4Ei-10 interdiction of oncogenic cap-mediated translation as therapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Therapeutic targeting of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E

Fundamental studies unraveled the role of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E in mRNA translation and its control. Under physiological conditions, regulation of translation by eIF4E is essential to cellular homeostasis. Under stress, gene flow information is parsed by eIF4E to support adaptive mechanisms that favor cell survival. Dysregulated eIF4E activity fuels tumor formation and progression and modulates response to therapy. Thus, there has been heightened interest in understanding eIF4E function in controlling gene expression as well as developing strategies to block its activity to treat disease.

Application of Phosphoramidate ProTide Technology for the Synthesis of 5'-mRNA Cap Analogs Modified on the Exocyclic Amine Group

Aryloxy triester phosphoramidate methodology, commonly known as ProTide technology, is one of the most widely used prodrug approaches applied to therapeutic nucleosides. This approach has been used extensively by the pharmaceutical industry and researchers in medicinal chemistry. Herein we report our adaptation of this effective method for the synthesis of bioactive 5'-mRNA cap analogues as inhibitors for targeting cap-dependent translation. The synthesis was performed in two main stages: preparation of N2-modified guanosine analogues and their subsequent transformation into prodrugs using phenylethoxy-l-alaninyl phosphorochloridate. The prepared pro-nucleotide cap analogues were tested for their capacity in enzymatic activation, inhibitory properties in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, and passive membrane translocation properties.

Prodrugs of Nucleoside 5'-Monophosphate Analogues: Overview of the Recent Literature Concerning their Synthesis and Applications

Nucleoside analogues are widely used as anti-infectious and antitumoral agents. However, their clinical use may face limitations associated with their physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetic parameters, and/or their peculiar mechanisms of action. Indeed, once inside the cells, nucleoside analogues require to be metabolized into their corresponding (poly-)phosphorylated derivatives, mediated by cellular and/or viral kinases, in order to interfere with nucleic acid biosynthesis. Within this activation process, the first-phosphorylation step is often the limiting one and to overcome this limitation, numerous prodrug approaches have been proposed. Herein, we will focus on recent literature data (from 2015 and onwards) related to new prodrug strategies, the development of original synthetic approaches and novel applications of nucleotide prodrugs (namely pronucleotides) leading to the intracellular delivery of 5'-monophosphate nucleoside analogues.

(-)-Gossypol enhances the anticancer activity of epirubicin via downregulating survivin in hepatocellular carcinoma

Epirubicin (EPI)-based transarterial chemoembolization is an effective therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, EPI-induced survivin expression limits its tumor-killing potential in HCC. Interestingly, (-)-gossypol ((-)-Gsp), a male contraceptive, suppresses various malignancies. More importantly, (-)-Gsp also holds promise for enhancing the antitumor effects of chemotherapy in numerous cancer types. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that (-)-Gsp-sensitized EPI inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis of HCC cells in vitro. Furthermore, (-)-Gsp sensitized EPI by attenuating the EPI-elevated survivin protein levels. Mechanistic studies showed that EPI stimulated survivin protein synthesis by promoting translation initiation, which was alleviated by (-)-Gsp mainly through suppressing the AKT-4EBP1/p70S6K-survivin and ERK-4EBP1-survivin pathways. HCC xenograft experiments in nude mice also showed that (-)-Gsp treatment acted synergistically with EPI to repress xenograft tumor growth. Overall, our proof-of-concept results may pave the way for novel strategies for the treatment of HCC based on the combination of EPI and (-)-Gsp.

Integrated analysis of ceRNA network reveals potential prognostic Hint1-related lncRNAs involved in hepatocellular carcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

Hint1 is a novel tumor suppressor gene, and inactivation of its expression is closely associated with the carcinogenesis of a variety of malignancies. The effects of Hint1 deficiency on the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network in the context of HCC remains to be fully characterized. This study aims to explore Hint1-related hub lncRNAs in HCC and to establish a reliable prognostic model for HCC patients based on these hub lncRNAs.

METHODS

lncRNA + mRNA microarray was used to identify differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs in Huh7 cells before and after Hint1 knockdown. A Hint1-related ceRNA network was mapped by bioinformation technology. The DEmRNAs in the network were analyzed via GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Hub DElncRNAs associated with HCC patient prognosis were then detected through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and were incorporated into a prognostic model. The prognostic value of this model was then assessed through the use of Kaplan-Meier curves, time-related ROC analyses, and nomograms. We also utilized Kaplan-Meier curves to validate the relationship between hub lncRNAs and the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients. Finally, A Hint1-related core ceRNA network based on the hub DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs was mapped.

RESULTS

We identified 417 differentially expressed DElncRNAs and 2096 DEmRNAs in Huh7 cells before and after Hint1 knockdown. Three hub DElncRNAs (LINC00324, SNHG3, and DIO3OS) in the Hint1-associated ceRNA network were screened out using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognostic risk-scoring model and nomogram were constructed using these three hub lncRNAs, and it was confirmed that the risk score of the model could be used as an independent predictor of HCC prognosis. A Hint1-related core ceRNA network based on the hub DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs was also mapped.

CONCLUSION

We constructed a reliable prognostic model for HCC patients based on three Hint1-related hub lncRNAs, and we believe these three hub lncRNAs may play critical roles in hepatocarcinogenesis, and progression.