Joint forces of mass spectrometric techniques (ICP-MS and MALDI-TOF-MS) and fluorescence spectrometry in the study of platinum-based cytostatic drugs interactions with metallothionein MT2 and MT3.

Herby, the interaction of metallothioneins with commonly used Pt-based anticancer drugs - cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin - was investigated using the combined power of elemental (i.e. LA-ICP-MS, CE-ICP-MS) and molecular (i.e. MALDI-TOF-MS) analytical techniques providing not only required information about the interaction, but also the benefit of low sample consumption. The amount of Cd and Pt incorporated within the protein was determined for protein monomers and dimer/oligomers formed by non-oxidative dimerization. Moreover, fluorescence spectrometry using Zn2+-selective fluorescent indicator - FluoZin3 - was employed to monitor the ability of Pt drugs to release natively occurring Zn from the protein molecule. The investigation was carried out using two protein isoforms (i.e. MT2, MT3), and significant differences in behaviour of these two isoforms were observed. The main attention was paid to elucidating whether the protein dimerization/oligomerization may be the reason for the potential failure of the anticancer therapy based on these drugs. Based on the results, it was demonstrated that the interaction of MT2 (both monomers and dimers) interacted with Pt drugs significantly less compared to MT3 (both monomers and dimers). Also, a significant difference between monomeric and dimeric forms (both MT2 and MT3) was not observed. This may suggest that dimer formation is not the key factor leading to the inactivation of Pt drugs.

Enzymatically stable unsaturated hyaluronan-derived oligosaccharides with selective cytostatic properties.

Hyaluronan, a linear glycosaminoglycan comprising D-N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid, is the main component of the extracellular matrix. Its influence on cell proliferation, migration, inflammation, signalling, and other functions, depends heavily on its molecular weight and chemical modification. Unsaturated HA oligosaccharides are available in defined length and purity. Their potential therapeutic utility can be further improved by chemical modification, e. g., reduction. No synthesis of such modified oligosaccharides, either stepwise or by hyaluronan cleavage, has been reported yet. Here we show a three-step synthesis (esterification, depolymerization and reduction) of unsaturated even numbered hyaluronan oligosaccharides with carboxylates and the reducing terminus reduced to an alcohol. Particular oligosaccharides were synthesised. The modified oligosaccharides are not cleaved by mammalian or bacterial hyaluronidase and do not affect the growth of mouse and human fibroblasts. Further, MTT and NRU viability tests showed that they inhibit the growth of human colon carcinoma cells HT-29 by 20-50 % in concentrations 500-1000 µg/mL. Interestingly, this effect takes place regardless of CD44 receptor expression and was not observed with unmodified HA oligosaccharides. These compounds could serve as enzymatically stable building blocks for biologically active substances.

Cell Culture Characterization of Prooxidative Chain-Transfer Agents as Novel Cytostatic Drugs.

Prooxidative therapy is a well-established concept in infectiology and parasitology, in which prooxidative drugs like artemisinin and metronidazole play a pivotal clinical role. Theoretical considerations and earlier studies have indicated that prooxidative therapy might also represent a promising strategy in oncology. Here, we have investigated a novel class of prooxidative drugs, namely chain-transfer agents, as cytostatic agents in a series of human tumor cell lines in vitro. We have found that different chain-transfer agents of the lipophilic thiol class (like dodecane-1-thiol) elicited half-maximal effective concentrations in the low micromolar range in SY5Y cells (human neuroblastoma), Hela cells (human cervical carcinoma), HEK293 cells (immortalized human kidney), MCF7 cells (human breast carcinoma), and C2C12 cells (mouse myoblast). In contrast, HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular carcinoma) were resistant to toxicity, presumably through their high detoxification capacity for thiol groups. Cytotoxicity was undiminished by hypoxic culture conditions, but substantially lowered after cellular differentiation. Compared to four disparate, clinically used reference compounds in vitro (doxorubicin, actinomycin D, 5-fluorouracil, and hydroxyurea), chain-transfer agents emerged as comparably potent on a molar basis and on a maximum-effect basis. Our results indicate that chain-transfer agents possess a promising baseline profile as cytostatic drugs and should be explored further for anti-tumor chemotherapy.

Transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of new 3-substituted coumarin derivatives as antibacterial and cytostatic agents.

Aim: The aim of this study was to synthesize new coumarin-based compounds and evaluate their antibacterial and antitumor potential. Results: Using transition metal-catalyzed reactions, a series of 7-hydroxycoumarin derivatives were synthesized with aliphatic and aryl moiety attached directly at C-3 of the coumarin ring and through the ethynyl or 1,2,3-triazole linker. The 3-substituted coumarin derivative bearing bistrifluoromethylphenyl at the C-4 position of 1,2,3-triazole (33) showed strong and selective antiproliferative activity against cervical carcinoma cells. The 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin with a phenyl ring directly attached to coumarin at C-3 (10) showed good potency against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant strains. Conclusion: The most active coumarin derivatives owe their antiproliferative potential to the 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl substituent (in 33) and antibacterial activity to the aromatic moiety (in 10); their structure can be optimized further for improved effect.

Novel N-Substituted 3-Aryl-4-(diethoxyphosphoryl)azetidin-2-ones as Antibiotic Enhancers and Antiviral Agents in Search for a Successful Treatment of Complex Infections.

A novel series of N-substituted cis- and trans-3-aryl-4-(diethoxyphosphoryl)azetidin-2-ones were synthesized by the Kinugasa reaction of N-methyl- or N-benzyl-(diethyoxyphosphoryl)nitrone and selected aryl alkynes. Stereochemistry of diastereoisomeric adducts was established based on vicinal H3-H4 coupling constants in azetidin-2-one ring. All the obtained azetidin-2-ones were evaluated for the antiviral activity against a broad range of DNA and RNA viruses. Azetidin-2-one trans-11f showed moderate inhibitory activity against human coronavirus (229E) with EC50 = 45 µM. The other isomer cis-11f was active against influenza A virus H1N1 subtype (EC50 = 12 µM by visual CPE score; EC50 = 8.3 µM by TMS score; MCC > 100 µM, CC50 = 39.9 µM). Several azetidin-2-ones 10 and 11 were tested for their cytostatic activity toward nine cancerous cell lines and several of them appeared slightly active for Capan-1, Hap1 and HCT-116 cells values of IC50 in the range 14.5-97.9 µM. Compound trans-11f was identified as adjuvant of oxacillin with significant ability to enhance the efficacy of this antibiotic toward the highly resistant S. aureus strain HEMSA 5. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that enantiomer (3R,4S)-11f can be responsible for the promising activity due to the potency in displacing oxacillin at ß-lactamase, thus protecting the antibiotic from undesirable biotransformation.

PSMA-targeted low-molecular double conjugates for diagnostics and therapy.

This review presents data on dual conjugates of therapeutic and diagnostic action for targeted delivery to prostate cancer cells. The works of the last ten years on this topic were analyzed. The mail attention focuses on low-molecular-weight conjugates directed to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA); the comparison of high and low molecular weight PSMA-targeted conjugates was made. The considered conjugates were divided in the review into two main classes: diagnostic bimodal conjugates (which are containing two fragments for different types of diagnostics), theranostic conjugates (containing both therapeutic and diagnostic agents); also bimodal high molecular weight therapeutic conjugates containing two therapeutic agents are briefly discussed. The data of in vitro and in vivo studies for PSMA-targeted double conjugates available by the beginning of 2021 have been analyzed.

Recent Advances and Trends in Chemical CPP-Drug Conjugation Techniques.

This review summarizes recent developments in conjugation techniques for the synthesis of cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-drug conjugates targeting cancer cells. We will focus on small organic molecules as well as metal complexes that were used as cytostatic payloads. Moreover, two principle ways of coupling chemistry will be discussed direct conjugation as well as the use of bifunctional linkers. While direct conjugation of the drug to the CPP is still popular, the use of bifunctional linkers seems to gain increasing attention as it offers more advantages related to the linker chemistry. Thus, three main categories of linkers will be highlighted, forming either disulfide acid-sensitive or stimuli-sensitive bonds. All techniques will be thoroughly discussed by their pros and cons with the aim to help the reader in the choice of the optimal conjugation technique that might be used for the synthesis of a given CPP-drug conjugate.

Sensitizing multidrug-resistant leukemia cells to common cytostatics by an aluminium-salen complex that has high-apoptotic effects in leukemia, lymphoma and mamma carcinoma cells.

We investigated the aluminium-salen complex MBR-8 as a potential anti-cancer agent. To see apoptotic effects induced by MBR-8, alone and in combination with common cytostatic drugs, DNA-fragmentations were studied using the flow cytometric analysis. Western blot analysis and measurement of the mitochondrial membrane potential with a JC-1 dye were employed to identify the pathway of apoptosis. An impressive overcoming of multidrug-resistance in leukemia (Nalm6) cells was observed. Additionally, solid tumor cells including Burkitt-like lymphoma (BJAB) and mamma carcinoma cells (MCF-7) are affected by MBR-8 in the same way. Western blot analysis revealed activation of caspase-3. MBR-8 showed very pronounced selectivity with regard to tumor cells and high synergistic effects in Nalm6 and daunorubicin-resistant Nalm6 cells when administered in combination with vincristine, daunorubicin and doxorubicin. The aluminium-salen complex MBR-8 showed very promising anti-cancer properties which warrant further development towards a cytostatic agent for future chemotherapy. Studies on aluminium compounds for cancer therapy are rare, and our report adds to this important body of knowledge.

Fucoidan Independently Enhances Activity in Human Immune Cells and Has a Cytostatic Effect on Prostate Cancer Cells in the Presence of Nivolumab.

Fucoidan compounds may increase immune activity and are known to have cancer inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of fucoidan compounds on ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and to determine their cancer cell killing activity both solely, and in combination with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor drug, Nivolumab. Proliferation of PBMCs and interferon gamma (IFNγ) release were assessed in the presence of fucoidan compounds extracted from Fucus vesiculosus, Undaria pinnatifida and Macrocystis pyrifera. Total cell numbers and cell killing activity were assessed using a hormone resistant prostate cancer cell line, PC3. All fucoidan compounds activated PBMCs, and increased the effects of Nivolumab. All fucoidan compounds had significant direct cytostatic effects on PC3 cells, reducing cancer cell numbers, and PBMCs exhibited cell killing activity as measured by apoptosis. However, there was no fucoidan mediated increase in the cell killing activity. In conclusion, fucoidan compounds promoted proliferation and activity of PBMCs and added to the effects of Nivolumab. Fucoidan compounds all had a direct cytostatic effect on PC3 cells, as shown through their proliferation reduction, while their killing was not increased.

Mutagenic and cytostatic activities of the Xylopia laevigata essential oil in human lymphocytes.

Hydro-distilled essential oil from leaves of Xylopia laevigata was characterized by GC-MS. Twenty-seven components were identified and the oil's major constituents comprised germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, (E)-caryophyllene and germacrene B. The cytotoxicity of the essential oil of X. laevigata (EOXL), determined by MTT and mitotic index methods in cultured human lymphocytes was observed in all tested concentrations. Cultures treated with EOXL demonstrated significant increase in the frequencies of micronuclei in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) and reduction of the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI) rates. Results demonstrated the cytostatic and mutagenic effects of EOXL, the latter for the first time.

Synthesis and HPLC-ECD Study of Cytostatic Condensed O,N-Heterocycles Obtained from 3-Aminoflavanones.

Racemic chiral O,N-heterocycles containing 2-arylchroman or 2-aryl-2H-chromene subunit condensed with morpholine, thiazole, or pyrrole moieties at the C-3-C-4 bond were synthesized with various substitution patterns of the aryl group by the cyclization of cis- or trans-3-aminoflavanone analogues. The 3-aminoflavanone precursors were obtained in a Neber rearrangement of oxime tosylates of flavanones, which provided the trans diastereomer as the major product and enabled the isolation of both the cis- and trans-diastereomers. The cis- and trans-aminoflavanones were utilized to prepare three diastereomers of 5-aryl-chromeno[4,3-b][1,4]oxazines. Antiproliferative activity of the condensed heterocycles and precursors was evaluated against A2780 and WM35 cancer cell lines. For a 3-(N-chloroacetylamino)-flavan-4-ol derivative, showing structural analogy with acyclic acid ceramidase inhibitors, 0.15 µM, 3.50 µM, and 6.06 µM IC50 values were measured against A2780, WM35, and HaCat cell lines, and apoptotic mechanism was confirmed. Low micromolar IC50 values down to 2.14 µM were identified for the thiazole- and pyrrole-condensed 2H-chromene derivatives. Enantiomers of the condensed heterocycles were separated by HPLC using chiral stationary phase, HPLC-ECD spectra were recorded and TDDFT-ECD calculations were performed to determine the absolute configuration and solution conformation. Characteristic ECD transitions of the separated enantiomers were correlated with the absolute configuration and effect of substitution pattern on the HPLC elution order was determined.

A high methyl ester pectin polysaccharide from the root bark of Aralia elata: Structural identification and biological activity.

In this study, a high methyl ester pectin polysaccharide, AER-A3 (Mw, 1.12 × 105 g/mol; O-methyl ester groups (wt%), 3.81%), was isolated and purified from the root bark of Aralia elata by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Its planar structure was investigated in combination with UPLC-ESI+-MS, FT-IR, HILIC-UPLC-ESI--HCD-MS/MS, GC-MS and NMR techniques. The main chain of AER-A3 was unambiguously determined to be smooth region and hairy region with a chain length ratio of 1:1, characterized by occurrence of (1 â†’ 2)-α-Rhap, (1 â†’ 2,3)-α-Rhap, (1 â†’ 2,4)-α-Rhap, (1 â†’ 2,3,4)-α-Rhap, and (1 â†’ 4)-α-GalpA, whereas the branched chain included T-α-Rhap, T-α-Araf, (1 â†’ 5)-α-Araf, (1 â†’ 3,5)-α-Araf, T-ß-Galp, (1 â†’ 3)-ß-Galp, (1 â†’ 3,4,6)-ß-Galp, (1 â†’ 4)-Glcp, (1 â†’ 3)-Glcp, and (1 â†’ 3)-Manp. Meanwhile, SEC-MALLS-RID, CD and Congo red assays showed that AER-A3 had no helical conformations but existed as a globular shape with branching. In addition, AER-A3 had good scavenging activities against DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals. Anti-tumor assay investigated the effects of AER-A3 on human A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines in vitro. These results provided a scientific basis for the use of the polysaccharides in A. elata root barks in pharmaceuticals.

Novel triorganotin complexes based on phosphonic acid ligands: Syntheses, structures and in vitro cytostatic activity.

Six novel organotin phosphonate complexes, [(Me3Sn)4(HL1)4]n1, [(Me3Sn)2(HL2)2]n2, [(Me3Sn)2L3(H2O)]n3, [(Ph3Sn)(HL1)]64, [(Ph3Sn)2L2]n5 and [(Ph3Sn)2L3]66, derived from phosphonic acid ligands [NaHL1 = 1-C10H7OPO2(OH)Na, H2L2 = 1-C10H7PO(OH)2, H2L3 = 2-C10H7PO(OH)2], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (1H, 13C, 31P and 119Sn) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The structural analysis reveals that complexes 1 and 5 display 1D infinite zig-zag chain structures, and complex 2 shows 1D right-handed helical chain structure, while complex 3 displays 1D left-handed helical chain structure. Complexes 4 and 6 are 24-membered macrocyclic rings interconnected by P, O and Sn atoms. Additionally, the molecules of complexes 1 and 3 are further linked through intermolecular π···π and O-H···O interaction into supramolecular structures, respectively. Furthermore, we preliminarily estimated in vitro cytostatic activity of complexes 1-6 against the human cervix tumor cells (HeLa), human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2) and human normal breast cells (HBL-100). Importantly, the anti-proliferative properties and possible pathway of complex 6 are investigated, and the results demonstrate that complex 6 could induce apoptotic cell death via an overload of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the dysfunctional depolarization of mitochondrial membranes.

Added value recyclability of glass fiber waste as photo-oxidation catalyst for toxic cytostatic micropollutants.

There is an increased interest in recycling valuable waste materials for usage in procedures with high added values. Silica microparticles are involved in the processes of catalysis, separation, immobilization of complexants, biologically active compounds, and different nanospecies, responding to restrictive requirements for selectivity of various chemical and biochemical processes. This paper presents the surface modification of accessible and dimensionally controlled recycled silica microfiber with titanium dioxide. Strong base species in organic solvents: methoxide, ethoxide, propoxide, and potassium butoxide in corresponding alcohol, activated the glass microfibres with 12-13 µm diameter. In the photo-oxidation process of a toxic micro-pollutant, cyclophosphamide, the new composite material successfully proved photocatalytic effectiveness. The present work fulfills simultaneously two specific objectives related to the efforts directed towards a sustainable environment and circular economy: recycling of optical glass microfibers resulted as waste from the industry, and their usage for the photo-oxidation of highly toxic emerging micro-pollutants.

Insights into Mechanisms of Electrochemical Drug Degradation in Their Mixtures in the Split-Flow Reactor.

The recirculating split-flow batch reactor with a cell divided into anolyte and catholyte compartments for oxidation mixture of cytostatic drugs (CD) was tested. In this study, kinetics and mechanisms of electrochemical oxidization of two mixtures: 5-FU/CP and IF/CP were investigated. The order of the CD degradation rate in single drug solutions and in mixtures was found to be 5-FU < CP < IF. In the 5-FU/CP mixture, kapp of 5-FU increased, while kapp of CP decreased comparing to the single drug solutions. No effect on the degradation rate was found in the CP/IF mixture. The presence of a second drug in the 5-FU/CP mixture significantly altered mineralization and nitrogen removal efficiency, while these processes were inhibited in IF/CP. The experiments in the different electrolytes showed that •OH and sulphate active species can participate in the drug's degradation. The kapp of the drugs was accelerated by the presence of Cl- ions in the solution. Chlorine active species played the main role in the production of gaseous nitrogen products and increased the mineralisation. Good results were obtained for the degradation and mineralisation processes in mixtures of drugs in municipal wastewater-treated effluent, which is beneficial from the technological and practical point of view.

Removal of anthracycline cytostatics from aquatic environment: Comparison of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide and decontamination agents.

Anthracyclines are a class of pharmaceuticals used in cancer treatment have the potential to negatively impact the environment. To study the possibilities of anthracyclines (represented by pirarubicin and valrubicin) removal, chemical inactivation using NaOH (0.01 M) and NaClO (5%) as decontamination agents and adsorption to powdered nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) were compared. The titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared via homogeneous precipitation of an aqueous solution of titanium (IV) oxy-sulfate (TiOSO4) at different amount (5-120 g) with urea. The as-prepared TiO2 samples were characterized by XRD, HRSEM and nitrogen physisorption. The adsorption process of anthracycline cytostatics was determined followed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and an in-situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) technique. It was found that NaClO decomposes anthracyclines to form various transformation products (TPs). No TPs were identified after the reaction of valrubicin with a NaOH solution as well as in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. The best degree of removal, 100% of pirarubicin and 85% of valrubicin, has been achieved in a sample with 120 grams of TiOSO4 (TIT120) and TiO2 with 60 grams (TIT60), respectively.

Biochemical profile and in vitro biological activities of extracts from seven folk medicinal plants growing wild in southern Tunisia.

Recently, much attention has been paid to the extracts obtained from plant species in order to analyse their biological activities. Due to the climate diversity in Tunisia, the traditional pharmacopoeia consists of a wide arsenal of medicinal plant species since long used in folk medicine, in foods as spices, and in aromatherapy. Although many of these species are nearly facing extinction, only a small proportion of them have been scientifically studied. Therefore, this study explores the biochemical properties of seven spontaneous plants, which were harvested in the arid Tunisian desert: Marrubium vulgare (L.), Rhus tripartita (Ucria) D.C., Thymelaea hirsute (L.) Endl., Plantago ovata (Forsk.), Herniaria fontanesii (J. Gay.), Ziziphus lotus (L.) and Hyoscyamus albus (L.). Extracts from these plants were found to contain different types of secondary metabolites (polyphenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, crude saponins, carotenoids and alkaloids) that are involved in important biological activities. The biological activity of the extracts obtained from each Tunisian plant was assessed: first of all, leukaemia and colon cancer cell lines (K-562 and CaCo-2 respectively) were treated with different concentrations of extracts, and then the anti-proliferative activity was observed. The results showed, in particular, how the plant extract from Rhus tripartita significantly inhibits cell proliferation, especially on the K-562 tumour cell line. Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed, and the results showed that Herniaria fontanesii and Marrubium vulgare possess the highest activity in the group of analysed plants. Finally, the greatest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect was exhibited by the extract obtained from Rhus tripartita. In conclusion, all the Tunisian plants we analysed were shown to contain a remarkable amount of different bio-active compounds, thus confirming their involvement in several biological activities. Rhus tripartita and Ziziphus lotus were shown to be particularly effective in anti-proliferative activity, while Herniaria fontanesii were shown to have the best anti-inflammatory activity.

The synthesis of a novel Crizotinib heptamethine cyanine dye conjugate that potentiates the cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of Crizotinib in patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines.

We describe the synthesis of drug-dye conjugate 1 between anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor Crizotinib and heptamethine cyanine dye IR-786. The drug-dye conjugate 1 was evaluated in three different patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines and showed potent cytotoxic activity with nanomolar potency (EC50: 50.9 nM). We also demonstrate evidence for antiproliferative activity of 1 with single digit nanomolar potency (IC50: 4.7 nM). Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects conveyed a dramatic, 110-fold improvement over Crizotinib. This improvement was even more pronounced (492-fold) when 1 was combined with Temozolomide, the standard drug for treatment for glioblastoma. This work lays the foundation for future exploration of similar tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug-dye conjugates for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Cytostatic and Cytotoxic Natural Products against Cancer Cell Models.

The increasing prevalence of drug resistant and/or high-risk cancers indicate further drug discovery research is required to improve patient outcome. This study outlines a simplified approach to identify lead compounds from natural products against several cancer cell lines, and provides the basis to better understand structure activity relationship of the natural product cephalotaxine. Using high-throughput screening, a natural product library containing fractions and pure compounds was interrogated for proliferation inhibition in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cellular models (SUP-B15 and KOPN-8). Initial hits were verified in control and counter screens, and those with EC50 values ranging from nanomolar to low micromolar were further characterized via mass spectrometry, NMR, and cytotoxicity measurements. Most of the active compounds were alkaloid natural products including cephalotaxine and homoharringtonine, which were validated as protein synthesis inhibitors with significant potency against several cancer cell lines. A generated BODIPY-cephalotaxine probe provides insight into the mode of action of cephalotaxine and further rationale for its weaker potency when compared to homoharringtonine. The steroidal natural products (ecdysone and muristerone A) also showed modest biological activity and protein synthesis inhibition. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that natural products continue to provide insight into structure and function of molecules with therapeutic potential against drug resistant cancer cell models.

Organoseleno cytostatic derivatives: Autophagic cell death with AMPK and JNK activation.

Selenocyanates and diselenides are potential antitumor agents. Here we report two series of selenium derivatives related to selenocyanates and diselenides containing carboxylic, amide and imide moieties. These compounds were screened for their potency and selectivity against seven tumor cell lines and two non-malignant cell lines. Results showed that MCF-7 cells were especially sensitive to the treatment, with seven compounds presenting GI50 values below 10 µM. Notably, the carboxylic selenocyanate 8b and the cyclic imide 10a also displayed high selectivity for tumor cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with these compounds resulted in cell cycle arrest at S phase, increased levels of pJNK and pAMPK and caspase independent cell death. Autophagy inhibitors wortmannin and chloroquine partially prevented 8b and 10a induced cell death. Consistent with autophagy, increased Beclin1 and LC3-IIB and reduced SQSTM1/p62 levels were detected. Our results point to 8b and 10a as autophagic cell death inducers.