Design and synthesis of conjugated azo-hydrazone analogues using nano BF3·SiO2 targeting ROS homeostasis in oncogenic and vascular progression

Antiproliferative pharmacophore azo-hydrazone analogue BT-1F exerts death signalling pathway targeting STAT3 in solid tumour

BACKGROUND

Anomalous activation of intra-cellular signalling cascades confers neoplastic properties on malignant cells. The JAK2/STAT3 proteins play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of most of the solid malignancies. The over expression of STAT3 in these tumours results in an evasion of apoptosis and thereby pathogenesis. Hence, strategy to target STAT3 to regress tumour development is an emerging new concept. As an approach, anti-neoplastic drug, Azo-hydrozone analogue, BT-1F with potential anti-proliferative effect was evaluated to demonstrate its capacity to counteract STAT3 signal with mechanistic approach.

METHODS

Cell based screening for cytotoxicity was performed through MTT, LDH and Trypan blue. The BT-1F induced anti-clonogenic property by clonogenic assay. The apoptotic capacity was examined by crystal violet staining, flow cytometry, Annexin-FITC, DAPI and TUNEL assay. The altered signalling events were studied using immunoblot. The drug-induced anti-tumour effect was evaluated in an in-vivo solid tumour model and molecular interaction was further validated by in-silico studies.

RESULTS

The BT-1F exerts chemo-sensitivity specifically against EAC and A549 cells without altering its normal counterpart. The anti-proliferative/anti-clonogenic effect was due to the induction of apoptosis through inhibition of STAT3^Tyr705 signal. Eventually downstream signalling proteins p53, Bax, Bad and Bcl-xL were significantly altered. Further in-vivo experimental results validated  in-vitro findings. The computational approaches assures the BT-1F efficiency in binding with STAT3.

CONCLUSION

Systemic validation of STAT3 target drug, BT-1F in in-vitro, in-silico and in-vivo models has promising strategy for solid cancer treatment.

Engineered nanomedicines for tumor vasculature blockade therapy

Tumor vasculature blockade therapy (TVBT), including angiogenesis inhibition, vascular disruption, and vascular infarction, provides a promising treatment modality for solid tumors. However, low selectivity, drug resistance, and possible severe side effects have limited the clinical transformation of TVBT. Engineered nanoparticles offer potential solutions, including prolonged circulation time, targeted transportation, and controlled release of TVBT agents. Moreover, engineered nanomedicines provide a promising combination platform of TVBT with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, ultrasound therapy, and gene therapy. In this article, we offer a comprehensive summary of the current progress of engineered nanomedicines for TVBT and also discuss current deficiencies and future directions for TVBT development. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.