1
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Carmona AV, Jonnalagadda S, Case AM, Maddeboina K, Jonnalagadda SK, Dow LF, Duan L, Penning TM, Trippier PC. Discovery of an Aldo-Keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) degrader. Commun Chem 2024; 7:95. [PMID: 38684887 PMCID: PMC11059152 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01177-4] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a protein upregulated in prostate cancer, hematological malignancies, and other cancers where it contributes to proliferation and chemotherapeutic resistance. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (ARv7) is the most common mutation of the AR receptor that confers resistance to clinical androgen receptor signalling inhibitors in castration-resistant prostate cancer. AKR1C3 interacts with ARv7 promoting stabilization. Herein we report the discovery of the first-in-class AKR1C3 Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) degrader. This first-generation degrader potently reduced AKR1C3 expression in 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells with a half-maximal degradation concentration (DC50) of 52 nM. Gratifyingly, concomitant degradation of ARv7 was observed with a DC50 = 70 nM, along with degradation of the AKR1C3 isoforms AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 to a lesser extent. This compound represents a highly useful chemical tool and a promising strategy for prostate cancer intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica V Carmona
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Shirisha Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Alfie M Case
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Krishnaiah Maddeboina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Sravan K Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Louise F Dow
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Ling Duan
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Trevor M Penning
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA.
- UNMC Center for Drug Design and Innovation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA.
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2
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Li M, Zhang L, Yu J, Wang X, Cheng L, Ma Z, Chen X, Wang L, Goh BC. AKR1C3 in carcinomas: from multifaceted roles to therapeutic strategies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1378292. [PMID: 38523637 PMCID: PMC10957692 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1378292] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3 (AKR1C3), also known as type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD5) or prostaglandin F (PGF) synthase, functions as a pivotal enzyme in androgen biosynthesis. It catalyzes the conversion of weak androgens, estrone (a weak estrogen), and PGD2 into potent androgens (testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone), 17β-estradiol (a potent estrogen), and 11β-PGF2α, respectively. Elevated levels of AKR1C3 activate androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway, contributing to tumor recurrence and imparting resistance to cancer therapies. The overexpression of AKR1C3 serves as an oncogenic factor, promoting carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, and is correlated with unfavorable prognosis and overall survival in carcinoma patients. Inhibiting AKR1C3 has demonstrated potent efficacy in suppressing tumor progression and overcoming treatment resistance. As a result, the development and design of AKR1C3 inhibitors have garnered increasing interest among researchers, with significant progress witnessed in recent years. Novel AKR1C3 inhibitors, including natural products and analogues of existing drugs designed based on their structures and frameworks, continue to be discovered and developed in laboratories worldwide. The AKR1C3 enzyme has emerged as a key player in carcinoma progression and therapeutic resistance, posing challenges in cancer treatment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of AKR1C3's role in carcinoma development, its implications in therapeutic resistance, and recent advancements in the development of AKR1C3 inhibitors for tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengnan Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- Jingzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jingzhou, China
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Le Cheng
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Zhaowu Ma
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Lingzhi Wang
- Department of Haematology–Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Cher Goh
- Department of Haematology–Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Maddeboina K, Jonnalagadda SK, Morsy A, Duan L, Chhonker YS, Murry DJ, Penning TM, Trippier PC. Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 Inhibitor Prodrug Improves Pharmacokinetic Profile and Demonstrates In Vivo Efficacy in a Prostate Cancer Xenograft Model. J Med Chem 2023; 66:9894-9915. [PMID: 37428858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer where it acts to drive proliferation and aggressiveness by producing androgens. The reductive action of the enzyme leads to chemoresistance development against various clinical antineoplastics across a range of cancers. Herein, we report the continued optimization of selective AKR1C3 inhibitors and the identification of 5r, a potent AKR1C3 inhibitor (IC50 = 51 nM) with >1216-fold selectivity for AKR1C3 over closely related isoforms. Due to the cognizance of the poor pharmacokinetics associated with free carboxylic acids, a methyl ester prodrug strategy was pursued. The prodrug 4r was converted to free acid 5r in vitro in mouse plasma and in vivo. The in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation revealed an increase in systemic exposure and increased the maximum 5r concentration compared to direct administration of the free acid. The prodrug 4r demonstrated a dose-dependent effect to reduce the tumor volume of 22Rv1 prostate cancer xenografts without observed toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnaiah Maddeboina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Sravan K Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Ahmed Morsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Ling Duan
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Yashpal S Chhonker
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Daryl J Murry
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Trevor M Penning
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
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4
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Jonnalagadda SK, Huwaimel BI, Jonnalagadda S, Garrison JC, Trippier PC. Access to Highly Strained Tricyclic Ketals Derived from Coumarins. J Org Chem 2022; 87:4476-4482. [PMID: 35258961 PMCID: PMC8996706 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of highly strained fused substituted dihydrobenzopyran cyclopropyl lactones derived from coumarin carboxylates are reported. The substrate scope tolerates a variety of 6- and 8-substituents on the coumarin ring. Substitution at the 5- or 7-position is resistant to tricyclic lactone formation except with 7-methyl substitution. Benzamide-containing coumarins afford the tricyclic ketal. A plausible mechanism is proposed for the formation of the fused lactone: intramolecular rearrangement of trans cyclopropyl methyl ketones with phenolic acetate via the formation of a hemiacetal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sravan K Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Bader I Huwaimel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, 81442, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Shirisha Jonnalagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Jered C Garrison
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States.,UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, United States
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5
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Möller G, Temml V, Cala Peralta A, Gruet O, Richomme P, Séraphin D, Viault G, Kraus L, Huber-Cantonati P, Schopfhauser E, Pachmayr J, Tokarz J, Schuster D, Helesbeux JJ, Dyar KA. Analogues of Natural Chalcones as Efficient Inhibitors of AKR1C3. Metabolites 2022; 12:99. [PMID: 35208174 PMCID: PMC8876231 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring substances are valuable resources for drug development. In this respect, chalcones are known to be antiproliferative agents against prostate cancer cell lines through various mechanisms or targets. Based on the literature and preliminary results, we aimed to study and optimise the efficiency of a series of chalcones to inhibit androgen-converting AKR1C3, known to promote prostate cancer. A total of 12 chalcones with different substitution patterns were synthesised. Structure-activity relationships associated with these modifications on AKR1C3 inhibition were analysed by performing enzymatic assays and docking simulations. In addition, the selectivity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were assessed. In enzymatic assays, C-6' hydroxylated derivatives were more active than C-6' methoxylated derivatives. In contrast, C-4 methylation increased activity over C-4 hydroxylation. Docking results supported these findings with the most active compounds fitting nicely in the binding site and exhibiting strong interactions with key amino acid residues. The most effective inhibitors were not cytotoxic for HEK293T cells and selective for 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases not primarily involved in steroid hormone metabolism. Nevertheless, they inhibited several enzymes of the steroid metabolism pathways. Favourable substitutions that enhanced AKR1C3 inhibition of chalcones were identified. This study paves the way to further develop compounds from this series or related flavonoids with improved inhibitory activity against AKR1C3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Möller
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (J.T.); (K.A.D.)
| | - Veronika Temml
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (V.T.); (E.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Antonio Cala Peralta
- University of Angers, SONAS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France; (A.C.P.); (O.G.); (P.R.); (D.S.); (G.V.); (J.-J.H.)
| | - Océane Gruet
- University of Angers, SONAS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France; (A.C.P.); (O.G.); (P.R.); (D.S.); (G.V.); (J.-J.H.)
| | - Pascal Richomme
- University of Angers, SONAS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France; (A.C.P.); (O.G.); (P.R.); (D.S.); (G.V.); (J.-J.H.)
| | - Denis Séraphin
- University of Angers, SONAS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France; (A.C.P.); (O.G.); (P.R.); (D.S.); (G.V.); (J.-J.H.)
| | - Guillaume Viault
- University of Angers, SONAS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France; (A.C.P.); (O.G.); (P.R.); (D.S.); (G.V.); (J.-J.H.)
| | - Luisa Kraus
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology and Clinical Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (L.K.); (P.H.-C.); (J.P.)
| | - Petra Huber-Cantonati
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology and Clinical Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (L.K.); (P.H.-C.); (J.P.)
| | - Elisabeth Schopfhauser
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (V.T.); (E.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Johanna Pachmayr
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology and Clinical Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (L.K.); (P.H.-C.); (J.P.)
| | - Janina Tokarz
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (J.T.); (K.A.D.)
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (V.T.); (E.S.); (D.S.)
| | - Jean-Jacques Helesbeux
- University of Angers, SONAS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France; (A.C.P.); (O.G.); (P.R.); (D.S.); (G.V.); (J.-J.H.)
| | - Kenneth Allen Dyar
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (J.T.); (K.A.D.)
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Rodrigues DM, Portapilla GB, Silva GM, Duarte A, Rotta CG, da Silva CHTDP, de Albuquerque S, Bastos JK, Campo VL. Synthesis, antitumor activity and in silico analyses of amino acid derivatives of artepillin C, drupanin and baccharin from green propolis. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 47:116372. [PMID: 34454129 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality in females, while prostate cancer has the second-highest incidence in males. Studies have shown that compounds from Brazilian green propolis have antitumor activities and can selectively inhibit the AKR1C3 enzyme, overexpressed in hormone-dependent prostate and breast tumors. Thus, in an attempt to develop new cytotoxic inhibitors against these cancers, three prenylated compounds, artepillin C, drupanin and baccharin, were isolated from green propolis to synthesize new derivatives via coupling reactions with different amino acids. All obtained derivatives were submitted to antiproliferative assays against four cancer cells (MCF-7, MDA MB-231, PC-3, and DU145) and two normal cell lines (MCF-10A and PNT-2) to evaluate their cytotoxicity. In general, the best activity was observed for compound6e, derived from drupanin, which exhibited half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 9.6 ± 3 μM and selectivity index (SI) of 5.5 against MCF-7 cells.In silicostudies demonstrated that these derivatives present coherent docking interactions and binding modes against AKR1C3, which might represent a possible mechanism of inhibition in MCF-7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Munhoz Rodrigues
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gisele Bulhões Portapilla
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Martins Silva
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Andressa Duarte
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto Medical School, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristiana Gonçalez Rotta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Tomich de Paula da Silva
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Jairo Kenupp Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Leiria Campo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - University of São Paulo, Av. do Café S/N, 14040-930 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Barão de Mauá University Center, St. Ramos de Azevedo 423, 14090-180 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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7
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Endo S, Oguri H, Segawa J, Kawai M, Hu D, Xia S, Okada T, Irie K, Fujii S, Gouda H, Iguchi K, Matsukawa T, Fujimoto N, Nakayama T, Toyooka N, Matsunaga T, Ikari A. Development of Novel AKR1C3 Inhibitors as New Potential Treatment for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. J Med Chem 2020; 63:10396-10411. [PMID: 32847363 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3 catalyzes the synthesis of active androgens that promote the progression of prostate cancer. AKR1C3 also contributes to androgen-independent cell proliferation and survival through the metabolism of prostaglandins and reactive aldehydes. Because of its elevation in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) tissues, AKR1C3 is a promising therapeutic target for CRPC. In this study, we found a novel potent AKR1C3 inhibitor, N-(4-fluorophenyl)-8-hydroxy-2-imino-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide (2d), and synthesized its derivatives with IC50 values of 25-56 nM and >220-fold selectivity over other AKRs (1C1, 1C2, and 1C4). The structural factors for the inhibitory potency were elucidated by crystallographic study of AKR1C3 complexes with 2j and 2l. The inhibitors suppressed proliferation of prostate cancer 22Rv1 and PC3 cells through both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent mechanisms. Additionally, 2j and 2l prevented prostate tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, the inhibitors significantly augmented apoptotic cell death induced by anti-CRPC drugs (abiraterone or enzalutamide).
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Endo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Oguri
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Jin Segawa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Mina Kawai
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Dawei Hu
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Shuang Xia
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Takuya Okada
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Katsumasa Irie
- Cellular and Structural Physiology Institute, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Shinya Fujii
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Gouda
- School of Pharmacy, Showa University, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Iguchi
- Laboratory of Community Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
| | - Takuo Matsukawa
- Department of Urology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Naohiro Fujimoto
- Department of Urology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Nakayama
- Department of Pathology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Naoki Toyooka
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Matsunaga
- Education Center of Green Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 502-8585, Japan
| | - Akira Ikari
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan
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8
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Kumari S, Carmona AV, Tiwari AK, Trippier PC. Amide Bond Bioisosteres: Strategies, Synthesis, and Successes. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12290-12358. [PMID: 32686940 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The amide functional group plays a key role in the composition of biomolecules, including many clinically approved drugs. Bioisosterism is widely employed in the rational modification of lead compounds, being used to increase potency, enhance selectivity, improve pharmacokinetic properties, eliminate toxicity, and acquire novel chemical space to secure intellectual property. The introduction of a bioisostere leads to structural changes in molecular size, shape, electronic distribution, polarity, pKa, dipole or polarizability, which can be either favorable or detrimental to biological activity. This approach has opened up new avenues in drug design and development resulting in more efficient drug candidates introduced onto the market as well as in the clinical pipeline. Herein, we review the strategic decisions in selecting an amide bioisostere (the why), synthetic routes to each (the how), and success stories of each bioisostere (the implementation) to provide a comprehensive overview of this important toolbox for medicinal chemists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Kumari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Angelica V Carmona
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States.,UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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9
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Liu Y, He S, Chen Y, Liu Y, Feng F, Liu W, Guo Q, Zhao L, Sun H. Overview of AKR1C3: Inhibitor Achievements and Disease Insights. J Med Chem 2020; 63:11305-11329. [PMID: 32463235 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) is known as a hormone activity regulator and prostaglandin F (PGF) synthase that regulates the occupancy of hormone receptors and cell proliferation. Because of the overexpression in metabolic diseases and various hormone-dependent and -independent carcinomas, as well as the emergence of clinical drug resistance, an increasing number of studies have investigated AKR1C3 inhibitors. Here, we briefly review the physiological and pathological function of AKR1C3 and then summarize the recent development of selective AKR1C3 inhibitors. We propose our viewpoints on the current problems associated with AKR1C3 inhibitors with the aim of providing a reference for future drug discovery and potential therapeutic perspectives on novel, potent, selective AKR1C3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Feng
- Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Institute of Food and Pharmaceuticals Research, Huaian 223005, People's Republic of China.,Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinglong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
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10
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Morsy A, Trippier PC. Reversal of Apalutamide and Darolutamide Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3-Mediated Resistance by a Small Molecule Inhibitor. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:646-650. [PMID: 32125151 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The antiandrogen therapeutics apalutamide and darolutamide entered the clinic in 2018 and 2019, respectively, for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Increased expression of the enzyme aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is phenotypic of CRPC. The enzyme acts to circumvent castration by producing potent androgens that drive proliferation. Furthermore, AKR1C3 mediates chemotherapeutic resistance to the standard of care, enzalutamide, a structural analogue of apalutamide. Resistance develops in almost all CRPC patients within three months of beginning treatment. Herein, we report that both apalutamide and the structurally distinct darolutamide induce AKR1C3 expression in in vitro models of prostate cancer and are susceptible to AKR1C3-mediated resistance. This effect is countered by pretreatment with a potent and highly selective AKR1C3 inhibitor, sensitizing high AKR1C3 expressing prostate cancer cell lines to the action of both chemotherapeutics with a concomitant reduction in expression of AKR1C3 and the biomarker prostate-specific antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Morsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Paul C. Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
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11
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Verma K, Zang T, Penning TM, Trippier PC. Potent and Highly Selective Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) Inhibitors Act as Chemotherapeutic Potentiators in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Med Chem 2019; 62:3590-3616. [PMID: 30836001 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) catalyzes the synthesis of 9α,11β-prostaglandin (PG) F2α and PGF2α prostanoids that sustain the growth of myeloid precursors in the bone marrow. The enzyme is overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Moreover, AKR1C3 confers chemotherapeutic resistance to the anthracyclines: first-line agents for the treatment of leukemias. The highly homologous isoforms AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 inactivate 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and their inhibition would be undesirable. We report herein the identification of AKR1C3 inhibitors that demonstrate exquisite isoform selectivity for AKR1C3 over the other closely related isoforms to the order of >2800-fold. Biological evaluation of our isoform-selective inhibitors revealed a high degree of synergistic drug action in combination with the clinical leukemia therapeutics daunorubicin and cytarabine in in vitro cellular models of AML and primary patient-derived T-ALL cells. Our developed compounds exhibited >100-fold dose reduction index that results in complete resensitization of a daunorubicin-resistant AML cell line to the chemotherapeutic and >100-fold dose reduction of cytarabine in both AML cell lines and primary T-ALL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy , Amarillo , Texas 79106 , United States
| | - Tianzhu Zang
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104 , United States
| | - Trevor M Penning
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104 , United States
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy , Amarillo , Texas 79106 , United States.,Center for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Texas Tech University , Lubbock , Texas 79409 , United States
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12
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Verma K, Gupta N, Zang T, Wangtrakluldee P, Srivastava SK, Penning TM, Trippier PC. AKR1C3 Inhibitor KV-37 Exhibits Antineoplastic Effects and Potentiates Enzalutamide in Combination Therapy in Prostate Adenocarcinoma Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:1833-1845. [PMID: 29891491 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3), also known as type 5 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, is responsible for intratumoral androgen biosynthesis, contributing to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and eventual chemotherapeutic failure. Significant upregulation of AKR1C3 is observed in CRPC patient samples and derived CRPC cell lines. As AKR1C3 is a downstream steroidogenic enzyme synthesizing intratumoral testosterone (T) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the enzyme represents a promising therapeutic target to manage CRPC and combat the emergence of resistance to clinically employed androgen deprivation therapy. Herein, we demonstrate the antineoplastic activity of a potent, isoform-selective and hydrolytically stable AKR1C3 inhibitor (E)-3-(4-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-3-(3-phenylpropanamido)phenyl)acrylic acid (KV-37), which reduces prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo and sensitizes CRPC cell lines (22Rv1 and LNCaP1C3) toward the antitumor effects of enzalutamide. Crucially, KV-37 does not induce toxicity in nonmalignant WPMY-1 prostate cells nor does it induce weight loss in mouse xenografts. Moreover, KV-37 reduces androgen receptor (AR) transactivation and prostate-specific antigen expression levels in CRPC cell lines indicative of a therapeutic effect in prostate cancer. Combination studies of KV-37 with enzalutamide reveal a very high degree of synergistic drug interaction that induces significant reduction in prostate cancer cell viability via apoptosis, resulting in >200-fold potentiation of enzalutamide action in drug-resistant 22Rv1 cells. These results demonstrate a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of drug-resistant CRPC that invariably develops in prostate cancer patients following initial treatment with AR antagonists such as enzalutamide. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(9); 1833-45. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas
| | - Nehal Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas
| | - Tianzhu Zang
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Phumvadee Wangtrakluldee
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sanjay K Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas.,Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, Texas
| | - Trevor M Penning
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Paul C Trippier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas. .,Center for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
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13
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Xia D, Lai DV, Wu W, Webb ZD, Yang Q, Zhao L, Yu Z, Thorpe JE, Disch BC, Ihnat MA, Jayaraman M, Dhanasekaran DN, Stratton KL, Cookson MS, Fung KM, Lin HK. Transition from androgenic to neurosteroidal action of 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol through the type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptor in prostate cancer progression. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 178:89-98. [PMID: 29155210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Androgen ablation is the standard of care prescribed to patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) to slow down disease progression. Unfortunately, a majority of PCa patients under androgen ablation progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several mechanisms including alternative intra-prostatic androgen production and androgen-independent androgen receptor (AR) activation have been proposed for CRPC progression. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), a multi-functional steroid metabolizing enzyme, is specifically expressed in the cytoplasm of PCa cells; and positive immunoreactivity of the type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAR), an ionotropic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel, is detected on the membrane of PCa cells. We studied a total of 72 radical prostatectomy cases by immunohistochemistry, and identified that 21 cases exhibited positive immunoreactivities for both AKR1C3 and GABAAR. In the dual positive cancer cases, AKR1C3 and GABAAR subunit α1 were either expressed in the same cells or in neighboring cells. Among several possible substrates, AKR1C3 reduces 5α-dihydrotesterone (DHT) to form 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol). 3α-diol is a neurosteroid that acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAAR in the central nervous system (CNS). We examined the hypothesis that 3α-diol-regulated pathological effects in the prostate are GABAAR-dependent, but are independent of the AR. In GABAAR-positive, AR-negative human PCa PC-3 cells, 3α-diol significantly stimulated cell growth in culture and the in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) xenograft model. 3α-diol also up-regulated expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors and activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) and Src as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Inclusion of GABAAR antagonists reversed 3α-diol-stimulated tumor cell growth, expression of EGF family members, and activation of EGFR and Src to the level observed in untreated cells. Results from the present study suggest that 3α-diol may act as an alternative intra-prostatic neurosteroid that activates AR-independent PCa progression. The involvement of AKR1C3-mediated steroid metabolisms in modulating GABAAR activation and promoting PCa progression requires continued studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Xia
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China; Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Doan V Lai
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Weijuan Wu
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zachary D Webb
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Lichao Zhao
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Zhongxin Yu
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Jessica E Thorpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, OKC, OK 73117, USA
| | - Bryan C Disch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, OKC, OK 73117, USA
| | - Michael A Ihnat
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, OKC, OK 73117, USA
| | | | - Danny N Dhanasekaran
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kelly L Stratton
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Michael S Cookson
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kar-Ming Fung
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hsueh-Kung Lin
- Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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14
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Potent and selective aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) inhibitors based on the benzoisoxazole moiety: application of a bioisosteric scaffold hopping approach to flufenamic acid. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 150:930-945. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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15
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Hydroxytriazole derivatives as potent and selective aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) inhibitors discovered by bioisosteric scaffold hopping approach. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 139:936-946. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION AKR1C3 is a drug target in hormonal and hormonal independent malignancies and acts as a major peripheral 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to yield the potent androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, and as a prostaglandin (PG) F synthase to produce proliferative ligands for the PG FP receptor. AKR1C3 inhibitors may have distinct advantages over existing therapeutics for the treatment of castration resistant prostate cancer, breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. Area covered: This article reviews the patent literature on AKR1C3 inhibitors using SciFinder which identified inhibitors in the following chemical classes: N-phenylsulfonyl-indoles, N-(benzimidazoylylcarbonyl)- N-(indoylylcarbonyl)- and N-(pyridinepyrrolyl)- piperidines, N-benzimidazoles and N-benzindoles, repurposed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (indole acetic acids, N-phenylanthranilates and aryl propionic acids), isoquinolines, and nitrogen and sulfur substituted estrenes. The article evaluates inhibitor AKR potency, specificity, efficacy in cell-based and xenograft models and clinical utility. The advantage of bifunctional compounds that either competitively inhibit AKR1C3 and block its androgen receptor (AR) coactivator function or act as AKR1C3 inhibitors and direct acting AR antagonists are discussed. Expert opinion: A large number of potent and selective inhibitors of AKR1C3 have been described however, preclinical optimization, is required before their benefit in human disease can be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor M Penning
- a Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology & Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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17
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Small molecule inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia: where is the field heading? Future Med Chem 2017; 9:1453-1456. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
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18
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Zeng CM, Chang LL, Ying MD, Cao J, He QJ, Zhu H, Yang B. Aldo-Keto Reductase AKR1C1-AKR1C4: Functions, Regulation, and Intervention for Anti-cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:119. [PMID: 28352233 PMCID: PMC5349110 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductases comprise of AKR1C1-AKR1C4, four enzymes that catalyze NADPH dependent reductions and have been implicated in biosynthesis, intermediary metabolism, and detoxification. Recent studies have provided evidences of strong correlation between the expression levels of these family members and the malignant transformation as well as the resistance to cancer therapy. Mechanistically, most studies focus on the catalytic-dependent function of AKR1C isoforms, like their impeccable roles in prostate cancer, breast cancer, and drug resistance due to the broad substrates specificity. However, accumulating clues showed that catalytic-independent functions also played critical roles in regulating biological events. This review summarizes the catalytic-dependent and -independent roles of AKR1Cs, as well as the small molecule inhibitors targeting these family members.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hong Zhu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou, China
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19
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Verma K, Zang T, Gupta N, Penning TM, Trippier PC. Selective AKR1C3 Inhibitors Potentiate Chemotherapeutic Activity in Multiple Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Cell Lines. ACS Med Chem Lett 2016; 7:774-9. [PMID: 27563402 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of potent and selective inhibitors of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3), an important enzyme in the regulatory pathway controlling proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in myeloid cells. Combination treatment with the nontoxic AKR1C3 inhibitors and etoposide or daunorubicin in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, elicits a potent adjuvant effect, potentiating the cytotoxicity of etoposide by up to 6.25-fold and the cytotoxicity of daunorubicin by >10-fold. The results validate AKR1C3 inhibition as a common adjuvant target across multiple AML subtypes. These compounds in coadministration with chemotherapeutics in clinical use enhance therapeutic index and may avail chemotherapy as a treatment option to the pediatric and geriatric population currently unable to tolerate the side effects of cancer drug regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Verma
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Tianzhu Zang
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6160, United States
| | - Nehal Gupta
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
| | - Trevor M. Penning
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6160, United States
| | - Paul C. Trippier
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, Texas 79106, United States
- Center
for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1061, United States
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Penning TM, Tamae D. Current advances in intratumoral androgen metabolism in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2016; 23:264-70. [PMID: 27119752 PMCID: PMC4893781 DOI: 10.1097/med.0000000000000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Androgen deprivation therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and has extended the lives of countless patients. Unfortunately, many of these patients eventually succumb to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The efficacy of abiraterone acetate (AA, Zytiga) and enzalutamide (Enza, Xtandi) in the mCRPC setting prove that these tumors remain androgen-driven. We review recent studies that have shown that intratumoral androgen biosynthesis plays a significant role in the ever-evolving mCRPC tumor and we discuss the therapeutic implications of these findings. RECENT FINDINGS A novel abiraterone metabolite, 17-(pyridin-3-yl)androsta-4,16-dien-3-one (D4A), possesses robust antitumor activity in rodent models via the inhibition of androgen biosynthetic enzymes and antagonism of the androgen receptor. The TMPRSS2 : ERG fusion drives aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) expression and activity to facilitate androgen biosynthesis and activate the androgen receptor in prostate cancer. Intracrine androgen formation and AKR1C3 expression and activity have been found to confer resistance to enzalutamide. SUMMARY These studies highlight the significant role that intratumoral androgen biosynthesis plays in the mCRPC tumor. The therapeutic implications include the inhibition of AKR1C3 in tumors that become resistant to current drugs such as abiraterone acetate or Enza and the potential administration of D4A as an mCRPC therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor M Penning
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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21
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Li C, Zhao Y, Zheng X, Zhang H, Zhang L, Chen Y, Li Q, Hu X. In vitro CAPE inhibitory activity towards human AKR1C3 and the molecular basis. Chem Biol Interact 2016; 253:60-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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22
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Buahorm S, Puthong S, Palaga T, Lirdprapamongkol K, Phuwapraisirisan P, Svasti J, Chanchao C. Cardanol isolated from Thai Apis mellifera propolis induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of BT-474 breast cancer cells via p21 upregulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 23:55. [PMID: 26694491 PMCID: PMC4687141 DOI: 10.1186/s40199-015-0138-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Cardanol was previously reported to be an antiproliferative compound purified from Thai Apis mellifera propolis. By morphology, it could induce the cell death to many cancer cell lines but not the control (non-transformed human foreskin fibroblast cell line, Hs27). Here, it was aimed to evaluate the molecular effects of cardanol on breast cancer derived cell line (BT-474). Methods Morphological changes in BT-474 cells induced by cardanol compared to doxorubicin were evaluated by light microscopy, cytotoxicity by using the 3- (4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, induction of cell cycle arrest and cell death by flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide and annexin-V stained cells, and changes in the expression level of genes involved in the control of apoptosis and the cell cycle by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analyses. Results It revealed that cardanol induced a time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity along with cell shrinkage and detachment from substratum. Cardanol caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 subphase (as opposed to at the G2/M subphase seen with doxorubicin) and cell death by late apoptosis, with both late apoptosis (27.2 ± 1.1 %) and necrosis (25.4 ± 1.4 %) being found in cardanol treated cells after 72 h, compared to a lower proportion of apoptosis (4.3 ± 0.4 %) and higher proportion of necrosis (35.8 ± 13.0 %) induced by doxorubicin. Moreover, cardanol changed the transcript expression levels of genes involved in the control of apoptosis (increased DR5 and Bcl-2 expression and decreased Mcl-1, MADD and c-FLIPP) and cell division (increased p21 and E2FI and decreased cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4 and CDK2 expression), as well as increasing the level of p21 p-ERK, p-JNK and p-p38 and decreasing cyclin D. This accounts for the failure to progress from the G1 to the S subphase. Conclusion Cardanol is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40199-015-0138-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sureerat Buahorm
- Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Songchan Puthong
- Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Tanapat Palaga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Kriengsak Lirdprapamongkol
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Vipawadee Rangsit Highway, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Preecha Phuwapraisirisan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Jisnuson Svasti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Vipawadee Rangsit Highway, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Chanpen Chanchao
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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23
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Fan L, Peng G, Hussain A, Fazli L, Guns E, Gleave M, Qi J. The Steroidogenic Enzyme AKR1C3 Regulates Stability of the Ubiquitin Ligase Siah2 in Prostate Cancer Cells. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:20865-20879. [PMID: 26160177 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.662155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Re-activation of androgen receptor (AR) activity is the main driver for development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. We previously reported that the ubiquitin ligase Siah2 enhanced AR transcriptional activity and prostate cancer cell growth. Among the genes we found to be regulated by Siah2 was AKR1C3, which encodes a key androgen biosynthetic enzyme implicated in castration-resistant prostate cancer development. Here, we found that Siah2 inhibition in CWR22Rv1 prostate cancer cells decreased AKR1C3 expression as well as intracellular androgen levels, concomitant with inhibition of cell growth in vitro and in orthotopic prostate tumors. Re-expression of either wild-type or catalytically inactive forms of AKR1C3 partially rescued AR activity and growth defects in Siah2 knockdown cells, suggesting a nonenzymatic role for AKR1C3 in these outcomes. Unexpectedly, AKR1C3 re-expression in Siah2 knockdown cells elevated Siah2 protein levels, whereas AKR1C3 knockdown had the opposite effect. We further found that AKR1C3 can bind Siah2 and inhibit its self-ubiquitination and degradation, thereby increasing Siah2 protein levels. We observed parallel expression of Siah2 and AKR1C3 in human prostate cancer tissues. Collectively, our findings identify a new role for AKR1C3 in regulating Siah2 stability and thus enhancing Siah2-dependent regulation of AR activity in prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Fan
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Guihong Peng
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Arif Hussain
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Emma Guns
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Martin Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Jianfei Qi
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
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