1
|
Ponnapakkam T, Saulsberry T, Hill-Odom M, Beamon T, Hooks R, Goyal N, Shaik S, Anbalagan M, Foroozesh M. Anti-cancer effectiveness of a novel ceramide analog on chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant breast cancers. Anticancer Drugs 2024; 35:12-21. [PMID: 37578744 PMCID: PMC10840646 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ceramides are known to show anti-cancer activity. A novel ceramide analog, (S,E)-3-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino-N-tetradecylpropanamide (analog 315) was developed as part of a larger study focused on finding more effective breast cancer treatments. OBJECTIVE To assess whether analog 315 shows any or a combination of the following effects in breast cancer cells in vitro: inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and altering protein expression. Also, to determine whether it inhibits chemo-resistant breast cancer tumor growth in vivo mouse model. METHODS In vitro cell proliferation and apoptosis after treatment with analog 315 were assessed in three breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MCF-7TN-R, and MDA-MB-231) and reported. Protein expression was assessed by microarray assay. For the in vivo studies, chemo-resistant breast cancer cells were used for tumor development in two groups of mice (treated and control). Analog 315 (25 mg/kg/day) or control (dimethyl sulfoxide) was administered intraperitoneally for 7 days. Effects of analog 315 on inhibiting the growth of chemo-resistant breast cancer tumors after treatment are reported. RESULTS Analog 315 reduced MCF-7TN-R chemo-resistant tumor burden (volume and weight) in mice. Liver metastasis was observed in control mice, but not in the treated animals. Ki-67, a proliferation marker for breast cancer cells, increased significantly ( P < 0.05) in control tumor tissue. In vitro studies showed that analog 315 inhibited cell proliferation, altered protein expression and induced apoptosis in all three breast cancer cell lines studied, of which the effects on MCF-7TN-R cells were the most significant. CONCLUSION Analog 315 reduced tumor growth in chemo-resistant breast cancer, inhibited cell proliferation, altered protein expression, and induced apoptosis in all three cell lines studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teresa Beamon
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | - Royce Hooks
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | - Navneet Goyal
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | - Shahensha Shaik
- Cell and Molecular Biology and Bioinformatic Core, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Acute toxicity evaluation of a novel ceramide analog for the treatment of breast cancer. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1521-1526. [PMID: 34401362 PMCID: PMC8355835 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.07.022] [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: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel ceramide drug for breast cancer. Toxicological profile was studied. Single dose of 80 mg/kg dose was safe. Single dose of 120 mg/kg caused minor liver and cardiac tissue damage.
We have previously reported that treating triple-negative tumor bearing nude mice with intraperitoneal (ip) 10 mg/kg body weight of (S,E)-3-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino-N-tetradecylpropanamide, a ceramide analog, 5 days per week for 3 weeks, was shown not only to suppress tumor growth but also to reduce metastasis. Studies reported here focus on determining the toxicity of this drug in the nude mice. During the first study, treated animals (single intraperitoneal (ip) injection, 0, 40, 80 and 120 mg/kg body weight) were closely monitored for 14 days for any signs of illness or death. No mice were lost in any animal groups; however, hepatic serum enzymes were elevated, and hepatic and heart tissue damages were found in the highest dosage group. The subsequent study was performed using a lower dosage range (single ip injection, 0, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight), which resulted in no significant toxicity. All tested parameters were within normal ranges, with no observed irregularities. Our findings show that a single ip dose of this ceramide analog induced liver and heart toxicity at 120 mg/kg but not at doses of 80 mg/kg body weight or lower.
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen J, Goyal N, Dai L, Lin Z, Del Valle L, Zabaleta J, Liu J, Post SR, Foroozesh M, Qin Z. Developing new ceramide analogs and identifying novel sphingolipid-controlled genes against a virus-associated lymphoma. Blood 2020; 136:2175-2187. [PMID: 32518949 PMCID: PMC7645984 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis even under chemotherapy. Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), one of the human oncogenic viruses, is the principal causative agent. Currently, there is no specific treatment for PEL; therefore, developing new therapies is of great importance. Sphingolipid metabolism plays an important role in determining the fate of tumor cells. Our previous studies have demonstrated that there is a correlation between sphingolipid metabolism and KSHV+ tumor cell survival. To further develop sphingolipid metabolism-targeted therapy, after screening a series of newly synthesized ceramide analogs, here, we have identified compounds with effective anti-PEL activity. These compounds induce significant PEL apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and intracellular ceramide production through regulation of ceramide synthesizing or ceramide metabolizing enzymes and dramatically suppress tumor progression without visible toxicity in vivo. These new compounds also increase viral lytic gene expression in PEL cells. Our comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed their mechanisms of action for inducing PEL cell death and identified a subset of novel cellular genes, including AURKA and CDCA3, controlled by sphingolipid metabolism, and required for PEL survival with functional validation. These data provide the framework for the development of promising sphingolipid-based therapies against this virus-associated malignancy.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Aurora Kinase A/genetics
- Aurora Kinase A/metabolism
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Survival
- Ceramides/chemistry
- Ceramides/pharmacology
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/pathogenicity
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Primary Effusion/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Primary Effusion/etiology
- Lymphoma, Primary Effusion/metabolism
- Lymphoma, Primary Effusion/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Sarcoma, Kaposi/complications
- Sarcoma, Kaposi/virology
- Sphingolipids/pharmacology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Virus Replication
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jungang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Navneet Goyal
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
| | - Lu Dai
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Zhen Lin
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA
| | | | - Jovanny Zabaleta
- Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, New Orleans, LA; and
| | - Jiawang Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Steven R Post
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Maryam Foroozesh
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
| | - Zhiqiang Qin
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Q, Li X, Bao YS, Lu J, Li H, Huang Z, Liu F. Chemical synthesis and functional characterization of a new class of ceramide analogues as anti-cancer agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:1489-1496. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
5
|
Ponnapakkam T, Saulsberry T, Hill T, Hill-Odom M, Goyal N, Anbalagan M, Liu J, Foroozesh M. Inhibition of breast tumor growth in mice after treatment with ceramide analog 315. Anticancer Drugs 2018; 29:898-903. [PMID: 30044300 PMCID: PMC6136967 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer and antitumor activities of ceramide analog 315 in nude mice. Nude mice (n=10) were injected bilaterally with 5×10 MDA-MB-231 cells on each side. Tumors were allowed to form for 2 weeks. The mice were then divided into two groups (n=5 in each group). The control group mice were injected with 25 μl of dimethyl sulfoxide and the treatment group mice were injected with 10 mg/kg of analog 315 (in dimethyl sulfoxide, 25 μl volume) every day for a period of 3 weeks. Animal weights and tumors were measured every week for 3 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, control animals had retained excess fluid, and showed larger tumor sizes compared with the treated group (2.95 vs. 1.67 g). A 45% reduction in tumor size and 80% decrease in tumor volume were observed in the treatment group. There was a significant increase in the weights of liver (10%) and spleen (19%) between the control and treated animals. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining of MDA-MB-231 tumor sections revealed more acellular necrotic regions in tumors from the treatment groups compared with the ones from the control group. Ki67, a proliferation marker was higher in number in control tumor section (71.8±12.8) compared to the treatment tumor section (37.4±10.4) (P<0.001). Photomicrographs showed metastatic tumor burden in kidney, lungs, and spleen collected from the control group mice bearing MDA-MB-231 tumors. Treatment group mice showed normal microscopic tissue architecture. Overall, our study showed tumor growth inhibition and antimetastatic effects for the novel ceramide analog 315.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tarius Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | | | - Navneet Goyal
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | - Murali Anbalagan
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jiawang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Click chemistry in sphingolipid research. Chem Phys Lipids 2018; 215:71-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
|
7
|
Abstract
Ceramide serves as a central mediator in sphingolipid metabolism and signaling pathways, regulating many fundamental cellular responses. It is referred to as a 'tumor suppressor lipid', since it powerfully potentiates signaling events that drive apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and autophagic responses. In the typical cancer cell, ceramide levels and signaling are usually suppressed by overexpression of ceramide-metabolizing enzymes or downregulation of ceramide-generating enzymes. However, chemotherapeutic drugs as well as radiotherapy increase intracellular ceramide levels, while exogenously treating cancer cells with short-chain ceramides leads to anticancer effects. All evidence currently points to the fact that the upregulation of ceramide levels is a promising anticancer strategy. In this review, we exhibit many anticancer ceramide analogs as downstream receptor agonists and ceramide-metabolizing enzyme inhibitors.
Collapse
|
8
|
Ponnapakam AP, Liu J, Bhinge KN, Drew BA, Wang TL, Antoon JW, Nguyen TT, Dupart PS, Wang Y, Zhao M, Liu YY, Foroozesh M, Beckman BS. 3-Ketone-4,6-diene ceramide analogs exclusively induce apoptosis in chemo-resistant cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 22:1412-20. [PMID: 24457089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistance is a major cause of cancer chemotherapy failure in clinical treatment. Evidence shows that multidrug-resistant cancer cells are as sensitive as corresponding regular cancer cells under the exposure to anticancer ceramide analogs. In this work we designed five new ceramide analogs with different backbones, in order to test the hypothesis that extending the conjugated system in ceramide analogs would lead to an increase of their anticancer activity and selectivity towards resistant cancer cells. The analogs with the 3-ketone-4,6-diene backbone show the highest apoptosis-inducing efficacy. The most potent compound, analog 406, possesses higher pro-apoptotic activity in chemo-resistant cell lines MCF-7TN-R and NCI/ADR-RES than the corresponding chemo-sensitive cell lines MCF-7 and OVCAR-8, respectively. However, this compound shows the same potency in inhibiting the growth of another pair of chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant cancer cells, MCF-7 and MCF-7/Dox. Mechanism investigations indicate that analog 406 can induce apoptosis in chemo-resistant cancer cells through the mitochondrial pathway. Cellular glucosylceramide synthase assay shows that analog 406 does not interrupt glucosylceramide synthase in chemo-resistant cancer cell NCI/ADR-RES. These findings suggest that due to certain intrinsic properties, ceramide analogs' pro-apoptotic activity is not disrupted by the normal drug-resistance mechanisms, leading to their potential use for overcoming cancer multidrug-resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adharsh P Ponnapakam
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Jiawang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
| | - Kaustubh N Bhinge
- College of Pharmacy Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville, Monroe, LA 71209, United States
| | - Barbara A Drew
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Tony L Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| | - Thong T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
| | - Patrick S Dupart
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
| | - Yuji Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Ming Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Yong-Yu Liu
- College of Pharmacy Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville, Monroe, LA 71209, United States
| | - Maryam Foroozesh
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States.
| | - Barbara S Beckman
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bhabak KP, Arenz C. Novel amide- and sulfonamide-based aromatic ethanolamines: effects of various substituents on the inhibition of acid and neutral ceramidases. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:6162-70. [PMID: 22989912 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In the present study we describe the design and synthesis of a series of amide- and sulfonamide-based compounds as inhibitor of recombinant acid and neutral ceramidases. Inhibition of ceramidases has been shown to induce apoptosis and to increase the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in several cancer models. B-13, lead in vitro inhibitor of acid ceramidase has been recently shown to be virtually inactive towards lysosomal acid ceramidase in living cells at lower concentrations and for a shorter time of treatment, suggesting the development of more potent inhibitors. In this study, a detailed SAR investigation has been performed to understand the effect of different substituents on the phenyl ring of amide- and sulfonamide-based compounds that partially resemble the structure of well-known inhibitors such as B-13, D-e-MAPP as well as NOE. Our results suggest that the electronic effects of the substituents on phenyl ring in B-13 and D-e-MAPP analogues have negligible effects either in enhancing the inhibition potencies or for selectivity towards aCDase over nCDase. However, the hydrophobicity and the steric effects of longer alkyl chains (n-Pr, n-Bu or t-Bu groups) at the phenyl ring were found to be important for an enhanced selectivity towards aCDase over nCDase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishna P Bhabak
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Chemistry, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Antoon JW, Beckman BS. Anti-proliferative effects of the novel ceramide analog (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetrade-cylpropanamide in chemoresistant cancer. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:2624-8. [PMID: 22366655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.01.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ceramide-sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat is a promising therapeutic target. Here, the novel ceramide analog (S)-2-(benzylideneamino)-3-hydroxy-N-tetrade-cylpropanamide is shown to block proliferation and enhance the efficacy of the clinical chemotherapeutics, etoposide and doxorubicin. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this compound in treating both endocrine resistant and chemoresistant breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave. SL-83, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
C16-Ceramide Analog Combined with Pc 4 Photodynamic Therapy Evokes Enhanced Total Ceramide Accumulation, Promotion of DEVDase Activation in the Absence of Apoptosis, and Augmented Overall Cell Killing. J Lipids 2010; 2011:713867. [PMID: 21490809 PMCID: PMC3066794 DOI: 10.1155/2011/713867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the failure of single modality approaches, combination therapy for cancer treatment is a promising alternative. Sphingolipid analogs, with or without anticancer drugs, can improve tumor response. C16-pyridinium ceramide analog LCL30, was used in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT), an anticancer treatment modality, to test the hypothesis that the combined treatment will trigger changes in the sphingolipid profile and promote cell death. Using SCCVII mouse squamous carcinoma cells, and the silicone phthalocyanine Pc 4 for PDT, we showed that combining PDT with LCL30 (PDT/LCL30) was more effective than individual treatments in raising global ceramide levels, as well as in reducing dihydrosphingosine levels. Unlike LCL30, PDT, alone or combined, increased total dihydroceramide levels. Sphingosine levels were unaffected by LCL30, but were abolished after PDT or the combination. LCL30-triggered rise in sphingosine-1-phosphate was reversed post-PDT or the combination. DEVDase activation was evoked after PDT or LCL30, and was promoted post- PDT/LCL30. Neither mitochondrial depolarization nor apoptosis were observed after any of the treatments. Notably, treatment with the combination resulted in augmented overall cell killing. Our data demonstrate that treatment with PDT/LCL30 leads to enhanced global ceramide levels and DEVDase activation in the absence of apoptosis, and promotion of total cell killing.
Collapse
|