Tigilanol tiglate is an oncolytic small molecule that induces immunogenic cell death and enhances the response of both target and non-injected tumors to immune checkpoint blockade.

BACKGROUND: Tigilanol tiglate (TT) is a protein kinase C (PKC)/C1 domain activator currently being developed as an intralesional agent for the treatment of various (sub)cutaneous malignancies. Previous work has shown that intratumoral (I.T.) injection of TT causes vascular disruption with concomitant tumor ablation in several preclinical models of cancer, in addition to various (sub)cutaneous tumors presenting in the veterinary clinic. TT has completed Phase I dose escalation trials, with some patients showing signs of abscopal effects. However, the exact molecular details underpinning its mechanism of action (MoA), together with its immunotherapeutic potential in oncology remain unclear. METHODS: A combination of microscopy, luciferase assays, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, subcellular fractionation, intracellular ATP assays, phagocytosis assays and mixed lymphocyte reactions were used to probe the MoA of TT in vitro. In vivo studies with TT used MM649 xenograft, CT-26 and immune checkpoint inhibitor refractory B16-F10-OVA tumor bearing mice, the latter with or without anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) mAb treatment. The effect of TT at injected and non-injected tumors was also assessed. RESULTS: Here, we show that TT induces the death of endothelial and cancer cells at therapeutically relevant concentrations via a caspase/gasdermin E-dependent pyroptopic pathway. At therapeutic doses, our data demonstrate that TT acts as a lipotoxin, binding to and promoting mitochondrial/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction (leading to unfolded protein responsemt/ER upregulation) with subsequent ATP depletion, organelle swelling, caspase activation, gasdermin E cleavage and induction of terminal necrosis. Consistent with binding to ER membranes, we found that TT treatment promoted activation of the integrated stress response together with the release/externalization of damage-associated molecular patterns (HMGB1, ATP, calreticulin) from cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, characteristics indicative of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Confirmation of ICD in vivo was obtained through vaccination and rechallenge experiments using CT-26 colon carcinoma tumor bearing mice. Furthermore, TT also reduced tumor volume, induced immune cell infiltration, as well as improved survival in B16-F10-OVA tumor bearing mice when combined with immune checkpoint blockade. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that TT is an oncolytic small molecule with multiple targets and confirms that cell death induced by this compound has the potential to augment antitumor responses to immunotherapy.

Novel Skeletal Rearrangements of the Tigliane Diterpenoid Core.

To investigate the role of the secondary 5-hydroxy group in the activity of the anticancer drug tigilanol tiglate (2b) (Stelfonta), oxidation of this epoxytigliane diterpenoid from the Australian rainforest plant Fontainea picrosperma was attempted. Eventually, 5-dehydrotigilanol tiglate (3a) proved too unstable to be characterized in terms of biological activity and, therefore, was not a suitable tool compound for bioactivity studies. On the other hand, a series of remarkable skeletal rearrangements associated with the presence of a 5-keto group were discovered during its synthesis, including a dismutative ring expansion of ring A and a mechanistically unprecedented dyotropic substituent swap around the C-4/C-10 bond. Taken together, these observations highlight the propensity of the α-hydroxy-ß-diketone system to trigger complex skeletal rearrangements and pave the way to new areas of the natural products chemical space.

Identification of Gene Biomarkers for Tigilanol Tiglate Content in Fontainea picrosperma.

Tigilanol tiglate (EBC-46) is a small-molecule natural product under development for the treatment of cancers in humans and companion animals. The drug is currently produced by purification from the Australian rainforest tree Fontainea picrosperma (Euphorbiaceae). As part of a selective-breeding program to increase EBC-46 yield from F. picrosperma plantations, we investigated potential gene biomarkers associated with biosynthesis of EBC-46. Initially, we identified individual plants that were either high (>0.039%) or low EBC-46 (<0.008%) producers, then assessed their differentially expressed genes within the leaves and roots of these two groups by quantitative RNA sequencing. Compared to low EBC-46 producers, high-EBC-46-producing plants were found to have 145 upregulated genes and 101 downregulated genes in leaves and 53 upregulated genes and 82 downregulated genes in roots. Most of these genes were functionally associated with defence, transport, and biosynthesis. Genes identified as expressed exclusively in either the high or low EBC-46-producing plants were further validated by quantitative PCR, showing that cytochrome P450 94C1 in leaves and early response dehydration 7.1 and 2-alkenal reductase in roots were consistently and significantly upregulated in high-EBC-46 producers. In summary, this study has identified biomarker genes that may be used in the selective breeding of F. picrosperma.

Floral attraction and flower visitors of a subcanopy, tropical rainforest tree, Fontainea picrosperma.

Flowering plants in tropical rainforests rely heavily on pollen vectors for successful reproduction. Research into pollination systems in tropical rainforests is dominated by canopy species, while subcanopy plant-pollinator interactions remain under-represented. The microclimate beneath the rainforest canopy is characterized by low light levels and is markedly different from the canopy environment that receives more light energy.We studied the floral attractants and floral visitors of a dioecious, subcanopy tree, Fontainea picrosperma (Euphorbiaceae), in the Wet Tropics bioregion of northern Queensland, Australia.We found that wind pollination is rare and male and female flowers do not produce nectar. Female flowers are likely pollinated due to their perceptual similarity to pollen-offering male flowers. Female flowers had the same scent profile as male flowers, and floral scent was an important floral attractant that acted to regulate pollinator behavior. The two most abundant scent compounds present in the floral bouquet were benzyl alcohol and 4-oxoisophorone. These compounds are ubiquitous in nature and are known to attract a wide variety of insects. Both day-time and night-time pollinators contributed to successful pollen deposition on the stigma, and diurnal flower visitors were identified from several orders of insects including beetles, flies, predatory wasps, and thrips. Fontainea picrosperma is therefore likely to be pollinated by a diverse array of small insects.Synthesis. Our data indicate that F. picrosperma has a generalist, entomophilous pollination syndrome. The rainforest subcanopy is a distinctive environment characterized by low light levels, low or turbulent wind speeds, and relatively high humidity. Female flowers of F. picrosperma exhibit cost-saving strategies by not producing nectar and mimicking the smell of reward-offering male flowers. Insects opportunistically forage on or inhabit flowers, and pollination occurs from a pool of small insects with low energy requirements that are found beneath the rainforest canopy.

The P450 multigene family of Fontainea and insights into diterpenoid synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450s (P450s) are enzymes that play critical roles in the biosynthesis of physiologically important compounds across all organisms. Although they have been characterised in a large number of plant species, no information relating to these enzymes are available from the genus Fontainea (family Euphorbiaceae). Fontainea is significant as the genus includes species that produce medicinally significant epoxy-tigliane natural products, one of which has been approved as an anti-cancer therapeutic. RESULTS: A comparative species leaf metabolome analysis showed that Fontainea species possess a chemical profile different from various other plant species. The diversity and expression profiles of Fontainea P450s were investigated from leaf and root tissue. A total of 103 and 123 full-length P450 genes in Fontainea picrosperma and Fontainea venosa, respectively (and a further 127/125 partial-length) that were phylogenetically classified into clans, families and subfamilies. The majority of P450 identified are most active within root tissue (66.2% F. picrosperma, 65.0% F. venosa). Representatives within the CYP71D and CYP726A were identified in Fontainea that are excellent candidates for diterpenoid synthesis, of which CYP726A1, CYP726A2 and CYP71D1 appear to be exclusive to Fontainea species and were significantly more highly expressed in root tissue compared to leaf tissue. CONCLUSION: This study presents a comprehensive overview of the P450 gene family in Fontainea that may provide important insights into the biosynthesis of the medicinally significant epoxy-tigliane diterpenes found within the genus.

Activation of PKC supports the anticancer activity of tigilanol tiglate and related epoxytiglianes.

The long-standing perception of Protein Kinase C (PKC) as a family of oncoproteins has increasingly been challenged by evidence that some PKC isoforms may act as tumor suppressors. To explore the hypothesis that activation, rather than inhibition, of these isoforms is critical for anticancer activity, we isolated and characterized a family of 16 novel phorboids closely-related to tigilanol tiglate (EBC-46), a PKC-activating epoxytigliane showing promising clinical safety and efficacy for intratumoral treatment of cancers. While alkyl branching features of the C12-ester influenced potency, the 6,7-epoxide structural motif and position was critical to PKC activation in vitro. A subset of the 6,7-epoxytiglianes were efficacious against established tumors in mice; which generally correlated with in vitro activation of PKC. Importantly, epoxytiglianes without evidence of PKC activation showed limited antitumor efficacy. Taken together, these findings provide a strong rationale to reassess the role of PKC isoforms in cancer, and suggest in some situations their activation can be a promising strategy for anticancer drug discovery.

EBC-232 and 323: A Structural Conundrum Necessitating Unification of Five In Silico Prediction and Elucidation Methods.

Structurally unique halimanes EBC-232 and EBC-323, isolated from the Australian rainforest plant Croton insularis, proved considerably difficult to elucidate. The two diastereomers, which consist an unusual oxo-6,7-spiro ring system fused to a dihydrofuran, were solved by unification and consultation of five in silico NMR elucidation and prediction methods [i.e., ACDLabs, olefin strain energy (OSE), DP4, DU8+ and TD DFT CD]. Structure elucidation challenges of this nature are prime test case examples for empowering future AI learning in structure elucidation.

Potent Antibacterial Prenylated Acetophenones from the Australian Endemic Plant Acronychia crassipetala.

Acronychia crassipetala is an endemic plant species in Australia. Its phytochemistry and therapeutic properties are underexplored. The hexane extract of the fruit A. crassipetala T. G. Hartley was found to inhibit the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Following bio-activity guided fractionation, two prenylated acetophenones, crassipetalonol A (1) and crassipetalone A (2), were isolated. Their structures were determined mainly by NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. This is the first record of the isolation and structural characterisation of secondary metabolites from the species A. crassipetala. Their antibacterial and cytotoxic assessments indicated that the known compound (2) had more potent antibacterial activity than the antibiotic chloramphenicol, while the new compound (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity.

Transcriptome analysis of the medicinally significant plant Fontainea picrosperma (Euphorbiaceae) reveals conserved biosynthetic pathways.

Euphorbiaceae is a large and diverse family of herbs, shrubs and trees that includes a number of species of considerable economic importance as sources of food, medicines and raw materials. One member of this family, Fontainea picrosperma, is the source plant for the diterpene ester tigilanol tiglate, a natural product recently approved as a treatment for canine mast cell tumours. Here we report the development of reference transcriptomes from root and leaf tissues of F. picrosperma, which include core diterpene biosynthesis genes. A total of ~12 Gb of combined clean reads were generated for assembly into 167,566 contigs with a GC (guanine-cytosine) content of ~41%. Gene ontology showed that 2286 and 2504 transcripts were enriched in the cellular process and 2369 and 2529 transcripts were enriched in the metabolic process categories in leaf and root tissue, respectively. The reference transcriptome contains genes coding for core enzymes involved in common secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways, including the diterpene biosynthesis pathway within the mevalonate (MVA) and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4- phosphate (MEP) pathways. A phylogenetic analysis using these genes found that F. picrosperma clustered most closely to Jatropha curcas. We found a significantly higher concentration of tigilanol tiglate in F. picrosperma root tissue, which correlated with higher levels of gene expression for enzymes associated with the MVA (6 genes) and MEP (7 genes) pathways, and we hypothesise that the initial stages of tigilanol tiglate biosynthesis occur primarily in the roots of F. picrosperma. This study provides a resource for future gene-related biodiscovery investigations in F. picrosperma and diterpene biosynthesis, in particular for tigilanol tiglate and related macrocyclic diterpenes.

Antibacterial 5α-Spirostane Saponins from the Fruit of Cordyline manners-suttoniae.

Antibacterial-activity-guided fractionation of a dichloromethane extract from the fruit of Cordyline manners-suttoniae and subsequent structure-activity investigations resulted in the identification of 10 new (1-10) and one known (11) 5α-spirostane saponin. The structures of the new compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The absolute configurations of the isolated compounds were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis or chemical derivatizations. The most active compound, suttonigenin F (6), inhibited the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with MIC75 values that were comparable to those of the antibiotic chloramphenicol. Structure-activity relationships were also obtained from the assessment of antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of the isolated saponins.

Short distance pollen dispersal and low genetic diversity in a subcanopy tropical rainforest tree, Fontainea picrosperma (Euphorbiaceae).

Gene flow via pollen movement affects genetic variation in plant populations and is an important consideration in plant domestication. Fontainea picrosperma is a subcanopy rainforest tree that is of commercial interest because it is the source of tigilanol tiglate, a natural product used for the treatment of solid tumors. We identify patterns of pollen-mediated gene flow within natural populations of F. picrosperma and estimate genetic parameters and genetic structure between adult and juvenile groups using microsatellite markers. Our results show pollination events occur over much shorter distances than reported for tropical canopy species. At least 63% of seeds are sired by male trees located within 30 m of the mother. On average, 27% of the local male population contributed to successful reproduction of F. picrosperma with most fathers siring a single seed, however, the contributions to reproduction were uneven. Larger male trees with more flowers had greater reproductive success than those with less flowers (P < 0.05). There were comparatively low levels of genetic variation across the species (HE = 0.405 for adult trees and 0.379 for juveniles) and we found no loss of genetic diversity between adult and juvenile trees. Short distance pollen flow and low genetic diversity is theoretically a prelude to genetic impoverishment, however F. picrosperma has persisted through multiple significant climatic oscillations. Nevertheless, the remaining low genetic diversity is of concern for domestication programs which require maximal genetic diversity to facilitate efficient selective breeding and genetic improvement of this commercially significant species.

New Casbanes and the First trans-Cyclopropane seco-Casbane from the Australian Rainforest Plant Croton insularis.

Investigation of the Australian rainforest plant Croton insularis revealed seven new cis-, two new trans-cyclopropane casbanes, and the first trans-cyclopropane seco-casbane. The relative configuration of the cyclopropane moiety for all compounds (EBC-182, 217, 218, 220, 343, 357, 358, 361, 365, 373; EBC=EcoBiotics Compound) was assigned using 13 C NMR data. Comparison of the experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra with the theoretical curves, calculated by TD-DFT at the B3LYP/6-31+G**//B3LYP/6-31+G** level, in conjunction with NOE data afforded the absolute configuration. EBC-180, 181 and 220 displayed potent activity against cervical carcinoma (HeLa cells).

The First Casbane Hydroperoxides EBC-304 and EBC-320 from the Australian Rainforest.

Investigation of the Australian rainforest plant Croton insularis led to isolation of the first casbane hydroperoxide diterpenes EBC-304 and EBC-320. Extensive DFT and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations in combination with 2D NMR spectroscopy determined the absolute configurations. EBC-304 and EBC-320 both display significant cytotoxicity.

Intra-lesional injection of the novel PKC activator EBC-46 rapidly ablates tumors in mouse models.

Intra-lesional chemotherapy for treatment of cutaneous malignancies has been used for many decades, allowing higher local drug concentrations and less toxicity than systemic agents. Here we describe a novel diterpene ester, EBC-46, and provide preclinical data supporting its use as an intra-lesional treatment. A single injection of EBC-46 caused rapid inflammation and influx of blood, followed by eschar formation and rapid tumor ablation in a range of syngeneic and xenograft models. EBC-46 induced oxidative burst from purified human polymorphonuclear cells, which was prevented by the Protein Kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide-1. EBC-46 activated a more specific subset of PKC isoforms (PKC-ßI, -ßII, -α and -γ) compared to the structurally related phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Although EBC-46 showed threefold less potency for inhibiting cell growth than PMA in vitro, it was more effective for cure of tumors in vivo. No viable tumor cells were evident four hours after injection by ex vivo culture. Pharmacokinetic profiles from treated mice indicated that EBC-46 was retained preferentially within the tumor, and resulted in significantly greater local responses (erythema, oedema) following intra-lesional injection compared with injection into normal skin. The efficacy of EBC-46 was reduced by co-injection with bisindolylmaleimide-1. Loss of vascular integrity following treatment was demonstrated by an increased permeability of endothelial cell monolayers in vitro and by CD31 immunostaining of treated tumors in vivo. Our results demonstrate that a single intra-lesional injection of EBC-46 causes PKC-dependent hemorrhagic necrosis, rapid tumor cell death and ultimate cure of solid tumors in pre-clinical models of cancer.

Croton insularis introduces the seco-casbane class with EBC-329 and the first casbane endoperoxide EBC-324.

Investigation of Croton insularis afforded the first in class seco-casbane diterpene, EBC-329. A highly oxidised casbane, EBC-324, was also isolated. The structural motif within EBC-324, which consists of an epoxidised hemi-acetal endoperoxide, is new to the casbane family.

Unprecedented 1,14-seco-crotofolanes from Croton insularis: oxidative cleavage of crotofolin C by a putative homo-Baeyer-Villiger rearrangement.

EBC-162 isolated from Croton insularis, obtained from the northern rainforest of Australia, was structurally affirmed as crotofolin C (4). Novel oxidative degradation products, EBC-233 and EBC-300, which are the first crotofolane endoperoxides, were also isolated. Both endoperoxides were found to be stable intermediates, which are proposed to undergo an unprecedented homo-Baeyer-Villiger biosynthetic rearrangement to give a new class of 1,14-seco-crotofolane diterpenes. Prolonged storage of all isolates assisted in authenticating their natural product status. Anticancer activities of reported compounds are presented.

EBC-219: a new diterpene skeleton, crotinsulidane, from the Australian rainforest containing a bridgehead double bond.

EBC-219 (4), isolated from Croton insularis (Baill), was established by spectroscopic and DFT methods as the first member of a new diterpene skeletal class, uniquely defined by the presence of a bicyclo[10.2.1] bridgehead olefin. The proposed biogenetic pathway to 4 from the co-isolated natural products EBC-131 (1), EBC-180 (2) and EBC-181 (3) is highly likely. EBC-180 (2) and EBC-181 (3) showed moderate to strong cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines.

Isolation and confirmation of the proposed cleistanthol biogentic link from Croton insularis.

The proposed cleistanthol biosynthetic intermediate en route to spruceanol, and other related family members, was isolated for the first time from Croton insularis, confirming the Jacobs-Reynolds hypothesis. Anticancer evaluation of the new isolates and their aerial oxidation products is also reported.

[4+2] cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-dienes.

A detailed examination of [4+2] cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo compounds revealed that 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (PTAD) reacts to form either 2,3- or 3,4-disubstituted adducts. The product distribution can be controlled by modulating the electron density of the cyclooctatetraene. Unprecedented [4+2] cycloadditions between diisopropyl azodicarboxylate (DIAD) and 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes are also described and further manipulation of a resulting cycloadduct uncovered a new pathway to the synthetically challenging bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene family. Variation of the substituents resulted in a range of compounds displaying selective action against different human tumour cell types.

Anticancer agents from the Australian tropical rainforest: Spiroacetals EBC-23, 24, 25, 72, 73, 75 and 76.

EBC-23, 24, 25, 72, 73, 75 and 76 were isolated from the fruit of Cinnamomum laubatii (family Lauraceae) in the Australian tropical rainforests. EBC-23 (1) was synthesized stereoselectively, in nine linear steps in 8 % overall yield, to confirm the reported relative stereochemistry and determine the absolute stereochemistry. Key to the total synthesis was a series of Tietze-Smith linchpin reactions. The novel spiroacetal structural motif, exemplified by EBC-23 (1), was found to inhibit the growth of the androgen-independent prostate tumor cell line DU145 in the mouse model, indicating potential for the treatment of refractory solid tumors in adults.