Ebastine impairs metastatic spread in triple-negative breast cancer by targeting focal adhesion kinase.

We sought to investigate the utility of ebastine (EBA), a second-generation antihistamine with potent anti-metastatic properties, in the context of breast cancer stem cell (BCSC)-suppression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). EBA binds to the tyrosine kinase domain of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), blocking phosphorylation at the Y397 and Y576/577 residues. FAK-mediated JAK2/STAT3 and MEK/ERK signaling was attenuated after EBA challenge in vitro and in vivo. EBA treatment induced apoptosis and a sharp decline in the expression of the BCSC markers ALDH1, CD44 and CD49f, suggesting that EBA targets BCSC-like cell populations while reducing tumor bulk. EBA administration significantly impeded BCSC-enriched tumor burden, angiogenesis and distant metastasis while reducing MMP-2/-9 levels in circulating blood in vivo. Our findings suggest that EBA may represent an effective therapeutic for the simultaneous targeting of JAK2/STAT3 and MEK/ERK for the treatment of molecularly heterogeneous TNBC with divergent profiles. Further investigation of EBA as an anti-metastatic agent for the treatment of TNBC is warranted.

ß-Escin overcomes trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer by targeting cancer stem-like features.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of de novo or intrinsic trastuzumab resistance is exceedingly high in breast cancer that is HER2 positive and correlates with an abundant cancer stem cell (CSC)-like population. We sought to examine the capacity of ß-escin, an anti-inflammatory drug, to address trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer cells. METHODS: The effect of ß-escin on trastuzumab-resistant and -sensitive cell lines in vitro was evaluated for apoptosis, expression of HER2 family members, and impact on CSC-like properties. An in vivo model of trastuzumab-resistant JIMT-1 was used to examine the efficacy and toxicity of ß-escin. RESULTS: ß-escin induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis accompanied by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased active p18Bax fragmentation, leading to caspase-3/-7 activation. Attenuation of CSC-related features by ß-escin challenge was accompanied by marked reductions in CD44high/CD24low stem-like cells and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity as well as hindrance of mammosphere formation. ß-escin administration also significantly retarded tumor growth and angiogenesis in a trastuzumab-resistant JIMT-1 xenograft model via downregulation of CSC-associated markers and intracellular domain HER2. Importantly, ß-escin selectively inhibited malignant cells and was less toxic to normal mammary cells, and no toxic effects were found in liver and kidney function in animals. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings highlight ß-escin as a promising candidate for the treatment of trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancers.

The HSP90 inhibitor HVH-2930 exhibits potent efficacy against trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer.

Rationale: Resistance to targeted therapies like trastuzumab remains a critical challenge for HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Despite the progress of several N-terminal HSP90 inhibitors in clinical trials, none have achieved approval for clinical use, primarily due to issues such as induction of the heat shock response (HSR), off-target effects, and unfavorable toxicity profiles. We sought to examine the effects of HVH-2930, a novel C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor, in overcoming trastuzumab resistance. Methods: The effect of HVH-2930 on trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant cell lines in vitro was evaluated in terms of cell viability, expression of HSP90 client proteins, and impact on cancer stem cells. An in vivo model with trastuzumab-resistant JIMT-1 cells was used to examine the efficacy and toxicity of HVH-2930. Results: HVH-2930 was rationally designed to fit into the ATP-binding pocket interface cavity of the hHSP90 homodimer in the C-terminal domain of HSP90, stabilizing its open conformation and hindering ATP binding. HVH-2930 induces apoptosis without inducing the HSR but by specifically suppressing the HER2 signaling pathway. This occurs with the downregulation of HER2/p95HER2 and disruption of HER2 family member heterodimerization. Attenuation of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties was associated with the downregulation of stemness factors such as ALDH1, CD44, Nanog and Oct4. Furthermore, HVH-2930 administration inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth in trastuzumab-resistant xenograft mice. A synergistic effect was observed when combining HVH-2930 and paclitaxel in JIMT-1 xenografts. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the potent efficacy of HVH-2930 in overcoming trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. Further investigation is warranted to fully establish its therapeutic potential.

(E)-N-[(E)-3-(4-Nitro-phen-yl)allyl-idene]naphthalen-1-amine.

In the title compound, C19H14N2O2, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the 4-nitro-phenyl ring and the naphthalene ring system is 12.79 (2)°. The imine group displays a C-C-N=C torsion angle of 41.0 (2)° and the C=N group has an E conformation. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link molecules into layers parallel to the b axis.

(E)-N-(3,3-Di-phenyl-allyl-idene)naph-thal-en-1-amine.

The title compound, C25H19N, adopts an E conformation about the C=N bond. The naphthalene ring system and the phenyl rings form dihedral angles 38.1 (1), 46.9 (8) and 48.5 (1)°, respectively, with the mean plane of the central enimino fragment. The crystal packing exhibits no directional close contacts.

Suppression of TNBC metastasis by doxazosin, a novel dual inhibitor of c-MET/EGFR.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by aggressive growth and a high propensity for recurrence and metastasis. Simultaneous overexpression of c-MET and EGFR in TNBC is associated with worse clinicopathological features and unfavorable outcomes. Although the development of new c-MET inhibitors and the emergence of 3rd-generation EGFR inhibitors represent promising treatment options, the high costs involved limit the accessibility of these drugs. In the present study, we sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of doxazosin (DOXA), a generic drug for benign prostate hyperplasia, in targeting TNBC. METHODS: The effect of DOXA on TNBC cell lines in vitro was evaluated in terms of cell viability, apoptosis, c-MET/EGFR signaling pathway, molecular docking studies and impact on cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties. An in vivo metastatic model with CSCs was used to evaluate the efficacy of DOXA. RESULTS: DOXA exhibits notable anti-proliferative effects on TNBC cells by inducing apoptosis via caspase activation. Molecular docking studies revealed the direct interaction of DOXA with the tyrosine kinase domains of c-MET and EGFR. Consequently, DOXA disrupts important survival pathways including AKT, MEK/ERK, and JAK/STAT3, while suppressing CSC-like characteristics including CD44high/CD24low subpopulations, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity and formation of mammospheres. DOXA administration was found to suppress tumor growth, intra- and peri-tumoral angiogenesis and distant metastasis in an orthotopic allograft model with CSC-enriched populations. Furthermore, no toxic effects of DOXA were observed in hepatic or renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the potential of DOXA as a therapeutic option for metastatic TNBC, warranting further investigation.

A novel HSP90 inhibitor SL-145 suppresses metastatic triple-negative breast cancer without triggering the heat shock response.

Despite recent advances, there remains a significant unmet need for the development of new targeted therapies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although the heat shock protein HSP90 is a promising target, previous inhibitors have had issues during development including undesirable induction of the heat shock response (HSR) and off-target effects leading to toxicity. SL-145 is a novel, rationally-designed C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor that induces apoptosis in TNBC cells via the suppression of oncogenic AKT, MEK/ERK, and JAK2/STAT3 signaling and does not trigger the HSR, in contrast to other inhibitors. In an orthotopic allograft model incorporating breast cancer stem cell-enriched TNBC tumors, SL-145 potently suppressed tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastases concomitant with dysregulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings highlight the potential of SL-145 in suppressing metastatic TNBC independent of the HSR.

The C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor NCT-58 kills trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer stem-like cells.

N-terminal HSP90 inhibitors in development have had issues arising from heat shock response (HSR) induction and off-target effects. We sought to investigate the capacity of NCT-58, a rationally-synthesized C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor, to kill trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer stem-like cells. NCT-58 does not induce the HSR due to its targeting of the C-terminal region and elicits anti-tumor activity via the simultaneous downregulation of HER family members as well as inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. NCT-58 kills the rapidly proliferating bulk tumor cells as well as the breast cancer stem-like population, coinciding with significant reductions in stem/progenitor markers and pluripotent transcription factors. NCT-58 treatment suppressed growth and angiogenesis in a trastuzumab-resistant xenograft model, concomitant with downregulation of ICD-HER2 and HSF-1/HSP70/HSP90. These findings warrant further investigation of NCT-58 to address trastuzumab resistance in heterogeneous HER2-positive cancers.

Exploration of novel 2-alkylimino-1,3-thiazolines: T-type calcium channel inhibitory activity.

We have developed combinatorial libraries of new 2-alkylimino-1,3-thiazolines with four diversity points, consisting of more than 500 compounds, in a parallel synthetic fashion. The synthetic strategy was based on the construction of a large library aimed at the discovery of new compounds with T-type calcium channel inhibitory activity through structure modifications of hit compound 2. The syntheses of the compounds of Chemset A with four diversity points were accomplished by the condensation of thioureas 5 with alpha-haloketones 6{1-66} having two diversity points each. A library of phthalimidyl 1,3-thiazolines 24 was synthesized to provide Chemset B, which allowed the introduction of other diversity points through the nucleophilic character of the amino nitrogen. A sublibrary, Chemset C, was constructed from the libraries of Chemset A and Chemset B by functionalization of the C-4 position of the 1,3-thiazoline ring. The products containing ester or acid groups at the C-4 position of the 1,3-thiazoline ring were used in amide synthesis to give a new sublibrary within Chemset C. Deprotection of the phthalimidyl moiety of 24 followed by the reaction with benzoyl chloride gave the corresponding sublibrary in Chemset C. Another sublibrary which includes secondary amino derivatives was obtained by reduction of the amide moiety or reductive amination of 23 with phenyl aldehyde. The selected compounds from the generated libraries were evaluated with respect to inhibition of T-type calcium channels, where some of them have exhibited promising activity.

Quantitative structural-activity relationship (QSAR) study for fungicidal activities of thiazoline derivatives against rice blast.

For the development of new fungicides against rice blast, the quantitative structural-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses for fungicidal activities of thiazoline derivatives were carried out using multiple linear regression (MLR) and neural network (NN). We have studied the substituent effects at para site of R(1) and at three sites (ortho, meta, or para) of R(2) aromatic rings in compounds. The results of MLR and NN analyses in the training set of Set-3 showed good correlations (r(2) values of 0.829 and 0.966, respectively) between the descriptors and the fungicidal activities. Five descriptors including the non-overlap steric volume SV(R2C2)), Connolly surface area SA(R1), hydrophobicity Sigma pi(R2), and Hammett substituent constants (sigma(pR1) and sigma(mR2)) were selected as important factors of fungicidal activities. Although the descriptors of optimum MLR model were used in NN, the results were improved by NN. This means that the descriptors used in MLR model include non-linear relationships.

Protective effect of benzothiazole derivative KHG21834 on amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and cortical and mesencephalic neurons.

We have investigated the effect of KHG21834, a benzothiazole derivative, on the amyloid beta protein (Abeta)-induced cell death in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and rat cortical and mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures. KHG21834 attenuated the Abeta(25-35)-induced apoptotic death in PC12 cells determined by characteristic morphological alterations and positive in situ terminal end-labeling (TUNEL). In the cortical neuron-glia cultures, KHG21834 reduced the Abeta(25-35)-induced apoptosis determined by TUNEL staining. Immunocytochemical analysis and Western blot analysis of Abeta(25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibody showed that Abeta(25-35) decreased the expression of TH protein by 60% and KHG21834 significantly attenuated the Abeta(25-35)-induced reduction in the expression of TH. Moreover, KHG21834 attenuates Abeta(25-35)-induced toxicity concomitant with the reduction of activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 to a lesser extent. ERK1 was more sensitively affected than ERK2 in attenuation of Abeta(25-35)-induced phosphorylation by KHG21834. These results demonstrated that KHG21834 was capable of protecting neuronal cells from Abeta(25-35)-induced degeneration.

A derivative of 2-aminothiazole inhibits melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells via glycogen synthase kinase 3ß phosphorylation.

OBJECTIVES: We have investigated whether KHG25855 (2-cyclohexylamino-1,3-thiazole hydrochloride) affected melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells, and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Melanin content and tyrosinase activity were measured using an ELISA reader after cells were treated with KHG25855. KHG25855-induced signalling pathways were examined using Western blot analysis. KEY FINDINGS: KHG25855 decreased melanin production in a dose-dependent fashion, but KHG25855 did not directly inhibit tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. The expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and the related signal transduction pathways were also investigated. The effects of KHG25855 on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and cAMP response element binding protein signalling pathways were determined, and KHG25855 was shown to have no effect on these signalling pathways. The Wnt signalling pathway is also deeply involved in melanogenesis, and so glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) phosphorylation was assessed after KHG25855 treatment; KHG25855 caused GSK3ß phosphorylation (inactivation), but the level of ß-catenin was not changed by KHG25855. Furthermore, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced tyrosinase expression was downregulated by KHG25855. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that KHG25855 showed hypopigmentary activity through tyrosinase downregulation via GSK3ß phosphorylation.

Syntheses of 1,3-Imidazoline-2-thione and 2-Phenylimino-1,3-thiazoline combinatorial libraries through different sequences of the same components.

We have developed combinatorial libraries of new 1,3-imidazoline-2-thiones 5 and 2-phenylimino-1,3-thiazolines 7 by way of different reaction sequences of the same three components, gamma-chloroacetoacetanilides 1, amines 2, and isothiocyanates 3 in a parallel synthetic fashion. One of the building blocks, the gamma-chloroacetoacetanilides 1, was prepared by the sequential reaction of 4-methylene-oxetan-2-one (ketene dimer) with chlorine and various anilines. The condensation of 1 with amines gave dihydrofuran 4 intermediates that when reacted with 3 afforded the 1,3-imidazoline-2-thiones 5. On the other hand, reaction of 3 with 2 provided substituted thioureas 6 that were reacted with 1 to yield 2-phenylimino-1,3-thiazolines 7.