Diversity-Oriented Synthesis toward the Discovery of Ferrocenophane-Appended GPX4 Inhibitors as Potent Ferroptosis Inducers with Drug Likeness

Novel drug-like ferroptosis inducers with distinct chemotypes and enhanced potency are needed to overcome cancer therapy resistance. In this study, we reported a new series of ferrocenophane-appended GPX4 inhibitors as highly effective ferroptosis-inducing anticancer agents by leveraging the “one-stone-kills-two-birds” strategy. Through diversity-oriented synthesis and structure–activity relationship investigations, the [3]-ferrocenophane derivative ML210-ansaFc emerged as a standout candidate, demonstrating remarkable cytotoxicity and superior ferroptosis selectivity in cancer cells versus ML210. Mechanistic studies revealed, for the first time, the ROS-generating capability of bridged ferrocenes at the molecular and cellular levels, underscoring the dual functionality of ansa-ferrocenes in driving ferroptosis. ML210-ansaFc exhibited robust tumor growth suppression in 3D spheroid models, coupled with favorable drug-like properties, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for intractable cancers. This work could pave the way for the development of metallocene-based chemotypes with diverse spatial configurations for the treatment of multiple diseases.