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Munzen ME, Goncalves Garcia AD, Martinez LR. An update on the global treatment of invasive fungal infections. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1095-1117. [PMID: 37750748 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a serious problem affecting many people worldwide, creating critical economic and medical consequences. Fungi are ubiquitous and can cause invasive diseases in individuals mostly living in developing countries or with weakened immune systems, and antifungal drugs currently available have important limitations in tolerability and efficacy. In an effort to counteract the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with invasive fungal infections, various approaches are being utilized to discover and develop new antifungal agents. This review discusses the challenges posed by fungal infections, outlines different methods for developing antifungal drugs and reports on the status of drugs currently in clinical trials, which offer hope for combating this serious global problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E Munzen
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | - Luis R Martinez
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Immunology and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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2
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Wang X, Jin X, Xie Z, Zhang H, Liu T, Zheng H, Luan X, Sun Y, Fang W, Chang W, Lou H. Benzamidine Conjugation Converts Expelled Potential Active Agents into Antifungals against Drug-Resistant Fungi. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13684-13704. [PMID: 37787457 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Fungal infections present a growing global public health concern, necessitating the development of novel antifungal drugs. However, many potential antifungals, particularly the expelled potential active agents (EPAAs), are often underestimated owing to their limitations in cellular entry or expulsion by efflux pumps. Herein, we identified 68 EPAAs out of 2322 candidates with activity against a Candida albicans efflux pump-deficient strain and no inhibitory activity against the wild-type strain. Using a novel conjugation strategy involving benzamidine (BM) as a mitochondrion-targeting warhead, we successfully converted EPAAs into potent antifungals against various urgent-threat azole-resistantCandida strains. Among the obtained EPAA-BM conjugates, IS-2-BM (11) exhibited excellent antifungal activities and induced negligible drug resistance. Furthermore, IS-2-BM prevented biofilm formation, eradicated mature biofilms, and exhibited excellent therapeutic effects in a murine model of systemic candidiasis. These findings provide a promising strategy for increasing the possibilities of discovering more antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xueyang Jin
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhiyu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion of Henan Province, Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, College of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461002, China
| | - Hongyang Zhang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hongbo Zheng
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiaoyi Luan
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wenjie Fang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Medical Mycology, Shanghai Institute of Mycology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wenqiang Chang
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Natural Product Chemistry, Key Lab of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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3
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Baugh SDP, Chaly A, Weaver DG, Whitman DB, Pelletier JC, Bian H, Freeman KB, Reitz AB, Scott RW. Amide- and bis-amide-linked highly potent and broadly active antifungal agents for the treatment of invasive fungal infections- towards the discovery of pre-clinical development candidate FC12406. Med Chem Res 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37362318 PMCID: PMC10227796 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-023-03083-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Most fungal infections are common, localized to skin or mucosal surfaces and can be treated effectively with topical antifungal agents. However, while invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are uncommon, they are very difficult to control medically, and are associated with high mortality rates. We have previously described highly potent bis-guanidine-containing heteroaryl-linked antifungal agents, and were interested in expanding the range of agents to novel series so as to reduce the degree of aromaticity (with a view to making the compounds more drug-like), and provide broadly active high potency derivatives. We have investigated the replacement of the central aryl ring from our original series by both amide and a bis-amide moieties, and have found particular structure-activity relationships (SAR) for both series', resulting in highly active antifungal agents against both mold and yeast pathogens. In particular, we describe the in vitro antifungal activity, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) properties, and off-target properties of FC12406 (34), which was selected as a pre-clinical development candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D. P. Baugh
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Anna Chaly
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Damian G. Weaver
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - David B. Whitman
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Pelletier
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Haiyan Bian
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Katie B. Freeman
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Allen B. Reitz
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
| | - Richard W. Scott
- Fox Chase Therapeutics Discovery, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 USA
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4
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Leishmanicidal Activity of Guanidine Derivatives against Leishmania infantum. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8030141. [PMID: 36977142 PMCID: PMC10051705 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8030141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical infectious disease with thousands of cases annually; it is of great concern to global health, particularly the most severe form, visceral leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis treatments are minimal and have severe adverse effects. As guanidine-bearing compounds have shown antimicrobial activity, we analyzed the cytotoxic effects of several guanidine-bearing compounds on Leishmania infantum in their promastigote and amastigote forms in vitro, their cytotoxicity in human cells, and their impact on reactive nitrogen species production. LQOFG-2, LQOFG-6, and LQOFG-7 had IC50 values of 12.7, 24.4, and 23.6 µM, respectively, in promastigotes. These compounds exhibited cytotoxicity in axenic amastigotes at 26.1, 21.1, and 18.6 µM, respectively. The compounds showed no apparent cytotoxicity in cells from healthy donors. To identify mechanisms of action, we evaluated cell death processes by annexin V and propidium iodide staining and nitrite production. Guanidine-containing compounds caused a significant percentage of death by apoptosis in amastigotes. Independent of L. infantum infection, LQOFG-7 increased nitrite production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which suggests a potential mechanism of action for this compound. Therefore, these data suggest that guanidine derivatives are potential anti-microbial molecules, and further research is needed to fully understand their mechanism of action, especially in anti-leishmanial studies.
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Guanidine-Containing Antifungal Agents against Human-Relevant Fungal Pathogens (2004-2022)-A Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101085. [PMID: 36294650 PMCID: PMC9605545 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101085] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The guanidine moiety is typically a highly basic group, and can be found in a wide variety of drugs, such as zanamivir (Relenza) and metformin (Fortamet), as well as in biologically active compounds for numerous disease areas, including central nervous system (CNS) diseases and chemotherapeutics. This review will focus on antifungal agents which contain at least one guanidine group, for the treatment of human-related fungal pathogens, described in the literature between 2004 and 2022. These compounds include small molecules, steroids, polymers, metal complexes, sesquiterpenes, natural products, and polypeptides. It shall be made clear that a diverse range of guanidine-containing derivatives have been published in the literature and have antifungal activity, including efficacy in in vivo experiments.
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Synthesis and biological evaluation of new 2‑substituted‑4‑amino-quinolines and -quinazoline as potential antifungal agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 72:128877. [PMID: 35788035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aiming to discover novel antifungal agents, a series of 2‑substituted‑4‑amino-quinolines and -quinazoline were prepared and characterized using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS spectroscopic techniques. Their antifungal activities against four invasive fungi were evaluated, and the results revealed that some of the target compounds exhibited moderate to excellent inhibitory potencies. The most promising compounds III11, III14, III15, and III23 exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antifungal activities with MIC values of 4-32 μg/mL. The mechanism studies showed that compound III11 (N,2-di-p-tolylquinolin-4-amine hydrochloride) did not play antifungal potency by disrupting fungal membrane, which was quite different from many traditional membrane-active antifungal drugs. Meanwhile, III11 also demonstrated a low likelihood of inducing resistance, and excellent stability in mouse plasma. In addition, some interesting structure-activity relationships (SARs) were also discussed. These results suggest that some 4‑aminoquinolines may serve as new and promising candidates for further antifungal drug discovery.
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Yang L, Xu WB, Sun L, Zhang C, Jin CH. SAR analysis of heterocyclic compounds with monocyclic and bicyclic structures as antifungal agents. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200221. [PMID: 35475328 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by eukaryotic organisms, such as fungi, are generally more difficult to treat than bacterial infections. With the widespread use of antifungal drugs in humans and plants, resistance and toxicity have emerged. Therefore, it is desirable to develop new antifungal drugs with low toxicity that are not susceptible to the development of resistance. This review presents a summary of the past 2017 to 2021 years of research on heterocyclic compounds as antifungal agents for use in humans and plants, focusing on the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of these compounds. This review may provide ideas and data for designing and developing new antifungal drugs with fewer side effects compared with currently available drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Yanbian University, College of Pharmacy, CHINA
| | - Wen Bo Xu
- Yanbian University, College of Pharmacy, CHINA
| | | | | | - Cheng Hua Jin
- Yanbian University, College of Pharmacy, Gongyuan, 133002, Yanji, CHINA
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Baugh SDP, Jackson MR, Rashad AA, Reitz AB, Lam PYS, Jorns MS. Synthesis and evaluation of potent novel inhibitors of human sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 54:128443. [PMID: 34763081 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128443] [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: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Here we report the first small-molecule inhibitors of human sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) that decrease the rate of breakdown of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a potent cardioprotective signaling molecule. SQOR is a mitochondrial membrane-bound protein that catalyzes a two-electron oxidation of H2S to sulfane sulfur (S0), using glutathione (or sulfite) and coenzyme Q (CoQ) as S0 and electron acceptor, respectively. Inhibition of SQOR may constitute a new approach for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Starting from top hits identified in a high-throughput screen, we conducted SAR development guided by docking of lead candidates into our crystal structure of SQOR. We identified potent SQOR inhibitors such as 19 which has an IC50 of 29 nM for SQOR inhibition and favorable pharmacokinetic and ADME properties required for in vivo efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D P Baugh
- Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, Inc., Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Michael R Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Adel Ahmed Rashad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Allen B Reitz
- Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, Inc., Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Patrick Y S Lam
- Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, Inc., Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Marilyn Schuman Jorns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
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