Antitumor potential of 1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles in human bladder cancer cells

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of a New Series of Mono- and Bis(dimethylpyrazolyl)-s-triazine Derivatives Targeting EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Cascades

Here, we synthesized a newseries of mono- and bis(dimethylpyrazolyl)-s-triazine derivatives. The synthetic methodology involved the reaction of different mono- and dihydrazinyl-s-triazine derivatives with acetylacetone in the presence of triethylamine to produce the corresponding target products in high yield and purity. The antiproliferative activity of the novel mono- and bis(dimethylpyrazolyl)-s-triazine derivatives was studied against three cancer cell lines, namely, MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG2. N-(4-Bromophenyl)-4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine 4f, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine 5c, and 4,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine 5d showed promising activity against these cancer cells: 4f [(IC₅₀ = 4.53 ± 0.30 μM (MCF-7); 0.50 ± 0.080 μM (HCT-116); and 3.01 ± 0.49 μM (HepG2)]; 5d [(IC₅₀ = 3.66 ± 0.96 μM (HCT-116); and 5.42 ± 0.82 μM (HepG2)]; and 5c [(IC₅₀ = 2.29 ± 0.92 μM (MCF-7)]. Molecular docking studies revealed good binding affinity with the receptor targeting EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascades. Compound 4f exhibited potent EGFR inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 61 nM compared to that of Tamoxifen (IC₅₀ value of 69 nM), with EGFR inhibition of 83 and 84%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 μM. Interestingly, 4f showed remarkable PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitory activity with 0.18-, 0.27-, and 0.39-fold decrease in their concentration (reduction in controls from 6.64, 45.39, and 86.39 ng/mL to 1.24, 12.35, and 34.36 ng/mL, respectively). Hence, the synthetic 1,3,5-triazine derivative 4f exhibited promising antiproliferative activity in HCT-116 cells through apoptosis induction by targeting the EGFR and its downstream pathway.

Organocatalytic synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty β-ketoesters

Background:

Developing methods to synthesize highly functionalized and complex 1,2,3-triazoles from various combinations of substrates remains a significant challenge in organic synthesis. Thus, to the best of our knowledge, an organocatalytic approach to synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty acids has not been explored.

Objective:

In this sense, we describe here the organocatalyzed synthesis and preliminary results of antitumor and cytotoxic activity of a range of 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty esters.

Methods:

To synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles 3 derived from fatty β-ketoesters, we performed the reaction of appropriate aryl azides 2a-j with β-ketoesters 1a-c in the presence of 5 mol% of DBU using DMSO as a solvent at 70 °C for 24 h. The viability of 5637 cells was determined by measuring the reduction of soluble MTT to water-insoluble formazan. The IC50 concentration that inhibits 50% of cell growth and the results were obtained by at least three independent experiments in triplicate for each test.

Results:

Through enolate-mediated organocatalysis, 1,2,3-triazoles 3 derived from fatty β-ketoesters were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by reacting fatty esters 1 with aryl azides 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (5 mol%). All compounds derived from palmitic acetoacetate 1a were evaluated regarding induced cytotoxicity in vitro in a human bladder cancer cell line, and compounds 3a, 3d, 3e, and 3g were shown to be promising alternatives for bladder cancer treatment and presented the lowest inhibitory concentration of IC50.

Conclusion:

We described a synthetic procedure to prepare 1,2,3-triazoles derived from fatty β-ketoesters by DBU-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of fatty esters with different aryl azides. Compounds derived from palmitic acetoacetate were screened for antitumor and cytotoxic activity in vitro in human bladder cancer cell lines, and compounds 3a, 3d, 3e, and 3g showed potential to treat bladder cancer.

Design, synthesis, in vitro antiproliferative evaluation and GSK-3β kinase inhibition of a new series of pyrimidin-4-one based amide conjugates

A new series of novel amide conjugates of pyrimidin-4-one and aromatic/heteroaromatic /secondary cyclic amines has been synthesized and their in vitro antiproliferative activities against a panel of 60 human cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types were tested at NCI. Among the synthesized compounds, compound (4i) showed significant anti-proliferative activity. Compound (4i) displayed most potent activity against the breast tumor cell line T-47D and CNS tumor cell line SNB-75 exhibiting a growth of 1.93 % and 14.63 %, respectively. ADMET studies of the synthesized compounds were also performed and they were found to exhibit good drug like properties. Compound (4i) was found to exhibit potential inhibitory effect over GSK-3β with IC₅₀ value of 71 nM. The molecular docking studies revealed that (4i) showed good binding affinity to GSK-3β and revealed multiple H-bonding and p-cation interactions with important amino acid residues on the receptor site. Compound (4i) may thus serve as a potential candidate for further development of novel anticancer therapeutics.

Synthesis of pyrazoline fatty chain derivatives and its effects on melanoma cells

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Brazil, representing 30% of all cases. Among these, melanoma represents only 3% of malignant neoplasms; however, it is the most serious and has a high capacity for metastasis. For this reason, it is extremely important to identify more efficient compounds and treatments that stop or decrease the proliferation of melanoma, even in its more advanced stages. This work reports the synthesis and biological evaluation of two homologous series of pyrazoline fatty chain derivatives as potent antitumoral agents in the melanoma B16F10 cell line. Cells were treated with pyrazoline fatty chain compounds (3, 30, 300, and 3000 μM) for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Decreased cell viability was observed when using most compounds at different concentrations and times. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) between antitumoral activity and the number of carbons and lipophilicity, as well as the oxygen-sulfur bioisosteric exchange, was evaluated. Among the tested derivatives, the lipophilic compounds 5-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-undecyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide (2d) and 5-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-undecyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-thiocarboxamide (3d) showed the best results in the B16F10 cell line, as they produced the best cell viability decrease effects. The presence of fatty unbranched undecyl chain in the molecular structure appears to be important for its antimelanoma properties.

Discovery of Anticancer Agents from 2-Pyrazoline-Based Compounds

As nitrogen-containing five-membered heterocyclic structural units, the substituted pyrazole derivatives have a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, especially 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles that also commonly known as 2-pyrazolines. Since 2010, considerable studies have been found that the 2-pyrazoline derivatives possess potent anticancer activities. In the present review, it covers the pyrazoline derivatives reported by literature from 2010 till date (2010-2019). This review aims to establish the relationship between the anticancer activities variation and different substituents introduced into a 2-pyrazoline core, which could provide important pharmacophore clues for the discovery of new anticancer agents containing 2-pyrazoline scaffold.

Perspectives of photodynamic therapy in biotechnology

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a current and innovative technique that can be applied in different areas, such as medical, biotechnological, veterinary, among others, both for the treatment of different pathologies, as well as for diagnosis. It is based on the action of light to activate photosensitizers that will perform their activity on target tissues, presenting high sensitivity and less adverse effects. Therefore, knowing that biotechnology aims to use processes to develop products aimed at improving the quality of life of human and the environment, and optimizing therapeutic actions, researchers have been used PDT as a tool of choice. This review aims to identify the impacts and perspectives and challenges of PDT in different areas of biotechnology, such as health and agriculture and oncology. Our search demonstrated that PDT has an important impact around oncology, minimizing the adverse effects and resistance to chemotherapeutic to the current treatments available for cancer. Veterinary medicine is another area with continuous interest in this therapy, since studies have shown promising results for the treatment of different animal pathologies such as Bovine mastitis, Malassezia, cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, among others. In agriculture, PDT has been used, for example, to remove traces of antibiotics of milk. The challenges, in general, of PDT in the field of biotechnology are mainly the development of effective and non-toxic or less toxic photosensitizers for humans, animals and plants. We believe that there is a current and future potential for PDT in different fields of biotechnology due to the existing demand.

Imidazole derivatives as antiparasitic agents and use of molecular modeling to investigate the structure-activity relationship

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Limitations of available treatments motivate the search for better therapies for toxoplasmosis. In this study, we synthesized a series of new imidazole derivatives: bis-imidazoles (compounds 1-8), phenyl-substituted 1H-imidazoles (compounds 9-19), and thiopene-imidazoles (compounds 20-26). All these compounds were assessed for in vitro potential to restrict the growth of T. gondii. To explore the structure-activity relationships, molecular analyses and bioactivity prediction studies were performed using a standard molecular model. The in vitro results, in combination with the predictive model, revealed that the imidazole derivatives have excellent selectivity activity against T. gondii versus the host cells. Of the 26 compounds screened, five imidazole derivatives (compounds 10, 11, 18, 20, and 21) shared a specific structural moiety and exhibited significantly high selectivity (> 1176 to > 27,666) towards the parasite versus the host cells. These imidazole derivatives are potential candidates for further studies. We show evidence that supports the antiparasitic action of the imidazole derivatives. The findings are promising in that they reinforce the prospects of imidazole derivatives as alternative and effective antiparasitic therapy as well as providing evidence for a probable biological mechanism.

Streptomyces sp. MUM256: A Source for Apoptosis Inducing and Cell Cycle-Arresting Bioactive Compounds against Colon Cancer Cells

New and effective anticancer compounds are much needed as the incidence of cancer continues to rise. Microorganisms from a variety of environments are promising sources of new drugs; Streptomyces sp. MUM256, which was isolated from mangrove soil in Malaysia as part of our ongoing efforts to study mangrove resources, was shown to produce bioactive metabolites with chemopreventive potential. This present study is a continuation of our previous efforts and aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the ethyl acetate fraction of MUM256 crude extract (MUM256 EA) in inhibiting the proliferation of HCT116 cells. Our data showed that MUM256 EA reduced proliferation of HCT116 cells via induction of cell-cycle arrest. Molecular studies revealed that MUM256 EA regulated the expression level of several important cell-cycle regulatory proteins. The results also demonstrated that MUM256 EA induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells mediated through the intrinsic pathway. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis detected several chemical compounds present in MUM256 EA, including cyclic dipeptides which previous literature has reported to demonstrate various pharmacological properties. The cyclic dipeptides were further shown to inhibit HCT116 cells while exerting little to no toxicity on normal colon cells in this study. Taken together, the findings of this project highlight the important role of exploring the mangrove microorganisms as a bioresource which hold tremendous promise for the development of chemopreventive drugs against colorectal cancer.

The Melding of Drug Screening Platforms for Melanoma

The global incidence of cancer is rising rapidly and continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the world. Melanoma deserves special attention since it represents one of the fastest growing types of cancer, with advanced metastatic forms presenting high mortality rates due to the development of drug resistance. The aim of this review is to evaluate how the screening of drugs and compounds for melanoma has been performed over the last seven decades. Thus, we performed literature searches to identify melanoma drug screening methods commonly used by research groups during this timeframe. In vitro and in vivo tests are essential for the development of new drugs; however, incorporation of in silico analyses increases the possibility of finding more suitable candidates for subsequent tests. In silico techniques, such as molecular docking, represent an important and necessary first step in the screening process. However, these techniques have not been widely used by research groups to date. Our research has shown that the vast majority of research groups still perform in vitro and in vivo tests, with emphasis on the use of in vitro enzymatic tests on melanoma cell lines such as SKMEL and in vivo tests using the B16 mouse model. We believe that the union of these three approaches (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) is essential for improving the discovery and development of new molecules with potential antimelanoma action. This workflow would provide greater confidence and safety for preclinical trials, which will translate to more successful clinical trials and improve the translatability of new melanoma treatments into clinical practice while minimizing the unnecessary use of laboratory animals under the principles of the 3R's.

Evaluation of antitumor activity and toxicity of Schinus terebinthifolia leaf extract and lectin (SteLL) in sarcoma 180-bearing mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi is a plant broadly used in folk medicine and the use of its leaf extract as an antitumor agent has been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the antitumor potential and the toxicity of saline extract (SE) and lectin (SteLL) from S. terebinthifolia leaves in sarcoma 180-bearing mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cytotoxicity to sarcoma 180 cells was tested in vitro, and antitumor assay was performed using Swiss female mice. The treatments (0.15 M NaCl, negative control; methotrexate 1.5 mg/kg, positive control; SE 100 mg/kg; SteLL 1 and 5 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injections started on the 8th day after tumor inoculation and lasted 7 days. It was analyzed: tumor weight; number and gauge of tumor vessels; hematological and biochemical parameters; histopathological changes; and occurrence of micronuclei in bone marrow cells.

RESULTS

SE and SteLL showed IC₅₀ values (concentrations that reduced cell viability to 50%) of 301.65 and 8.30 μg/mL, respectively. The lectin was able to induce apoptosis. Treatments with the extract and lectin caused a 57.6-73.6% reduction in tumor weight, which was not significantly different from the reduction in the methotrexate group. Tumors of animals treated with SteLL at 5 mg/kg showed reduced number of secondary vessels while the gauge was lower in all treated groups. In the groups treated with SteLL, tumors showed reduced and slightly vascularized parenchyma, with necrosis in the center and at the periphery. No alterations in the blood levels of urea, creatine, and glucose were detected while serum AST level was moderately increased in the SE group. Histopathological analysis revealed vacuolization and steatosis in the liver of animals treated with the extract and lectin. In addition, the treatments with SE and SteLL resulted in the reduction of filtration space and alterations in tubular architecture in kidneys. In respect to hematological parameters, it was only detected increase in the number of monocytes in SE group. The extract and lectin did not induce the formation of micronuclei in the bone marrow cells.

CONCLUSIONS

SE and SteLL had antitumor effect against sarcoma 180 without inducing hematological changes and genotoxic effects in mice; however, some degree of hepatic and renal toxicity was observed, suggesting the evaluation of drug delivery strategies in the future.

Design and synthesis of mono-and di-pyrazolyl-s-triazine derivatives, their anticancer profile in human cancer cell lines, and in vivo toxicity in zebrafish embryos

s-Triazine is considered a privileged structure, as it is found in several FDA-approved drugs. In the framework of our ongoing medicinal chemistry project based on the use of s-triazine as a scaffold, we synthesized a series of mono- and di-pyrazolyl-s-triazine derivatives and tested them against four human cancer cell lines, namely Human breast carcinoma (MCF 7 and MDA-MB-231), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colorectal carcinoma (LoVo), and leukemia (K562). The cell viability assay revealed that most of the s-triazine compounds induced cytotoxicity in all four types of human cancer cell lines, however, compounds 4a, and 6g, both of them have a piperidine moiety in their structure were most effective. These two compounds affected the cell viability of cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values within the range between 5 to 9 µM. The cell cycle analysis showed that 4a and 6g induced S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in K562 cells. This could be the mechanism by which these molecules induced cytotoxicity in tested cancer cells. The prepared compounds were tested in zebrafish embryos to evaluate in vivo and developmental toxicity of the pyrazolyl-s-triazine derivatives in animals. None of the derivatives were lethal in the concentration range tested.

The Advancement of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cholangiocarcinoma Development

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy with increasing incidence in recent years. CCA patients are usually diagnosed at advanced stage due to lack of apparent symptoms and specifically diagnostic markers. Nowadays, surgical removal is the only effective method for CCA whereas overall 5-year-survival rate keeps around 10%. Long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), a subtype of noncoding RNA, is widely studied to be abnormally expressed in multiple cancers including CCA. LncRNA can promote proliferation, migration, invasion and inhibit apoptosis of CCA. Moreover, lncRNA is negatively correlated with the prognosis of CCA. LncRNA may contribute to the development of CCA via modulating gene transcription, sponging microRNA, regulating CCA-related signaling pathways or protein expression. LncRNA is thought to be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for CCA.

Antiparasitic activity of synthetic curcumin monocarbonyl analogues against Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis and it is considered to be the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection in the world. Since the 1960s, nitroimidazoles such as metronidazole are the drugs of choice for the treatment of trichomoniasis, but many adverse effects and allergic reactions may result from their use. Reports of metronidazole-resistant infections also highlight the importance for the search of new anti-T. vaginalis agents. Considering this, herein we report the anti-T. vaginalis evaluation of 21 synthetic monocarbonyl analogues of curcumin, which itself has been reported to possess antiparasitic potential. From the in vitro analysis of the synthetic molecules, untreated trophozoites, and metronidazole at 100 μM, it was observed that three curcumin analogues (3a, 3e, and 5e) exhibited anti-T. vaginalis activity comparable to metronidazole (no significant statistical difference). Optimal antiparasitic concentrations were determined to be 80 μM and 90 μM for propanone derivatives 3a and 3e, respectively, and 200 μM for cyclohexanone derivative 5e. Kinetic growth curves showed that, after 24 h, the trophozoites were completely inhibited. At the tested concentrations, natural curcumin did not significantly inhibit the growth of trophozoites, therefore demonstrating that the designed synthetic molecules not only have better chemical stability, but also higher anti-T. vaginalis potential. Cytotoxicity analysis, performed on VERO cells, demonstrated low, moderate and high cytotoxic effects for analogues 3e, 5e and 3a, respectively. This study suggests that these analogues possess chemical features of interest to be further explored as alternatives for the treatment of trichomoniasis.

Facile synthesis of new pyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones via the tandem intramolecular Pinner–Dimroth rearrangement and their antibacterial evaluation

Some new 7-alkyl-4,6-dihydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones were prepared through heterocyclization of 6-amino-1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles with aliphatic carboxylic acids in the presence of phosphoryl chloride under reflux in high yields. The suggested mechanism involves a tandem intramolecular Pinner–Dimroth rearrangement. The products were characterized on the basis of FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectral and microanalytical data and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using the disk diffusion method.

Synthesis of New 1,3,5-Triazine-Based 2-Pyrazolines as Potential Anticancer Agents

A new series of 1,3,5-triazine-containing 2-pyrazoline derivatives (8⁻11)a⁻g was synthesized by cyclocondensation reactions of [(4,6-bis((2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amine]chalcones 7a⁻g with hydrazine hydrate and derivatives. Chalcones 7a⁻g were obtained by Claisen-Schmidt condensation between aromatic aldehydes and triazinic derivative 5, which was synthesized in high yield by a microwave-assisted reaction. Seventeen of the synthesized compounds were selected and tested by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) for their anticancer activity against 58 different human tumor cell lines. Compounds 7g and 10d,e,g showed important GI50 values ranging from 0.569 to 16.6 µM and LC50 values ranging from 5.15 to >100 µM.

ZFAS1 functions as an oncogenic long non-coding RNA in bladder cancer

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ZFAS1 (zinc finger antisense 1) has been suggested to have an oncogenic role in the tumorigenesis of human malignant tumors. However, the expression status and biological function of ZFAS1 in bladder cancer is still unknown. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to explore the clinical value of ZFAS1 in bladder cancer patients, and the biological function of ZFAS1 in bladder cancer cell. In the present study, we found ZFAS1 expression was increased in bladder cancer tissues compared with paired adjacent normal tissues through analyzing the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Furthermore, we confirmed that levels of ZFAS1 expression were elevated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines compared with normal bladder tissues and normal uroepithelium cell line, respectively. Then, we observed that the expression level of ZFAS1 was positively associated with clinical stag, muscularis invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis in bladder cancer patients. The experiments in vitro suggested that knockdown of ZFAS1 repressed bladder cancer cell proliferation via up-regulating KLF2 and NKD2 expression, and inhibited cell migration and invasion via down-regulating ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression. In conclusion, ZFAS1 is overexpressed in bladder cancer, and functions as an oncogenic lncRNA in regulating bladder cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Synthesis, antitumor activity and molecular mechanism of doxorubicin conjugated trimethyl-chitosan polymeric micelle loading Beclin1 siRNA for drug-resisted bladder cancer therapy

Herein, we describe a convenient approach for the preparation of a polymeric micelle using doxorubicin (DOX) conjugated trimethyl-chitosan (TMC) with Beclin-1 siRNA (Si-Beclin1/DOX-TMC). This micelle displayed a potent capacity for autophagy inhibition and reversed drug-resistance to DOX in BIU-87/ADR cell lines. The Si-Beclin1/DOX-TMC micelle was highly cytotoxic to both drug-sensitive BIU-87 and drug-resistant BIU-87/ADR cells. Its capacity to reverse drug-resistance was dependent upon upregulation of autophagy levels in BIU-87/ADR cells. DOX was conjugated to TMC via a pH-sensitive Schiff base, which responded to the acidic lysosome microenvironment and resulted in the cytoplasmic release of DOX. The structure of DOX conjugation to the TMC polymeric micelle was characterized by NMR, GPC, TEM and DLS. DOX release profiles in different pH environment were determined by HPLC. Cellular uptake, changes to nuclei morphology and formation of autophagosomes were observed using a fluorescence microscope. Finally, in vivo antitumor activity of systemic Si-Beclin1/DOX-TMC micelle administration was evaluated in BIU-87/ADR xenograft models and Si-Beclin1/DOX-TMC micelles showed significantly suppressed tumor growth.

Herein, we describe a convenient approach for the preparation of a polymeric micelle using doxorubicin (DOX) conjugated trimethyl-chitosan (TMC) with Beclin-1 siRNA (Si-Beclin1/DOX-TMC).

Synergistic effect of pyrazoles derivatives and doxorubicin in claudin-low breast cancer subtype

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a global public health problem. For some subtypes, such as Claudin-low, the prognosis is poorer and the treatment is still a challenge. Pyrazoles are an important class of heterocyclic compounds and are promising anticancer agents based on their chemical properties. The present study was aimed not only at testing pyrazoles previously prepared by our research group in two breast cancer cell lines characterized by intermediated response to conventional chemotherapy but also at analyzing the possible synergistic effect of these pyrazoles associated with doxorubicin.

METHODS

Four 1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H pyrazoles were tested for the first time in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 culture cells. The pyrazoles with best results in cytotoxicity were used in combination with doxorubicin and compared with this drug alone as standard. The synergic effect was analyzed using Combination Index method. In addition, cell death and apoptosis assays were carried out.

RESULTS

Two pyrazoles with cytotoxic effect in MCF-7 and especially in MDA-MB-231 were identified. This activity was markedly higher in pyrazoles containing bromine and chlorine substituents. The combination of these pyrazoles with doxorubicin had a significant synergic effect in both cells tested and mainly in MDA-MB-231. These data were confirmed with apoptosis and cell death analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The synergic effect observed with combination of these pyrazoles and doxorubicin deserves special attention in Claudin-low breast cancer subtype. This should be explored in order to improve treatment results and minimize side effects.

The Oncopig Cancer Model as a Complementary Tool for Phenotypic Drug Discovery

The screening of potential therapeutic compounds using phenotypic drug discovery (PDD) is being embraced once again by researchers and pharmaceutical companies as an approach to enhance the development of new effective therapeutics. Before the genomics and molecular biology era and the consecutive emergence of targeted-drug discovery approaches, PDD was the most common platform used for drug discovery. PDD, also known as phenotypic screening, consists of screening potential compounds in either in vitro cellular or in vivo animal models to identify compounds resulting in a desirable phenotypic change. Using this approach, the biological targets of the compounds are not taken into consideration. Suitable animal models are crucial for the continued validation and discovery of new drugs, as compounds displaying promising results in phenotypic in vitro cell-based and in vivo small animal model screenings often fail in clinical trials. Indeed, this is mainly a result of differential anatomy, physiology, metabolism, immunology, and genetics between humans and currently used pre-clinical small animal models. In contrast, pigs are more predictive of therapeutic treatment outcomes in humans than rodents. In addition, pigs provide an ideal platform to study cancer due to their similarities with humans at the anatomical, physiological, metabolic, and genetic levels. Here we provide a mini-review on the reemergence of PDD in drug development, highlighting the potential of porcine cancer models for improving pre-clinical drug discovery and testing. We also present precision medicine based genetically defined swine cancer models developed to date and their potential as biomedical models.