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Burley SK, Bhikadiya C, Bi C, Bittrich S, Chao H, Chen L, Craig PA, Crichlow GV, Dalenberg K, Duarte JM, Dutta S, Fayazi M, Feng Z, Flatt JW, Ganesan SJ, Ghosh S, Goodsell DS, Green RK, Guranovic V, Henry J, Hudson BP, Khokhriakov I, Lawson CL, Liang Y, Lowe R, Peisach E, Persikova I, Piehl DW, Rose Y, Sali A, Segura J, Sekharan M, Shao C, Vallat B, Voigt M, Webb B, Westbrook JD, Whetstone S, Young JY, Zalevsky A, Zardecki C. RCSB Protein Data bank: Tools for visualizing and understanding biological macromolecules in 3D. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4482. [PMID: 36281733 PMCID: PMC9667899 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Now in its 52nd year of continuous operations, the Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the premiere open-access global archive housing three-dimensional (3D) biomolecular structure data. It is jointly managed by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) partnership. The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) is funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and US Department of Energy and serves as the US data center for the wwPDB. RCSB PDB is also responsible for the security of PDB data in its role as wwPDB-designated Archive Keeper. Every year, RCSB PDB serves tens of thousands of depositors of 3D macromolecular structure data (coming from macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and micro-electron diffraction). The RCSB PDB research-focused web portal (RCSB.org) makes PDB data available at no charge and without usage restrictions to many millions of PDB data consumers around the world. The RCSB PDB training, outreach, and education web portal (PDB101.RCSB.org) serves nearly 700 K educators, students, and members of the public worldwide. This invited Tools Issue contribution describes how RCSB PDB (i) is organized; (ii) works with wwPDB partners to process new depositions; (iii) serves as the wwPDB-designated Archive Keeper; (iv) enables exploration and 3D visualization of PDB data via RCSB.org; and (v) supports training, outreach, and education via PDB101.RCSB.org. New tools and features at RCSB.org are presented using examples drawn from high-resolution structural studies of proteins relevant to treatment of human cancers by targeting immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen K. Burley
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, RutgersThe State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Charmi Bhikadiya
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Chunxiao Bi
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sebastian Bittrich
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Henry Chao
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Li Chen
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Paul A. Craig
- School of Chemistry and Materials ScienceRochester Institute of TechnologyRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Gregg V. Crichlow
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Kenneth Dalenberg
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Jose M. Duarte
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Shuchismita Dutta
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Maryam Fayazi
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Zukang Feng
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Justin W. Flatt
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Sai J. Ganesan
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic SciencesQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sutapa Ghosh
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - David S. Goodsell
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rachel Kramer Green
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Vladimir Guranovic
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Jeremy Henry
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Brian P. Hudson
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Igor Khokhriakov
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Catherine L. Lawson
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Yuhe Liang
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Robert Lowe
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Ezra Peisach
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Irina Persikova
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Dennis W. Piehl
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Yana Rose
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andrej Sali
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic SciencesQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joan Segura
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data BankSan Diego Supercomputer Center, University of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Monica Sekharan
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Chenghua Shao
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Brinda Vallat
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Maria Voigt
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Benjamin Webb
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic SciencesQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - John D. Westbrook
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Shamara Whetstone
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Jasmine Y. Young
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Arthur Zalevsky
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic SciencesQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistryQuantitative Biosciences Institute, University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Christine Zardecki
- Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
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52
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Richaud AD, Zaghouani M, Zhao G, Wangpaichitr M, Savaraj N, Roche SP. Exploiting the Innate Plasticity of the Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD1) Receptor to Design Pembrolizumab H3 Loop Mimics. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200449. [PMID: 36082509 PMCID: PMC10029098 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade of the immunoreceptor programmed cell death-1 (PD1) with its ligand-1 (PDL1) by monoclonal antibodies such as pembrolizumab provided compelling clinical results in various cancer types, yet the molecular mechanism by which this drug blocks the PD1/PDL1 interface remains unclear. To address this question, we examined the conformational motion of PD1 associated with the binding of pembrolizumab. Our results revealed that the innate plasticity of both C'D and FG loops is crucial to form a deep binding groove (371 Å3 ) across several distant epitopes of PD1. This analysis ultimately provided a rational-design to create pembrolizumab H3 loop mimics [RDYRFDMGFD] into β-hairpin scaffolds. As a result, a 20-residue long β-hairpin peptide 1 e was identified as a first-in-class potent PD1-inhibitor (EC50 of 0.29 μM; Ki of 41 nM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis D Richaud
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Mehdi Zaghouani
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Guangkuan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | | | - Niramol Savaraj
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33458, USA
| | - Stéphane P Roche
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
- Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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53
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Liu J, Peng Y, Inuzuka H, Wei W. Targeting micro-environmental pathways by PROTACs as a therapeutic strategy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:269-279. [PMID: 35798235 PMCID: PMC11000491 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) composes of multiple cell types and non-cellular components, which supports the proliferation, metastasis and immune surveillance evasion of tumor cells, as well as accounts for the resistance to therapies. Therefore, therapeutic strategies using small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and antibodies to block potential targets in TME are practical for cancer treatment. Targeted protein degradation using PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) technic has several advantages over traditional SMIs and antibodies, including overcoming drug resistance. Thus many PROTACs are currently under development for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of PROTAC development that target TME pathways and propose the potential direction of future PROTAC technique to advance as novel cancer treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Yunhua Peng
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Inuzuka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
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54
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Madhi H, Lee J, Choi YE, Li Y, Kim MH, Choi Y, Goh S. FOXM1 Inhibition Enhances the Therapeutic Outcome of Lung Cancer Immunotherapy by Modulating PD-L1 Expression and Cell Proliferation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202702. [PMID: 35975458 PMCID: PMC9561767 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a major target to cancer immunotherapy, and anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 antibody-mediated immunotherapy are being increasingly used. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are ineffective in treating large tumors and cause various immune-related adverse events in nontarget organs, including life-threatening cardiotoxicity. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic strategies to overcome these limitations is crucial. The focus of this study is the forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1), which is identified as a potential therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy and is associated with the modulation of PD-L1 expression. Selective small interfering RNA knockdown of FOXM1 or treatment with thiostrepton (TST) significantly reduces PD-L1 expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and inhibits proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR reveals that FOXM1 selectively upregulates PD-L1 expression by binding directly to the PD-L1 promoter. In vivo animal studies have shown that TST treatment significantly downregulates PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC tumors, while greatly reducing tumor size without side effects on normal tissues. Combined treatment with TST and anti-4-1BB antibody in the LLC-1 syngeneic tumor model induces synergistic therapeutic outcomes against immune resistant lung tumors as well as 2.72-folds higher CD3+ T cells in tumor tissues compared to that in the anti-4-1BB antibody treatment group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamadi Madhi
- Research InstituteNational Cancer Center323 Ilsan‐ro, GoyangGyeonggi‐Do10408Republic of Korea
- Department of AnatomyGraduate School of Medical SciencesYonsei University College of MedicineSeoul03722Republic of Korea
| | - Jeon‐Soo Lee
- Research InstituteNational Cancer Center323 Ilsan‐ro, GoyangGyeonggi‐Do10408Republic of Korea
| | - Young Eun Choi
- Research InstituteNational Cancer Center323 Ilsan‐ro, GoyangGyeonggi‐Do10408Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Li
- Research InstituteNational Cancer Center323 Ilsan‐ro, GoyangGyeonggi‐Do10408Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung Hee Kim
- Department of AnatomyGraduate School of Medical SciencesYonsei University College of MedicineSeoul03722Republic of Korea
| | - Yongdoo Choi
- Research InstituteNational Cancer Center323 Ilsan‐ro, GoyangGyeonggi‐Do10408Republic of Korea
| | - Sung‐Ho Goh
- Research InstituteNational Cancer Center323 Ilsan‐ro, GoyangGyeonggi‐Do10408Republic of Korea
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55
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Kitel R, Rodríguez I, del Corte X, Atmaj J, Żarnik M, Surmiak E, Muszak D, Magiera-Mularz K, Popowicz GM, Holak TA, Musielak B. Exploring the Surface of the Ectodomain of the PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint with Small-Molecule Fragments. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2655-2663. [PMID: 36073782 PMCID: PMC9486809 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Development of small molecules targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 interface is advancing both in industry and academia, but only a few have reached early-stage clinical trials. Here, we take a closer look at the general druggability of PD-L1 using in silico hot spot mapping and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based characterization. We found that the conformational elasticity of the PD-L1 surface strongly influences the formation of hot spots. We deconstructed several generations of known inhibitors into fragments and examined their binding properties using differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) and protein-based nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These biophysical analyses showed that not all fragments bind to the PD-L1 ectodomain despite having the biphenyl scaffold. Although most of the binding fragments induced PD-L1 oligomerization, two compounds, TAH35 and TAH36, retain the monomeric state of proteins upon binding. Additionally, the presence of the entire ectodomain did not affect the binding of the hit compounds and dimerization of PD-L1. The data demonstrated here provide important information on the PD-L1 druggability and the structure-activity relationship of the biphenyl core moiety and therefore may aid in the design of novel inhibitors and focused fragment libraries for PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Kitel
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ismael Rodríguez
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Xabier del Corte
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica I, Centro de Investigación
y Estudios Avanzados “Lucio Lascaray” − Facultad
de Farmacia, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU Paseo de la Universidad
7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Jack Atmaj
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Żarnik
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Damian Muszak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz M. Popowicz
- Institute
of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum
München, Ingolstädter
Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tad A. Holak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogdan Musielak
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Department, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland,
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56
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Biphenyl-based small molecule inhibitors: Novel cancer immunotherapeutic agents targeting PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 73:117001. [PMID: 36126447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.117001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The immune checkpoint proteins are those key to the body's immunity which can either boost the immune system to protect the body from pathogens; or suppress the body's immunity system for the goal of self-tolerance. Cancer cells have evolved some mechanisms to boost the immuno-inhibitory checkpoints to bypass the immune system of the body. The binding of Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1) protein with its ligand Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) promotes this kind of immune-inhibitory signal. The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors was started in the early 21st century; with some success through monoclonal antibodies, peptides, and small molecules. Being the most reliable and safest way to target immune checkpoints, the scientific community is exploring possibilities to develop small molecule inhibitors. Among the different scaffolds of the small molecule, the most exposed and researched core molecule is Biphenyl-based scaffolds. We have described all of the possible biphenyl-based small molecules in this article, as well as their interactions with various amino acids in the binding cavity. The link between the in silico, in vitro, and in vivo activities of the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are well connected. The Tyr56, Met115, Ala121, and Asp122 were detected as the crucial amino acids of the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition. Additionally, a detailed binding pocket analysis of the PD-L1 receptor was carried out, where it was observed and confirmed that the binding pocket is tunnel-shaped and hydrophobic in nature. Finally, the structure-activity relationship of the biphenyl-based small molecule inhibitors was developed based on their activity and the binding interactions.
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57
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Kuzevanova A, Apanovich N, Mansorunov D, Korotaeva A, Karpukhin A. The Features of Checkpoint Receptor—Ligand Interaction in Cancer and the Therapeutic Effectiveness of Their Inhibition. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092081. [PMID: 36140182 PMCID: PMC9495440 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, certain problems have been identified in cancer immunotherapy using the inhibition of immune checkpoints (ICs). Despite the excellent effect of cancer therapy in some cases when blocking the PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) ligand and the immune cell receptors PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) and CTLA4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) with antibodies, the proportion of patients responding to such therapy is still far from desirable. This situation has stimulated the exploration of additional receptors and ligands as targets for immunotherapy. In our article, based on the analysis of the available data, the TIM-3 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3), LAG-3 (lymphocyte-activation gene 3), TIGIT (T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domains), VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation), and BTLA (B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator) receptors and their ligands are comprehensively considered. Data on the relationship between receptor expression and the clinical characteristics of tumors are presented and are analyzed together with the results of preclinical and clinical studies on the therapeutic efficacy of their blocking. Such a comprehensive analysis makes it possible to assess the prospects of receptors of this series as targets for anticancer therapy. The expression of the LAG-3 receptor shows the most unambiguous relationship with the clinical characteristics of cancer. Its inhibition is the most effective of the analyzed series in terms of the antitumor response. The expression of TIGIT and BTLA correlates well with clinical characteristics and demonstrates antitumor efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies, which indicates their high promise as targets for anticancer therapy. At the same time, the relationship of VISTA and TIM-3 expression with the clinical characteristics of the tumor is contradictory, and the results on the antitumor effectiveness of their inhibition are inconsistent.
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58
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Lv B, Wang Y, Ma D, Cheng W, Liu J, Yong T, Chen H, Wang C. Immunotherapy: Reshape the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:844142. [PMID: 35874717 PMCID: PMC9299092 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.844142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) include tumor cells, immune cells, cytokines, etc. The interactions between these components, which are divided into anti-tumor and pro-tumor, determine the trend of anti-tumor immunity. Although the immune system can eliminate tumor through the cancer-immune cycle, tumors appear to eventually evade from immune surveillance by shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Immunotherapy reshapes the TIME and restores the tumor killing ability of anti-tumor immune cells. Herein, we review the function of immune cells within the TIME and discuss the contribution of current mainstream immunotherapeutic approaches to remolding the TIME. Changes in the immune microenvironment in different forms under the intervention of immunotherapy can shed light on better combination treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingzhe Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yunpeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dongjiang Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tao Yong
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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Microscale Thermophoresis as a Tool to Study Protein Interactions and Their Implication in Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147672. [PMID: 35887019 PMCID: PMC9315744 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The review highlights how protein–protein interactions (PPIs) have determining roles in most life processes and how interactions between protein partners are involved in various human diseases. The study of PPIs and binding interactions as well as their understanding, quantification and pharmacological regulation are crucial for therapeutic purposes. Diverse computational and analytical methods, combined with high-throughput screening (HTS), have been extensively used to characterize multiple types of PPIs, but these procedures are generally laborious, long and expensive. Rapid, robust and efficient alternative methods are proposed, including the use of Microscale Thermophoresis (MST), which has emerged as the technology of choice in drug discovery programs in recent years. This review summarizes selected case studies pertaining to the use of MST to detect therapeutically pertinent proteins and highlights the biological importance of binding interactions, implicated in various human diseases. The benefits and limitations of MST to study PPIs and to identify regulators are discussed.
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Shen DD, Bi YP, Pang JR, Zhao LJ, Zhao LF, Gao Y, Wang B, Liu HM, Liu Y, Wang N, Zheng YC, Liu HM. Generation, secretion and degradation of cancer immunotherapy target PD-L1. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:413. [PMID: 35819633 PMCID: PMC11073444 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly developing and effective method for the treatment of a variety of malignancies in recent years. As a significant immune checkpoint, programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) play the most significant role in cancer immune escape and cancer immunotherapy. Though PD-L1 have become an important target for drug development and there have been various approved drugs and clinic trials targeting it, and various clinical response rate and adverse reactions prevent many patients from benefiting from it. In recent years, combination trials have become the main direction of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies development. Here, we summarized PD-L1 biofunctions and key roles in various cancers along with the development of PD-L1 inhibitors. The regulators that are involved in controlling PD-L1 expression including post-translational modification, mRNA level regulation as well as degradation and exosome secretory pathway of PD-L1 were focused. This systematic summary may provide comprehensive understanding of different regulations on PD-L1 as well as a broad prospect for the search of the important regulator of PD-L1. The regulatory factors of PD-L1 can be potential targets for immunotherapy and increase strategies of immunotherapy in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Dan Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Endometrial Disease Prevention and Treatment Zhengzhou China, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Ya-Ping Bi
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jing-Ru Pang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Long-Fei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Hui-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ning Wang
- The School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Endometrial Disease Prevention and Treatment Zhengzhou China, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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Acúrcio RC, Pozzi S, Carreira B, Pojo M, Gómez-Cebrián N, Casimiro S, Fernandes A, Barateiro A, Farricha V, Brito J, Leandro AP, Salvador JAR, Graça L, Puchades-Carrasco L, Costa L, Satchi-Fainaro R, Guedes RC, Florindo HF. Therapeutic targeting of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade by novel small-molecule inhibitors recruits cytotoxic T cells into solid tumor microenvironment. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004695. [PMID: 35863821 PMCID: PMC9310269 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibiting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has shown exciting clinical outcomes in diverse human cancers. So far, only monoclonal antibodies are approved as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. While significant clinical outcomes are observed on patients who respond to these therapeutics, a large proportion of the patients do not benefit from the currently available immune checkpoint inhibitors, which strongly emphasize the importance of developing new immunotherapeutic agents. Methods In this study, we followed a transdisciplinary approach to discover novel small molecules that can modulate PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. To that end, we employed in silico analyses combined with in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental studies to assess the ability of novel compounds to modulate PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and enhance T-cell function. Results Accordingly, in this study we report the identification of novel small molecules, which like anti-PD-L1/PD-1 antibodies, can stimulate human adaptive immune responses. Unlike these biological compounds, our newly-identified small molecules enabled an extensive infiltration of T lymphocytes into three-dimensional solid tumor models, and the recruitment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to the tumor microenvironment in vivo, unveiling a unique potential to transform cancer immunotherapy. Conclusions We identified a new promising family of small-molecule candidates that regulate the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway, promoting an extensive infiltration of effector CD8 T cells to the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita C Acúrcio
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sabina Pozzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Barbara Carreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Pojo
- Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular (UIPM) do Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil EPE 1099-023, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Sandra Casimiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Adelaide Fernandes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia Barateiro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vitor Farricha
- Serviço de Cirurgia do Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil EPE, 1099-023 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joaquim Brito
- Serviço de Ortopedia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Leandro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jorge A R Salvador
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra,Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Graça
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Luís Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular - João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.,Serviço de Oncologia Médica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel .,Sagol School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Rita C Guedes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena F Florindo
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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Ahmed M, Ganesan A, Barakat K. Leveraging structural and 2D-QSAR to investigate the role of functional group substitutions, conserved surface residues and desolvation in triggering the small molecule-induced dimerization of hPD-L1. BMC Chem 2022; 16:49. [PMID: 35761353 PMCID: PMC9238240 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-022-00842-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecules are rising as a new generation of immune checkpoints’ inhibitors, with compounds targeting the human Programmed death-ligand 1 (hPD-L1) protein are pioneering this area of research. Promising examples include the recently disclosed compounds from Bristol-Myers-Squibb (BMS). These molecules bind specifically to hPD-L1 through a unique mode of action. They induce dimerization between two hPD-L1 monomers through the hPD-1 binding interface in each monomer, thereby inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. While the recently reported crystal structures of such small molecules bound to hPD-L1 reveal valuable insights regarding their molecular interactions, there is still limited information about the dynamics driving this unusual complex formation. The current study provides an in-depth computational structural analysis to study the interactions of five small molecule compounds in complex with hPD-L1. By employing a combination of molecular dynamic simulations, binding energy calculations and computational solvent mapping techniques, our analyses quantified the dynamic roles of different hydrophilic and lipophilic residues at the surface of hPD-L1 in mediating these interactions. Furthermore, ligand-based analyses, including Free-Wilson 2D-QSAR was conducted to quantify the impact of R-group substitutions at different sites of the phenoxy-methyl biphenyl core. Our results emphasize the importance of a terminal phenyl ring that must be present in any hPD-L1 small molecule inhibitor. This phenyl moiety overlaps with a very unfavorable hydration site, which can explain the ability of such small molecules to trigger hPD-L1 dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan Ahmed
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Aravindhan Ganesan
- ArGan's Lab, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Khaled Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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63
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Urban VA, Davidovskii AI, Veresov VG. Computational discovery of small drug-like compounds as potential inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-17. [PMID: 35696453 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2085805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The programmed cell death ligand protein 1 (PD-L1) is a strong immunosuppressive molecule that inactivates tumor-specific T cells by binding to the programmed cell death- 1 protein (PD-1). Cancer immunotherapy based on the monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has demonstrated therapeutic responses without precedent over a wide range of cancers. However, the antibody-based immunotherapies have several limitations such as high production cost or the induction of severe immune-related adverse effects. Small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway are a promising alternative or complementary therapeutic to antibodies. Currently, the field of developing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors is intensively explored. In the present study a pharmacophore model was generated based on previously developed compounds and their atomistic structures with the PD-L1 dimer. Structure-based affinity-based virtual screening of small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway according to the pharmacophore model followed by a screening in terms of drug-likeness resulted in ten hit compounds of high affinity towards the PD-L1 dimer and the satisfaction to all of the drug-likeness rules. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that nine of ten compounds formed stable complexes with the PD-L1 dimer as evidenced by the analysis of MD trajectories. Molecular mechanics Poisson- Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculation revealed very low binding energies (<-46 kcal/mol) for the interactions of these ligands with the PD-L1 dimer, suggesting that identified compounds may serve as good scaffolds for the design of novel agents of antitumor immunotherapy able to target the PD-1/PD-L1 interactionCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor A Urban
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Alexander I Davidovskii
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Valery G Veresov
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
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Koblish HK, Wu L, Wang LCS, Liu PC, Wynn R, Rios-Doria J, Spitz S, Liu H, Volgina A, Zolotarjova N, Kapilashrami K, Behshad E, Covington M, Yang YO, Li J, Diamond S, Soloviev M, O'Hayer K, Rubin S, Kanellopoulou C, Yang G, Rupar M, DiMatteo D, Lin L, Stevens C, Zhang Y, Thekkat P, Geschwindt R, Marando C, Yeleswaram S, Jackson J, Scherle P, Huber R, Yao W, Hollis G. Characterization of INCB086550: A Potent and Novel Small-Molecule PD-L1 Inhibitor. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:1482-1499. [PMID: 35254416 PMCID: PMC9394386 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Blocking the activity of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitory receptor with therapeutic antibodies against either the ligand (PD-L1) or PD-1 itself has proven to be an effective treatment modality for multiple cancers. Contrasting with antibodies, small molecules could demonstrate increased tissue penetration, distinct pharmacology, and potentially enhanced antitumor activity. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of INCB086550, a novel, oral, small-molecule PD-L1 inhibitor. In vitro, INCB086550 selectively and potently blocked the PD-L1/PD-1 interaction, induced PD-L1 dimerization and internalization, and induced stimulation-dependent cytokine production in primary human immune cells. In vivo, INCB086550 reduced tumor growth in CD34+ humanized mice and induced T-cell activation gene signatures, consistent with PD-L1/PD-1 pathway blockade. Preliminary data from an ongoing phase I study confirmed PD-L1/PD-1 blockade in peripheral blood cells, with increased immune activation and tumor growth control. These data support continued clinical evaluation of INCB086550 as an alternative to antibody-based therapies. SIGNIFICANCE We have identified a potent small-molecule inhibitor of PD-L1, INCB086550, which has biological properties similar to PD-L1/PD-1 monoclonal antibodies and may represent an alternative to antibody therapy. Preliminary clinical data in patients demonstrated increased immune activation and tumor growth control, which support continued clinical evaluation of this approach. See related commentary by Capparelli and Aplin, p. 1413. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1397.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan Rios-Doria
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
- Corresponding Author: Jonathan Rios-Doria, Incyte Corporation, 1801 Augustine Cut Off, Wilmington, DE 19803. Phone: 302-498-6914; E-mail:
| | | | - Hao Liu
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jingwei Li
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark Rupar
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
| | | | - Luping Lin
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
| | | | - Yue Zhang
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Reid Huber
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE
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Imaging of Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma with Immune Checkpoint Targeting Aptamer-Based Probe. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060697. [PMID: 35745616 PMCID: PMC9229018 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint targeting immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers in the recent years. Determination of the status of immune checkpoint expression in particular cancers may assist decision making. Here, we describe the development of a single-stranded aptamer-based molecular probe specifically recognizing human PD-L1. Target engaging aptamers are selected by iterative enrichment from a random ssDNA pool and the binding is characterized biochemically. Specificity and dose dependence is demonstrated in vitro in the cell culture using human kidney tumor cells (786-0), human melanoma cells (WM115 and WM266.4) and human glioblastoma LN18 cancer cells. The utility of the probe in vivo is demonstrated using two mouse tumor models, where we show that the probe exhibits excellent potential in imaging. We postulate that further development of the probe may allow universal imaging of different types of tumors depending on their PD-L1 status, which may find utility in cancer diagnosis.
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66
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Le Biannic R, Magnez R, Klupsch F, Leleu-Chavain N, Thiroux B, Tardy M, El Bouazzati H, Dezitter X, Renault N, Vergoten G, Bailly C, Quesnel B, Thuru X, Millet R. Pyrazolones as inhibitors of immune checkpoint blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114343. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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67
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Urban VA, Nazarenko PS, Perepechko SA, Veresov VG. Using PD-L1 full-length structure, enhanced induced fit docking and molecular dynamics simulations for structural insights into inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by small-molecule ligands. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2022.2080824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Viktor A. Urban
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of NAS of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
| | | | | | - Valery G. Veresov
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of NAS of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
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Biphenyl Ether Analogs Containing Pomalidomide as Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Interaction. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113454. [PMID: 35684392 PMCID: PMC9181982 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
New biphenyl-based chimeric compounds containing pomalidomide were developed and evaluated for their activity to inhibit and degrade the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death- ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) complex. Most of the compounds displayed excellent inhibitory activity against PD-1/PD-L1, as assessed by the homogenous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) binding assay. Among them, compound 3 is one of the best with an IC50 value of 60 nM. Using an ex vivo PD-1/PD-L1 blockade cell line bioassay that expresses human PD-1 and PD-L1, we show that compounds 4 and 5 significantly restore the repressed immunity in this co-culture model. Western blot data, however, demonstrated that these anti-PD-L1/pomalidomide chimeras could not reduce the protein levels of PD-L1.
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69
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Antioxidant Properties and Aldehyde Reactivity of PD-L1 Targeted Aryl-Pyrazolone Anticancer Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27103316. [PMID: 35630791 PMCID: PMC9143004 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecules targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint are actively searched to complement the anticancer arsenal. Different molecular scaffolds have been reported, including phenyl-pyrazolone derivatives which potently inhibit binding of PD-L1 to PD-1. These molecules are structurally close to antioxidant drug edaravone (EDA) used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. For this reason, we investigated the capacity of five PD-L1-binding phenyl-pyrazolone compounds (1–5) to scavenge the formation of oxygen free radicals using electron spin resonance spectroscopy with DPPH/DMPO probes. In addition, the reactivity of the compounds toward the oxidized base 5-formyluracil (5fU) was assessed using chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and photodiode array detectors. The data revealed that the phenyl-pyrazolone derivatives display antioxidant properties and exhibit a variable reactivity toward 5fU. Compound 2 with a N-dichlorophenyl-pyrazolone moiety cumulates the three properties, being a potent PD-L1 binder, a robust antioxidant and an aldehyde-reactive compound. On the opposite, the adamantane derivative 5 is a potent PD-L1 binding with a reduced antioxidant potential and no aldehyde reactivity. The nature of the substituent on the phenyl-pyrazolone core modulates the antioxidant capacity and reactivity toward aromatic aldehydes. The molecular signature of the compound can be adapted at will, to confer additional properties to these PD-L1 binders.
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Sasikumar PG, Ramachandra M. Small Molecule Agents Targeting PD-1 Checkpoint Pathway for Cancer Immunotherapy: Mechanisms of Action and Other Considerations for Their Advanced Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:752065. [PMID: 35585982 PMCID: PMC9108255 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.752065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pioneering success of antibodies targeting immune checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) has changed the outlook of cancer therapy. Although these antibodies show impressive durable clinical activity, low response rates and immune-related adverse events are becoming increasingly evident in antibody-based approaches. For further strides in cancer immunotherapy, novel treatment strategies including combination therapies and alternate therapeutic modalities are highly warranted. Towards this discovery and development of small molecule, checkpoint inhibitors are actively being pursued, and the efforts have culminated in the ongoing clinical testing of orally bioavailable checkpoint inhibitors. This review focuses on the small molecule agents targeting PD-1 checkpoint pathway for cancer immunotherapy and highlights various chemotypes/scaffolds and their characterization including binding and functionality along with reported mechanism of action. The learnings from the ongoing small molecule clinical trials and crucial points to be considered for their clinical development are also discussed.
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71
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Badiee P, Maritz MF, Thierry B. Glycogen kinase 3 inhibitor nanoformulation as an alternative strategy to inhibit PD-1 immune checkpoint. Int J Pharm 2022; 622:121845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Lithium salts as a treatment for COVID-19: Pre-clinical outcomes. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112872. [PMID: 35364381 PMCID: PMC8947939 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Identifying effective drugs for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is urgently needed. An efficient approach is to evaluate whether existing approved drugs have anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. The antiviral properties of lithium salts have been studied for many years. Their anti-inflammatory and immune-potentiating effects result from the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3. AIMS To obtain pre-clinical evidence on the safety and therapeutic effects of lithium salts in the treatment of COVID-19. RESULTS Six different concentrations of lithium, ranging 2-12 mmol/L, were evaluated. Lithium inhibited the replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 4 mmol/L. Lithium-treated wells showed a significantly higher percentage of monolayer conservation than viral control, particularly at concentrations higher than 6 mmol/L, verified through microscopic observation, the neutral red assay, and the determination of N protein in the supernatants of treated wells. Hamsters treated with lithium showed less intense disease with fewer signs. No lithium-related mortality or overt signs of toxicity were observed during the experiment. A trend of decreasing viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs and lungs was observed in treated hamsters compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS These results provide pre-clinical evidence of the antiviral and immunotherapeutic effects of lithium against SARS-CoV-2, which supports an advance to clinical trials on COVID-19's patients.
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Niu M, Liu Y, Yi M, Jiao D, Wu K. Biological Characteristics and Clinical Significance of Soluble PD-1/PD-L1 and Exosomal PD-L1 in Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:827921. [PMID: 35386715 PMCID: PMC8977417 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.827921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint pathway consisting of the cell membrane-bound molecule programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 has been found to mediate negative regulatory signals that effectively inhibit T-cell proliferation and function and impair antitumor immune responses. Considerable evidence suggests that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is responsible for tumor immune tolerance and immune escape. Blockage of this pathway has been found to reverse T lymphocyte depletion and restore antitumor immunity. Antagonists targeting this pathway have shown significant clinical activity in specific cancer types. Although originally identified as membrane-type molecules, several other forms of PD-1/PD-L1 have been detected in the blood of cancer patients, including soluble PD-1/PD-L1 (sPD-1/sPD-L1) and exosomal PD-L1 (exoPD-L1), increasing the composition and functional complications of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway. For example, sPD-1 has been shown to block the PD-1/PD-L immunosuppressive pathway by binding to PD-L1 and PD-L2, whereas the role of sPD-L1 and its mechanism of action in cancer remain unclear. In addition, many studies have investigated the roles of exoPD-L1 in immunosuppression, as a biomarker for tumor progression and as a predictive biomarker for response to immunotherapy. This review describes the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of sPD-1/sPD-L1 and exoPD-L1, along with their biological activities and methods of detection. In addition, this review discusses the clinical importance of sPD-1/sPD-L1 and exoPD-L1 in cancer, including their predictive and prognostic roles and the effects of treatments that target these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dechao Jiao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Kongming Wu, ; Dechao Jiao,
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Kongming Wu, ; Dechao Jiao,
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Deng J, Cheng Z, Long J, Dömling A, Tortorella M, Wang Y. Small Molecule Inhibitors of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1): A Patent Review (2019-2021). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:575-589. [PMID: 35272536 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2045276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The blockade of immune checkpoints, especially the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with therapeutic antibodies, has shown success in treating cancers in recent years. Seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 have been approved by FDA. However, mAbs exhibit several disadvantages as compared to small molecules such as poor permeation, high manufacturing costs, immunogenicity as well as lacking oral bioavailability. Recently, small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1 have been disclosed with the ability to modulate the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. AREAS COVERED The authors reviewed small molecules targeting PD-L1 that block the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction for the treatment of various diseases. EXPERT OPINION Compared with mAbs, PD-1/PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors show several advantages such as improved tissue penetration, low immunogenicity, well-understood formulation and lower manufacturing costs. They can serve as complementary or synergistically with mAbs for immune therapy. However, at this time most of the reported inhibitors are still inferior to therapeutic antibodies in their inhibitory activities due to smaller molecular weight. Therefore, better small molecules need to be developed to improve their potencies. Moreover, although several PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors have shown excellent preclinical results, their safety and efficacy in the clinic still awaits further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Deng
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Zhengqi Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health - Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Juyang Long
- Department of Drug Discovery, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health - Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Micky Tortorella
- Department of Drug Discovery, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health - Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yuanze Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health - Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, P. R. China
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Yamaguchi H, Hsu JM, Yang WH, Hung MC. Mechanisms regulating PD-L1 expression in cancers and associated opportunities for novel small-molecule therapeutics. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:287-305. [DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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76
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In vitro characterization of a small molecule PD-1 inhibitor that targets the PD-l/PD-L1 interaction. Sci Rep 2022; 12:303. [PMID: 34996924 PMCID: PMC8741796 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03590-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represents a crucial breakthrough in anticancer therapy, but mAbs are limited by their poor oral bioavailability, adverse events in multiple organ systems, and primary, adaptive, and acquired resistance, amongst other issues. More recently, the advent of small molecule inhibitors that target the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have shown promising cellular inhibitory activity and the potential to counteract the disadvantages of mAbs. In this study, structure-based virtual screening identified small molecule inhibitors that effectively inhibited the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Six of those small molecule inhibitors were applied to cell-based experiments targeting PD-1: CH-1, CH-2, CH-3, CH-4, CH-5, and CH-6. Of all 6, CH-4 displayed the lowest cytotoxicity and strongest inhibitory activity towards the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. The experiments revealed that CH-4 inhibited the interaction of soluble form PD-L1 (sPD-L1) with PD-1 surface protein expressed by KG-1 cells. Investigations into CH-4 analogs revealed that CH-4.7 effectively blocked the PD-1/sPD-L1 interaction, but sustained the secretion of interleukin-2 and interferon-γ by Jurkat cells. Our experiments revealed a novel small molecule inhibitor that blocks the interaction of PD-1/sPD-L1 and potentially offers an alternative PD-1 target for immune checkpoint therapy.
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Structure-Based Pharmacophore Modeling, Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking, ADMET, and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation of Potential Inhibitors of PD-L1 from the Library of Marine Natural Products. Mar Drugs 2021; 20:md20010029. [PMID: 35049884 PMCID: PMC8777599 DOI: 10.3390/md20010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: In the past decade, several antibodies directed against the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have been approved. However, therapeutic antibodies also exhibit some shortcomings. Using small molecules to regulate the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway may be another way to mobilize the immune system to fight cancer. Method: 52,765 marine natural products were screened against PD-L1(PDBID: 6R3K). To identify natural compounds, a structure-based pharmacophore model was generated, following by virtual screening and molecular docking. Then, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) test was carried out to select the most suitable compounds. Finally, molecular dynamics simulation was also performed to validate the binding property of the top compound. Results: Initially, 12 small marine molecules were screened based on the pharmacophore model. Then, two compounds were selected for further evaluation based on the molecular docking scores. After ADME and toxicity studies, molecule 51320 was selected for further verification. By molecular dynamics analysis, molecule 51320 maintains a stable conformation with the target protein, so it has the chance to become an inhibitor of PD-L1. Conclusions: Through structure-based pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening, molecular docking, ADMET approaches, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, the marine natural compound 51320 can be used as a small molecule inhibitor of PD-L1.
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78
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Paclitaxel derivative-based liposomal nanoplatform for potentiated chemo-immunotherapy. J Control Release 2021; 341:812-827. [PMID: 34953979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The combination of chemotherapy with the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is bringing a tremendous hope in the treatment of malignant tumors. However, the treatment efficacy of the existing chemo-immunotherapy is not satisfactory due to the high cost and immunogenicity of ICB antibodies, low response rate to ICB, off-target toxicity of therapeutic agents, and low drug co-delivery efficacy. Therefore, a high-efficient nanosystem combining the delivery of chemotherapeutics with small molecule ICB inhibitors may be promising for an efficient cancer therapy. Herein, a novel reactive oxygen species (ROS)-activated liposome nanoplatform was constructed by the loading of a ROS-sensitive paclitaxel derivative (PSN) into liposomes to overcome the difficulties on delivering paclitaxel mostly represented by premature drug release and a low amount accumulated into the tumor. The innovative liposomal nanosystem was rationally designed by a remote loading of BMS-202 (a small molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor) and PSN into the liposomes for a ROS-sensitive paclitaxel release and sustained BMS-202 release. The co-loaded liposomes resulted in a high co-loading ability and improved pharmacokinetic properties. An orthotopic 4 T1 breast cancer model was used to evaluate the efficiency of our nanoplatform in vivo, resulting in a superior antitumor activity. The antitumor immunity was activated by paclitaxel-mediated immunogenic cell death, while BMS-202 continuously blocked PD-L1 which could be up-regulated by paclitaxel in tumors to increase the response to ICB and further recover the host immune surveillance. These results revealed that this dual-delivery liposome might provide a promising strategy for a high-efficient chemo-immunotherapy, exhibiting a great potential for clinical translation.
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79
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Zhang M, Liu J, Wang Y, Wang P, Morris-Natschke S, Lee KH. Molecular hybridization used to design and synthesize neo-tanshinlactone derivatives as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 54:116579. [PMID: 34954618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Four series of molecular hybrids (37 final products) of neo-tanshinlactone, a natural product extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, and known PD-1/PD-L1 interaction inhibitors were prepared as possible chemotherapeutic agents against triple negative breast cancer. Screening using a homogenous time-resolved fluorescence method resulted in three lead compounds (MZ52 IC50 74 ± 4 nM; MZ58 IC50 134 ± 17 nM; MZ61 IC50 225 ± 19 nM). With less T cell cytotoxicity and effects in activating CD8+ T cells in a T cell proliferation assay and a functionality experiment, MZ58 was selected as the best candidate for animal experiments. MZ58 exhibited antitumor effects in a subcutaneous transplantation tumor model as well as effects in reducing T cell exhaustion. In conclusion, after in vivo and in vitro experiments, we successfully acquired an effective candidate (MZ58) showing antitumor effects with low cytotoxicity toward T cells as well as the ability to activate CD8+ T cells and reduce T cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Zhang
- NaturalProducts Research Laboratories, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7568 USA.
| | - Jianmin Liu
- Instituteof Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Yue Wang
- Instituteof Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Ping Wang
- Instituteof Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Susan Morris-Natschke
- NaturalProducts Research Laboratories, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7568 USA.
| | - Kuo-Hsiung Lee
- NaturalProducts Research Laboratories, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7568 USA.
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80
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Zhao H, Luo F, Xue J, Li S, Xu RH. Emerging immunological strategies: recent advances and future directions. Front Med 2021; 15:805-828. [PMID: 34874513 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0886-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy plays a compelling role in cancer treatment and has already made remarkable progress. However, many patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors fail to achieve clinical benefits, and the response rates vary among tumor types. New approaches that promote anti-tumor immunity have recently been developed, such as small molecules, bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cell products, and cancer vaccines. Small molecule drugs include agonists and inhibitors that can reach the intracellular or extracellular targets of immune cells participating in innate or adaptive immune pathways. Bispecific antibodies, which bind two different antigens or one antigen with two different epitopes, are of great interest. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell products and cancer vaccines have also been investigated. This review explores the recent progress and challenges of different forms of immunotherapy agents and provides an insight into future immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Fan Luo
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jinhui Xue
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Su Li
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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81
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Suzuki Y, Ichinohe K, Sugawara A, Kida S, Murase S, Zhang J, Yamada O, Hattori T, Oshima Y, Kikuchi H. Development of Indole Alkaloid-Type Dual Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Against CTLA-4 and PD-L1 Based on Diversity-Enhanced Extracts. Front Chem 2021; 9:766107. [PMID: 34858943 PMCID: PMC8630621 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.766107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy involves the use of the immune system for cancer treatment. Recently, immune checkpoint-blocking antibodies have become integral for the treatment of some cancers. However, small molecules exhibit advantages over monoclonal antibody drugs, such as cell penetration, long half-life, and low manufacturing costs, and the possibility of oral administration. Thus, it is imperative to develop small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitors. Previously, we have screened a library of synthetic indole-alkaloid-type compounds, which are produced by diversity-enhanced extracts of Japanese cornelian cherry, and reported that an unnatural pentacyclic compound inhibits CTLA-4 gene expression. In this study, immune checkpoint inhibitors with increased potency were developed by introducing substituents and conversion of functional groups based on the unnatural pentacyclic compound. The developed compounds suppressed not only CTLA-4 and PD-L1 gene expression but also protein expression on the cell surface. Their efficacy was not as potent as that of the existing small-molecule immune checkpoint inhibitors, but, to the best of our knowledge, the developed compounds are the first reported dual small-molecule inhibitors of CTLA-4 and PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Suzuki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ichinohe
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akihiro Sugawara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shinya Kida
- Research and Development Center, FUSO Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinya Murase
- Research and Development Center, FUSO Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Jing Zhang
- Research and Development Center, FUSO Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Osamu Yamada
- Research and Development Center, FUSO Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshio Hattori
- Research Institute of Health and Welfare, Kibi International University, Takahashi, Japan
| | - Yoshiteru Oshima
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Kikuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Natural Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
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82
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Zhou ZX, Zhang HX, Zheng QC. Predicting a Kind of Unusual Multiple-States Dimerization-Modes Transformation in Protein PD-L1 System by Computational Investigation and a Generalized Rate Theory. Front Chem 2021; 9:783444. [PMID: 34858950 PMCID: PMC8631179 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.783444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The new cancer immunotherapy has been carried out with an almost messianic zeal, but its molecular basis remains unclear due to the complexity of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) dimerization. In this study, a new and integral multiple dimerization-modes transformation process of PD-L1s (with a new PD-L1 dimerization mode and a new transformation path discovered) and the corresponding mechanism are predicted using theoretical and computational methods. The results of the state analysis show that 5 stable binding states exist in system. A generalized inter-state transformation rate (GITR) theory is also proposed in such multiple-states self-assembly system to explore the kinetic characteristics of inter-state transformation. A “drug insertion” path was identified as the dominant path of the PD-L1 dimerization-modes transformation. Above results can provide supports for both the relative drug design and other multiple-states self-assembly system from the theoretical chemistry perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Xing Zhou
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong-Xing Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qing-Chuan Zheng
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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83
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Mittal L, Tonk RK, Awasthi A, Asthana S. Targeting cryptic-orthosteric site of PD-L1 for inhibitor identification using structure-guided approach. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 713:109059. [PMID: 34673001 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.109059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Approved mAbs that block the protein-protein interaction (PPI) interface of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint axis have led to significant improvements in cancer treatment. Despite having drawbacks of mAbs only few a compounds are reported till date against this axis. Inhibiting PPIs using small molecules has emerged as a significant therapeutic opportunity, demanding for the identification of drug-like molecules at an accelerated pace under the hit-to-lead campaigns. Due to the PD-L1's cross-talk with PD-1/CD80 and its overexpression on cancer cells, as well as the availability of its crystal structures with small molecules, it is an enticing therapeutic target for structure-assisted small molecule design. Furthermore, the selection of chemical databases enriched with focused designing for PPI interfaces is crucial. Therefore, in this study we have utilized the Asinex signature library for structure-assisted virtual screening to find the potential PD-L1 inhibitors by targeting the cryptic PD-L1 interface, followed by induced fit docking for pose refinements in the pocket. The obtained hits were then subjected to interaction fingerprinting and ligand-based drug-likeness investigations in order to evaluate and analyze their drug-like qualities (ADME). Twelve compounds qualified for molecular dynamics simulations, followed by thermodynamic calculations for evaluation of their stability and energetics inside the pocket. Two novel compounds with different chemical moieties have been identified that are consistent throughout the simulation, mimicking the interactions and binding energies with BMS-1166. These compounds appear as potential therapeutic candidates to be explored experimentally, thereby paving the way for the development of novel leads as immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovika Mittal
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana, India; Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, India
| | - Rajiv K Tonk
- Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Awasthi
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Shailendra Asthana
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana, India.
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84
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Tietjen I, Cassel J, Register ET, Zhou XY, Messick TE, Keeney F, Lu LD, Beattie KD, Rali T, Tebas P, Ertl HCJ, Salvino JM, Davis RA, Montaner LJ. The Natural Stilbenoid (-)-Hopeaphenol Inhibits Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 Variants. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0077221. [PMID: 34543092 PMCID: PMC8597786 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00772-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antivirals are urgently needed to combat the global SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic, supplement existing vaccine efforts, and target emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Small molecules that interfere with binding of the viral spike receptor binding domain (RBD) to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor may be effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Here, we screened 512 pure compounds derived from natural products using a high-throughput RBD/ACE2 binding assay and identified (-)-hopeaphenol, a resveratrol tetramer, in addition to vatalbinoside A and vaticanol B, as potent and selective inhibitors of RBD/ACE2 binding and viral entry. For example, (-)-hopeaphenol disrupted RBD/ACE2 binding with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.11 μM, in contrast to an IC50 of 28.3 μM against the unrelated host ligand/receptor binding pair PD-1/PD-L1 (selectivity index, 257.3). When assessed against the USA-WA1/2020 variant, (-)-hopeaphenol also inhibited entry of a VSVΔG-GFP reporter pseudovirus expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike into ACE2-expressing Vero-E6 cells and in vitro replication of infectious virus in cytopathic effect and yield reduction assays (50% effective concentrations [EC50s], 10.2 to 23.4 μM) without cytotoxicity and approaching the activities of the control antiviral remdesivir (EC50s, 1.0 to 7.3 μM). Notably, (-)-hopeaphenol also inhibited two emerging variants of concern, B.1.1.7/Alpha and B.1.351/Beta in both viral and spike-containing pseudovirus assays with similar or improved activities over the USA-WA1/2020 variant. These results identify (-)-hopeaphenol and related stilbenoid analogues as potent and selective inhibitors of viral entry across multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Tietjen
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joel Cassel
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Lily D. Lu
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karren D. Beattie
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Topul Rali
- School of Natural and Physical Sciences, The University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - Pablo Tebas
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Rohan A. Davis
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Vergoten G, Bailly C. Molecular docking study of britannin binding to PD-L1 and related anticancer pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactones. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2021; 42:454-461. [PMID: 34789056 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2021.2003816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The pseudoguaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactone (SL) britannin (BRT), found in different Inula species, has been characterized as a potent anticancer agent acting via modulation of the transcription factor NFkB and the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway. In addition, a BRT-induced down-regulation of the immune checkpoint PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) expressed on cancer cells has been evidenced. Here we have performed a docking analysis of the direct binding of BRT to the PD-L1 protein, both in its monomeric and dimeric state. BRT appears to form stable complexes with PD-L1, with a preference for the dimeric form, binding at the interface of the two monomers. The calculated empirical energy of interaction (ΔE) value reaches -63.1 kcal/mol for the BRT-PD-L1 dimer complex, not far from the value calculated with the reference PD-L1 ligand BMS-202 (ΔE = -73.4 kcal/mol) under identical conditions. We also studied the potential PD-L1 dimer binding of 15 pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactones analogues to BRT, including helenalin, gaillardin, bigelovin, coronopilin, and others. The docking analysis predicted that the SL chamissonolide (CHM) can also form equally stable complexes with PD-L1 dimer (ΔE = -64.8 kcal/mol). Preliminary compound structure-PD-L1 binding relationships have been delineated. This computational study supports the proposed interaction of BRT with PD-L1 and provides a guidance to the design of novel PD-L1 binders incorporating a SL-like tricyclic core unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Vergoten
- University of Lille, Inserm, INFINITE - U1286, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), Faculté de Pharmacie, Lille, France
| | - Christian Bailly
- OncoWitan, Scientific Consulting Office, Lille (Wasquehal), France
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86
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Huang X, Chen H, Dai X, Xu M, Wang K, Feng Z. Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with a benzo[d]isoxazole scaffold. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 52:128403. [PMID: 34610423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Blocking the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) interaction has emerged as one of the most promising treatments for cancer immunotherapy. A novel series of compounds bearing a benzo[d]isoxazole scaffold was developed as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, among them, compound P20 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 26.8 nM. The preliminary structure-activity relationship was also investigated. The docking analysis of compound P20 with the PD-L1 dimer complex (PDB ID: 5j89) indicated that compound P20 was bound to the PD-L1 dimer with high affinity. These results suggest that compound P20 is a promising lead compound for the development of inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Huang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xinyan Dai
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Meiqin Xu
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Feng
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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87
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Russomanno P, Assoni G, Amato J, D'Amore VM, Scaglia R, Brancaccio D, Pedrini M, Polcaro G, La Pietra V, Orlando P, Falzoni M, Cerofolini L, Giuntini S, Fragai M, Pagano B, Donati G, Novellino E, Quintavalle C, Condorelli G, Sabbatino F, Seneci P, Arosio D, Pepe S, Marinelli L. Interfering with the Tumor-Immune Interface: Making Way for Triazine-Based Small Molecules as Novel PD-L1 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16020-16045. [PMID: 34670084 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis by monoclonal antibodies has achieved remarkable success in treating a growing number of cancers. However, a novel class of small organic molecules, with BMS-202 (1) as the lead, is emerging as direct PD-L1 inhibitors. Herein, we report a series of 2,4,6-tri- and 2,4-disubstituted 1,3,5-triazines, which were synthesized and assayed for their PD-L1 binding by NMR and homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence. Among them, compound 10 demonstrated to strongly bind with the PD-L1 protein and challenged it in a co-culture of PD-L1 expressing cancer cells (PC9 and HCC827 cells) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells enhanced antitumor immune activity of the latter. Compound 10 significantly increased interferon γ release and apoptotic induction of cancer cells, with low cytotoxicity in healthy cells when compared to 1, thus paving the way for subsequent preclinical optimization and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Russomanno
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Giulia Assoni
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, (CIBIO), Università degli Studi di Trento, Via Sommarive 9, Povo I-38123, Trento, Italy.,Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Riccardo Scaglia
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Martina Pedrini
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Giovanna Polcaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Paolo Orlando
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Marianna Falzoni
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuntini
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Greta Donati
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Daniela Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
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88
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Surmiak E, Magiera-Mularz K, Musielak B, Muszak D, Kocik-Krol J, Kitel R, Plewka J, Holak TA, Skalniak L. PD-L1 Inhibitors: Different Classes, Activities, and Mechanisms of Action. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111797. [PMID: 34769226 PMCID: PMC8583776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) interaction has become an established strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Although hundreds of small-molecule, peptide, and peptidomimetic inhibitors have been proposed in recent years, only a limited number of drug candidates show good PD-1/PD-L1 blocking activity in cell-based assays. In this article, we compare representative molecules from different classes in terms of their PD-1/PD-L1 dissociation capacity measured by HTRF and in vitro bioactivity determined by the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) co-culture assay. We point to recent discoveries that underscore important differences in the mechanisms of action of these molecules and also indicate one principal feature that needs to be considered, which is the eventual human PD-L1 specificity.
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89
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Emerging targets for anticancer vaccination: PD-1. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100278. [PMID: 34649221 PMCID: PMC8517287 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the mechanisms by which tumor cells escape the immune surveillance, one is the interaction between programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with monoclonal antibodies as immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1 or its ligand, PD-L1, represents a milestone in cancer therapy. The application of these antibodies, however, suffers from drawbacks including failure to show a response or benefit in a majority of patients following monotherapy or combination therapy, their frequent administration, and cost intensiveness. Small peptides capable of interfering with PD-1/PD-L1 interaction represent interesting alternatives to antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, peptides representing PD-1 or PD-L1 sequences can be used in active immunization approaches to induce antibodies that enhance antitumor immunity by effectively preventing PD-1-mediated inhibition in the host. Importantly, such peptides can readily be combined with peptides derived from cancer antigens to effectively induce an antitumor immune response. In this review, we have summarized the recent developments in the use of small molecules and peptides either to directly block PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, or in vaccination approaches to induce antibody responses stimulating anticancer immunity by blocking PD-1-mediated T-cell inhibition. Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by antibodies as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a milestone in immunotherapy. Treatment by ICIs has disadvantages, like frequent administration, low response in some patients, and cost intensiveness. Direct blockade by small compounds or vaccination by peptides are two promising alternatives to the treatments with ICIs. Such alternatives may pave the way to therapeutics which could be used as monotherapy, or in combination with ICIs.
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90
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Guo Y, Liang J, Liu B, Jin Y. Molecular Mechanism of Food-Derived Polyphenols on PD-L1 Dimerization: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010924. [PMID: 34681584 PMCID: PMC8535905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In cancer immunotherapy, an emerging approach is to block the interactions of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) using small-molecule inhibitors. The food-derived polyphenols curcumin (CC), resveratrol (RSV) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have anticancer immunologic functions, which, recently, have been proposed to act via the downregulation of PD-L1 expression. However, it remains unclear whether they can directly target PD-L1 dimerization and, thus, interrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of such compounds on PD-L1 dimerization, molecular docking and nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations were performed. Binding free energy calculations show that the affinities of CC, RSV and EGCG to the PD-L1 dimer follow a trend of CC > RSV > EGCG. Hence, CC is the most effective inhibitor of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Analysis on contact numbers, nonbonded interactions and residue energy decomposition indicate that such compounds mainly interact with the C-, F- and G-sheet fragments of the PD-L1 dimer, which are involved in interactions with PD-1. More importantly, nonpolar interactions between these compounds and the key residues Ile54, Tyr56, Met115, Ala121 and Tyr123 play a dominant role in binding. Free energy landscape and secondary structure analyses further demonstrate that such compounds can stably interact with the binding domain of the PD-L1 dimer. The results provide evidence that CC, RSV and EGCG can inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 interactions by directly targeting PD-L1 dimerization. This provides a novel approach to discovering food-derived small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with potential applications in cancer immunotherapy.
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91
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Wang Q, Bardhan K, Boussiotis VA, Patsoukis N. The PD-1 Interactome. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2100758. [PMID: 34170628 PMCID: PMC10754315 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202100758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
T cell activation is a fine-tuned process that involves T cell receptor and costimulation signals. To prevent undue activation of T cells, inhibitory molecules including PD-1 (programmed death 1) are induced and function as brakes for T cell signaling. In a steady state, the interaction of PD-1 with its ligands PD-L1 (B7-H1, CD274) and PD-L2 (B7-DC, CD273) maintains peripheral immune tolerance. However, the expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells and interaction with PD-1 on T cells dampen anti-tumor immunity. Therapeutic inhibitors of the PD-1 pathway have revolutionized tumor immunotherapy. Unfortunately, the majority of patients do not develop sustained anti-tumor responses. However, the knowledge about unique PD-1 interactions and their role in mediating PD-1 inhibitory signals is currently limited. Advances in the mechanistic understanding of the molecular and signaling integration of the PD-1 pathway could unleash the great potential in tumor immunotherapy by allowing the development of combinatorial approaches that target not only PD-1 and its ligands but also its unique downstream signal mediators. In this review, the current advances in understanding the mechanisms of extracellular and intracellular PD-1 interactions and their significance in potential future therapeutic approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kankana Bardhan
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Vassiliki A Boussiotis
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nikolaos Patsoukis
- Department of Medicine Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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92
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Kelly WJ, Giles AJ, Gilbert M. T lymphocyte-targeted immune checkpoint modulation in glioma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2019-000379. [PMID: 32051289 PMCID: PMC7057419 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulatory therapies targeting inhibitory checkpoint molecules have revolutionized the treatment of solid tumor malignancies. Concerns about whether systemic administration of an immune checkpoint inhibitor could impact primary brain tumors were answered with the observation of definitive responses in pediatric patients harboring hypermutated gliomas. Although initial clinical results in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) were disappointing, recently published results have demonstrated a potential survival benefit in patients with recurrent GBM treated with neoadjuvant programmed cell death protein 1 blockade. While these findings necessitate verification in subsequent studies, they support the possibility of achieving clinical meaningful immune responses in malignant primary brain tumors including GBM, a disease in dire need of additional therapeutic options. There are several challenges involved in treating glioma with immune checkpoint modulators including the immunosuppressive nature of GBM itself with high inhibitory checkpoint expression, the immunoselective blood brain barrier impairing the ability for peripheral lymphocytes to traffic to the tumor microenvironment and the high prevalence of corticosteroid use which suppress lymphocyte activation. However, by simultaneously targeting multiple costimulatory and inhibitory pathways, it may be possible to achieve an effective antitumoral immune response. To this end, there are now several novel agents targeting more recently uncovered “second generation” checkpoint molecules. Given the multiplicity of drugs being considered for combination regimens, an increased understanding of the mechanisms of action and resistance combined with more robust preclinical and early clinical testing will be needed to be able to adequately test these agents. This review summarizes our current understanding of T lymphocyte-modulating checkpoint molecules as it pertains to glioma with the hope for a renewed focus on the most promising therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amber Jin Giles
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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93
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Yu J, He X, Wang Z, Wang Y, Liu S, Li X, Huang Y. Combining PD-L1 inhibitors with immunogenic cell death triggered by chemo-photothermal therapy via a thermosensitive liposome system to stimulate tumor-specific immunological response. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:12966-12978. [PMID: 34477780 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03288g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in combination with immunogenic death (ICD) triggered by photothermal therapy (PTT) and oxaliplatin (OXA) treatment was expected to elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses for tumor control and metastasis prevention. In this study, a photothermal agent (IR780), a folic acid (FA) linked oxaliplatin (OXA) prodrug, and PD-L1 inhibitors (BMS-1) were integrated into a liposomal system. The FA tumor-targeting and enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of the liposomal system prolonged circulating times and increased accumulation in tumors, resulting in an enhanced photothermal effect and less systemic toxicity. In addition, PTT and OXA had a considerable synergistic effect in the induction of a combined ICD. The PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint, which is a negative immune regulatory mechanism, could be blocked by the thermosensitive released BMS-1. Finally, ICD was harnessed to synergize with a small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor for activation of the immune system in the treatment of tumor relapse and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, P. R. China.
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94
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Structural Characterization of a Macrocyclic Peptide Modulator of the PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Axis. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26164848. [PMID: 34443436 PMCID: PMC8401550 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical success of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint targeting antibodies in cancer is followed by efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors with better penetration into solid tumors and more favorable pharmacokinetics. Here we report the crystal structure of a macrocyclic peptide inhibitor (peptide 104) in complex with PD-L1. Our structure shows no indication of an unusual bifurcated binding mode demonstrated earlier for another peptide of the same family (peptide 101). The binding mode relies on extensive hydrophobic interactions at the center of the binding surface and an electrostatic patch at the side. An interesting sulfur/π interaction supports the macrocycle-receptor binding. Overall, our results allow a better understanding of forces guiding macrocycle affinity for PD-L1, providing a rationale for future structure-based inhibitor design and rational optimization.
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95
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Muszak D, Surmiak E, Plewka J, Magiera-Mularz K, Kocik-Krol J, Musielak B, Sala D, Kitel R, Stec M, Weglarczyk K, Siedlar M, Dömling A, Skalniak L, Holak TA. Terphenyl-Based Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Protein-Protein Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11614-11636. [PMID: 34313116 PMCID: PMC8365601 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
![]()
We describe a new
class of potent PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors based on
a terphenyl scaffold that is derived from the rigidified biphenyl-inspired
structure. Using in silico docking, we designed and
then experimentally demonstrated the effectiveness of the terphenyl-based
scaffolds in inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 complex formation using various
biophysical and biochemical techniques. We also present a high-resolution
structure of the complex of PD-L1 with one of our most potent inhibitors
to identify key PD-L1/inhibitor interactions at the molecular level.
In addition, we show the efficacy of our most potent inhibitors in
activating the antitumor response using primary human immune cells
from healthy donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Muszak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Surmiak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jacek Plewka
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Justyna Kocik-Krol
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogdan Musielak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Dominik Sala
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Radoslaw Kitel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Stec
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Weglarczyk
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej Siedlar
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Drug Design, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lukasz Skalniak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Tad A Holak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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96
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Awadasseid A, Wu Y, Zhang W. Advance investigation on synthetic small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway. Life Sci 2021; 282:119813. [PMID: 34256042 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade has displayed substantial anti-tumor resistance in a variety of forms of cancer, but the fundamental regulation role remains unclear, and several questions continue to be addressed. PD-1/PD-L1 has been recognized as an anti-cancer drug target for several years, and through targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway, many monoclonal antibodies have thus far produced promising results in cancer therapy. The discovery of small-molecule inhibitors focused on the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway is steadily reviving over decades, owing to the intrinsic shortcomings of the antibodies. PD-1 function and its PD-L1 or PD-L2 ligands are essential for the activation, proliferation, and cytotoxic secretion of T-cells in cancer to degenerate anti-tumor immune response. The axis PD-1/PD-L1 is important for the immune escape of cancer which has an immense impact on cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the function of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancer and aiming to enhance cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annoor Awadasseid
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Department of Biochemistry & Food Sciences, University of Kordofan, El-Obeid 51111, Sudan
| | - Yanling Wu
- Lab of Molecular Immunology, Virus Inspection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China.
| | - Wen Zhang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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97
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Criscitiello C, Guerini-Rocco E, Viale G, Fumagalli C, Sajjadi E, Venetis K, Piciotti R, Invernizzi M, Malapelle U, Fusco N. Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Focus on the Use of the Currently Available Biomarkers in Oncology. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:787-800. [PMID: 34229592 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210706144112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have remarkably modified the way solid tumors are managed, including breast cancer. Unfortunately, only a relatively small number of breast cancer patients significantly respond to these treatments. To maximize the immunotherapy benefit in breast cancer, several efforts are currently being put forward for the identification of i) the best therapeutic strategy (i.e. ICI monotherapy or in association with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other drugs); ii) the optimal timing for administration (e.g. early/advanced stage of disease; adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting); iii) the most effective and reliable predictive biomarkers of response (e.g. tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, programmed death-ligand 1, microsatellite instability associated with mismatch repair deficiency, and tumor mutational burden). This article reviews the impacts and gaps in the characterization of immune-related biomarkers raised by clinical and translational research studies with immunotherapy treatments. Particular emphasis has been put on the documented evidence of significant clinical benefits of ICI in different randomized clinical trials, along with preanalytical and analytical issues in predictive biomarkers pathological assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giulia Viale
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Fumagalli
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elham Sajjadi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Piciotti
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Invernizzi
- Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Viale Piazza D'Armi 1, Novara, Italy
| | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, University of Milan, Via Giuseppe Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
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98
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Ying H, Zhang X, Duan Y, Lao M, Xu J, Yang H, Liang T, Bai X. Non-cytomembrane PD-L1: An atypical target for cancer. Pharmacol Res 2021; 170:105741. [PMID: 34174446 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has conventionally been considered as a type I transmembrane protein that can interact with its receptor, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), thus inducing T cell deactivation and immune escape. However, targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has achieved adequate clinical responses in very few specific malignancies. Recent studies have explored the extracellularly and subcellularly located PD-L1, namely, nuclear PD-L1 (nPD-L1), cytoplasmic PD-L1 (cPD-L1), soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1), and extracellular vesicle PD-L1 (EV PD-L1), which might shed light on the resistance to anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy. In this review, we summarize the four atypical localizations of PD-L1 with a focus on their novel functions, such as gene transcription regulation, therapeutic efficacy prediction, and resistance to various cancer therapies. Additionally, we highlight that non-cytomembrane PD-L1s are of significant cancer diagnostic value and are promising therapeutic targets to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honggang Ying
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengyi Lao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hanshen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China.
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99
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A structural perspective on the design of decoy immune modulators. Pharmacol Res 2021; 170:105735. [PMID: 34146695 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic mAbs have dominated the class of immunotherapeutics in general and immune checkpoint inhibitors in particular. The high specificity of mAbs to the target molecule as well as their extended half-life and (or) the effector functions raised by the Fc part are some of the important aspects that contribute to the success of this class of therapeutics. Equally potential candidates are decoys and their fusions that can address some of the inherent limitations of mAbs, like immunogenicity, resistance development, low bio-availability and so on, besides maintaining the advantages of mAbs. The decoys are molecules that trap the ligands and prevent them from interacting with the signaling receptors. Although a few FDA-approved decoy immune modulators are very successful, the potential of this class of drugs is yet to be fully realized. Here, we review various strategies employed in fusion protein therapeutics with a focus on the design of decoy immunomodulators from the structural perspective and discuss how the information on protein structure and function can strategically guide the development of next-generation immune modulators.
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100
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Discovery of phenyl-linked symmetric small molecules as inhibitors of the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 223:113637. [PMID: 34147746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) is one of the most promising targets in the field of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Beginning with our exploration of linkers and structure-activity relationship research, we found that the aromatic ring could replace the linker and aryl group to maintain the satisfactory activity of classic triaryl scaffold inhibitor. Based on previous studies, we designed and synthesized a series of C2-symmetric phenyl-linked compounds, and further tail optimization afforded the inhibitors, which displayed promising inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction with IC50 value at the single nanomolar range (C13-C15). Further cell-based PD-1/PD-L1 blockade bioassays indicated that these C2-symmetric molecules could significantly inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction at the cellular level and restore T cells' immune function at the safety concentrations. The discovery of these phenyl-linked symmetric small molecules showed the potential of simplified-linker and C2-symmetric strategy and provided a basis for developing symmetric small molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Moreover, C13 and C15 performed stable binding modes to PD-L1 dimeric after computational docking and dynamic simulation, which may serve as a good starting point for further development.
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