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Danciu OC, Holdhoff M, Peterson RA, Fischer JH, Liu LC, Wang H, Venepalli NK, Chowdhery R, Nicholas MK, Russell MJ, Fan TM, Hergenrother PJ, Tarasow TM, Dudek AZ. Phase I study of procaspase-activating compound-1 (PAC-1) in the treatment of advanced malignancies. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:783-792. [PMID: 36470974 PMCID: PMC9977881 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02089-7] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procaspase-3 (PC-3) is overexpressed in multiple tumour types and procaspase-activating compound 1 (PAC-1) directly activates PC-3 and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. This report describes the first-in-human, phase I study of PAC-1 assessing maximum tolerated dose, safety, and pharmacokinetics. METHODS Modified-Fibonacci dose-escalation 3 + 3 design was used. PAC-1 was administered orally at 7 dose levels (DL) on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was assessed during the first two cycles of therapy, and pharmacokinetics analysis was conducted on days 1 and 21 of the first cycle. Neurologic and neurocognitive function (NNCF) tests were performed throughout the study. RESULTS Forty-eight patients were enrolled with 33 completing ≥2 cycles of therapy and evaluable for DLT. DL 7 (750 mg/day) was established as the recommended phase 2 dose, with grade 1 and 2 neurological adverse events noted, while NNCF testing showed stable neurologic and cognitive evaluations. PAC-1's t1/2 was 28.5 h after multi-dosing, and systemic drug exposures achieved predicted therapeutic concentrations. PAC-1 clinical activity was observed in patients with neuroendocrine tumour (NET) with 2/5 patients achieving durable partial response. CONCLUSIONS PAC-1 dose at 750 mg/day was recommended for phase 2 studies. Activity of PAC-1 in treatment-refractory NET warrants further investigation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov: NCT02355535.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana C Danciu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Clinical Trials Office, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Matthias Holdhoff
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - James H Fischer
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Li C Liu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heng Wang
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Neeta K Venepalli
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rozina Chowdhery
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Kelly Nicholas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Meredith J Russell
- Clinical Trials Office, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Timothy M Fan
- Vanquish Oncology, Inc., Champaign, IL, USA
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Paul J Hergenrother
- Vanquish Oncology, Inc., Champaign, IL, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | | | - Arkadiusz Z Dudek
- HealthPartners Institute, Regions Cancer Care Center, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Vanquish Oncology, Inc., Champaign, IL, USA
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Cardinal O, Burlot C, Fu Y, Crosley P, Hitt M, Craig M, Jenner AL. Establishing combination PAC‐1 and TRAIL regimens for treating ovarian cancer based on patient‐specific pharmacokinetic profiles using
in silico
clinical trials. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Cardinal
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics Université de Montréal Montréal Quebec Canada
| | - Chloé Burlot
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics Université de Montréal Montréal Quebec Canada
| | - Yangxin Fu
- Department of Oncology University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Powel Crosley
- Department of Oncology University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Mary Hitt
- Department of Oncology University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Morgan Craig
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics Université de Montréal Montréal Quebec Canada
- Research Centre Sainte‐Justine University Hospital Montréal Quebec Canada
| | - Adrianne L. Jenner
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics Université de Montréal Montréal Quebec Canada
- Research Centre Sainte‐Justine University Hospital Montréal Quebec Canada
- School of Mathematical Sciences Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland
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3
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Li F, Han X, Chen Y, Wang S, Cheng Z, Hu G, Liu W, Zhu Q. In vitro metabolic characterization of orbitazine, a novel derivative of the PAC-1 anticancer agent. J Pharm Pharmacol 2020; 72:1199-1210. [PMID: 32583524 DOI: 10.1111/jphp.13296] [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: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The in vitro evaluation of new drugs is an important step in the drug development pipeline. Orbitazine is a derivative of PAC-1 that has substituted the functional group homopiperazine ring with a piperazine ring. The purpose of this study was to assess the metabolic profile of orbitazine. METHODS Metabolism was characterized in vitro by incubating liver microsomes with metabolize orbitazine or the classical metabolic enzyme substrates. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC-MS/MS were used to identify the parent drugs and metabolites of orbitazine or metabolic enzyme substrates. KEY FINDINGS There was no difference in metabolic stability or metabolites across different species. The metabolites included a debenzyl compound and several hydroxyl compounds, defined as M1(316), M2(440), M3(422), M4(422) and M5(422). We found that orbitazine was metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 in a human liver microsomes incubation system. Orbitazine had no significant inhibitory effect on CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 in human liver microsomes, but showed a dose-dependent inhibition of CYP2C8, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4; and there was no orbitazine-mediated induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP3A4 or mRNA expression in hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS This in vitro data on the metabolism of orbitazine may provide valuable information to support further clinical progression as a potential therapeutic molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xuhua Han
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanfen Chen
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zeneng Cheng
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Gaoyun Hu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjie Liu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qubo Zhu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Boudreau MW, Peh J, Hergenrother PJ. Procaspase-3 Overexpression in Cancer: A Paradoxical Observation with Therapeutic Potential. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2335-2348. [PMID: 31260254 PMCID: PMC6858495 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many anticancer strategies rely on the promotion of apoptosis in cancer cells as a means to shrink tumors. Crucial for apoptotic function are executioner caspases, most notably caspase-3, that proteolyze a variety of proteins, inducing cell death. Paradoxically, overexpression of procaspase-3 (PC-3), the low-activity zymogen precursor to caspase-3, has been reported in a variety of cancer types. Until recently, this counterintuitive overexpression of a pro-apoptotic protein in cancer has been puzzling. Recent studies suggest subapoptotic caspase-3 activity may promote oncogenic transformation, a possible explanation for the enigmatic overexpression of PC-3. Herein, the overexpression of PC-3 in cancer and its mechanistic basis is reviewed; collectively, the data suggest the potential for exploitation of PC-3 overexpression with PC-3 activators as a targeted anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W. Boudreau
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Jessie Peh
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Paul J. Hergenrother
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
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Yurttaş L, Öztürk Ö, Cantürk Z. New Procaspase Activating Compound (PAC-1) Like Molecules as Potent Antitumoral Agents Against Lung Cancer. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180815666180926113040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
In this study, novel ortho-hydroxy N-acyl hydrazone moiety including
compounds (3a-l) were designed, based on procaspase activating compound (PAC-1) which is a
small molecule known with antitumor activity. The antitumor activity was evaluated on A549 (human
lung cancer cell line) and CCD 19Lu (human lung normal cell line).
Methods:
Twelve N'-arylidene-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl]acetohydrazide derivatives
(3a-l) were synthesized starting from ethyl 1-piperazinylacetate. All compounds were tested using
MTT method and Xcelligence-Real time cell analysis system (RTCA DP) to determine their antitumor
activity.
Results:
Some physicochemical properties of four active compounds were also predicted using
MolSoft, PreADMET and PROTOX software. Four of them, 3h, 3j, 3k and 3l bearing 3-hydroxy,
4-dimethylamino, 2,6-dichloro and 3,4-dichloro substituents in order exhibited selective cytotoxicity.
Conclusion:
Eligible values were obtained in the specified ranges as to be an oral/intravenous drug
considering the physicochemical calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Yurttaş
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey
| | - Ömer Öztürk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey
| | - Zerrin Cantürk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey
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Yi Q, Han X, Fan Z, Ma Y, Zhu G, Qiang W, Wang L, Cheng Z. Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and plasma protein binding study of SM-1, a novel PAC-1 derivative. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 163:17-23. [PMID: 30273837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2018.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
As a PAC-1 derivative, SM-1 exhibts a promising antitumour property. To better understand the relationship between the drug concentrations and pharmacological effects, both liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography methods were developed and validated in the work. Those methods were then applied to the pharmacokinetics (PK), tissue distribution and plasma protein binding (PPB) studies of SM-1. As a results, the proposed methods were demonstrated to be accurate, precise and stable for the analysis of the SM-1 in plasma and tissue samples. Meanwhile, the PK parameters of SM-1 showed that SM-1 had good PK properties. SM-1 had good absorption in the body, with 59.01% of the absolute bioavailability in rats and 55.63% of that in dogs. SM-1 rapidly distributed to all tissues, with the highest distribution in the lung and less in the brain and muscle. The PPB rates in rat plasma, dog plasma, and human plasma were 91.1%, 91.2%, and 90.7%, respectively. These good PK properties will contribute SM-1 to be a promising anti-tumour candidate. These results also provide insights into the further pharmacological investigation of SM-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yi
- Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, China
| | - Xuhua Han
- Research Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Zhihong Fan
- Hunan Tai Xin Medical Science and Technology Ltd, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Yuehui Ma
- Hunan Tai Xin Medical Science and Technology Ltd, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Gangzhi Zhu
- Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Xiangya Medical College of Central South University, Haikou, Hainan 570311, China
| | - Wei Qiang
- Research Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China; Research Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Zeneng Cheng
- Research Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
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Wang Y, Yuan S, Li L, Yang D, Xu C, Wang S, Zhang D. Novel proapoptotic agent SM-1 enhances the inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil on colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Oncol Lett 2017; 13:4762-4768. [PMID: 28599477 PMCID: PMC5452999 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most important agents used to treat colorectal cancer. However, the therapeutic effect of 5-FU on colon cancer is limited. SM-1 is a novel type of proapoptotic agent that directly activates procaspase-3 to caspase-3, leading to apoptosis in human cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antitumor effects of 5-FU in combination with SM-1. The human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and LoVo were cultured in the presence of SM-1 and 5-FU. The combination of SM-1 and 5-FU treatment exhibited increased proliferation inhibitory effects compared with 5-FU treatment alone in HCT116 and LoVo cells, as determined using an MTT assay. SM-1 significantly decreased the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 5-FU from 8.07±0.49 to 2.55±0.41 µmol/l in HCT116 cells, and from 7.90±0.98 to 3.14±0.81 µmol/l in LoVo cells. Similarly, the apoptotic activity was increased to 47.95 and 35.19% in HCT116 and LoVo cells, respectively, as determined using Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. The combination of SM-1 and 5-FU treatment led to significantly increased caspase-3 activity compared with either compound alone. The reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis revealed the downregulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 and Survivin, and the upregulation of apoptosis regulator Bcl-2-associated X protein and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in HCT116 and LoVo cells. In addition, RT-qPCR identified downregulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein mRNA. 5-FU and SM-1 treatment in combination increased tumor proliferation inhibition in HCT116 and LoVo xenograft mouse models of colorectal cancer, compared with SM-1 or 5-FU treatment alone. SM-1 significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of 5-FU in colorectal cancer. These improved effects were due to increased activity of the apoptotic signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, P.R. China
| | - Shoujun Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Linna Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Dexuan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Chengwang Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Danshen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, P.R. China.,College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050018, P.R. China
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