Structure optimization and molecular dynamics studies of new tumor-selective <i>s</i> -triazines targeting DNA and MMP-10/13 for halting colorectal and secondary liver cancers

A series of triazole-tethered triazines bearing pharmacophoric features of DNA-targeting agents and non-hydroxamate MMPs inhibitors were synthesized and screened against HCT-116, Caco-2 cells, and normal colonocytes by MTT assay. <b>7a</b> and <b>7g</b> surpassed doxorubicin against HCT-116 cells regarding potency (IC₅₀ = 0.87 and 1.41 nM) and safety (SI = 181.93 and 54.41). <b>7g</b> was potent against liver cancer (HepG-2; IC₅₀ = 65.08 nM), the main metastatic site of CRC with correlation to MMP-13 expression. Both derivatives induced DNA damage at 2.67 and 1.87 nM, disrupted HCT-116 cell cycle and triggered apoptosis by 33.17% compared to doxorubicin (DNA damage at 0.76 nM and 40.21% apoptosis induction). <b>7g</b> surpassed NNGH against MMP-10 (IC₅₀ = 0.205 μM) and MMP-13 (IC₅₀ = 0.275 μM) and downregulated HCT-116 VEGF related to CRC progression by 38%. Docking and MDs simulated ligands-receptors binding modes and highlighted SAR. Their ADMET profiles, drug-likeness and possible off-targets were computationally predicted.