Synthesis of 4- and 5-arylthiazolinethiones as inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

Docking studies of 4-phenylthiazolinethione on human IDO1 suggest complexation of the heme iron by the exocyclic sulfur atom further reinforced by hydrophobic interactions of the phenyl ring within pocket A of the enzyme. On this basis, chemical modifications were proposed to increase inhibition activity. Synthetic routes had to be adapted and optimized to yield the desired substituted 4- and 5-arylthiazolinethiones. Their biological evaluation shows that 5-aryl regioisomers are systematically less potent than the corresponding 4-aryl analogs. Substitution on the phenyl ring does not significantly increase inhibition potency, except for 4-Br and 4-Cl derivatives.