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Saha S, Bapat S, Vijayasarathi D, Vyas R. Exploring potential biomarkers and lead molecules in gastric cancer by network biology, drug repurposing and virtual screening strategies. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10995-6. [PMID: 39348085 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10995-6] [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: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative approaches for biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention. This study employs a multifaceted strategy integrating network biology, drug repurposing, and virtual screening to elucidate and expand the molecular landscape of gastric cancer. We identified and prioritized key genes implicated in gastric cancer by utilizing data from diverse databases and text-mining techniques. Network analysis underscored intricate gene interactions, emphasizing potential therapeutic targets such as CTNNB1, BCL2, TP53, etc, and highlighted ACTB among the top hub genes crucial in disease progression. Drug repurposing on 626 FDA-approved drugs for digestive system-related cancers revealed Norgestimate and Nimesulide as likely top candidates for gastric cancer, validated by molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Further, combinatorial synthesis of scaffold libraries derived from known chemotypes generated 56,160 virtual compounds, of which 76 new compounds were prioritized based on promising binding affinities and interactions at critical residues. Hotspot residue analysis identified GLU 214 and others as essential for ligand binding stability, enhancing compound efficacy and specificity. These findings support the therapeutic potential of targeting beta-actin protein in gastric cancer treatment, suggesting a future for further experimental validation and clinical translation. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of repurposable drugs and virtual screening which can be used in combination with existing anti-gastric cancer drugs for gastric cancer therapy, emphasizing the role of computational methodologies in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagarika Saha
- MIT ADTU School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanket Bapat
- MIT ADTU School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Durairaj Vijayasarathi
- MIT ADTU School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Renu Vyas
- MIT ADTU School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research, MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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Rodríguez-Zavala JS, Zazueta C. Novel drug design and repurposing: An opportunity to improve translational research in cardiovascular diseases? Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024:e2400492. [PMID: 39074969 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Drug repurposing is defined as the use of approved therapeutic drugs for indications different from those for which they were originally designed. Repositioning diminishes both the time and cost for drug development by omitting the discovery stage, the analysis of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion routes, as well as the studies of the biochemical and physiological effects of a new compound. Besides, drug repurposing takes advantage of the increased bioinformatics knowledge and availability of big data biology. There are many examples of drugs with repurposed indications evaluated in in vitro studies, and in pharmacological, preclinical, or retrospective clinical analyses. Here, we briefly review some of the experimental strategies and technical advances that may improve translational research in cardiovascular diseases. We also describe exhaustive research from basic science to clinical studies that culminated in the final approval of new drugs and provide examples of successful drug repurposing in the field of cardiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- José S Rodríguez-Zavala
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Zazueta
- Departamento de Biomedicina Cardiovascular, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Kırboğa KK, Rudrapal M. Feature Engineering-Assisted Drug Repurposing on Disease-Drug Transcriptome Profiles in Gastric Cancer. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2024; 22:181-191. [PMID: 38572922 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2023.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of cancer in the world. To develop new biomarkers and drugs to diagnose and treat this cancer, it is necessary to identify the differences between the transcriptome profiles of gastric cancer and healthy individuals, identify critical genes associated with these differences, and make potential drug predictions based on these genes. In this study, using two gene expression datasets related to gastric cancer (GSE19826 and GSE79973), 200 genes that were ready for machine learning were selected, and their expression levels were analyzed. The best 100 genes for the model were chosen with the permutation feature importance method, and central genes, such as SCARB1, ETV3, SPATA17, FAM167A-AS1, and MTBP, which were shown to be associated with gastric cancer, were identified. Then, using the drug repurposing method with the Connectivity Map CLUE Query tools, potential drugs such as Forskolin, Gestrinone, Cediranib, Apicidine, and Everolimus, which showed a highly negative correlation with the expression levels of the selected genes, were identified. This study provides a method to develop new approaches to diagnosing and treating gastric cancer by comparing the transcriptome profiles of patients gastric cancer and performing a feature engineering-assisted drug repurposing analysis based on cancer data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevser Kübra Kırboğa
- Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Bilecik Seyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Türkiye
| | - Mithun Rudrapal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, India
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Kavousipour S, Koohnavard F, Shahbazi B, Eftekhar E, Ahmadi K. The significant improvement in ovarian PCOS syndrome using hydralazine and alendronate aromatase inhibitor FDA-approved drugs in Wistar rat models. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116504. [PMID: 38552442 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of vitamin C, glutamine, mesalazine, hydralazine, and alendronate as new drug candidates for the treatment of letrozole-induced PCOS in female Wistar rats. PCOS was induced in rats by intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate (2 mg/kg body weight for 28 days). The rats then received normal saline (PCOS group), letrozole (0.5 mg/kg), vitamin C (100 mg/kg), glutamine (1000 mg/kg), mesalazine (200 mg/kg), hydralazine (30 mg/kg), and alendronate (17.5 mg/kg). Serum testosterone, LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone levels were determined by ELISA method. H&E staining was used for histological analysis in the ovarian tissues. The groups treated with hydralazine and alendronate, show a significant decrease in testosterone, LH hormone, cystic and atretic follicles, and a significant increase in the number of single layer, multilayer, antral, graafian follicles and the volume of corpus luteum as compared to the PCOS group. Hydrolazine and alendronate appear to be effective in restoring folliculogenesis and increasing ovulation in PCOS rat. So that the natural process of ovulation and the improvement of the histology of polycystic ovaries and its shift towards healthy and active ovaries were observed. This finding supports the potential beneficial effect of hydrolazine and alendronate on improving PCOS complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudabeh Kavousipour
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Koohnavard
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behzad Shahbazi
- School of Pharmacy, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Eftekhar
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
| | - Khadijeh Ahmadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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Almeida-Pinto F, Pinto R, Rocha J. Navigating the Complex Landscape of Ebola Infection Treatment: A Review of Emerging Pharmacological Approaches. Infect Dis Ther 2024; 13:21-55. [PMID: 38240994 PMCID: PMC10828234 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00913-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
In 1976 Ebola revealed itself to the world, marking the beginning of a series of localized outbreaks. However, it was the Ebola outbreak that began in 2013 that incited fear and anxiety around the globe. Since then, our comprehension of the virus has been steadily expanding. Ebola virus (EBOV), belonging to the Orthoebolavirus genus of the Filoviridae family, possesses a non-segmented, negative single-stranded RNA genome comprising seven genes that encode multiple proteins. These proteins collectively orchestrate the intricate process of infecting host cells. It is not possible to view each protein as monofunctional. Instead, they synergistically contribute to the pathogenicity of the virus. Understanding this multifaceted replication cycle is crucial for the development of effective antiviral strategies. Currently, two antibody-based therapeutics have received approval for treating Ebola virus disease (EVD). In 2022, the first evidence-based clinical practice guideline dedicated to specific therapies for EVD was published. Although notable progress has been made in recent years, deaths still occur. Consequently, there is an urgent need to enhance the therapeutic options available to improve the outcomes of the disease. Emerging therapeutics can target viral proteins as direct-acting antivirals or host factors as host-directed antivirals. They both have advantages and disadvantages. One way to bypass some disadvantages is to repurpose already approved drugs for non-EVD indications to treat EVD. This review offers detailed insight into the role of each viral protein in the replication cycle of the virus, as understanding how the virus interacts with host cells is critical to understanding how emerging therapeutics exert their activity. Using this knowledge, this review delves into the intricate mechanisms of action of current and emerging therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui Pinto
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.ULisboa), 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
- Dr. Joaquim Chaves, Medicine Laboratory, Joaquim Chaves Saúde (JCS), Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - João Rocha
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.ULisboa), 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
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