ONC206 is an analogue of TRAIL inducer ONC201 and is a selective antagonist of the D2-like dopamine receptors (DRD2/3/4) at nanomolar concentrations. ONC206 also has broad-spectrum anti-tumor activity.
ONC206 (Oncoceutics) is an imipiridone with nanomolar potency and analogue of ONC201, a selective dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) antagonist currently being investigated in phase II clinical trials for serous endometrial cancer (SEC). ONC206 inhibited cellular proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and was more potent than ONC201 in the ARK1 (IC50 = 0.33 M vs. IC50 = 1.59uM) and SPEC-2 (IC50 = 0.24uM vs. IC50 = 0.81uM) cell lines. Treatment with ONC206 resulted in induction of ROS production and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, accompanied by an increase in cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity (p < 0.01). ONC206 also significantly inhibited cellular adhesion and migration in both cell lines (p < 0.01). Pretreatment with the stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly attenuated the efficacy of ONC206 on cell proliferation, ROS production and cellular invasion. ONC206 demonstrates nanomolar potency for the inhibition of proliferation in SEC cells.