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Pacifico T, Stolfi C, Tomassini L, Luiz-Ferreira A, Franzè E, Ortenzi A, Colantoni A, Sica GS, Sambucci M, Monteleone I, Monteleone G, Laudisi F. Rafoxanide negatively modulates STAT3 and NF-κB activity and inflammation-associated colon tumorigenesis. Cancer Sci 2024. [PMID: 39239848 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16317] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In the colorectal cancer (CRC) niche, the transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) are hyperactivated in both malignant cells and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) and cooperate to maintain cancer cell proliferation/survival and drive protumor inflammation. Through drug repositioning studies, the anthelmintic drug rafoxanide has recently emerged as a potent and selective antitumor molecule for different types of cancer, including CRC. Here, we investigate whether rafoxanide could negatively modulate STAT3/NF-κB and inflammation-associated CRC. The antineoplastic effect of rafoxanide was explored in a murine model of CRC resembling colitis-associated disease. Cell proliferation and/or STAT3/NF-κB activation were evaluated in colon tissues taken from mice with colitis-associated CRC, human CRC cells, and CRC patient-derived explants and organoids after treatment with rafoxanide. The STAT3/NF-κB activation and cytokine production/secretion were assessed in TILs isolated from CRC specimens and treated with rafoxanide. Finally, we investigated the effects of TIL-derived supernatants cultured with or without rafoxanide on CRC cell proliferation and STAT3/NF-κB activation. The results showed that rafoxanide restrains STAT3/NF-κB activation and inflammation-associated colon tumorigenesis in vivo without apparent effects on normal intestinal cells. Rafoxanide markedly reduces STAT3/NF-κB activation in cultured CRC cells, CRC-derived explants/organoids, and TILs. Finally, rafoxanide treatment impairs the ability of TILs to produce protumor cytokines and promote CRC cell proliferation. We report the novel observation that rafoxanide negatively affects STAT3/NF-κB oncogenic activity at multiple levels in the CRC microenvironment. Our data suggest that rafoxanide could potentially be deployed as an anticancer drug in inflammation-associated CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Pacifico
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tomassini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Anderson Luiz-Ferreira
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Catalão (UFCAT), Catalão, Brazil
| | - Eleonora Franzè
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Ortenzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Colantoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe S Sica
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Manolo Sambucci
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivan Monteleone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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Govindasamy B, Muthu M, Gopal J, Chun S. A review on the impact of TRAIL on cancer signaling and targeting via phytochemicals for possible cancer therapy. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127162. [PMID: 37788732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127162] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer therapies have been the continual pursuit of this age. Cancer has been ravaging all across the globe breathing not just threats but demonstrating them. Remedies for cancer have been frantically sought after. Few have worked out, yet till date, the available cancer therapies have not delivered a holistic solution. In a world where the search for therapies is levitating towards natural remedies, solutions based on phytochemicals are highly prospective attractions. A lot has been achieved with inputs from plant resources, providing numerous natural remedies. In the current review, we intensely survey the progress achieved in the treatment of cancer through phytochemicals-based programmed cell death of cancer cells. More specifically, we have further reviewed and discussed the role of phytochemicals in activating apoptosis via Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), which is a cell protein that can attach to certain molecules in cancer cells, killing cancer cells. The objective of this review is to enlist the various phytochemicals that are available for specifically contributing towards triggering the TRAIL cell protein-mediated cancer therapy and to point out the research gaps that require future research motivation. This is the first review of this kind in this research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balasubramani Govindasamy
- Department of Product Development, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai 602105, India
| | - Manikandan Muthu
- Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai 602105, India
| | - Judy Gopal
- Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai 602105, India
| | - Sechul Chun
- Department of Bioresources and Food Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Luiz-Ferreira A, Pacifico T, Cruz ÁC, Laudisi F, Monteleone G, Stolfi C. TRAIL-Sensitizing Effects of Flavonoids in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16596. [PMID: 38068921 PMCID: PMC10706592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) represents a promising anticancer agent, as it selectively induces apoptosis in transformed cells without altering the cellular machinery of healthy cells. Unfortunately, the presence of TRAIL resistance mechanisms in a variety of cancer types represents a major hurdle, thus limiting the use of TRAIL as a single agent. Accumulating studies have shown that TRAIL-mediated apoptosis can be facilitated in resistant tumors by combined treatment with antitumor agents, ranging from synthetic molecules to natural products. Among the latter, flavonoids, the most prevalent polyphenols in plants, have shown remarkable competence in improving TRAIL-driven apoptosis in resistant cell lines as well as tumor-bearing mice with minimal side effects. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms, such as the upregulation of death receptor (DR)4 and DR5 and downregulation of key anti-apoptotic proteins [e.g., cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), survivin], underlying the TRAIL-sensitizing properties of different classes of flavonoids (e.g., flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, chalcones, prenylflavonoids). Finally, we discuss limitations, mainly related to bioavailability issues, and future perspectives regarding the clinical use of flavonoids as adjuvant agents in TRAIL-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Luiz-Ferreira
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Catalão (UFCAT), Catalão 75704020, GO, Brazil;
| | - Teresa Pacifico
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (T.P.); (F.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Álefe Cardoso Cruz
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Catalão (UFCAT), Catalão 75704020, GO, Brazil;
| | - Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (T.P.); (F.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Giovanni Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (T.P.); (F.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (T.P.); (F.L.); (G.M.)
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Kesternich V, Pérez-Fehrmann M, Quezada V, Castroagudín M, Nelson R, Martínez R. A simple and efficient synthesis of N-[3-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)-phenyl]-2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzamide, rafoxanide. CHEMICKE ZVESTI 2023; 77:1-5. [PMID: 37362790 PMCID: PMC10176281 DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-02846-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
A method for the synthesis of rafoxanide 6, a halogenated salicylanilide used as an efficient anthelmintic in sheep and cattle, is presented. Rafoxanide 6 was synthesized in only three steps from readily available 4-chlorophenol with 74% overall yield. The synthesis has two key stages: the first was salicylic acid iodination, adding iodine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which allowed obtaining a 95% yield. The second key stage was the reaction of 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid 5 with aminoether 4, where salicylic acid chloride was formed in situ with PCl3 achieving 82% yield. Chemical characterization of both intermediates and final product was achieved through physical and spectroscopic (IR, NMR and MS) techniques. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11696-023-02846-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Kesternich
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Marcia Pérez-Fehrmann
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Víctor Quezada
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Mariña Castroagudín
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Ronald Nelson
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Rolando Martínez
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile
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Stolfi C, Pacifico T, Luiz-Ferreira A, Monteleone G, Laudisi F. Anthelmintic Drugs as Emerging Immune Modulators in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076446. [PMID: 37047419 PMCID: PMC10094506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in treatment approaches, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Restoration of tumor immune surveillance represents a valid strategy to overcome the acquired resistance and cytotoxicity of conventional therapies in oncology and immunotherapeutic drugs, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and immunogenic cell death inducers, and has substantially progressed the treatment of several malignancies and improved the clinical management of advanced disease. Unfortunately, because of tumor-intrinsic and/or -extrinsic mechanisms for escaping immune surveillance, only a fraction of patients clinically respond to and benefit from cancer immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence derived from studies of drug repositioning, that is, the strategy to identify new uses for approved or investigational drugs that are outside the scope of the original medical indication, has suggested that some anthelmintic drugs, in addition to their antineoplastic effects, exert important immunomodulatory actions on specific subsets of immune cell and related pathways. In this review, we report and discuss current knowledge on the impact of anthelmintic drugs on host immunity and their potential implication in cancer immunotherapy.
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Kauerová T, Pérez-Pérez MJ, Kollar P. Salicylanilides and Their Anticancer Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021728. [PMID: 36675241 PMCID: PMC9861143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Salicylanilides are pharmacologically active compounds with a wide spectrum of biological effects. Halogenated salicylanilides, which have been used for decades in human and veterinary medicine as anthelmintics, have recently emerged as candidates for drug repurposing in oncology. The most prominent example of salicylanilide anthelmintic, that is intensively studied for its potential anticancer properties, is niclosamide. Nevertheless, recent studies have discovered extensive anticancer potential in a number of other salicylanilides. This potential of their anticancer action is mediated most likely by diverse mechanisms of action such as uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor, modulation of different signaling pathways as Wnt/β-catenin, mTORC1, STAT3, NF-κB and Notch signaling pathways or induction of B-Raf V600E inhibition. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about the proposed mechanisms of action of anticancer activity of salicylanilides based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, or structural requirements for such an activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Kauerová
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Peter Kollar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-541-562-892
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