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Cooreman K, De Spiegeleer B, Van Poucke C, Vanavermaete D, Delbare D, Wynendaele E, De Witte B. Emerging pharmaceutical therapies of Ascidian-derived natural products and derivatives. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104254. [PMID: 37648122 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
In a growing multidrug-resistant environment, the identification of potential new drug candidates with an acceptable safety profile is a substantial crux in pharmaceutical discovery. This review discusses several aspects and properties of approved marine natural products derived from ascidian sources (phylum Chordata, subphylum Tunicata) and/or their deduced analogues including their biosynthetic origin, (bio)chemical preclinical assessments and known efficacy-safety profiles, clinical status in trials, but also translational developments, opportunities and final conclusions. The review also describes the preclinical assessments of a large number of other ascidian compounds that have not been involved in clinical trials yet. Finally, the emerging research on the connectivity of the ascidian hosts and their independent or obligate symbiotic guests is discussed. The review covers the latest information on the topic of ascidian-derived marine natural products over the last two decades including 2022, with the majority of publications published in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Cooreman
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Quality and Registration Group, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, BE-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christof Van Poucke
- Technology and Food Science Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brusselsesteenweg 370, BE-9090 Melle, Belgium
| | - David Vanavermaete
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Daan Delbare
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Quality and Registration Group, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, BE-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bavo De Witte
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium.
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Ahmed S, Alam W, Aschner M, Filosa R, Cheang WS, Jeandet P, Saso L, Khan H. Marine Cyanobacterial Peptides in Neuroblastoma: Search for Better Therapeutic Options. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092515. [PMID: 37173981 PMCID: PMC10177606 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092515] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent extracranial solid tumor in pediatric patients, originating from sympathetic nervous system cells. Metastasis can be observed in approximately 70% of individuals after diagnosis, and the prognosis is poor. The current care methods used, which include surgical removal as well as radio and chemotherapy, are largely unsuccessful, with high mortality and relapse rates. Therefore, attempts have been made to incorporate natural compounds as new alternative treatments. Marine cyanobacteria are a key source of physiologically active metabolites, which have recently received attention owing to their anticancer potential. This review addresses cyanobacterial peptides' anticancer efficacy against neuroblastoma. Numerous prospective studies have been carried out with marine peptides for pharmaceutical development including in research for anticancer potential. Marine peptides possess several advantages over proteins or antibodies, including small size, simple manufacturing, cell membrane crossing capabilities, minimal drug-drug interactions, minimal changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, selective targeting, chemical and biological diversities, and effects on liver and kidney functions. We discussed the significance of cyanobacterial peptides in generating cytotoxic effects and their potential to prevent cancer cell proliferation via apoptosis, the activation of caspases, cell cycle arrest, sodium channel blocking, autophagy, and anti-metastasis behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Waqas Alam
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Forchheimer, 209 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rosanna Filosa
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Wai San Cheang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Philippe Jeandet
- Faculty of Sciences, RIBP-USC INRAe 1488, University of Reims, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
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Chang L, Wu X, Ran K, Tian Y, Ouyang X, Liu H, Gou S, Zhang Y, Ni J. One New Acid-Activated Hybrid Anticancer Peptide by Coupling with a Desirable pH-Sensitive Anionic Partner Peptide. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:7536-7545. [PMID: 36873017 PMCID: PMC9979329 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are promising antitumor resources, and developing acid-activated ACPs as more effective and selective antitumor drugs would represent new progress in cancer therapy. In this study, we designed a new class of acid-activated hybrid peptides LK-LE by altering the charge shielding position of the anionic binding partner LE based on the cationic ACP LK and investigated their pH response, cytotoxic activity, and serum stability, in hoping to achieve a desirable acid-activatable ACP. As expected, the obtained hybrid peptides could be activated and exhibit a remarkable antitumor activity by rapid membrane disruption at acidic pH, whereas its killing activity could be alleviated at normal pH, showing a significant pH response compared with LK. Importantly, this study found that the peptide LK-LE3 with the charge shielding in the N-terminal of LK displayed notably low cytotoxicity and more stability, demonstrating that the position of charge masking is extremely important for the improvement of peptide toxicity and stability. In short, our work opens a new avenue to design promising acid-activated ACPs as potential targeting agents for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Chang
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Kaixin Ran
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yali Tian
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xu Ouyang
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Research
Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- Institute
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Preclinical
Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
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Depsipeptides Targeting Tumor Cells: Milestones from In Vitro to Clinical Trials. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020670. [PMID: 36677728 PMCID: PMC9864405 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is currently considered one of the most threatening diseases worldwide. Diet could be one of the factors that can be enhanced to comprehensively address a cancer patient's condition. Unfortunately, most molecules capable of targeting cancer cells are found in uncommon food sources. Among them, depsipeptides have emerged as one of the most reliable choices for cancer treatment. These cyclic amino acid oligomers, with one or more subunits replaced by a hydroxylated carboxylic acid resulting in one lactone bond in a core ring, have broadly proven their cancer-targeting efficacy, some even reaching clinical trials and being commercialized as "anticancer" drugs. This review aimed to describe these depsipeptides, their reported amino acid sequences, determined structure, and the specific mechanism by which they target tumor cells including apoptosis, oncosis, and elastase inhibition, among others. Furthermore, we have delved into state-of-the-art in vivo and clinical trials, current methods for purification and synthesis, and the recognized disadvantages of these molecules. The information collated in this review can help researchers decide whether these molecules should be incorporated into functional foods in the near future.
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Guo L, Wang J, Li N, Cui J, Su Y. Peptides for diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1135523. [PMID: 37213272 PMCID: PMC10196167 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1135523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most deadly gynecologic malignancy, and its incidence is gradually increasing. Despite improvements after treatment, the results are unsatisfactory and survival rates are relatively low. Therefore, early diagnosis and effective treatment remain two major challenges. Peptides have received significant attention in the search for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Radiolabeled peptides specifically bind to cancer cell surface receptors for diagnostic purposes, while differential peptides in bodily fluids can also be used as new diagnostic markers. In terms of treatment, peptides can exert cytotoxic effects directly or act as ligands for targeted drug delivery. Peptide-based vaccines are an effective approach for tumor immunotherapy and have achieved clinical benefit. In addition, several advantages of peptides, such as specific targeting, low immunogenicity, ease of synthesis and high biosafety, make peptides attractive alternative tools for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. In this review, we focus on the recent research progress regarding peptides in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, and their potential applications in the clinical setting.
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Lv C, Ren C, Yu Y, Yin H, Huang C, Yang G, Hong Y. Wentilactone A Reverses the NF-κB/ECM1 Signaling-Induced Cisplatin Resistance through Inhibition of IKK/IκB in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14183790. [PMID: 36145166 PMCID: PMC9504226 DOI: 10.3390/nu14183790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wentilactone A (WA) is a tetranorditerpenoid isolated from marine algae. We previously found that WA inhibited cancer cell proliferation with little toxicity. In this study, we show that high expression of extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) promotes cancer cell cisplatin resistance, and the secreted ECM1 activates normal fibroblasts (NFs) to transform cells with characteristics of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Transcription of the ECM1 gene is regulated largely by NF-κB through EP881C/T-EP266C binding sites. WA supresses the phosphorylation of NF-κB through inhibition of the upstream IKK/IκB phoshorylation to block the expression of ECM1, which reverses the cisplatin-induced activation of NF-κB/ECM1. On the contrary, cisplatin facilitates phosphorylation of NF-κB to enhance the expression of ECM1. These results highlight ECM1 as a potential target for treatment of cisplatin-resistant cancers associated with the ECM1 activated signaling. In addition, WA reverses cisplatin resistance by targeting both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment through IKK/IκB/NF-κB signaling to reduce the expression of the ECM1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiting Lv
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chunxia Ren
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yinjue Yu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Huijing Yin
- Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Caiguo Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical, Navy Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (G.Y.); (Y.H.)
| | - Gong Yang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (G.Y.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yang Hong
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (G.Y.); (Y.H.)
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Hunting for Novel Routes in Anticancer Drug Discovery: Peptides against Sam-Sam Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810397. [PMID: 36142306 PMCID: PMC9499636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the diverse protein binding modules, Sam (Sterile alpha motif) domains attract attention due to their versatility. They are present in different organisms and play many functions in physiological and pathological processes by binding multiple partners. The EphA2 receptor contains a Sam domain at the C-terminus (EphA2-Sam) that is able to engage protein regulators of receptor stability (including the lipid phosphatase Ship2 and the adaptor Odin). Ship2 and Odin are recruited by EphA2-Sam through heterotypic Sam-Sam interactions. Ship2 decreases EphA2 endocytosis and consequent degradation, producing chiefly pro-oncogenic outcomes in a cellular milieu. Odin, through its Sam domains, contributes to receptor stability by possibly interfering with ubiquitination. As EphA2 is upregulated in many types of tumors, peptide inhibitors of Sam-Sam interactions by hindering receptor stability could function as anticancer therapeutics. This review describes EphA2-Sam and its interactome from a structural and functional perspective. The diverse design strategies that have thus far been employed to obtain peptides targeting EphA2-mediated Sam-Sam interactions are summarized as well. The generated peptides represent good initial lead compounds, but surely many efforts need to be devoted in the close future to improve interaction affinities towards Sam domains and consequently validate their anticancer properties.
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Zhang Y, Chang L, Bao H, Wu X, Liu H, Gou S, Zhang J, Ni J. Constructing New Acid-Activated Anticancer Peptide by Attaching a Desirable Anionic Binding Partner Peptide. J Drug Target 2022; 30:973-982. [PMID: 35502656 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2070627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Improving the cell selectivity of anticancer peptides (ACPs) is a major hurdle in their clinical utilization. In this study, a new acid-activated ACP was designed by conjugating a cationic ACP LK to its anionic binding partner peptide (LEH) via a disulfide linker to trigger antitumor activity at acidic pH while masking its killing activity at normal pH. Three anionic binding peptides containing different numbers of glutamic acid (Glu) and histidine were engineered to obtain an efficient acid-activated ACP. The conjugates LK-LEH2 and LK-LEH3 exhibited 6.1 and 8.0-fold higher killing activity at pH 6.0 relative to at pH 7.4, respectively, suggesting their excellent pH-dependent antitumor activity; and their cytotoxicity was 10-fold lower than that of LK. However, LK-LEH4 had no pH-responsive killing effect. Interestingly, increasing the number of Glu from 2 to 4 increased the pH-response of the physical mixture of LK and LEH; conversely, they weakly decreased the cytotoxicity of LK, suggesting that the conjugate connection was required to achieve excellent pH dependence while maintaining minimum toxicity. LK-LEH2 and LK-LEH3 were more enzymatically stable than LK, indicating their potential for in vivo application. Our work provided a basis for designing promising ACPs with good selectivity and low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Linlin Chang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hexin Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jingman Ni
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China
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