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D’Aguanno S, Del Bufalo D. Inhibition of Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins in Preclinical and Clinical Studies: Current Overview in Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051287. [PMID: 32455818 PMCID: PMC7291206 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between pro-death and pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins is responsible for a cell’s fate. Due to the recognized relevance of this family in cancer progression and response to therapy, different efforts have made in recent years in order to develop small molecules able to target anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. The limitations of the first Bcl-2 family targeted drugs, regarding on-target and off-target toxicities, have been overcome with the development of venetoclax (ABT-199), the first BH3 mimetic inhibitor approved by the FDA. The purpose of this review is to discuss the state-of-the-art in the development of drugs targeting Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins and to highlight the potential of their application as single agents or in combination for improving anti-cancer therapy, focusing in particular on solid tumors.
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Drugs and Clinical Approaches Targeting the Antiapoptotic Protein: A Review. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:1212369. [PMID: 31662966 PMCID: PMC6791192 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1212369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) is a regulator protein involved in apoptosis. In the past few decades, this protein has been demonstrated to have high efficacy in cancer therapy, and several approaches targeting Bcl-2 have been tested clinically (e.g., oblimersen, ABT-737, ABT-263, obatoclax mesylate, and AT-101). This review reports potential Bcl-2 inhibitors according to current information on their underlying mechanism and the results of clinical trials. In addition, the function and mechanisms of other potentially valuable Bcl-2 inhibitors that did not show efficacy in clinical studies are also discussed. This summary of the development of Bcl-2 inhibitors provides worthwhile viewpoints on the use of biomedical approaches in future cancer therapy.
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Adams CM, Clark-Garvey S, Porcu P, Eischen CM. Targeting the Bcl-2 Family in B Cell Lymphoma. Front Oncol 2019; 8:636. [PMID: 30671383 PMCID: PMC6331425 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although lymphoma is a very heterogeneous group of biologically complex malignancies, tumor cells across all B cell lymphoma subtypes share a set of underlying traits that promote the development and sustain malignant B cells. One of these traits, the ability to evade apoptosis, is essential for lymphoma development. Alterations in the Bcl-2 family of proteins, the key regulators of apoptosis, is a hallmark of B cell lymphoma. Significant efforts have been made over the last 30 years to advance knowledge of the biology, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of targeting Bcl-2 family members. In this review, we will highlight the complexities of the Bcl-2 family, including our recent discovery of overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bcl-w in lymphomas, and describe recent advances in the field that include the development of inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members for the treatment of B cell lymphomas and their performance in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare M Adams
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sean Clark-Garvey
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Pierluigi Porcu
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Christine M Eischen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Ma Y, Zhao W, Li Y, Pan Y, Wang S, Zhu Y, Kong L, Guan Z, Wang J, Zhang L, Yang Z. Structural optimization and additional targets identification of antisense oligonucleotide G3139 encapsulated in a neutral cytidinyl-lipid combined with a cationic lipid in vitro and in vivo. Biomaterials 2019; 197:182-193. [PMID: 30660994 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) usually contain a fully phosphorothioate (PS) backbone, which possibly interact with many genes and proteins under intracellular conditions. G3139 is an ASO that targets Bcl-2 mRNA and induces cell apoptosis. Here, we report a kind of cytidinyl-lipid combined with a cationic lipid (DNCA/CLD, molar ration, 28:3, named mix), which may interact with oligonucleotides via H-bond formation, pi-stacking and electrostatic interaction, accompanied by low zeta potentials. The IC50 value of G3139 delivered by mix-lipid reduced from above 20 μM to 0.158 μM for MCF-7/ADR, and exhibited stronger antiproliferation upon other cancer cell lines. In addition, PS modification in the 3'-half of G3139 (especially at positions 13-16) enhanced serum stability, target specificity and anticancer activity. Also, a locked nucleic acid (LNA) gapmer G3139 (LNA-G3139) showed superior antiproliferation (78.5%) and Bcl-2 mRNA suppression effects (85.5%) at 200 nM, mainly due to its high complementary RNA affinity. More apoptosis-associated targets were identified, and a lower level of non-specific protein binding (HSA) revealed that both antisense and aptamer mechanisms might simultaneously exist. A combination of a new delivery system and chemical modifications, such as in LNA-G3139, may have potential clinical application prospects in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenting Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yiding Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yufei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shuhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuejie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lingxuan Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhu Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jiancheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Lihe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhenjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
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Annealing novel nucleobase-lipids with oligonucleotides or plasmid DNA based on H-bonding or π-π interaction: Assemblies and transfections. Biomaterials 2018; 178:147-157. [PMID: 29933101 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lipid derivatives of nucleoside analogs have been highlighted for their potential for effective gene delivery. A novel class of nucleobase-lipids are rationally designed and readily synthesized, comprising thymine/cytosine, an ester/amide linker and an oleyl lipid. The diversity of four nucleobase-lipids termed DXBAs (DOTA, DNTA, DOCA and DNCA) is investigated. Besides, DNCA is demonstrated to be an effective neutral transfection material for nucleic acid delivery, which enbles to bind to oligonucleotides via H-bonding and π-π stacking with reduced toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Several kinds of nucleic acid drugs including aptamer, ssRNA, antisense oligonucleotide, and plasmid DNAs can be delivered by DXBAs, especially DNCA. In particular, G4-aptamer AS1411 encapsulated by DNCA exhibits cellular uptake enhancement, lysosome degradation reduction, cell apoptosis promotion, cell cycle phase alteration in vitro and duration prolongation in vivo, resulting in significant anti-proliferative activity. Our results demonstrate that DNCA is a promising transfection agent for G4-aptamers and exhibites bright application prospects in the permeation improvement of single-stranded oligonucleotides or plasmid DNAs.
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Barata P, Sood AK, Hong DS. RNA-targeted therapeutics in cancer clinical trials: Current status and future directions. Cancer Treat Rev 2016; 50:35-47. [PMID: 27612280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in RNA delivery and target selection provide unprecedented opportunities for cancer treatment, especially for cancers that are particularly hard to treat with existing drugs. Small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides are the most widely used strategies for silencing gene expression. In this review, we summarize how these approaches were used to develop drugs targeting RNA in human cells. Then, we review the current state of clinical trials of these agents for different types of cancer and outcomes from published data. Finally, we discuss lessons learned from completed studies and future directions for this class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Barata
- Department of Solid Tumors, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA
| | - Anil K Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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A Polyethylenimine-Containing and Transferrin-Conjugated Lipid Nanoparticle System for Antisense Oligonucleotide Delivery to AML. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:1287128. [PMID: 27034925 PMCID: PMC4807046 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1287128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Limited success of antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) in clinical anticancer therapy calls for more effective delivery carriers. The goal of this study was to develop a nanoparticle system for delivery of ASO G3139, which targets mRNA of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The synthesized nanoparticle Tf-LPN-G3139 contained a small molecular weight polyethylenimine and two cationic lipids as condensing agents, with transferrin on its surface for selective binding and enhanced cellular uptake. The optimized nitrogen to phosphate (N/P) ratio was 4 to achieve small particle size and high G3139 entrapment efficiency. The Tf-LPN-G3139 exhibited excellent colloidal stability during storage for at least 12 weeks and remained intact for 4 hours in nuclease-containing serum. The cellular uptake results showed extensive internalization of fluorescence-labelled G3139 in MV4-11 cells through Tf-LPN. Following transfection, Tf-LPN-G3139 at 1 µM ASO level induced 54% Bcl-2 downregulation and >20-fold apoptosis compared to no treatment. When evaluated in mice bearing human xenograft AML tumors, Tf-LPN-G3139 suppressed tumor growth by ~60% at the end of treatment period, accompanied by remarkable pharmacological effect of Bcl-2 inhibition in tumor. In conclusion, Tf-LPN-G3139 is a promising nanoparticle system for ASO G3139 delivery to AML and warrants further investigations.
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