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Murray M. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid derived lipid mediators: a comprehensive update on their application in anti-cancer drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:617-629. [PMID: 38595031 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2340493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION ω-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a range of health benefits, including anticancer activity, and are converted to lipid mediators that could be adapted into pharmacological strategies. However, the stability of these mediators must be improved, and they may require formulation to achieve optimal tissue concentrations. AREAS COVERED Herein, the author reviews the literature around chemical stabilization and formulation of ω-3 PUFA mediators and their application in anticancer drug discovery. EXPERT OPINION Aryl-urea bioisosteres of ω-3 PUFA epoxides that killed cancer cells targeted the mitochondrion by a novel dual mechanism: as protonophoric uncouplers and as inhibitors of electron transport complex III that activated ER-stress and disrupted mitochondrial integrity. In contrast, aryl-ureas that contain electron-donating substituents prevented cancer cell migration. Thus, aryl-ureas represent a novel class of agents with tunable anticancer properties. Stabilized analogues of other ω-3 PUFA-derived mediators could also be adapted into anticancer strategies. Indeed, a cocktail of agents that simultaneously promote cell killing, inhibit metastasis and angiogenesis, and that attenuate the pro-inflammatory microenvironment is a novel future anticancer strategy. Such regimen may enhance anticancer drug efficacy, minimize the development of anticancer drug resistance and enhance outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Murray
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
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Rahman MK, Umashankar B, Choucair H, Pazderka C, Bourget K, Chen Y, Dunstan CR, Rawling T, Murray M. Inclusion of the in-chain sulfur in 3-thiaCTU increases the efficiency of mitochondrial targeting and cell killing by anticancer aryl-urea fatty acids. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 939:175470. [PMID: 36543287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175470] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria in tumor cells are functionally different from those in normal cells and could be targeted to develop new anticancer agents. We showed recently that the aryl-ureido fatty acid CTU is the prototype of a new class of mitochondrion-targeted agents that kill cancer cells by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activating endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress and promoting apoptosis. However, prolonged treatment with high doses of CTU were required for in vivo anti-tumor activity. Thus, new strategies are now required to produce agents that have enhanced anticancer activity over CTU. In the present study we prepared a novel aryl-urea termed 3-thiaCTU, that contained an in-chain sulfur heteroatom, for evaluation in tumor cell lines and in mice carrying tumor xenografts. The principal finding to emerge was that 3-thiaCTU was several-fold more active than CTU in the activation of aryl-urea mechanisms that promoted cancer cell killing. Thus, in in vitro studies 3-thiaCTU disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased ROS production, activated ER-stress and promoted tumor cell apoptosis more effectively than CTU. 3-ThiaCTU was also significantly more active than CTUin vivo in mice that carried MDA-MB-231 cell xenografts. Compared to CTU, 3-thiaCTU prevented tumor growth more effectively and at much lower doses. These findings indicate that, in comparison to CTU, 3-thiaCTU is an aryl-urea with markedly enhanced activity that could now be suitable for development as a novel anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Khalilur Rahman
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Balasubrahmanyam Umashankar
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Hassan Choucair
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Curtis Pazderka
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Kirsi Bourget
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Yongjuan Chen
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Unit, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Colin R Dunstan
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Unit, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Tristan Rawling
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Michael Murray
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
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Murray M, Roseblade A, Chen Y, Bourget K, Rawling T. Carbon Chain Length Modulates MDA‐MB‐231 Breast Cancer Cell Killing Mechanisms by Mitochondrially Targeted Aryl−Urea Fatty Acids. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:247-255. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Murray
- Discipline of Pharmacology School of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of Sydney Camperdown, New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Ariane Roseblade
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Technology Sydney Ultimo, New South Wales 2007 Australia
| | - Yongjuan Chen
- Discipline of Pharmacology School of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of Sydney Camperdown, New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Kirsi Bourget
- Discipline of Pharmacology School of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of Sydney Camperdown, New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Tristan Rawling
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Technology Sydney Ultimo, New South Wales 2007 Australia
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Bhagat SD, Singh U, Mishra RK, Srivastava A. An Endogenous Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Activated Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Prodrug for Cancer Chemotherapy. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2073-2079. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Somnath D. Bhagat
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal; Bhopal Bypass Road Bhopal Madhya Pradesh 462066 India
| | - Usha Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal; Bhopal Bypass Road Bhopal Madhya Pradesh 462066 India
| | - Ram Kumar Mishra
- Department of Biological Sciences; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal; Bhopal Bypass Road Bhopal Madhya Pradesh 462066 India
| | - Aasheesh Srivastava
- Department of Chemistry; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal; Bhopal Bypass Road Bhopal Madhya Pradesh 462066 India
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