RESUMO
PURPOSE: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide. It is generally aggressive and closely associated with chemoresistance and poor survival. There is accumulating evidence for the involvement of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), including IAP1 and XIAP, in mediating chemotherapy resistance in OSCC. Various strategies for targeting IAPs have been designed and tested in recent years and several small molecule IAP inhibitors are in clinical trials as monotherapies as well as in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and biological activity of three IAP inhibitors both as stand-alone and sensitising agents to cisplatin in a preclinical model of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. METHODS: Cisplatin-sensitive SCC4 and -resistant SCC4cisR cells were utilised in this study. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V/Propidium Iodide-stained cells. Expression of IAP proteins was determined by western blotting and knockdown of cIAP1, livin and XIAP was conducted by transfection of cells with siRNA. RESULTS: We establish for the first time the therapeutic efficacy of the Smac mimetic, BV6 and the XIAP inhibitor Embelin, for OSCC. Both of these IAP targeting agents synergistically enhanced cisplatin-mediated apoptotic cell death in resistant cells which was mediated in part by depletion of XIAP. In addition, knockdown of XIAP using siRNA enhanced cisplatin-mediated cell death, demonstrating the importance of targeting XIAP in this sensitisation. CONCLUSION: These findings provide pre-clinical evidence that IAP inhibition may be a valuable therapeutic option in OSCC.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias Bucais , Humanos , Cisplatino/farmacologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamento farmacológico , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose Ligadas ao Cromossomo X/genética , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose Ligadas ao Cromossomo X/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias Bucais/tratamento farmacológico , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/genética , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/metabolismo , Apoptose/fisiologia , Proteínas de Transporte , RNA Interferente PequenoRESUMO
The synthesis and biochemical activity of a series of chiral trans 3-hydroxyl ß-lactams targeting tubulin is described. Synthesis of the series of enantiopure ß-lactams was achieved using chiral derivatising reagent N-Boc-l-proline. The absolute configuration was determined as 3S,4S for (+) enantiomer 4EN1 and 3R,4R for (-) enantiomer 4EN2. Antiproliferative studies identified chiral 3S,4S b-lactams with subnanomolar IC50 values across a range of cancer cell lines, improving potency with respect to the corresponding racemates. Fluoro-substituted (+)-(3S,4S)-4-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one (27EN1) was determined as the lead eutomer with dual antiproliferative activity in triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC), and combretastatin A-4 resistant HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. IC50 values were in the range of 0.26-0.7 nM across four cell lines. Tubulin polymerisation assays, confocal microscopy and molecular modelling studies indicated that 3S,4S eutomers are microtubule destabilisers, while 3R,4R distomers have lower potency as microtubule destabilisers. 27EN1 demonstrated anti-mitotic and pro-apoptotic activity in MDA-MB-231 and HT-29 cells in addition to selective toxicity toward MCF-7 breast cancer versus non-tumorigenic MCF-10-2A cells. The related 3S,4S ß-lactam eutomer 4EN1 downregulated expression of key cell survival anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells while 27EN1 downregulated Mcl-1 in HT-29 cells. Chiral ß-lactam 27EN1 will be further developed for treatment of TNBC and CA-4 resistant colorectal cancers.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Colorretais , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas , Humanos , Lactamas/farmacologia , Tubulina (Proteína)/metabolismo , Neoplasias de Mama Triplo Negativas/tratamento farmacológico , Proteína de Sequência 1 de Leucemia de Células Mieloides/metabolismo , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Microtúbulos/metabolismo , beta-Lactamas/química , Neoplasias Colorretais/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Chemoresistance is a critical problem in OSCC leading to therapeutic failure and tumour recurrence. Recently, autophagy has acquired an emerging interest in cancer as it has been shown to be frequently activated in tumour cells treated with chemotherapeutics. Whether drug-induced autophagy represents a mechanism that allows cancer cells to survive or a pro-death mechanism associated with apoptosis remains controversial. This study evaluated the cellular response to cisplatin and the role of autophagy in mediating cisplatin resistance in OSCC cells. Our results demonstrated that cisplatin concurrently induced apoptosis and autophagy in OSCC cell lines partially through the ROS/JNK pathway. Moreover, inhibition of cisplatin-induced apoptosis abrogated autophagy, indicating a complex interplay between these pathways. Cisplatin-induced autophagy does not appear to elicit a pro-survival effect in OSCC as early-stage autophagy inhibition, using either a pharmacological inhibitor or knockdown of the key autophagy protein ATG5, did not sensitise cells to cisplatin. Additionally, autophagy did not play a role in acquired resistance to cisplatin in our novel cisplatin-resistant OSSC cell line (SCC-4cisR) obtained by pulsed stepwise exposure of SCC-4 cells to cisplatin (~14-fold change in sensitivity). There was no change in the basal levels of autophagy in the SCC-4cisR cells compared to the SCC-4 cells. Furthermore, a significant increase in cisplatin-induced autophagy was observed only in the SCC-4 cells, but not in the derived SCC-4cisR cells. Collectively, these data indicate that autophagy may not be implicated in acquired cisplatin resistance in OSCC.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Cisplatino/farmacologia , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Apoptose/fisiologia , Autofagia/fisiologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamento farmacológico , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Cisplatino/uso terapêutico , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/fisiologia , HumanosRESUMO
Survival and expansion of malignant B cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are highly dependent both on intrinsic defects in the apoptotic machinery and on the interactions with cells and soluble factors in the lymphoid microenvironment. The adaptor protein p66Shc is a negative regulator of antigen receptor signaling, chemotaxis and apoptosis whose loss in CLL B cells contributes to their extended survival and poor prognosis. Hence, the identification of compounds that restore p66Shc expression and function in malignant B cells may pave the way to a new therapeutic approach for CLL. Here we show that a novel oxazepine-based compound (OBC-1) restores p66Shc expression in primary human CLL cells by promoting JNK-dependent STAT4 activation without affecting normal B cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that the potent pro-apoptotic activity of OBC-1 in human leukemic cells directly correlates with p66Shc expression levels and is abrogated when p66Shc is genetically deleted. Preclinical testing of OBC-1 and the novel analogue OBC-2 in Eµ-TCL1 tumor-bearing mice resulted in a significantly longer overall survival and a reduction of the tumor burden in the spleen and peritoneum. Interestingly, OBCs promote leukemic cell mobilization from the spleen to the blood, which correlates with upregulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor expression. In summary, our work identifies OBCs as a promising class of compounds that, by boosting p66Shc expression through the activation of the JNK/STAT4 pathway, display dual therapeutic effects for CLL intervention, namely the ability to mobilize cells from secondary lymphoid organs and a potent pro-apoptotic activity against circulating leukemic cells.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Leucemia Linfocítica Crônica de Células B/tratamento farmacológico , Oxazepinas/uso terapêutico , Animais , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Morte Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Feminino , Humanos , Proteínas Quinases JNK Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Leucemia Linfocítica Crônica de Células B/metabolismo , Leucemia Linfocítica Crônica de Células B/patologia , Masculino , Camundongos Transgênicos , Oxazepinas/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/genética , Fator de Transcrição STAT4/genética , Fator de Transcrição STAT4/metabolismo , Receptores de Esfingosina-1-Fosfato/genética , Proteína 1 de Transformação que Contém Domínio 2 de Homologia de Src/genética , Proteína 1 de Transformação que Contém Domínio 2 de Homologia de Src/metabolismoRESUMO
4-Aryl-4H-Chromene derivatives have been previously shown to exhibit anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-angiogenic activity in a variety of tumor models in vitro and in vivo generally via activation of caspases through inhibition of tubulin polymerisation. We have previously identified by Virtual Screening (VS) a 4-aryl-4H-chromene scaffold, of which two examples were shown to bind Estrogen Receptor α and ß with low nanomolar affinity and <20-fold selectivity for α over ß and low micromolar anti-proliferative activity in the MCF-7 cell line. Thus, using the 4-aryl-4H-chromene scaffold as a starting point, a series of compounds with a range of basic arylethers at C-4 and modifications at the C3-ester substituent of the benzopyran ring were synthesised, producing some potent ER antagonists in the MCF-7 cell line which were highly selective for ERα (compound 35; 350-fold selectivity) or ERß (compound 42; 170-fold selectivity).
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Benzopiranos/farmacologia , Receptores de Estrogênio/antagonistas & inibidores , Antineoplásicos/química , Benzopiranos/química , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Cristalografia por Raios X , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Humanos , Células MCF-7 , Modelos Moleculares , Estrutura MolecularRESUMO
Microtubules are a validated clinical target for the treatment of many cancers. We describe the design, synthesis, biochemical evaluation, and molecular modelling studies of a series of analogues of the microtubule-destabilising agent, combretastatin A-4 (CA-4). Our series of 33 novel compounds contain the CA-4 core structure with modifications to the stilbene linking group, and are predominantly piperazine derivatives. Synthesis was achieved in a two-step process by firstly obtaining the acrylic acid via a Perkin reaction using microwave enhanced synthesis, followed by coupling using either DCC or Mukaiyama's reagent. All target compounds were screened for antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Hydroxyl derivative (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) propenone (4m) displayed potent antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 190 nM). Two amino-containing derivatives, (E)-3-(3-amino-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4q) and (E)-3-(3-amino-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-(p-tolyl)piperazin-1-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4x), were the most potent with IC50 values of 130 nM and 83 nM respectively. Representative compounds were shown to depolymerise tubulin, induce G2/M arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells but not peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and induce cleavage of the DNA repair enzyme poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) in MCF-7 cells. Modelling studies predict that the compounds bind to tubulin within the colchicine-binding site. These compounds are a valuable addition to the library of CA-4 analogues and 4m, 4q and 4x will be developed further as novel, water-soluble molecules targeting microtubules.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Piperazinas/farmacologia , Estilbenos/farmacologia , Moduladores de Tubulina/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/síntese química , Antineoplásicos/metabolismo , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Sítios de Ligação , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Pontos de Checagem da Fase G2 do Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Células MCF-7 , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Piperazinas/síntese química , Piperazinas/metabolismo , Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Estilbenos/síntese química , Estilbenos/metabolismo , Tubulina (Proteína)/química , Tubulina (Proteína)/metabolismo , Moduladores de Tubulina/síntese química , Moduladores de Tubulina/metabolismoRESUMO
Purpose The combretastatins (CAs) are known to exhibit anti-tumour activity but the underlying mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Inflammation plays a critical role in altering the function of cancer cells and evasion of cell death and increased proliferation are characteristics of transformed malignancies. Many of the proteins involved in these pathways are regulated by the transcription factor NF-κB which can be activated by tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine released by both malignant and immune cells within the tumour microenvironment. In this study, we examined the ability of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and its novel, cis-restricted analogue CA-432 to target the NF-κB signalling pathway in T cells. Methods Effects of the CAs on the viability of DND-41 leukaemia and Jurkat lymphoma T-cell lines was assessed by the alamar blue assay. Induction of apoptosis and effects on expression levels of key apoptotic proteins was established though flow cytometry and western blotting. Modulation of the NF-κB signalling pathway was determined through western blotting and through assessment of NF-κB reporter gene activity. Results CA-4 and CA-432 reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in DND-41 and Jurkat T cells and sensitised the cells to TNF-α-induced apoptosis through inhibition of the NF-κB signalling pathway. Suppression of the NF-κB pathway downregulated NF-κB-dependent gene products involved in cell survival (IAPs, Bcl-2 and Mcl-1), proliferation (cyclin D1) and inflammation (COX-2). Furthermore, both CA-4 and CA-432 inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation through the inhibition of IκBα degradation and p65 nuclear translocation and decreased NF-κB reporter gene activity. Conclusions Our data indicate that the anti-cancer properties of comebretastatins may be mediated in part through targeting the NF-κB pathway. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of CA compounds and a potential application of combretastatins for inflammatory diseases such as cancers, which are associated with abnormal NF-κB activation.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bibenzilas/farmacologia , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacos , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Inflamação/metabolismo , Células Jurkat , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
Nuclear receptors such as the estrogen receptors (ERα and ERß) modulate the effects of the estrogen hormones and are important targets for design of innovative chemotherapeutic agents for diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis. Conjugate and bifunctional compounds which incorporate an ER ligand offer a useful method of delivering cytotoxic drugs to tissue sites such as breast cancers which express ERs. A series of novel conjugate molecules incorporating both the ER ligands endoxifen and cyclofenil-endoxifen hybrids covalently linked to the antimitotic and tubulin targeting agent combretastatin A-4 were synthesised and evaluated as ER ligands. A number of these compounds demonstrated pro-apoptotic effects, with potent antiproliferative activity in ER-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and low cytotoxicity. These conjugates displayed binding affinity towards ERα and ERß isoforms at nanomolar concentrations e.g., the cyclofenil-amide compound 13e is a promising lead compound of a clinically relevant ER conjugate with IC50 in MCF-7 cells of 187 nM, and binding affinity to ERα (IC50 = 19 nM) and ERß (IC50 = 229 nM) while the endoxifen conjugate 16b demonstrates antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 5.7 nM) and binding affinity to ERα (IC50 = 15 nM) and ERß (IC50 = 115 nM). The ER binding effects are rationalised in a molecular modelling study in which the disruption of the ER helix-12 in the presence of compounds 11e, 13e and 16b is presented These conjugate compounds have potential application for further development as antineoplastic agents in the treatment of ER positive breast cancers.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/síntese química , Bibenzilas/síntese química , Ciclofenil/análogos & derivados , Ciclofenil/síntese química , Tamoxifeno/análogos & derivados , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos Fitogênicos/farmacologia , Bibenzilas/metabolismo , Bibenzilas/farmacologia , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Cristalografia por Raios X , Ciclofenil/metabolismo , Ciclofenil/farmacologia , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Pontos de Checagem da Fase G2 do Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Leucócitos Mononucleares/efeitos dos fármacos , Ligantes , Células MCF-7 , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Molecular , Ligação Proteica , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Tamoxifeno/síntese química , Tamoxifeno/metabolismo , Tamoxifeno/farmacologiaRESUMO
Neuroblastoma, a paediatric malignancy of the sympathetic nervous system, accounts for 15 % of childhood cancer deaths. Despite advances in understanding the biology, it remains one of the most difficult paediatric cancers to treat partly due to the development of multidrug resistance. There is thus a compelling demand for new treatment strategies that can bypass resistance mechanisms. The pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine (PBOX) compounds are a series of novel microtubule-targeting agents that potently induce apoptosis in various tumour models. We have previously reported that PBOX compounds induce apoptosis in drug sensitive and multidrug resistant neuroblastoma cells and synergistically enhance apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutics such as carboplatin. In this study we present further data concerning the molecular basis of PBOX-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma. We demonstrate that PBOX-6 induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and downstream acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) appeared to serve as the upstream signal for AMPK activation as pretreatment of cells with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibited both AMPK activation and PBOX-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, activation of AMPK by PBOX-6 was found to inhibit mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of PBOX-6 in an in vivo xenograft model of neuroblastoma. This study provides new insights into understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in PBOX-induced cell death in neuroblastoma and further supports their future use as novel anti-cancer agents for the treatment of neuroblastoma.
Assuntos
Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Oxazepinas/farmacologia , Pirróis/farmacologia , Moduladores de Tubulina/farmacologia , Acetil-CoA Carboxilase/metabolismo , Acetilcisteína/farmacologia , Animais , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Carboplatina/uso terapêutico , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Feminino , Humanos , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Nus , Proteína de Sequência 1 de Leucemia de Células Mieloides/metabolismo , Neuroblastoma/tratamento farmacológico , Neuroblastoma/metabolismo , Neuroblastoma/patologia , Oxazepinas/uso terapêutico , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Pirróis/uso terapêutico , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Moduladores de Tubulina/uso terapêutico , Carga Tumoral/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The C-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is constitutively activated in the majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). Imatinib (IM) a selective inhibitor of C-KIT, is indicated for the treatment of KIT-positive unresectable and/or metastatic GIST, and has tripled the survival time of patients with metastatic GIST. However, the majority of patients develop IM-resistance and progress. Although IM elicits strong antiproliferative effects, it fails to induce sufficient levels of apoptosis; acquired IM-resistance and disease recurrence remain an issue, a more effective drug treatment is greatly needed. We examined the effect of a novel microtubule-targeting agent (MTA), pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine (PBOX)-15 in combination with IM on GIST cells. PBOX-15 decreased viability and in combination with IM synergistically enhanced apoptosis in both IM-sensitive and IM-resistant GIST cells, decreased the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, and enhanced activation of pro-caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. The combination treatment also led to an enhanced inhibition of C-KIT-phosphorylation and inactivation of C-KIT-dependent signalling in comparison to either drug alone; CDC37, a key regulator of C-KIT in GIST was also dramatically decreased. Furthermore, PBOX-15 reduced CKII expression, an enzyme which regulates the expression of CDC37. In conclusion, our findings indicate the potential of PBOX-15 to improve the apoptotic response of IM in GIST cells and provide a more effective treatment option for GIST patients.
Assuntos
Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Tumores do Estroma Gastrointestinal/tratamento farmacológico , Mesilato de Imatinib/uso terapêutico , Oxazepinas/uso terapêutico , Pirróis/uso terapêutico , Pontos de Checagem do Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Chaperoninas/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Citometria de Fluxo , Tumores do Estroma Gastrointestinal/patologia , Humanos , Mesilato de Imatinib/farmacologia , Proteína de Sequência 1 de Leucemia de Células Mieloides/metabolismo , Oxazepinas/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-kit/metabolismo , Pirróis/farmacologia , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide after lung cancer with the vast majority of early stage breast cancers being hormone-dependent. One of the major therapeutic advances in the clinical treatment of breast cancer has been the introduction of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). We describe the design and synthesis of novel SERM type ligands based on the 2-arylindole scaffold to selectively target the estrogen receptor in hormone dependent breast cancers. Some of these novel compounds are designed as bisindole type structures, while others are conjugated to a cytotoxic agent based on combretastatin A4 (CA4) which is a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerisation. The indole compounds synthesised within this project such as 31 and 86 demonstrate estrogen receptor (ER) binding and strong antiproliferative activity in the ER positive MCF-7 breast cancer cell line with IC50 values of 2.71µM and 1.86µM respectively. These active compounds induce apoptotic activity in MCF-7 cells with minimal effects on normal peripheral blood cells. Their strong anti-cancer effect is likely mediated by the presence of two ER binding ligands for 31 and an ER binding ligand combined with a cytotoxic agent for 86.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/química , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bibenzilas/química , Bibenzilas/farmacologia , Indóis/química , Indóis/farmacologia , Moduladores Seletivos de Receptor Estrogênico/química , Moduladores Seletivos de Receptor Estrogênico/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/síntese química , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Bibenzilas/síntese química , Mama/efeitos dos fármacos , Mama/metabolismo , Mama/patologia , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Humanos , Indóis/síntese química , Células MCF-7 , Modelos Moleculares , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Moduladores Seletivos de Receptor Estrogênico/síntese químicaRESUMO
The estrogen receptors (ERα and ERß) which are ligand inducible nuclear receptors are recognized as pharmaceutical targets for diseases such as osteoporosis and breast cancer. There is an increasing interest in the discovery of subtype Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs). A series of novel ß-lactam compounds with estrogen receptor modulator properties have been synthesized. The antiproliferative effects of these compounds on human MCF-7 breast tumor cells are reported, together with binding affinity for the ERα and ERß receptors. The most potent compound 15g demonstrated antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 breast tumor cells (IC50 = 186 nM) and ERα binding (IC50 = 4.3 nM) with 75-fold ERα/ß receptor binding selectivity. The effect of positioning of the characteristic amine containing substituted aryl ring (on C-4 or N-1 of the ß-lactam scaffold) on the antiproliferative activity and ER-binding properties of the ß-lactam compounds is rationalized in a molecular modeling study.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/química , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Moduladores de Receptor Estrogênico/química , Moduladores de Receptor Estrogênico/farmacologia , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/antagonistas & inibidores , beta-Lactamas/química , Antineoplásicos/síntese química , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais , Moduladores de Receptor Estrogênico/síntese química , Receptor beta de Estrogênio/antagonistas & inibidores , Humanos , Células MCF-7 , Modelos Moleculares , Estrutura Molecular , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , beta-Lactamas/síntese químicaRESUMO
Several prodrugs of the naturally occurring combretastatins have undergone extensive clinical evaluation as vascular targeting agents (VTAs). Their increased selectivity toward endothelial cells together with their innate ability to rapidly induce vascular shutdown and inhibit tumor growth at doses up to 10-fold less than the maximum tolerated dose led to the clinical evaluation of combretastatins as VTAs. Tubulin is well established as the molecular target of the combretastatins and the vast majority of its synthetic derivatives. Furthermore, tubulin is a highly validated molecular target of many direct anticancer agents routinely used as front-line chemotherapeutics. The unique vascular targeting properties of the combretastatins have somewhat overshadowed their development as direct anticancer agents and the delineation of the various cell death pathways and anticancer properties associated with such chemotherapeutics. Moreover, the ongoing clinical trial of OXi4503 (combretastatin-A1 diphosphate) together with preliminary preclinical evaluation for the treatment of refractory acute myelogenous leukemia has successfully highlighted both the indirect and direct anticancer properties of combretastatins. In this review, we discuss the development of the combretastatins from nature to the clinic. The various mechanisms underlying combretastatin-induced cell cycle arrest, mitotic catastrophe, cell death, and survival are also reviewed in an attempt to further enhance the clinical prospects of this unique class of VTAs.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Estilbenos/farmacologia , Inibidores da Angiogênese/química , Inibidores da Angiogênese/farmacologia , Inibidores da Angiogênese/uso terapêutico , Animais , Antineoplásicos/química , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipóxia Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Pontos de Checagem da Fase G2 do Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Metástase Neoplásica , Neovascularização Patológica/tratamento farmacológico , Fuso Acromático/efeitos dos fármacos , Estilbenos/química , Estilbenos/uso terapêutico , Moduladores de Tubulina/química , Moduladores de Tubulina/farmacologia , Moduladores de Tubulina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Affinity-based probes are valuable tools for detecting binding interactions between small molecules and proteins in complex biological environments. Metalloproteins are a class of therapeutically significant biomolecules which bind metal ions as part of key structural or catalytic domains and are compelling targets for study. However, there is currently a limited range of chemical tools suitable for profiling the metalloproteome. Here, we describe the preparation and application of a novel, photoactivatable affinity-based probe for detection of a subset of previously challenging to engage metalloproteins. The probe, bearing an 8-mercaptoquinoline metal chelator, was anticipated to engage several zinc metalloproteins, including the 26S-proteasome subunit Rpn11. Upon translation of the labelling experiment to mammalian cell lysate and live cell experiments, proteomic analysis revealed that several metalloproteins were competitively enriched. The diazirine probe SMK-24 was found to effectively enrich multiple components of the minichromosome maintenance complex, a zinc metalloprotein assembly with helicase activity essential to DNA replication. Cell cycle analysis experiments revealed that HEK293 cells treated with SMK-24 experienced stalling in G0/G1 phase, consistent with inactivation of the DNA helicase complex. This work represents an important contribution to the library of cell-permeable chemical tools for studying a collection of metalloproteins for which no previous probe existed.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: Malignant rhabdoid tumour (MRT) is a rare and aggressive childhood malignancy that occurs in the kidneys or central nervous system and is associated with very poor prognosis. Chemoresistance is a major issue in the treatment of this malignancy leading to an urgent need for a greater understanding of its underlying mechanisms in MRT and novel treatment strategies for MRT patients. The balance between oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system has become a subject of interest in cancer therapy research. Studies have implicated key players of the antioxidant system in chemotherapeutic including the well-known antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and the transcription factor nuclear erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2). METHODS: This study evaluated the role of these components in the response of MRT cells to treatment with the commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin. RESULTS: This study characterised the basal levels of GSH, ROS and Nrf2 in a panel of MRT cell lines and found a correlation between the expression profile of the antioxidant defence system and cisplatin sensitivity. Results showed that treatment with ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) protected cells from cisplatin-induced ROS and apoptosis. Interestingly, depleting GSH levels with the inhibitor buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) enhanced cisplatin-induced ROS and sensitised cells to cisplatin. Lastly, targeting Nrf2 with the small molecule inhibitor ML385 or by siRNA diminished GSH levels, enhanced ROS and sensitised resistant MRT cells to cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that targeting the Nrf2/GSH antioxidant system may present a novel therapeutic strategy to combat chemoresistance in rhabdoid tumours.
Assuntos
Cisplatino , Tumor Rabdoide , Humanos , Criança , Cisplatino/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Tumor Rabdoide/tratamento farmacológico , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Glutationa/metabolismo , Butionina Sulfoximina , Apoptose , Linhagem Celular TumoralRESUMO
A series of novel 3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)azetidin-2-one, 3-allylazetidin-2-one and 3-(buta-1,3-dien-1-yl)azetidin-2-one analogues of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) were designed and synthesised as colchicine-binding site inhibitors (CBSI) in which the ethylene bridge of CA-4 was replaced with a ß-lactam (2-azetidinone) scaffold. These compounds, together with related prodrugs, were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity, cell cycle effects and ability to inhibit tubulin assembly. The compounds demonstrated significant in vitro antiproliferative activities in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, particularly for compounds 9h, 9q, 9r, 10p, 10r and 11h, with IC50 values in the range 10-33 nM. These compounds were also potent in the triple-negative breast cancer (TBNC) cell line MDA-MB-231, with IC50 values in the range 23-33 nM, and were comparable with the activity of CA-4. The compounds inhibited the polymerisation of tubulin in vitro, with significant reduction in tubulin polymerization, and were shown to interact at the colchicine-binding site on tubulin. Flow cytometry demonstrated that compound 9q arrested MCF-7 cells in the G2/M phase and resulted in cellular apoptosis. The antimitotic properties of 9q in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were also evaluated, and the effect on the organization of microtubules in the cells after treatment with compound 9q was observed using confocal microscopy. The immunofluorescence results confirm that ß-lactam 9q is targeting tubulin and resulted in mitotic catastrophe in MCF-7 cells. In silico molecular docking supports the hypothesis that the compounds interact with the colchicine-binding domain of tubulin. Compound 9q is a novel potent microtubule-destabilising agent with potential as a promising lead compound for the development of new antitumour agents.
RESUMO
Malignant rhabdoid tumour (MRT) is a rare, aggressive paediatric malignancy most commonly diagnosed in those below the age of three. MRTs can arise in soft tissue but are more often associated with the central nervous system or kidney. Unfortunately, the prognosis upon diagnosis with MRT is poor. Given the resistance of MRT to current treatment protocols including cisplatin, and the vulnerability of this young patient population to aggressive therapies, there is a need for novel treatment options. Several members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family including Xlinked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 (cIAP1/cIAP2), livin and survivin have been implicated in chemotherapy resistance in various malignancies. We have previously demonstrated expression of these IAP family members in a panel of MRT cell lines. In the present study, sensitivity of this same panel of MRT cell lines to small-molecule mediated inhibition of the IAPs via the survivin inhibitor YM155 and the XIAP/cIAP1/cIAP2 inhibitor BV6 was demonstrated. Additionally, both BV6 and the XIAP inhibitor embelin synergistically enhanced cisplatin mediated apoptotic cell death in MRT cell lines, with enhanced caspase-3 cleavage. Importantly, we have demonstrated, for the first time, expression of XIAP, its target caspase-3 and its endogenous inhibitor SMAC in rhabdoid tumour patient tissue. In conclusion, this study provides pre-clinical evidence that IAP inhibition may be a new therapeutic option in MRT.
Assuntos
Cisplatino , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose , Tumor Rabdoide , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Criança , Cisplatino/farmacologia , Cisplatino/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/metabolismo , Tumor Rabdoide/tratamento farmacológico , SurvivinaRESUMO
Malignant rhabdoid tumour (MRT) is a rare and aggressive paediatric tumour that typically arises in the kidneys or central nervous system (CNS). The malignancy often affects patients under the age of three and is associated with an extremely poor survival rate, with most deaths occurring within the first year of presentation. Thus, there is an unmet and urgent medical need for novel therapeutic strategies for this malignancy. One of the major issues when treating MRT patients is the emergence of chemoresistance. Autophagy has become an area of focus in the study of chemoresistance due to its reported dual role as both a pro-survival and pro-death mechanism. The role of autophagy in the chemotherapeutic response of MRT remains largely unknown. A greater understanding of the role of autophagy may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies to enhance chemotherapeutic effect and improve the clinical outcome of MRT patients. This study evaluated the cellular response to cisplatin, a representative chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of MRT, and the role of autophagy in mediating cisplatin resistance. Our results demonstrated that cisplatin induced apoptosis and autophagy concomitantly in a panel of MRT cell lines. Furthermore, inhibition of caspase-induced apoptosis with Z-VAD-FMK also inhibited autophagy levels demonstrating a complex interplay between these two pathways. In addition, blocking autophagy at the early stages of the autophagic process using the pharmacological inhibitor SAR405 or through the genetic knockdown of critical autophagic protein ATG5 by siRNA did not sensitise cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that induction of autophagy does not appear to elicit a pro-survival effect in the chemotherapeutic response of MRT cells.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos , Tumor Rabdoide , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Apoptose , Autofagia , Criança , Cisplatino/farmacologia , Cisplatino/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Tumor Rabdoide/tratamento farmacológico , Tumor Rabdoide/metabolismo , Tumor Rabdoide/patologiaRESUMO
AIMS: We have recently described a novel guanidinium-based compound, VP79s, which induces cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines. Here, we aim to investigate the activity of VP79s and associated mechanisms of action in multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and ex vivo. MAIN METHODS: The effects of VP79s on cell viability and induction of apoptosis was examined in a panel of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant MM cell lines, as well as ex vivo patient samples and normal donor lymphocytes and platelets. Cell signaling pathways associated with the biological effects of VP79s were analysed by immunoblotting and flow cytometry. Gene expression changes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. KEY FINDINGS: VP79s was found to rapidly inhibit both constitutively active and IL-6-induced STAT3 signaling with concurrent downregulation of the IL-6 receptors, CD130 and CD126. VP79s induced a rapid and dose-dependent downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (MCL-1). VP79s enhanced bortezomib induced cell death and was also found to overcome bone marrow stromal cell induced drug resistance. VP79s exhibited activity in ex vivo patient samples at concentrations which had no effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, lymphocytes and platelets isolated from healthy donors. SIGNIFICANCE: As VP79s resulted in rapid inhibition of the key IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and downregulation of MCL-1 expression with subsequent selective anti-myeloma activity, VP79s may be a potential therapeutic agent with a novel mechanism of action in MM cells.
Assuntos
Guanidina/farmacologia , Mieloma Múltiplo/tratamento farmacológico , Fator de Transcrição STAT3/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Expressão Gênica/genética , Regulação Leucêmica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação Leucêmica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Guanidina/análogos & derivados , Humanos , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Janus Quinase 1/metabolismo , Janus Quinases/metabolismo , Leucemia/tratamento farmacológico , Leucócitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Mieloma Múltiplo/metabolismo , Proteína de Sequência 1 de Leucemia de Células Mieloides/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteína de Sequência 1 de Leucemia de Células Mieloides/metabolismo , Células Mieloides , Fator de Transcrição STAT3/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The stilbene combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) is a potent microtubule-disrupting agent interacting at the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. In the present work, the synthesis, characterisation and mechanism of action of a series of 3-fluoro and 3,3-difluoro substituted ß-lactams as analogues of the tubulin-targeting agent CA-4 are described. The synthesis was achieved by a convenient microwave-assisted Reformatsky reaction and is the first report of 3-fluoro and 3,3-difluoro ß-lactams as CA-4 analogues. The ß-lactam compounds 3-fluoro-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl)azetidin-2-one 32 and 3-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one) 33 exhibited potent activity in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.075 µM and 0.095 µM, respectively, and demonstrated low toxicity in non-cancerous cells. Compound 32 also demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity at nanomolar concentrations in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line Hs578T (IC50 0.033 µM), together with potency in the invasive isogenic subclone Hs578Ts(i)8 (IC50 = 0.065 µM), while 33 was also effective in MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 0.620 µM). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that 33 inhibited tubulin polymerisation, induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, and induced a downregulation in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and survivin with corresponding upregulation in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. In silico studies indicated the interaction of the compounds with the colchicine-binding site, demonstrating the potential for further developing novel cancer therapeutics as microtubule-targeting agents.