Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response via Inhibition of Protein Disulfide Isomerase Decreases the Capacity for DNA Repair to Sensitize Glioblastoma to Radiotherapy.

Patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) survive on average 12 to 14 months after diagnosis despite surgical resection followed by radiotheraphy and temozolomide therapy. Intrinsic or acquired resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy is common and contributes to a high rate of recurrence. To investigate the therapeutic potential of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) as a target to overcome resistance to chemoradiation, we developed a GBM tumor model wherein conditional genetic ablation of prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit beta (P4HB), the gene that encodes PDI, can be accomplished. Loss of PDI expression induced the unfolded protein response (UPR) and decreased cell survival in two independent GBM models. Nascent RNA Bru-seq analysis of PDI-depleted cells revealed a decrease in transcription of genes involved in DNA repair and cell-cycle regulation. Activation of the UPR also led to a robust decrease in RAD51 protein expression as a result of its ubiquitination-mediated proteosomal degradation. Clonogenic survival assays demonstrated enhanced killing of GBM cells in response to a combination of PDI knockdown and ionizing radiation (IR) compared with either modality alone, which correlated with a decreased capacity to repair IR-induced DNA damage. Synergistic tumor control was also observed with the combination of PDI inhibition and IR in a mouse xenograft model compared with either single agent alone. These findings provide a strong rationale for the development of PDI inhibitors and their use in combination with DNA damage-inducing, standard-of-care therapies such as IR. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify PDIA1 as a therapeutic target in GBM by demonstrating efficacy of its inhibition in combination with radiotherapy through a novel mechanism involving downregulation of DNA repair genes.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/11/2923/F1.large.jpg.

The discovery of the benzhydroxamate MEK inhibitors CI-1040 and PD 0325901.

A novel series of benzhydroxamate esters derived from their precursor anthranilic acids have been prepared and have been identified as potent MEK inhibitors. 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-3,4-difluoro-benzamide, CI-1040, was the first MEK inhibitor to demonstrate in vivo activity in preclinical animal models and subsequently became the first MEK inhibitor to enter clinical trial. CI-1040 suffered however from poor exposure due to its poor solubility and rapid clearance, and as a result, development of the compound was terminated. Optimization of the diphenylamine core and modification of the hydroxamate side chain for cell potency, solubility, and exposure with oral delivery resulted in the discovery of the clinical candidate N-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-benzamide PD 0325901.

Antitumor activity and pharmacokinetic properties of PF-00299804, a second-generation irreversible pan-erbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Signaling through the erbB receptor family of tyrosine kinases contributes to the proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival of a variety of cell types. Abnormalities in members of this receptor family have been shown to play a role in oncogenesis, thus making them attractive targets for anticancer treatments. PF-00299804 is a second-generation irreversible pan-erbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently in phase I clinical trials. PF-00299804 is believed to irreversibly inhibit erbB tyrosine kinase activity through binding at the ATP site and covalent modification of nucleophilic cysteine residues in the catalytic domains of erbB family members. Oral administration of PF-00299804 causes significant antitumor activity, including marked tumor regressions in a variety of human tumor xenograft models that express and/or overexpress erbB family members or contain the double mutation (L858R/T790M) in erbB1 (EGFR) associated with resistance to gefitinib and erlotinib. Furthermore, PF-00299804 shows exceptional distribution to human tumor xenografts and excellent pharmacokinetic properties across species.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of soluble 7-substituted 3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-naphthyridin-2-amines and related ureas as dual inhibitors of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinases.

7-Substituted 3-aryl-1,6-naphthyridine-2,7-diamines and related 2-ureas are inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). 3-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl) and 3-phenyl analogues were prepared from 7-acetamido-2-tert-butylureas by alkylation with benzyl omega-iodoalkyl ethers, debenzylation, and amination, followed by selective cleavage of the 7-N-acetamide. 3-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl) analogues were prepared from the 7-fluoro-2-amine by displacement with substituted alkylamines, followed by selective acylation of the resulting substituted naphthyridine-2,7-diamines with alkyl isocyanates. The 3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl) derivatives were low nanomolar inhibitors of both FGFR and VEGFR and were highly selective (>100-fold) over PDGFR and c-Src. Variations in the base strength or spatial position of the 7-side chain base had only small effects on the potency (<5-fold) or selectivity (<20-fold). The 3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-urea derivatives were slightly less active against VEGFR and less selective, being more effective against PDGFR (ca. 10-fold) and c-Src (ca. 500-fold). The 3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-naphthyridines were generally more potent than the corresponding pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines against both VEGFR and FGFR (2- to 20-fold), with only slightly increased PDGFR and c-Src activity. The 3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-naphthyridine 2-ureas were also low nanomolar inhibitors of the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by serum, FGF, or VEGF, at concentrations that did not affect the growth of representative tumor cell lines, and were more (3- to 65-fold) potent than the corresponding pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines.

Identification of a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase activation domain recognized by the inhibitor PD 184352.

Utilizing a genetic screen in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we identified a novel autoactivation region in mammalian MEK1 that is involved in binding the specific MEK inhibitor, PD 184352. The genetic screen is possible due to the homology between components of the yeast pheromone response pathway and the eukaryotic Raf-MEK-ERK signaling cascade. Using the FUS1::HIS3 reporter as a functional readout for activation of a reconstituted Raf-MEK-ERK signaling cascade, randomly mutagenized MEK variants that were insensitive to PD 184352 were obtained. Seven single-base-change mutations were identified, five of which mapped to kinase subdomains III and IV of MEK. Of the seven variants, only one, a leucine-to-proline substitution at amino acid 115 (Leu115Pro), was completely insensitive to PD 184352 in vitro (50% inhibitory concentration >10 micro M). However, all seven mutants displayed strikingly high basal activity compared to wild-type MEK. Overexpression of the MEK variants in HEK293T cells resulted in an increase in mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, a finding consistent with the elevated basal activity of these constructs. Further, treatment with PD 184352 failed to inhibit Leu115Pro-stimulated MAP kinase activation in HEK293T cells, whereas all other variants had some reduction in phospho-MAP kinase levels. By using cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (1CDK) as a template, an MEK homology model was generated, with five of the seven identified residues clustered together, forming a potential hydrophobic binding pocket for PD 184352. Additionally, the model allowed identification of other potential residues that would interact with the inhibitor. Directed mutation of these residues supported this region's involvement with inhibitor binding.