Targeting PFKL with S-Benzylisothiourea Imidazolium Salt Derivatives to Suppress Glycolysis and Treat Breast Cancer

Metabolic reprogramming relying on abnormal glycolysis fuels tumor growth, rendering the rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme PFKL a potential anticancer target; yet no PFKL inhibitor has entered clinical trials. Herein, we synthesized a series of S-benzylisothiourea imidazolium salt derivatives and identified compound 10w , which potently inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, suppressed glycolysis, and induced apoptosis. Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS) assays revealed PFKL as the direct cellular target of 10w . Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and molecular docking studies confirmed the binding of 10w to PFKL. Enzymatic activity assays further demonstrated that 10w inhibited PFKL activity. Notably, 10w exerted no obvious effects on glycolysis or glycolytic capacity in PFKL-knockdown breast cancer cells. In vivo assays showed that 10w exerted significant antitumor efficacy and enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. In conclusion, compound 10w targets PFKL as a promising therapeutic agent for breast cancer.