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Rychlá N, Navrátilová M, Kohoutová E, Raisová Stuchlíková L, Štěrbová K, Krátký J, Matoušková P, Szotáková B, Skálová L. Flubendazole carbonyl reduction in drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus: changes during the life cycle and possible inhibition. Vet Res 2024; 55:7. [PMID: 38225645 PMCID: PMC10790374 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01264-9] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbonyl-reducing enzymes (CREs) catalyse the reduction of carbonyl groups in many eobiotic and xenobiotic compounds in all organisms, including helminths. Previous studies have shown the important roles of CREs in the deactivation of several anthelmintic drugs (e.g., flubendazole and mebendazole) in adults infected with the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus, in which the activity of a CRE is increased in drug-resistant strains. The aim of the present study was to compare the abilities of nematodes of both a drug-susceptible strain (ISE) and a drug-resistant strain (IRE) to reduce the carbonyl group of flubendazole (FLU) in different developmental stages (eggs, L1/2 larvae, L3 larvae, and adults). In addition, the effects of selected CRE inhibitors (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid, naringenin, silybin, luteolin, glyceraldehyde, and menadione) on the reduction of FLU were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo in H. contortus adults. The results showed that FLU was reduced by H. contortus in all developmental stages, with adult IRE females being the most metabolically active. Larvae (L1/2 and L3) and adult females of the IRE strain reduced FLU more effectively than those of the ISE strain. Data from the in vitro inhibition study (performed with cytosolic-like fractions of H. contortus adult homogenate) revealed that glycyrrhetinic acid, naringenin, mebendazole and menadione are effective inhibitors of FLU reduction. Ex vivo study data showed that menadione inhibited FLU reduction and also decreased the viability of H. contortus adults to a similar extent. Naringenin and mebendazole were not toxic at the concentrations tested, but they did not inhibit the reduction of FLU in adult worms ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Rychlá
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Navrátilová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Kohoutová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Raisová Stuchlíková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Štěrbová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Krátký
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Matoušková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Szotáková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského, 1203, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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Zhou Y, Liao M, Li Z, Ye J, Wu L, Mou Y, Fu L, Zhen Y. Flubendazole Enhances the Inhibitory Effect of Paclitaxel via HIF1α/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15121. [PMID: 37894802 PMCID: PMC10606573 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015121] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel, a natural anticancer drug, is widely recognized and extensively utilized in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). However, it may lead to certain side effects or drug resistance. Fortunately, combination therapy with another anti-tumor agent has been explored as an option to improve the efficacy of paclitaxel in the treatment of BC. Herein, we first evaluated the synergistic effects of paclitaxel and flubendazole through combination index (CI) calculations. Secondly, flubendazole was demonstrated to synergize paclitaxel-mediated BC cell killing in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we discovered that flubendazole could reverse the drug resistance of paclitaxel-resistant BC cells. Mechanistically, flubendazole was demonstrated to enhance the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel via HIF1α/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of flubendazole in combination with paclitaxel for treating BC, providing an insight into exploiting more novel combination therapies for BC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (L.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Minru Liao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (L.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Zixiang Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China;
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (L.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Lifeng Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (L.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Yi Mou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (L.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China;
| | - Yongqi Zhen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.Z.); (M.L.); (J.Y.); (L.W.); (Y.M.)
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O'Meara CH, Jafri Z, Khachigian LM. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Small-Molecule Immunotherapies and the Emerging Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Therapeutic Strategies for Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11695. [PMID: 37511453 PMCID: PMC10380483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of many cancer types, including head and neck cancers (HNC). When checkpoint and partner proteins bind, these send an "off" signal to T cells, which prevents the immune system from destroying tumor cells. However, in HNC, and indeed many other cancers, more people do not respond and/or suffer from toxic effects than those who do respond. Hence, newer, more effective approaches are needed. The challenge to durable therapy lies in a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between immune cells, tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. This will help develop therapies that promote lasting tumorlysis by overcoming T-cell exhaustion. Here we explore the strengths and limitations of current ICI therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We also review emerging small-molecule immunotherapies and the growing promise of neutrophil extracellular traps in controlling tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor H O'Meara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Zuhayr Jafri
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Surov AO, Volkova TV. Solubility/distribution thermodynamics and permeability of two anthelmintics in biologically relevant solvents. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Chen C, Ding Y, Liu H, Sun M, Wang H, Wu D. Flubendazole Plays an Important Anti-Tumor Role in Different Types of Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23010519. [PMID: 35008943 PMCID: PMC8745596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Flubendazole, belonging to benzimidazole, is a broad-spectrum insect repellent and has been repurposed as a promising anticancer drug. In recent years, many studies have shown that flubendazole plays an anti-tumor role in different types of cancers, including breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. Although the anti-tumor mechanism of flubendazole has been studied, it has not been fully understood. In this review, we summarized the recent studies regarding the anti-tumor effects of flubendazole in different types of cancers and analyzed the related mechanisms, in order to provide the theoretical reference for further studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoran Chen
- Institute of Nursing and Health, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Jinming Avenue, Kaifeng 475004, China; (C.C.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yueming Ding
- Institute of Nursing and Health, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Jinming Avenue, Kaifeng 475004, China; (C.C.); (Y.D.)
| | - Huiyang Liu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
| | - Mengyao Sun
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
| | - Honggang Wang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (D.W.)
| | - Dongdong Wu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
- School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (D.W.)
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Khachigian LM. Emerging insights on functions of the anthelmintic flubendazole as a repurposed anticancer agent. Cancer Lett 2021; 522:57-62. [PMID: 34520820 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
While flubendazole has been used as a macrofilaricide in humans and animals for some 40 years, work in vitro and in preclinical models over the last decade has suggested its potential use as an anticancer agent. This article reviews recent studies in a range of tumor types indicating novel functions for flubendazole in its control of processes associated with tumor growth, spread and renewal including ferroptosis, autophagy, cancer stem-like cell killing and suppression of intratumoral myeloid-derived suppressor cell accumulation and programmed cell death protein 1. Flubendazole's potential use in clinical oncology will require further understanding of its mechanistic roles, range of inhibition of cancer types, capacity for adjunctive therapy and possible reformulation for enhanced solubility, bioavailability and potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Zhen Y, Zhao R, Wang M, Jiang X, Gao F, Fu L, Zhang L, Zhou XL. Flubendazole elicits anti-cancer effects via targeting EVA1A-modulated autophagy and apoptosis in Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:8080-8097. [PMID: 32724459 PMCID: PMC7381743 DOI: 10.7150/thno.43473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most prevalent neoplastic diseases worldwide, but efficacious treatments for this pathological condition are still challenging. The lack of an effective targeted therapy also leads to a poor prognosis for patients affected by TNBC. In the present study, we repurposed the distinctive inhibitory effects of flubendazole, a traditional anthelmintic drug, towards the putative modulation of proliferation and migration of TNBC in vitro and in vivo. Methods: According to a series of experimental approaches, including immunofluorescence (IF), immunoblotting (IB), siRNA and GFP-mRFP-LC3 plasmid transfection, respectively, we have found that flubendazole is capable of inducing autophagic cell death and apoptosis, thus exerting some anti-proliferative and anti-migration activity in TNBC cells. The therapeutic effects of flubendazole were evaluated by xenograft mouse models, followed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), IF and IB. Changes in the gene expression profiles of flubendazole-treated TNBC cells were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and validated by IB. The potential binding mode of flubendazole and EVA1A was predicted by molecular docking and demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis. Results: We have presently found that flubendazole exhibits a considerable anti-proliferative activity in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the induction of autophagic cell death appears to be pivotal for flubendazole-mediated growth inhibition of TNBC cells, whereas blocking autophagy was able to improve the survival rate and migration ability of flubendazole-treated TNBC cells. Specifically, RNA-seq analysis showed that flubendazole treatment could promote the up-regulation of EVA1A. Flubendazole may regulate autophagy and apoptosis by targeting EVA1A, thus affecting the mechanisms of TNBC proliferation and migration. Furthermore, Thr113 may be the key amino acid residues for the binding of flubendazole to EVA1A. Conclusion: Our results provide novel insights towards the putative anti-cancer efficacy of flubendazole. Furthermore, here we show that flubendazole could serve as a potential therapeutic drug in TNBC. Altogether, this study highlights the possibility of this repurposed autophagic inducer for future cancer treatments.
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Kubíček V, Skálová L, Skarka A, Králová V, Holubová J, Štěpánková J, Šubrt Z, Szotáková B. Carbonyl Reduction of Flubendazole in the Human Liver: Strict Stereospecificity, Sex Difference, Low Risk of Drug Interactions. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:600. [PMID: 31191322 PMCID: PMC6546852 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Flubendazole (FLU), an anthelmintic drug of benzimidazole type, is now considered a promising anti-cancer agent due to its tubulin binding ability and low system toxicity. The present study was aimed at determining more information about FLU reduction in human liver, because this information has been insufficient until now. Subcellular fractions from the liver of 12 human patients (6 male and 6 female patients) were used to study the stereospecificity, cellular localization, coenzyme preference, enzyme kinetics, and possible inter-individual or sex differences in FLU reduction. In addition, the risk of FLU interaction with other drugs was evaluated. Our study showed that FLU is predominantly reduced in cytosol, and the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) coenzyme is preferred. The strict stereospecificity of FLU carbonyl reduction was proven, and carbonyl reductase 1 was identified as the main enzyme of FLU reduction in the human liver. A higher reduction of FLU and a higher level of carbonyl reductase 1 protein were found in male patients than in female patients, but overall inter-individual variability was relatively low. Hepatic intrinsic clearance of FLU is very low, and FLU had no effect on doxorubicin carbonyl reduction in the liver and in cancer cells. All these results fill the gaps in the knowledge of FLU metabolism in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Kubíček
- Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Adam Skarka
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Věra Králová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Jana Holubová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Jana Štěpánková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Zdeněk Šubrt
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia.,Department of Surgery, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Barbora Szotáková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
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