Inhibition of small ubiquitin-like modifier enzymes with substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines

Abstract

According to the embodiments described herein, a methods for inhibiting small ubiquitin-like modifier enzymes in a cell are provided. Such methods may include administering certain substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]-quinoxalines to the cell. In some aspects, the small ubiquitin-like modifier enzyme is SUMO E1 or SUMO E2. In some aspects, the methods may be used to inhibit a cancer cell in vitro (e.g., grown in culture) or in vivo (e.g., as part of a tumor in a subject). In other embodiments, methods for treating a cancer, degenerative diseases and viral infection are provided. Such methods may include administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject having cancer. The pharmaceutical composition may include a small ubiquitin-like modifier inhibitor compound. In some embodiments, the method for treating a disease may further comprise administering one or more DNA-damaging therapy in combination with administration of the pharmaceutical composition.