the hybridization of individual pharmacophores. A hybrid drug design approach was employed by hybridization of pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine and 1-(methylpiperidin-4-yl)aniline pharmacophoric systems to develop novel leads (1K1–1K5). The molecules were synthesized via a multi-step synthetic approach. The synthesized molecules were assessed for their pharmacological potential via cell viability, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), and MERTK inhibition studies corroborated by in silico studies. IK5 was found to have an IC₅₀ value of 0.36 μM towards A549, followed by 0.42 μM and 0.80 μM against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. Further, the molecules were also analyzed for their microsomal stability and were found to be stable with better intrinsic clearance profiles. The molecules thus pave a strategy for developing novel MERTK inhibitors and their advance in vitro and in vivo assessment in the future.