1
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Zhao Y, Zhao X, Duan L, Hou R, Gu Y, Liu Z, Chen J, Wu F, Yang L, Le XC, Wang Q, Yan X. Reinvent Aliphatic Arsenicals as Reversible Covalent Warheads toward Targeted Kinase Inhibition and Non-acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cancer Treatment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5458-5472. [PMID: 38556750 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The success of arsenic in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment is hardly transferred to non-APL cancers, mainly due to the low selectivity and weak binding affinity of traditional arsenicals to oncoproteins critical for cancer survival. We present herein the reinvention of aliphatic trivalent arsenicals (As) as reversible covalent warheads of As-based targeting inhibitors toward Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). The effects of As warheads' valency, thiol protection, methylation, spacer length, and size on inhibitors' activity were studied. We found that, in contrast to the bulky and rigid aromatic As warhead, the flexible aliphatic As warheads were well compatible with the well-optimized guiding group to achieve nanomolar inhibition against BTK. The optimized As inhibitors effectively blocked the BTK-mediated oncogenic signaling pathway, leading to elevated antiproliferative activities toward lymphoma cells and xenograft tumor. Our study provides a promising strategy enabling rational design of new aliphatic arsenic-based reversible covalent inhibitors toward non-APL cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Lewei Duan
- Laboratory of Epigenetics at Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Intelligent Medicine Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ruxue Hou
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yuxin Gu
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jianbin Chen
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Feizhen Wu
- Laboratory of Epigenetics at Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Intelligent Medicine Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Limin Yang
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - X Chris Le
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Qiuquan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xiaowen Yan
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
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2
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Xie X, Yu T, Li X, Zhang N, Foster LJ, Peng C, Huang W, He G. Recent advances in targeting the "undruggable" proteins: from drug discovery to clinical trials. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:335. [PMID: 37669923 PMCID: PMC10480221 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Undruggable proteins are a class of proteins that are often characterized by large, complex structures or functions that are difficult to interfere with using conventional drug design strategies. Targeting such undruggable targets has been considered also a great opportunity for treatment of human diseases and has attracted substantial efforts in the field of medicine. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the recent development of drug discovery targeting "undruggable" proteins and their application in clinic. To make this review well organized, we discuss the design strategies targeting the undruggable proteins, including covalent regulation, allosteric inhibition, protein-protein/DNA interaction inhibition, targeted proteins regulation, nucleic acid-based approach, immunotherapy and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tingting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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3
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Wang J, Zhou S, Cheng Y, Cheng L, Qin Y, Zhang Z, Bi A, Xiang H, He X, Tian X, Liu W, Zhang J, Peng C, Zhu Z, Huang M, Li Y, Zhuang G, Tan L. Selective Covalent Targeting of Pyruvate Kinase M2 Using Arsenous Warheads. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2608-2621. [PMID: 36723914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in covalent targeted inhibitors in drug discovery against previously "undruggable" sites and targets. These molecules typically feature an electrophilic warhead that reacts with nucleophilic groups of protein residues, most notably the thiol group of cysteines. One main challenge in the field is to develop versatile utilizable warheads. Here, we characterize the unique features of novel arsenous warheads for reaction with thiol species in a reversible manner and further demonstrate that organoarsenic probes can be chemically tuned toward specific molecular targets by developing selective and potent inhibitors of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). We show that compound 24 is a covalent and allosteric inhibitor of PKM2 and its orally bioavailable prodrug 25 exerts efficacious inhibition of PKM2-dependent tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results introduce 25 and its derivatives as useful pharmacological tools and provide a general road map for targeting the protein cysteinome using arsenous warheads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shaoqing Zhou
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ying Qin
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Aiwei Bi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huaijiang Xiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoxu Tian
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chao Peng
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhengjiang Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Guanglei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Li Tan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
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4
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Zarcone SR, Verardi PJ, Bhuvanesh N, Gladysz JA. A surprise landing on the terra incognita of macrocyclic dibridgehead diorganoarsines: syntheses, structures, and reactivities. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:8694-8697. [PMID: 35833414 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03235j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Reactions of trans-[Fe(CO)2(NO)(As((CH2)n)3As)]+ BF4- (n = 10, 12, 14) and Bu4N+ Cl- afford the title compounds As((CH2)n)3As, which upon reaction (n = 14) with MCl2 (M = Pt, Ni), Rh(CO)(Cl), and Fe(CO)3 sources reconstitute cage like complexes trans-MLn(As((CH2)14)3As). Reactions with H2O2 and BH3 give the corresponding arsine oxides and boranes. Crystal structures of metal-free species reveal out,out isomers, but cage complex formation is proposed to entail homeomorphic isomerization to in,in isomers with endo directed lone pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R Zarcone
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M, PO Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842-3012, USA.
| | - Peter J Verardi
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M, PO Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842-3012, USA.
| | - Nattamai Bhuvanesh
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M, PO Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842-3012, USA.
| | - John A Gladysz
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M, PO Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842-3012, USA.
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5
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Zhou Y, Wang H, Tse E, Li H, Sun H. Cell Cycle-Dependent Uptake and Cytotoxicity of Arsenic-Based Drugs in Single Leukemia Cells. Anal Chem 2018; 90:10465-10471. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Eric Tse
- Department of Medcine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Hongzhe Sun
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
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6
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Swallowing a bitter pill–oral arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Blood Rev 2016; 30:201-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Chen B, Liu Q, Popowich A, Shen S, Yan X, Zhang Q, Li XF, Weinfeld M, Cullen WR, Le XC. Therapeutic and analytical applications of arsenic binding to proteins. Metallomics 2015; 7:39-55. [DOI: 10.1039/c4mt00222a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of arsenic binding to proteins advances the development of bioanalytical techniques and therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Chen
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
| | - Qingqing Liu
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Shengwen Shen
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
| | - Xiaowen Yan
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
| | - Qi Zhang
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
| | - Xing-Fang Li
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - William R. Cullen
- Department of Chemistry
- University of British Columbia
- Vancouver, Canada
| | - X. Chris Le
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- University of Alberta
- Edmonton, Canada
- Department of Chemistry
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8
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Nichol JN, Garnier N, Miller WH. Triple A therapy: the molecular underpinnings of the unique sensitivity of leukemic promyelocytes to anthracyclines, all-trans-retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2014; 27:19-31. [PMID: 24907014 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2014.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
If looking for a mnemonic to remember the relevant facts about acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), one just has to remember that APL is a disease of A's. It is acute and it is highly sensitive to treatment with anthracyclines, all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). The presence of fusions involving the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) is without question the central player driving APL and dictating the response of this disease to these therapeutic agents. However, beyond this knowledge, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the complicated pathogenesis and the response to treatment of APL are not completely defined. As more is understood about this hematological malignancy, there are more opportunities to refine and improve treatment based on this knowledge. In this review article, we discuss the response of APL to these "A" therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Nichol
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Comprehensive Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Nicolas Garnier
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Comprehensive Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Wilson H Miller
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Comprehensive Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada.
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9
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Cheng X, Quintás-Cardama A, Golemovic M, Zingaro R, Gao MZ, Freireich EJ, Andreeff M, Kantarjian HM, Verstovsek S. The organic arsenic derivative GMZ27 induces PML-RARα-independent apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cells. Anticancer Res 2012; 32:2871-80. [PMID: 22753750 PMCID: PMC5166574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an inorganic arsenic derivative that is very effective against acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, organic arsenic derivatives (OAD) have a more favorable toxicity profile than ATO. We herein characterized dipropil-S-glycerol arsenic (GMZ27), a novel OAD. GMZ27 had potent antiproliferative activity against human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines that was higher than that of ATO. In contrast to ATO, GMZ27 only marginally induced maturation of leukemia cells and had no effect on the cell cycle. The anti-leukemia activity of GMZ27 against AML cells was independent of the presence of the PML-RARα fusion protein. GMZ27 dissipates mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and induces cleavage of caspase 9 and activation of caspase 3 without altering the expression levels of (BCL-2), BAX and BCL-xl. GMZ27 induces the formation of intracellular superoxide, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) which plays a major role in the antileukemia activity of this OAD. In addition to ROS generation, GMZ27 concomitantly reduces intracellular glutathione which markedly weakens the cellular antioxidant capacity, thus enhancing the detrimental intracellular effects of ROS production. These results indicate that GMZ27 induces apoptosis in AML cells in a PML-RARα-independent fashion, through the induction of ROS production. This activity provides the rationale for the testing of GMZ27 in patients with AML.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis/physiology
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Arsenicals/pharmacology
- Caspase 9/metabolism
- Cell Cycle/drug effects
- Cell Growth Processes/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Enzyme Activation/drug effects
- Female
- HL-60 Cells
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/biosynthesis
- Oxides/pharmacology
- Oxygen/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Cheng
- Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Leukemia, Unit 428, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Tian J, Zhao H, Nolley R, Reese SW, Young SR, Li X, Peehl DM, Knox SJ. Darinaparsin: solid tumor hypoxic cytotoxin and radiosensitizer. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:3366-76. [PMID: 22535156 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-3179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hypoxia is an important characteristic of the solid tumor microenvironment and constitutes a barrier for effective radiotherapy. Here, we studied the effects of darinaparsin (an arsenic cytotoxin) on survival and radiosensitivity of tumor cells in vitro under normoxia and hypoxia and in vivo using xenograft models, compared to effects on normal tissues. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The cytotoxicity and radiosensitization of darinaparsin were first tested in vitro in a variety of solid tumor cell lines under both normoxia and hypoxia and compared with arsenic trioxide (ATO, an arsenical with reported cytotoxic and radiosensitizing activities on tumor cells). The effects were then tested in mouse models of xenograft tumors derived from tumor cell lines and clinical tumor specimens. The potential mechanisms of darinaparsin effects, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cellular damage, and changes in global gene expression, were also investigated. RESULTS In comparison with ATO, darinaparsin had significantly higher in vitro cytotoxic and radiosensitizing activities against solid tumor cells under both normoxia and hypoxia. In vivo experiments confirmed these activities at doses that had no systemic toxicities. Importantly, darinaparsin did not radiosensitize normal bone marrow and actually radioprotected normal intestinal crypts. The darinaparsin-mediated antitumor effects under hypoxia were not dependent on ROS generation and oxidative damage, but were associated with inhibition of oncogene (RAS and MYC)-dependent gene expression. CONCLUSION Darinaparsin has significant and preferential cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effects on solid tumors as compared with normal cells. Darinaparsin may therefore increase the therapeutic index of radiation therapy and has near term translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Urology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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11
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Jungwirth U, Kowol CR, Keppler BK, Hartinger CG, Berger W, Heffeter P. Anticancer activity of metal complexes: involvement of redox processes. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 15:1085-127. [PMID: 21275772 PMCID: PMC3371750 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cells require tight regulation of the intracellular redox balance and consequently of reactive oxygen species for proper redox signaling and maintenance of metal (e.g., of iron and copper) homeostasis. In several diseases, including cancer, this balance is disturbed. Therefore, anticancer drugs targeting the redox systems, for example, glutathione and thioredoxin, have entered focus of interest. Anticancer metal complexes (platinum, gold, arsenic, ruthenium, rhodium, copper, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, gadolinium, and molybdenum) have been shown to strongly interact with or even disturb cellular redox homeostasis. In this context, especially the hypothesis of "activation by reduction" as well as the "hard and soft acids and bases" theory with respect to coordination of metal ions to cellular ligands represent important concepts to understand the molecular modes of action of anticancer metal drugs. The aim of this review is to highlight specific interactions of metal-based anticancer drugs with the cellular redox homeostasis and to explain this behavior by considering chemical properties of the respective anticancer metal complexes currently either in (pre)clinical development or in daily clinical routine in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Jungwirth
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Dequalinium induces human leukemia cell death by affecting the redox balance. Leuk Res 2011; 35:1395-401. [PMID: 21477862 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2011.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Revised: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Dequalinium, an amphiphilic quinolinium derivative, selectively accumulates in mitochondria and displays anticancer activity in cells from different malignancies. Previous studies indicate a differential DQA-induced cytotoxicity in NB4 and K562 human leukemia cells as a consequence of an early disturbance in mitochondrial function. Results in this paper show that DQA induces a concentration-dependent oxidative stress by decreasing GSH level and increasing ROS in a cell type specific way. Inhibitors of the JNK and p38 stress regulated kinases potentiate DQA-induced NB4 cell death suggesting a protective function for these enzymes. K562 cells with relatively high GSH levels remained resistant to DQA action.
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