Discovery and evaluation of Atopaxar hydrobromide, a novel JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, selectively induces apoptosis of cancer cells with constitutively activated STAT3

Two new spongian diterpene derivatives from the aquaculture sponge Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759

2β,3α,19-Triacetoxy-17-hydroxyspongia-13(16),14-diene (1), a novel acetoxy diterpenoid, and 18-nor-2,17-hydroxyspongia-1,4,13(16),14-quaien-3-one (2), belonging to the rare 18-nor-spongian carbon skeleton, together with six related known metabolites (3‒8), were isolated from the aquaculture Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculation of NMR parameters, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Compounds 3, 4, and 5 exhibited moderate inhibition against STAT3/NF-κB, HIF-1, Wnt signalling pathways. Compounds 1, 3, and 5 showed cytotoxicity activities against K562 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 7.3, 3.5, and 6.4 μM, respectively.

Targeting Platelet Activation Pathways to Limit Tumour Progression: Current State of Affairs

The association between cancer and a hypercoagulatory environment is well described. Thrombotic complications serve not only as a major mortality risk but the underlying molecular structure and function play significant roles in enhancing tumour progression, which is defined as the tumour's capacity to survive, invade and metastasise, amongst other hallmarks of the disease. The use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs in cardiovascular disease lessens thrombotic effects, but the consequences on tumour progression require interrogation. Therefore, this review considered developments in the management of platelet activation pathways (thromboxane, ADP and thrombin), focusing on the use of Aspirin, Clopidogrel and Atopaxar, and their potential impacts on tumour progression. Published data suggested a cautionary tale in ensuring we adequately investigate not only drug-drug interactions but also those unforeseen reciprocal interactions between drugs and their targets within the tumour microenvironment that may act as selective pressures, enhancing tumour survival and progression.

Jellynolide A, pokepola esters, and sponalisolides from the aquaculture sponge Spongia officinalis L

Jellynolide A, an unreported bicyclic diterpenoid with an unprecedented penta-substituted carbon skeleton which implied an irregular biogenic pathway, together with four pairs of rare phosphate triesters, (±)-pokepola ester B-E, one undescribed related racemic furanoterpenoid, (±)-sponalisolide C, one undescribed furanoterpenoid, (-)-sponalisolide D, and two known (±)-sponalisolide B and dendrolasin carboxylic acid were isolated from the aquaculture Spongia officinalis L. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculation of NMR parameters, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The plausible biosynthetic pathway of jellynolide A was proposed. (±)-Pokepola ester C exhibited significant inhibition against Wnt, HIF1 signaling pathways. (+)-Pokepola ester B and (-)-pokepola ester D showed moderate cytotoxicity activities.

Antiplatelet Therapy Combined with Anastrozole Induces Features of Partial EMT in Breast Cancer Cells and Fails to Mitigate Breast-Cancer Induced Hypercoagulation

Thromboembolic complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer patients often present with an increased risk for thrombosis including hypercoagulation, so the application of antiplatelet strategies to oncology warrants further investigation. This study investigated the effects of anastrozole and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail or atopaxar) treatment on the tumour responses of luminal phenotype breast cancer cells and induced hypercoagulation. Ethical clearance was obtained (M150263). Blood was co-cultured with breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) pre-treated with anastrozole and/or antiplatelet drugs for 24 h. Hypercoagulation was indicated by thrombin production and platelet activation (morphological and molecular). Gene expression associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was assessed in breast cancer cells, and secreted cytokines associated with tumour progression were evaluated. Data were analysed with the PAST3 software. Our findings showed that antiplatelet therapies (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail and atopaxar) combined with anastrozole failed to prevent hypercoagulation and induced evidence of a partial EMT. Differences in tumour responses that modulate tumour aggression were noted between breast cancer cell lines, and this may be an important consideration in the clinical management of subphenotypes of luminal phenotype breast cancer. Further investigation is needed before this treatment modality (combined hormone and antiplatelet therapy) can be considered for managing tumour associated-thromboembolic disorder.