Antineoplastic effects of pharmacological inhibitors of aurora kinases in CSF3RT618I-driven cells.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are consolidated as a relevant group of diseases derived from the malfunction of the hematopoiesis process and have as a particular attribute the increased proliferation of myeloid lineage. Among these, chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is distinguished, caused by the T618I mutation of the CSF3R gene, a trait that generates ligand-independent receptor activation and downstream JAK2/STAT signaling. Previous studies reported that mutations in BCR::ABL1 and JAK2V617F increased the expression of the aurora kinase A (AURKA) and B (AURKB) in Ba/F3 cells and their pharmacological inhibition displays antineoplastic effects in human BCR::ABL1 and JAK2V617F positive cells. Delimiting the current scenario, aspects related to the AURKA and AURKB as a potential target in CSF3RT618I-driven models is little known. In the present study, the cellular and molecular effects of pharmacological inhibitors of aurora kinases, such as aurora A inhibitor I, AZD1152-HQPA, and reversine, were evaluated in Ba/F3 expressing the CSF3RT618I mutation. AZD1152-HQPA and reversine demonstrated antineoplastic potential, causing a decrease in cell viability, clonogenicity, and proliferative capacity. At molecular levels, all inhibitors reduced histone H3 phosphorylation, aurora A inhibitor I and reversine reduced STAT5 phosphorylation, and AZD1152-HQPA and reversine induced PARP1 cleavage and γH2AX expression. Reversine more efficiently modulated genes associated with cell cycle and apoptosis compared to other drugs. In summary, our findings shed new insights into the use of AURKB inhibitors in the context of CNL.

Pharmacological Inhibition of PIP4K2 Potentiates Venetoclax-Induced Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase type 2 (PIP4K2) protein family members (PIP4K2A, PIP4K2B, and PIP4K2C) participate in the generation of PIP4,5P2, which acts as a secondary messenger in signal transduction, a substrate for metabolic processes, and has structural functions. In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high PIP4K2A and PIP4K2C levels are independent markers of a worse prognosis. Recently, our research group reported that THZ-P1-2 (PIP4K2 pan-inhibitor) exhibits anti-leukemic activity by disrupting mitochondrial homeostasis and autophagy in AML models. In the present study, we characterized the expression of PIP4K2 in the myeloid compartment of hematopoietic cells, as well as in AML cell lines and clinical samples with different genetic abnormalities. In ex vivo assays, PIP4K2 expression levels were related to sensitivity and resistance to several antileukemia drugs and highlighted the association between high PIP4K2A levels and resistance to venetoclax. The combination of THZ-P1-2 and venetoclax showed potentiating effects in reducing viability and inducing apoptosis in AML cells. A combined treatment differentially modulated multiple genes, including TAp73, BCL2, MCL1, and BCL2A1. In summary, our study identified the correlation between the expression of PIP4K2 and the response to antineoplastic agents in ex vivo assays in AML and exposed vulnerabilities that may be exploited in combined therapies, which could result in better therapeutic responses.

NSC305787, a pharmacological ezrin inhibitor, exhibits antineoplastic activity in pancreatic cancer cells.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal human neoplasms, and despite advances in the understanding of the molecular complexity involved in the development and progression of this disease, little of this new information has been translated into improvements in therapy and prognosis. Ezrin (EZR) is a protein that regulates multiple cellular functions, including cell proliferation, survival, morphogenesis, adhesion, and motility. In pancreatic cancer, EZR is highly expressed and reflects an unfavorable prognosis, whereas EZR silencing ameliorates the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells. NSC305787 was identified as a pharmacological EZR inhibitor with favorable pharmacokinetics and antineoplastic activity. Here, we endeavored to investigate the impact of EZR expression on survival outcomes and its associations with molecular and biological characteristics in The Cancer Genome Atlas pancreatic adenocarcinoma cohort. We also assessed the potential antineoplastic effects of NSC305787 in pancreatic cancer cell lines. High EZR expression was an independent predictor of worse survival outcomes. Functional genomics analysis indicated that EZR contributes to multiple cancer-related pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, NOTCH signaling, estrogen-mediated signaling, and apoptosis. In pancreatic cells, NSC305787 reduced cell viability, clonal growth, and migration. Our exploratory molecular studies identified that NSC305787 modulates the expression and activation of key regulators of the cell cycle, proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis, favoring a tumor-suppressive molecular network. In conclusion, EZR expression is an independent prognosis marker in pancreatic cancer. Our study identifies a novel molecular axis underlying the antineoplastic activity of NSC305787 and provides insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.

NT157 exhibits antineoplastic effects by targeting IRS and STAT3/5 signaling in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a prevalent hematological malignancy with high recurrence and no definitive cure. The current study revisits the role of the IGF1/IGF1R axis in MM, introducing a novel inhibitor, NT157. The IGF1/IGF1R pathway is pivotal in MM, influencing cell survival, proliferation, and migration and impacting patient survival outcomes. NT157 targets intracellular proteins such as IRS and STAT proteins and demonstrates antineoplastic potential in hematological malignancies and solid tumors. In the present study, we assessed IGF1R signaling-related gene expression in MM patients and healthy donors, unveiling significant distinctions. MM cell lines displayed varying expression patterns of IGF1R-related proteins. A gene dependence analysis indicated the importance of targeting receptor and intracellular elements over autocrine IGF1. NT157 exhibited inhibitory effects on MM cell viability, clonal growth, cell cycle progression, and survival. Moreover, NT157 reduced IRS2 expression and STAT3, STAT5, and RPS6 activation and modulated oncogenes and tumor suppressors, fostering a tumor-suppressive molecular profile. In summary, our study demonstrates that the IGF1/IGF1R/IRS signaling axis is differentially activated in MM cells and the NT157's capacity to modulate crucial molecular targets, promoting antiproliferative effects and apoptosis in MM cells. NT157 may offer a multifaceted approach to enhance MM therapy.

Cyclopenta[b]indoles as novel antimicrotubule agents with antileukemia activity.

Acute leukemias present therapeutic challenges despite advances in treatments. Microtubule inhibitors have played a pivotal role in cancer therapy, inspiring exploration into novel compounds like C2E1 from the cyclopenta[b]indole class. In the present study, we investigated C2E1's potential as a therapeutic agent for acute leukemia at molecular, cellular, and genetic levels. C2E1 demonstrated tubulin depolarization activity, significantly reducing leukemia cell viability. Its impact involved multifaceted mechanisms: inducing apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle progression, and inhibition of clonogenicity and migration in leukemia cells. At a molecular level, C2E1 triggered DNA damage, antiproliferative, and apoptosis markers and altered gene expression related to cytoskeletal regulation, disrupting essential cellular processes crucial for leukemia cell survival and proliferation. These findings highlight C2E1's promise as a potential candidate for novel anti-cancer therapies. Notably, its distinct mode of action from conventional microtubule-targeting drugs suggests the potential to bypass common resistance mechanisms encountered with existing treatments. In summary, C2E1 emerges as a compelling compound with diverse effects on leukemia cells, showcasing promising antineoplastic properties. Its ability to disrupt critical cellular functions selective to leukemia cells positions it as a candidate for future therapeutic development.

Transcriptomics analysis identified ezrin as a potential druggable target in cervical and gastric cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer genomics and transcriptomics studies have provided a large volume of data that enables to test of hypotheses based on real data from cancer patients. Ezrin (encoded by the EZR gene) is a highly expressed protein in cancer that contributes to linking the actin cytoskeleton to the cell membrane and signal transduction pathways involved in oncogenesis and disease progression. NSC305787 is a pharmacological ezrin inhibitor with potential antineoplastic effects. In the present study, the authors prospected EZR mRNA levels in a pan-cancer analysis and identified potential cancers that could benefit from anti-EZR therapies. METHODS: This study analyzed TCGA data for 32 cancer types, emphasizing cervical squamous cell carcinoma and stomach adenocarcinoma. It investigated the impact of EZR transcript levels on clinical outcomes and identified differentially expressed genes. Cell lines were treated with NSC305787, and its effects were assessed through various cellular and molecular assays. RESULTS: EZR mRNA levels are highly expressed, and their expression is associated with biologically relevant molecular processes in cervical squamous carcinoma and stomach adenocarcinoma. In cellular models of cervical and gastric cancer, NSC305787 reduces cell viability and clonal growth (p < 0.05). Molecular analyses indicate that the pharmacological inhibition of EZR induces molecular markers of cell death and DNA damage, in addition, to promoting the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and inhibiting the expression of genes related to survival and proliferation. CONCLUSION: The present findings provide promising evidence that ezrin may be a molecular target in the treatment of cervical and gastric carcinoma.

The Multikinase Inhibitor AD80 Induces Mitotic Catastrophe and Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Significant advances in understanding the molecular complexity of the development and progression of pancreatic cancer have been made, but this disease is still considered one of the most lethal human cancers and needs new therapeutic options. In the present study, the antineoplastic effects of AD80, a multikinase inhibitor, were investigated in models of pancreatic cancer. AD80 reduced cell viability and clonogenicity and induced polyploidy in pancreatic cancer cells. At the molecular level, AD80 reduced RPS6 and histone H3 phosphorylation and induced γH2AX and PARP1 cleavage. Additionally, the drug markedly decreased AURKA phosphorylation and expression. In PANC-1 cells, AD80 strongly induced autophagic flux (consumption of LC3B and SQSTM1/p62). AD80 modulated 32 out of 84 autophagy-related genes and was associated with vacuole organization, macroautophagy, response to starvation, cellular response to nitrogen levels, and cellular response to extracellular stimulus. In 3D pancreatic cancer models, AD80 also effectively reduced growth independent of anchorage and cell viability. In summary, AD80 induces mitotic aberrations, DNA damage, autophagy, and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Our exploratory study establishes novel targets underlying the antineoplastic activity of the drug and provides insights into the development of therapeutic strategies for this disease.

NT157 exerts antineoplastic activity by targeting JNK and AXL signaling in lung cancer cells.

Combination therapies or multi-targeted drugs have been pointed out as an option to prevent the emergence of resistant clones, which could make long-term treatment more effective and translate into better clinical outcomes for cancer patients. The NT157 compound is a synthetic tyrphostin that leads to long-term inhibition of IGF1R/IRS1-2-, STAT3- and AXL-mediated signaling pathways. Given the importance of these signaling pathways for the development and progression of lung cancer, this disease becomes an interesting model for generating preclinical evidence on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic activity of NT157. In lung cancer cells, exposure to NT157 decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, cell viability, clonogenicity, cell cycle progression and migration, and induced apoptosis (p < 0.05). In the molecular scenario, NT157 reduced expression of IRS1 and AXL and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, AKT, and 4EBP1. Besides, NT157 decreased expression of oncogenes BCL2, CCND1, MYB, and MYC and increased genes related to cellular stress and apoptosis, JUN, BBC3, CDKN1A, CDKN1B, FOS, and EGR1 (p < 0.05), favoring a tumor-suppressive cell signaling network in the context of lung cancer. Of note, JNK was identified as a key kinase for NT157-induced IRS1 and IRS2 phosphorylation, revealing a novel axis involved in the mechanism of action of the drug. NT157 also presented potentiating effects on EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer cells. In conclusion, our preclinical findings highlight NT157 as a putative prototype of a multitarget drug that may contribute to the antineoplastic arsenal against lung cancer.

The PIP4K2 inhibitor THZ-P1-2 exhibits antileukemia activity by disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis and autophagy.

The treatment of acute leukemia is challenging because of the genetic heterogeneity between and within patients. Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are relatively drug-resistant and frequently relapse. Their plasticity and capacity to adapt to extracellular stress, in which mitochondrial metabolism and autophagy play important roles, further complicates treatment. Genetic models of phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase type 2 protein (PIP4K2s) inhibition have demonstrated the relevance of these enzymes in mitochondrial homeostasis and autophagic flux. Here, we uncovered the cellular and molecular effects of THZ-P1-2, a pan-inhibitor of PIP4K2s, in acute leukemia cells. THZ-P1-2 reduced cell viability and induced DNA damage, apoptosis, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the accumulation of acidic vesicular organelles. Protein expression analysis revealed that THZ-P1-2 impaired autophagic flux. In addition, THZ-P1-2 induced cell differentiation and showed synergistic effects with venetoclax. In primary leukemia cells, LC-MS/MS-based proteome analysis revealed that sensitivity to THZ-P1-2 is associated with mitochondrial metabolism, cell cycle, cell-of-origin (hematopoietic stem cell and myeloid progenitor), and the TP53 pathway. The minimal effects of THZ-P1-2 observed in healthy CD34+ cells suggest a favorable therapeutic window. Our study provides insights into the pharmacological inhibition of PIP4K2s targeting mitochondrial homeostasis and autophagy, shedding light on a new class of drugs for acute leukemia.

Targeting glioma cells by antineoplastic activity of reversine.

Gliomas are the most common type of primary central nervous system tumors and despite great advances in understanding the molecular basis of the disease very few new therapies have been developed. Reversine, a synthetic purine analog, is a multikinase inhibitor that targets aurora kinase A (AURKA) and aurora kinase B (AURKB). In gliomas, a high expression of AURKA or AURKB is associated with a malignant phenotype and a poor prognosis. The present study investigated reversine-related cellular and molecular antiglioma effects in HOG, T98G and U251MG cell lines. Gene and protein expression were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. For functional assays, human glioma cell lines (HOG, T98G and U251MG) were exposed to increasing concentrations of reversine (0.4-50 µM) and subjected to various cellular and molecular assays. Reversine reduced the viability and clonogenicity in a dose- and/or time-dependent manner in all glioma cells, with HOG (high AURKB-expression) and T98G (high AURKA-expression) cells being more sensitive compared with U251MG cells (low AURKA- and AURKB-expression). Notably, HOG cells presented higher levels of polyploidy, while T98G presented multiple mitotic spindles, which is consistent with the main regulatory functions of AURKB and AURKA, respectively. In molecular assays, reversine reduced AURKA and/or AURKB expression/activity and increased DNA damage and apoptosis markers, but autophagy-related proteins were not modulated. In conclusion, reversine potently induced mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis in glioma cells and higher basal levels of aurora kinases and genes responsive to DNA damage and may predict improved antiglioma responses to the drug. Reversine may be a potential novel drug in the antineoplastic arsenal against gliomas.