1
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Zhang F, Zhang H, Zhou S, Plewka J, Wang M, Sun S, Wu C, Yu Q, Zhu M, Awadasseid A, Wu Y, Magiera-Mularz K, Zhang W. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of antitumor activity of 2-arylmethoxy-4-(2-fluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-ylmethoxy) benzylamine derivatives as PD-1/PD-l1 inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116683. [PMID: 39032403 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
A series of novel 2-arylmethoxy-4-(2-fluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-ylmethoxy) benzylamine derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antitumor effects as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, the ability of these compounds to block the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint was assessed using the homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay. Two of the compounds can strongly block the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, with IC50 values of less than 10 nM, notably, compound HD10 exhibited significant clinical potential by inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction with an IC50 value of 3.1 nM. Further microscale thermophoresis (MST) analysis demonstrated that HD10 had strong interaction with PD-L1 protein. Co-crystal structure (2.7 Å) analysis of HD10 in complex with the PD-L1 protein revealed a strong affinity between the compound and the target PD-L1 dimer. This provides a solid theoretical basis for further in vitro and in vivo studies. Next, a typical cell-based experiment demonstrated that HD10 could remarkably prevent the interaction of hPD-1 293 T cells from human recombinant PD-L1 protein, effectively restoring T cell function, and promoting IFN-γ secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, HD10 was effective in suppressing tumor growth (TGI = 57.31 %) in a PD-1/PD-L1 humanized mouse model without obvious toxicity. Flow cytometry, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry data suggested that HD10 inhibits tumor growth by activating the immune system in vivo. Based on these results, it seems likely that HD10 is a promising clinical candidate that should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Department of Pharmacy, Changzhi Medical College, Shanxi, 046012, China
| | - Shijia Zhou
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Jacek Plewka
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ming Wang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Shishi Sun
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Caiyun Wu
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Qimeng Yu
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Mengyu Zhu
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China
| | - Annoor Awadasseid
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Moganshan Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313200, China.
| | - Yanling Wu
- Lab of Molecular Immunology, Virus Inspection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China.
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Wen Zhang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Deqing, 313299, China; Zhejiang Jieyuan Med-Tech Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311113, China.
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2
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Zou M, Zhou H, Gu L, Zhang J, Fang L. Therapeutic Target Identification and Drug Discovery Driven by Chemical Proteomics. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:555. [PMID: 39194493 DOI: 10.3390/biology13080555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Throughout the human lifespan, from conception to the end of life, small molecules have an intrinsic relationship with numerous physiological processes. The investigation into small-molecule targets holds significant implications for pharmacological discovery. The determination of the action sites of small molecules provide clarity into the pharmacodynamics and toxicological mechanisms of small-molecule drugs, assisting in the elucidation of drug off-target effects and resistance mechanisms. Consequently, innovative methods to study small-molecule targets have proliferated in recent years, with chemical proteomics standing out as a vanguard development in chemical biology in the post-genomic age. Chemical proteomics can non-selectively identify unknown targets of compounds within complex biological matrices, with both probe and non-probe modalities enabling effective target identification. This review attempts to summarize methods and illustrative examples of small-molecule target identification via chemical proteomics. It delves deeply into the interactions between small molecules and human biology to provide pivotal directions and strategies for the discovery and comprehension of novel pharmaceuticals, as well as to improve the evaluation of drug safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Haiyuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Letian Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jingzi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Lei Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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3
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Wang S, Kong Z, Shi Y, Shao C, Wang W, Su Z, Liu J, Zhou Y, Fei X, Cheng B, Chen J, Lu Y, Xiao J. Discovery of Small and Bifunctional Molecules Targeting PD-L1/CD73 for Cancer Dual Immunotherapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9447-9464. [PMID: 38748913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00553] [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: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
In this work, a series of bifunctional PD-L1/CD73 (cluster of differentiation 73) small-molecule inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Among them, CC-5 showed the strongest PD-L1 inhibitory effects with an IC50 of 6 nM and potent anti-CD73 activity with an IC50 of 0.773 μM. The high PD-L1/CD73 inhibitory activity of CC-5 was further confirmed by SPR assays with KD of 182 nM for human PD-L1 and 101 nM for CD73, respectively. Importantly, CC-5 significantly suppressed tumor growth in a CT26 and B16-F10 tumor model with TGI of 64.3% and 39.6%, respectively. Immunohistochemical (IHC) and flow cytometry analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) indicated that CC-5 exerted anticancer effects via activating the tumor immune microenvironment. Collectively, CC-5 represents the first dual PD-L1/CD73 inhibitor worthy of further research as a bifunctional immunotherapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanghu Wang
- Central Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University Lishui Hospital, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhihua Kong
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou 528200, China
| | - Yaru Shi
- Central Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University Lishui Hospital, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Chuxiao Shao
- Central Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University Lishui Hospital, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Zhenhong Su
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Renal Disease Occurrence and Intervention, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Renal Disease Occurrence and Intervention, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China
| | - Yingxing Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Renal Disease Occurrence and Intervention, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China
| | - Xiaoting Fei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Renal Disease Occurrence and Intervention, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- Central Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University Lishui Hospital, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, China
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Renal Disease Occurrence and Intervention, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yiyu Lu
- Oncology Department, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Foshan 528200, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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4
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Mukherjee S, Rogers A, Creech G, Hang C, Ramirez A, Dummeldinger M, Brueggemeier S, Mapelli C, Zaretsky S, Huang M, Black R, Peddicord MB, Cuniere N, Kempson J, Pawluczyk J, Allen M, Parsons R, Sfouggatakis C. Process Development of a Macrocyclic Peptide Inhibitor of PD-L1. J Org Chem 2024; 89:6651-6663. [PMID: 38663026 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00430] [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: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
This article outlines the process development leading to the manufacture of 800 g of BMS-986189, a macrocyclic peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient. Multiple N-methylated unnatural amino acids posed challenges to manufacturing due to the lability of the peptide to cleavage during global side chain deprotection and precipitation steps. These issues were exacerbated upon scale-up, resulting in severe yield loss and necessitating careful impurity identification, understanding the root cause of impurity formation, and process optimization to deliver a scalable synthesis. A systematic study of macrocyclization with its dependence on concentration and pH is presented. In addition, a side chain protected peptide synthesis is discussed where the macrocyclic protected peptide is extremely labile to hydrolysis. A computational study explains the root cause of the increased lability of macrocyclic peptide over linear peptide to hydrolysis. A process solution involving the use of labile protecting groups is discussed. Overall, the article highlights the advancements achieved to enable scalable synthesis of an unusually labile macrocyclic peptide by solid-phase peptide synthesis. The sustainability metric indicates the final preparative chromatography drives a significant fraction of a high process mass intensity (PMI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Subha Mukherjee
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Amanda Rogers
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Gardner Creech
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Chao Hang
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Antonio Ramirez
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Michael Dummeldinger
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Shawn Brueggemeier
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Claudio Mapelli
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Serge Zaretsky
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Masano Huang
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Regina Black
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Michael B Peddicord
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Nicolas Cuniere
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - James Kempson
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Joseph Pawluczyk
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Martin Allen
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Rodney Parsons
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Chris Sfouggatakis
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
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5
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Song Y, Lei L, Cai X, Wei H, Yu CY. Immunomodulatory Peptides for Tumor Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400512. [PMID: 38657003 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400512] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Peptides exhibit various biological activities, including biorecognition, cell targeting, and tumor penetration, and can stimulate immune cells to elicit immune responses for tumor immunotherapy. Peptide self-assemblies and peptide-functionalized nanocarriers can reduce the effect of various biological barriers and the degradation by peptidases, enhancing the efficiency of peptide delivery and improving antitumor immune responses. To date, the design and development of peptides with various functionalities have been extensively reviewed for enhanced chemotherapy; however, peptide-mediated tumor immunotherapy using peptides acting on different immune cells, to the knowledge, has not yet been summarized. Thus, this work provides a review of this emerging subject of research, focusing on immunomodulatory anticancer peptides. This review introduces the role of peptides in the immunomodulation of innate and adaptive immune cells, followed by a link between peptides in the innate and adaptive immune systems. The peptides are discussed in detail, following a classification according to their effects on different innate and adaptive immune cells, as well as immune checkpoints. Subsequently, two delivery strategies for peptides as drugs are presented: peptide self-assemblies and peptide-functionalized nanocarriers. The concluding remarks regarding the challenges and potential solutions of peptides for tumor immunotherapy are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Longtianyang Lei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Xingyu Cai
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Cui-Yun Yu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410013, China
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6
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Tyagi K, Venkatesh V. Emerging potential approaches in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activatable cancer theranostics. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1148-1160. [PMID: 38665831 PMCID: PMC11042160 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00565h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is known as one of the most crucial members of the phosphatase family and encompasses the enormous ability to hydrolyze the phosphate group in various biomolecules; by this, it regulates several events in the pool of biological medium. Owing to its overexpression in various cancer cells, recently, its potential has evolved as a prominent biomarker in cancer research. In this article, we have underlined the recent advances (2019 onwards) of alkaline phosphatase in the arena of emerging cancer theranostics. Herein, we mainly focused on phosphate-locked molecular systems such as peptides, prodrugs, and aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based molecules. When these theranostics encounter cancer cell-overexpressed ALP, it results in the hydrolysis of the phosphate group, which leads to the release of highly cytotoxic agents along with turn-on fluorophore/pre-existing fluorophore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartikay Tyagi
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Uttarakhand-247667 India
| | - V Venkatesh
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Uttarakhand-247667 India
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7
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Zhang J, Joshua AM, Li Y, O'Meara CH, Morris MJ, Khachigian LM. Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and small molecules and peptidomimetics as emerging immunoregulatory agents for melanoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216633. [PMID: 38281663 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Primary cutaneous melanoma is the most lethal of all skin neoplasms and its incidence is increasing. Clinical management of advanced melanoma in the last decade has been revolutionised by the availability of immunotherapies and targeted therapies, used alone and in combination. This article summarizes advances in the treatment of late-stage melanoma including use of protein kinase inhibitors, antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy, vaccines and more recently, small molecules and peptidomimetics as emerging immunoregulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Zhang
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony M Joshua
- Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yue Li
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Connor H O'Meara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, ANU Medical School and Canberra Health Services, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Margaret J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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8
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Sharma A, Verwilst P, Li M, Ma D, Singh N, Yoo J, Kim Y, Yang Y, Zhu JH, Huang H, Hu XL, He XP, Zeng L, James TD, Peng X, Sessler JL, Kim JS. Theranostic Fluorescent Probes. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2699-2804. [PMID: 38422393 PMCID: PMC11132561 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00778] [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] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The ability to gain spatiotemporal information, and in some cases achieve spatiotemporal control, in the context of drug delivery makes theranostic fluorescent probes an attractive and intensely investigated research topic. This interest is reflected in the steep rise in publications on the topic that have appeared over the past decade. Theranostic fluorescent probes, in their various incarnations, generally comprise a fluorophore linked to a masked drug, in which the drug is released as the result of certain stimuli, with both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli being reported. This release is then signaled by the emergence of a fluorescent signal. Importantly, the use of appropriate fluorophores has enabled not only this emerging fluorescence as a spatiotemporal marker for drug delivery but also has provided modalities useful in photodynamic, photothermal, and sonodynamic therapeutic applications. In this review we highlight recent work on theranostic fluorescent probes with a particular focus on probes that are activated in tumor microenvironments. We also summarize efforts to develop probes for other applications, such as neurodegenerative diseases and antibacterials. This review celebrates the diversity of designs reported to date, from discrete small-molecule systems to nanomaterials. Our aim is to provide insights into the potential clinical impact of this still-emerging research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sharma
- Amity
School of Chemical Sciences, Amity University
Punjab, Sector 82A, Mohali 140 306, India
| | - Peter Verwilst
- Rega
Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mingle Li
- College
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen
University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Dandan Ma
- College
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen
University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- College
of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Nem Singh
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jiyoung Yoo
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Ying Yang
- School of
Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Jing-Hui Zhu
- College
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen
University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- College
of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Haiqiao Huang
- College
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen
University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- College
of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xi-Le Hu
- Key
Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research
Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa
Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and
Molecular Engineering, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiao-Peng He
- Key
Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research
Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa
Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and
Molecular Engineering, East China University
of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- National
Center for Liver Cancer, the International Cooperation Laboratory
on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary
Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Lintao Zeng
- School of
Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi
University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
| | - Tony D. James
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan
Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Xiaojun Peng
- College
of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen
University, Shenzhen 518060, China
- State
Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian
University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Jonathan L. Sessler
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at
Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United
States
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department
of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- TheranoChem Incorporation, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
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9
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Yu W, Xu J, Xing D. PROTAC-biomacromolecule conjugates for precise protein degradation in cancer therapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129864. [PMID: 38302015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology is a promising new mode of targeted protein degradation with significant transformative implications for the clinical treatment of different diseases. Nevertheless, while this technology offers numerous advantages, on-target off-tumour toxicity in healthy cells remains a major challenge for clinical application in cancer therapy. Strategies are presently being explored to optimize degradation activity with cellular selectivity to minimize undesirable side effects. PROTAC-antibody conjugates and PROTAC-aptamer conjugates are unique innovations that combine PROTACs and biomacromolecules. These novel PROTAC-biomacromolecule conjugates (PBCs) can enhance the targetability of PROTACs and reduce their off-target side-effects. The combination of potent PROTACs and highly safe biomacromolecules will pioneer an emerging trend in targeted protein degradation. In our review, we have summarized recent advances in PBCs, discussed current challenges, and outlooked opportunities for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Wanpeng Yu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Jiazhen Xu
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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10
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Cheng B, Pan W, Xiao Y, Ding Z, Zhou Y, Fei X, Liu J, Su Z, Peng X, Chen J. HDAC-targeting epigenetic modulators for cancer immunotherapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116129. [PMID: 38211468 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
HDAC inhibitors, which can inhibit the activity of HDAC enzymes, have been extensively studied in tumor immunotherapy and have shown potential therapeutic effects in cancer immunotherapy. To date, numerous small molecule HDAC inhibitors have been identified, but many of them suffer from limited clinical efficacy and serious toxicity. Hence, HDAC inhibitor-based combination therapies, and other HDAC modulators (e.g. PROTAC degraders, dual-acting agents) have attracted great attention with significant advancements achieved in the past few years due to their superior efficacy compared to single-target HDAC inhibitors. In this review, we overviewed the recent progress on HDAC-based drug discovery with a focus on HDAC inhibitor-based drug combination therapy and other HDAC-targeting strategies (e.g. selective HDAC inhibitors, HDAC-based dual-target inhibitors, and PROTAC HDAC degraders) for cancer immunotherapy. In addition, we also summarized the reported co-crystal structures of HDAC inhibitors in complex with their target proteins and the binding interactions. Finally, the challenges and future directions for HDAC-based drug discovery in cancer immunotherapy are also discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Cheng
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China; Key Laboratory of Joint Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Liver Disease and Liver Cancer of Lishui, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, 323000, PR China; Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Wei Pan
- CardioIogy Department, Geriatric Department, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, PR China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuchang, 430063, PR China
| | - Zongbao Ding
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, 519041, PR China
| | - Yingxing Zhou
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China
| | - Xiaoting Fei
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China
| | - Jin Liu
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China
| | - Zhenhong Su
- School of Medicine, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, PR China.
| | - Xiaopeng Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, PR China.
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
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11
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Gu M, Sun S, You Q, Wang L. Forward or Backward: Lessons Learned from Small Molecule Drugs Approved by FDA from 2012 to 2022. Molecules 2023; 28:7941. [PMID: 38138431 PMCID: PMC10745639 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
At every juncture in history, the design and identification of new drugs pose significant challenges. To gain valuable insights for future drug development, we conducted a detailed analysis of New Molecular Entitiy (NME) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2012 to 2022 and focused on the analysis of first-in-class (FIC) small-molecules from a perspective of a medicinal chemist. We compared the change of numbers between all the FDA-approved NMEs and FIC, which could be more visual to analyze the changing trend of FIC. To get a more visual change of molecular physical properties, we computed the annual average trends in molecular weight for FIC across various therapeutic fields. Furthermore, we consolidated essential information into three comprehensive databases, which covered the indications, canonical SMILES, structural formula, research and development (R&D) institutions, molecular weight, calculated LogP (CLogP), and route of administration on all the small-molecule pharmaceutical. Through the analysis of the database of 11 years of approvals, we forecast the development trend of NME approval in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiao Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Sudan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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12
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Guo Y, Guo Y, Guo Z, Liu B, Xu J. Effect of Fragment 1 on the Binding of Epigallocatechin Gallate to the PD-L1 Dimer Explored by Molecular Dynamics. Molecules 2023; 28:7881. [PMID: 38067610 PMCID: PMC10708077 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Blocking the interaction between programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) by directly targeting the PD-L1 dimer has emerged as a hot topic in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural product, has been demonstrated binding to the PD-L1 dimer in our previous study, but has a weaker binding capacity, moreover, EGCG is located at the end of the binding pocket of the PD-L1 dimer. The inhibitor fragment 1 (FRA) lies at the other end. So, we proposed that the introduction of FRA might be able to improve the binding ability. To illuminate this issue, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed in the present study. Binding free energy calculations show that the binding affinity is significantly increased by 17 kcal/mol upon the introduction of FRA. It may be due to the energy contributions of emerging key residues ATyr56, AMet115, BTyr123, AIle54 and the enhanced contributions of initial key residues ATyr123 and BVal68. Binding mode and non-bonded interaction results indicate that FRA_EGCG (EGCG in combination with FRA) binds to the C-, F- and G-sheet of the PD-L1 dimer. Importantly, the introduction of FRA mainly strengthened the nonpolar interactions. The free energy landscape and secondary structure results further show that FRA_EGCG can interact with the PD-L1 dimer more stably. These data demonstrated here provide the theoretical basis for screening two or more natural products with additive inhibitory effect on this pathway and therefore exerting more effective anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
| | - Yilin Guo
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
| | - Zichao Guo
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
| | - Boping Liu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Based Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
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13
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Žilienė E, Inčiūra A, Ugenskienė R, Juozaitytė E. Pathomorphological Manifestations and the Course of the Cervical Cancer Disease Determined by Variations in the TLR4 Gene. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1999. [PMID: 37370894 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13121999] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is often associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Chronic inflammation has been described as one of the triggers of cancer. The immune system fights diseases, including cancer. The genetic polymorphism of pathogen recognition receptors potentially influences the infectious process, development, and disease progression. Many candidate genes SNPs have been contradictory demonstrated to be associated with cervical cancer by association studies, GWAS. TLR4 gene activation can promote antitumor immunity. It can also result in immunosuppression and tumor growth. Our study aimed to investigate eight selected polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene (rs10759932, rs1927906, rs11536898, rs11536865, rs10983755, rs4986790, rs4986791, rs11536897) and to determine the impact of polymorphisms in genotypes and alleles on the pathomorphological characteristics and progression in a group of 172 cervical cancer subjects with stage I-IV. Genotyping was performed by RT-PCR assay. We detected that the CA genotype and A allele of rs11536898 were significantly more frequent in patients with metastases (p = 0.026; p = 0.008). The multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed this link to be significant. The effect of rs10759932 and rs11536898 on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) has been identified as important. In univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, AA genotype of rs11536898 was a negative prognostic factor for PFS (p = 0.024; p = 0.057, respectively) and OS (p = 0.008; p = 0.042, respectively). Rs11536898 C allele predisposed for longer PFS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.025; p = 0.048, respectively) and for better OS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.010; p = 0.043). The worse prognostic factor of rs10759932 in a univariate and multivariate Cox analysis for survival was CC genotype: shorter PFS (p = 0.032) and increased risk of death (p = 0.048; p = 0.015, respectively). The T allele of rs10759932 increased longer PFS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.048; p = 0.019, respectively) and longer OS (univariate and multivariate: p = 0.037; p = 0.009, respectively). Our study suggests that SNPs rs10759932 and rs11536898 may have the potential to be markers contributing to the assessment of the cervical cancer prognosis. Further studies, preferably with larger groups of different ethnic backgrounds, are needed to confirm the results of the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eglė Žilienė
- Institute of Oncology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Arturas Inčiūra
- Institute of Oncology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Ugenskienė
- Institute of Oncology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Elona Juozaitytė
- Institute of Oncology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
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14
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Li Q, Zhou L, Qin S, Huang Z, Li B, Liu R, Yang M, Nice EC, Zhu H, Huang C. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras in biotherapeutics: Current trends and future applications. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115447. [PMID: 37229829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The success of inhibitor-based therapeutics is largely constrained by the acquisition of therapeutic resistance, which is partially driven by the undruggable proteome. The emergence of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, designed for degrading proteins involved in specific biological processes, might provide a novel framework for solving the above constraint. A heterobifunctional PROTAC molecule could structurally connect an E3 ubiquitin ligase ligand with a protein of interest (POI)-binding ligand by chemical linkers. Such technology would result in the degradation of the targeted protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), opening up a novel way of selectively inhibiting undruggable proteins. Herein, we will highlight the advantages of PROTAC technology and summarize the current understanding of the potential mechanisms involved in biotherapeutics, with a particular focus on its application and development where therapeutic benefits over classical small-molecule inhibitors have been achieved. Finally, we discuss how this technology can contribute to developing biotherapeutic drugs, such as antivirals against infectious diseases, for use in clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Siyuan Qin
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhao Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Bowen Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Ruolan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Mei Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Huili Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Canhua Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, PR China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
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15
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Verma R, Rani V, Kumar M. In-vivo anticancer efficacy of self-targeted methotrexate-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in solid tumor-bearing rat. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 119:110147. [PMID: 37044039 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110147] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Here, cytotoxicity and antitumor efficacy against a chemically (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea) generated mammary tumor in rats were assessed using methotrexate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Meth-Cs-NPs). Meth-Cs-NPs intravenous administrated resulted in noticeably decreased tumor incidence, multiplicity, and weight. Further, kidney function tests for the treated groups resulted in noticeably decreased ALP (Meth-Cs-NPs; 244 ± 15, diseases control; 403 ± 14 U/L), Creatinine (Meth-Cs-NPs; 0.81 ± 0.05, diseases control; 2 ± 0.05 mg/dl), and Urea (Meth-Cs-NPs; 56.62 ± 5, diseases control; 113 ± 6 mg/dl) levels, close to a normal control group. Similarly, liver function tests showed significantly decreased serum biomarkers, SGPT (Meth-Cs-NPs; 40 ± 1.8, diseases control; 84 ± 1.9 U/L) and SGOT (Meth-Cs-NPs; 15 ± 2, diseases control; 55 ± 4 U/L) levels in treated groups as compared to the untreated group (diseases control). From the results, pro-inflammatory cytokines were also markedly reduced in the treated group such as, TNF-α (Meth-Cs-NPs; 17.31 ± 1.15, diseases control; 36.9 ± 5 pg/mL), IL-1β (Meth-Cs-NPs; 433.3 ± 66.5, diseases control; 1540 ± 131.1 pg/mL), and IL-6 (Meth-Cs-NPs; 1515 ± 53, diseases control; 2200.6 ± 69 pg/mL) levels. Whereas Meth-Cs-NPs not only helped in lowering tumor multiplicity rates but also decrease inflammation. The studies could be successfully performed in chemically induced mammary tumors due to their easy, quick tumor growth and low mortality rates in rat models. According to the current study, Meth-Cs-NPs have high treatment potency and represent a possible therapeutic alternative for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinki Verma
- School of Biomedical Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Varsha Rani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, IIT (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Nano 2 Micro Material Design Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, IIT (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India.
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16
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Lake BPM, Wylie RG, Bařinka C, Rullo AF. Tunable Multivalent Platform for Immune Recruitment to Lower Antigen Expressing Cancers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202214659. [PMID: 36577087 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202214659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chemical immunotherapeutic strategies including Antibody Recruiting Molecules (ARMs - bivalent small molecules containing an antibody-binding domain (ABD) and a target-binding domain (TBD)) direct immune-mediated clearance of diseased cells. Anti-cancer ARM function relies on high tumor antigen valency, limiting function against lower antigen expressing tumors. To address this limitation, we report a tunable multivalent immune recruitment (MIR) platform to amplify/stabilize antibody recruitment to cells with lower antigen valencies. An initial set of polymeric ARMs (pARMs) were synthesized and screened to evaluate ABD/TBD copy number, ratio, and steric occlusion on specific immune induction. Most pARMs demonstrated simultaneous high avidity binding to anti-dinitrophenyl antibodies and prostate-specific membrane antigens on prostate cancer. Optimized pARMs mediated enhanced anti-cancer immune function against lower antigen expressing target cells compared to an analogous ARM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin P M Lake
- Department of Medicine, Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Ryan G Wylie
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Cyril Bařinka
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Průmyslová 595, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Anthony F Rullo
- Department of Medicine, Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
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17
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Selvin T, Berglund M, Lenhammar L, Jarvius M, Nygren P, Fryknäs M, Larsson R, Andersson CR. Phenotypic screening platform identifies statins as enhancers of immune cell-induced cancer cell death. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:164. [PMID: 36803614 PMCID: PMC9938546 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10645-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-throughput screening (HTS) of small molecule drug libraries has greatly facilitated the discovery of new cancer drugs. However, most phenotypic screening platforms used in the field of oncology are based solely on cancer cell populations and do not allow for the identification of immunomodulatory agents. METHODS We developed a phenotypic screening platform based on a miniaturized co-culture system with human colorectal cancer- and immune cells, providing a model that recapitulates part of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) complexity while simultaneously being compatible with a simple image-based readout. Using this platform, we screened 1,280 small molecule drugs, all approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and identified statins as enhancers of immune cell-induced cancer cell death. RESULTS The lipophilic statin pitavastatin had the most potent anti-cancer effect. Further analysis demonstrated that pitavastatin treatment induced a pro-inflammatory cytokine profile as well as an overall pro-inflammatory gene expression profile in our tumor-immune model. CONCLUSION Our study provides an in vitro phenotypic screening approach for the identification of immunomodulatory agents and thus addresses a critical gap in the field of immuno-oncology. Our pilot screen identified statins, a drug family gaining increasing interest as repurposing candidates for cancer treatment, as enhancers of immune cell-induced cancer cell death. We speculate that the clinical benefits described for cancer patients receiving statins are not simply caused by a direct effect on the cancer cells but rather are dependent on the combined effect exerted on both cancer and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Selvin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Malin Berglund
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lena Lenhammar
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Jarvius
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 591, SE-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Nygren
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Rudbecklaboratoriet, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mårten Fryknäs
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rolf Larsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claes R Andersson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, SE-75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
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18
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Jin N, Xia Y, Gao Q. Combined PARP inhibitors and small molecular inhibitors in solid tumor treatment (Review). Int J Oncol 2023; 62:28. [PMID: 36601757 PMCID: PMC9851129 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With the development of precision medicine, targeted therapy has attracted extensive attention. Poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are critical clinical drugs designed to induce cell death and are major antitumor targeted agents. However, preclinical and clinical data have revealed the limitations of PARPi monotherapy. Therefore, their combination with other targeted drugs has become a research hotspot in tumor treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated the critical role of small molecular inhibitors in multiple haematological cancers and solid tumors via cellular signalling modulation, exhibiting potential as a combined pharmacotherapy. In the present review, studies focused on small molecular inhibitors targeting the homologous recombination pathway were summarized and clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of combined treatment were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jin
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xia
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
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19
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Liu Z, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, Kang X. Small-Molecule PROTACs for Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecules 2022; 27:5439. [PMID: 36080223 PMCID: PMC9458232 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsatisfactory physicochemical properties of macromolecular drugs seriously hinder their application in tumor immunotherapy. However, these problems can be effectively solved by small-molecule compounds. In the promising field of small-molecule drug development, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) offers a novel mode of action in the interactions between small molecules and therapeutic targets (mainly proteins). This revolutionary technology has shown considerable impact on several proteins related to tumor survival but is rarely exploited in proteins associated with immuno-oncology up until now. This review attempts to comprehensively summarize the well-studied and less-developed immunological targets available for PROTAC technology, as well as some targets to be explored, aiming to provide more options and opportunities for the development of small-molecule-based tumor immunotherapy. In addition, some novel directions that can magnify and broaden the protein degradation efficiency are mentioned to improve PROTAC design in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xin Kang
- West China (Airport) Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610047, China
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20
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PD-L1 Over-Expression Varies in Different Subtypes of Lung Cancer: Will This Affect Future Therapies? Clin Pract 2022; 12:653-671. [PMID: 36136862 PMCID: PMC9498561 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract12050068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand (PD-L) 1 and 2 are ligands of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor. They are members of the B7/CD28 ligand-receptor family and the most investigated inhibitory immune checkpoints at present. PD-L1 is the main effector in PD-1-reliant immunosuppression, as the PD-1/PD-L pathway is a key regulator for T-cell activation. Activation of T-cells warrants the upregulation of PD-1 and production of cytokines which also upregulate PD-L1 expression, creating a positive feedback mechanism that has an important role in the prevention of tissue destruction and development of autoimmunity. In the context of inadequate immune response, the prolonged antigen stimulation leads to chronic PD-1 upregulation and T-cell exhaustion. In lung cancer patients, PD-L1 expression levels have been of special interest since patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) demonstrate higher levels of expression and tend to respond more favorably to the evolving PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the PD-1 inhibitor, pembrolizumab, alone as front-line single-agent therapy instead of chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC and PD-L1 ≥1% expression and chemoimmunotherapy regimens are available for lower stage disease. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines also delineate treatment by low and high expression of PD-L1 in NSCLC. Thus, studying PD-L1 overexpression levels in the different histological subtypes of lung cancer can affect our approach to treating these patients. There is an evolving role of immunotherapy in the other sub-types of lung cancer, especially small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In addition, within the NSCLC category, squamous cell carcinomas and non-G12C KRAS mutant NSCLC have no specific targetable therapies to date. Therefore, assessment of the PD-L1 expression level among these subtypes of lung cancer is required, since lung cancer is one of the few malignances wherein PD-L1 expression levels is so crucial in determining the role of immunotherapy. In this study, we compared PD-L1 expression in lung cancer according to the histological subtype of the tumor.
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Urban VA, Davidovskii AI, Veresov VG. Computational discovery of small drug-like compounds as potential inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-17. [PMID: 35696453 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2085805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The programmed cell death ligand protein 1 (PD-L1) is a strong immunosuppressive molecule that inactivates tumor-specific T cells by binding to the programmed cell death- 1 protein (PD-1). Cancer immunotherapy based on the monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has demonstrated therapeutic responses without precedent over a wide range of cancers. However, the antibody-based immunotherapies have several limitations such as high production cost or the induction of severe immune-related adverse effects. Small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway are a promising alternative or complementary therapeutic to antibodies. Currently, the field of developing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors is intensively explored. In the present study a pharmacophore model was generated based on previously developed compounds and their atomistic structures with the PD-L1 dimer. Structure-based affinity-based virtual screening of small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway according to the pharmacophore model followed by a screening in terms of drug-likeness resulted in ten hit compounds of high affinity towards the PD-L1 dimer and the satisfaction to all of the drug-likeness rules. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that nine of ten compounds formed stable complexes with the PD-L1 dimer as evidenced by the analysis of MD trajectories. Molecular mechanics Poisson- Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculation revealed very low binding energies (<-46 kcal/mol) for the interactions of these ligands with the PD-L1 dimer, suggesting that identified compounds may serve as good scaffolds for the design of novel agents of antitumor immunotherapy able to target the PD-1/PD-L1 interactionCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor A Urban
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Alexander I Davidovskii
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Valery G Veresov
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
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22
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Kashyap A, Kumar S, Dutt R. A review on structurally diversified synthesized molecules as monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors and their therapeutic uses. Curr Drug Res Rev 2022; 14:96-115. [PMID: 35232358 DOI: 10.2174/2589977514666220301111457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol is a metabolic key serine hydrolase, engaged in the regulation of signalling network system of endocannabinoids, which is associated with various physiological processes like pain, inflammation, feeding cognition and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson's disease. The monoacylglycerol also found to act as a regulator and the free fatty acid provider in the proliferation of cancer cells, numerous aggressive tumours such as colorectal cancer, neuroblastoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It also played an important role in increasing the concentration of specific lipids derived from free fatty acids like phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate and prostaglandin E2. These signalling lipids are associated with cell proliferation, survival, tumour cell migration, contributing to tumour development, maturation and metastases. In the present study here, we are presenting a review on structurally diverse MAGL inhibitors, their development and their evaluation for different pharmacological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kashyap
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department (Ph.D. Scholar), School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department (Ph.D. Scholar), School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna, India
| | - Rohit Dutt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna, India
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23
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Yao M, Han W, Feng L, Wei Z, Liu Y, Zhang H, Zhang S. pH-programmed responsive nanoplatform for synergistic cancer therapy based on single atom catalysts. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 233:114236. [PMID: 35247753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of stimuli-responsive nanoplatform provides powerful tool for simultaneously enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of cancer therapies. Herein, we develop a pH-programmed responsive and synergistically theranostic nanoplatform based on CaCO3 mineralized single atom iron nanoparticles (SAF NPs). Basically, the highly active site on SAF NPs nanoagent can trigger in-situ produce toxic •OH in tumor microenvironment (TME) that kill cancer cells for Fenton-reaction-based chemodynamic therapy (CDT). The porous structure of SAF NPs can serve as delivery platforms to package and programmed release chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) to enhance chemotherapy (CT) efficiency. The nanoplatform was simultaneously in-situ mineralized with CaCO3 and A549 cell membrane (CM) which could avoid DOX leakage during transport in bloodstream and target homologous cancer cells. In addition, overload Ca2+ decomposed from CaCO3 triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, induces cytoskeleton collapse and oxidative stress to formulate calcium ions interference therapy (CIT). With the combination of CDT, CT and CIT, the designed multi-synergetic nanoplatform exhibits excellent biocompatibility, specificity and tunable drug release behavior, which has a broad application prospect in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China
| | - Wenxiu Han
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China
| | - Lu Feng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China
| | - Zizhen Wei
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China
| | - Huairong Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China.
| | - Shusheng Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tumor Marker Detection Technology, Equipment and Diagnosis-Therapy Integration in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Makers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, China.
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Amariucai-Mantu D, Antoci V, Sardaru MC, Al Matarneh CM, Mangalagiu I, Danac R. Fused pyrrolo-pyridines and pyrrolo-(iso)quinoline as anticancer agents. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This work emphasizes the synthesis strategies and antiproliferative related properties of fused pyrrolo-pyridine (including indolizine and azaindoles) and pyrrolo-(iso)quinoline derivatives recently reported in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasilichia Antoci
- Chemistry Department , Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi , Iasi , Romania
| | | | | | - Ionel Mangalagiu
- Chemistry Department , Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi , Iasi , Romania
| | - Ramona Danac
- Chemistry Department , Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi , Iasi , Romania
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25
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Fu S, Li G, Zang W, Zhou X, Shi K, Zhai Y. Pure drug nano-assemblies: A facile carrier-free nanoplatform for efficient cancer therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:92-106. [PMID: 35127374 PMCID: PMC8799886 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (Nano-DDSs) have emerged as possible solution to the obstacles of anticancer drug delivery. However, the clinical outcomes and translation are restricted by several drawbacks, such as low drug loading, premature drug leakage and carrier-related toxicity. Recently, pure drug nano-assemblies (PDNAs), fabricated by the self-assembly or co-assembly of pure drug molecules, have attracted considerable attention. Their facile and reproducible preparation technique helps to remove the bottleneck of nanomedicines including quality control, scale-up production and clinical translation. Acting as both carriers and cargos, the carrier-free PDNAs have an ultra-high or even 100% drug loading. In addition, combination therapies based on PDNAs could possibly address the most intractable problems in cancer treatment, such as tumor metastasis and drug resistance. In the present review, the latest development of PDNAs for cancer treatment is overviewed. First, PDNAs are classified according to the composition of drug molecules, and the assembly mechanisms are discussed. Furthermore, the co-delivery of PDNAs for combination therapies is summarized, with special focus on the improvement of therapeutic outcomes. Finally, future prospects and challenges of PDNAs for efficient cancer therapy are spotlighted.
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Key Words
- ABC, accelerated blood clearance
- ACT, adoptive cell transfer
- ATO, atovaquone
- ATP, adenosine triphosphate
- BV, Biliverdin
- Ber, berberine
- CI, combination index
- CPT, camptothecin
- CTLs, cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- Cancer treatment
- Carrier-free
- Ce6, chlorine e6
- Combination therapy
- DBNP, DOX-Ber nano-assemblies
- DBNP@CM, DBNP were cloaked with 4T1 cell membranes
- DCs, dendritic cells
- DOX, doxorubicin
- DPDNAs, dual pure drug nano-assemblies
- EGFR, epithelial growth factor receptor
- EPI, epirubicin
- EPR, enhanced permeability and retention
- FRET, Forster Resonance Energy Transfer
- GEF, gefitinib
- HCPT, hydroxycamptothecin
- HMGB1, high-mobility group box 1
- IC50, half maximal inhibitory concentration
- ICB, immunologic checkpoint blockade
- ICD, immunogenic cell death
- ICG, indocyanine green
- ITM, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
- MDS, molecular dynamics simulations
- MPDNAs, multiple pure drug nano-assemblies
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MTX, methotrexate
- NIR, near-infrared
- NPs, nanoparticles
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- Nano-DDSs, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems
- Nanomedicine
- Nanotechnology
- PAI, photoacoustic imaging
- PD-1, PD receptor 1
- PD-L1, PD receptor 1 ligand
- PDNAs, pure drug nano-assemblies
- PDT, photodynamic therapy
- PPa, pheophorbide A
- PTT, photothermal therapy
- PTX, paclitaxel
- Poly I:C, polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid
- Pure drug
- QSNAP, quantitative structure-nanoparticle assembly prediction
- RBC, red blood cell
- RNA, ribonucleic acid
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SPDNAs, single pure drug nano-assemblies
- Self-assembly
- TA, tannic acid
- TEM, transmission electron microscopy
- TLR4, Toll-like receptor 4
- TME, tumor microenvironment
- TNBC, triple negative breast
- TTZ, trastuzumab
- Top I & II, topoisomerase I & II
- UA, ursolic acid
- YSV, tripeptide tyroservatide
- ZHO, Z-Histidine-Obzl
- dsRNA, double-stranded RNA
- α-PD-L1, anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Guanting Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wenli Zang
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Bio-system Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kexin Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medical Device, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yinglei Zhai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medical Device, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
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Ma Z, Foda MF, Zhao Y, Han H. Multifunctional Nanosystems with Enhanced Cellular Uptake for Tumor Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101703. [PMID: 34626528 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101703] [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: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Rapid development of nanotechnology provides promising strategies in biomedicine, especially in tumor therapy. In particular, the cellular uptake of nanosystems is not only a basic premise to realize various biomedical applications, but also a fatal factor for determining the final therapeutic effect. Thus, a systematic and comprehensive summary is necessary to overview the recent research progress on the improvement of nanosystem cellular uptake for cancer treatment. According to the process of nanosystems entering the body, they can be classified into three categories. The first segment is to enhance the accumulation and permeation of nanosystems to tumor cells through extracellular microenvironment stimulation. The second segment is to improve cellular internalization from extracellular to intracellular via active targeting. The third segment is to enhance the intracellular retention of therapeutics by subcellular localization. The major factors in the delivery can be utilized to develop multifunctional nanosystems for strengthening the tumor therapy. Ultimately, the key challenges and prospective in the emerging research frontier are thoroughly outlined. This review is expected to provide inspiring ideas, promising strategies and potential pathways for developing advanced anticancer nanosystems in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology College of Life Science and Technology Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan Hubei 430070 P. R. China
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link Singapore 637371 Singapore
| | - Mohamed F. Foda
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology College of Life Science and Technology Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan Hubei 430070 P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Agriculture Benha University Moshtohor Toukh 13736 Egypt
| | - Yanli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology College of Life Science and Technology Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan Hubei 430070 P. R. China
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link Singapore 637371 Singapore
| | - Heyou Han
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology College of Life Science and Technology Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan Hubei 430070 P. R. China
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27
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Xing D. Developments of CRBN-based PROTACs as potential therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113749. [PMID: 34411892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Protease-targeted chimeras (PROTACs) are a new technology that is receiving much attention in the treatment of diseases. The mechanism is to inhibit protein function by hijacking the ubiquitin E3 ligase for protein degradation. Heterogeneous bifunctional PROTACs contain a ligand for recruiting E3 ligase, a linker, and another ligand to bind to the target protein for degradation. A variety of small-molecule PROTACs (CRBN, VHL, IAPs, MDM2, DCAF15, DCAF16, and RNF114-based PROTACs) have been identified so far. In particular, CRBN-based PROTACs (e.g., ARV-110 and ARV-471) have received more attention for their promising therapeutic intervention. To date, CRBN-based PRTOACs have been extensively explored worldwide and have excelled not only in cancer diseases but also in cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive update on the latest research progress in CRBN-based PRTOACs area. Following the criteria, such as disease area and drug target class, we will present the degradants in alphabetical order by target. We also provide our own perspective on the future prospects and potential challenges facing PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Yudong Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Dongming Xing
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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28
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Russomanno P, Assoni G, Amato J, D'Amore VM, Scaglia R, Brancaccio D, Pedrini M, Polcaro G, La Pietra V, Orlando P, Falzoni M, Cerofolini L, Giuntini S, Fragai M, Pagano B, Donati G, Novellino E, Quintavalle C, Condorelli G, Sabbatino F, Seneci P, Arosio D, Pepe S, Marinelli L. Interfering with the Tumor-Immune Interface: Making Way for Triazine-Based Small Molecules as Novel PD-L1 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16020-16045. [PMID: 34670084 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis by monoclonal antibodies has achieved remarkable success in treating a growing number of cancers. However, a novel class of small organic molecules, with BMS-202 (1) as the lead, is emerging as direct PD-L1 inhibitors. Herein, we report a series of 2,4,6-tri- and 2,4-disubstituted 1,3,5-triazines, which were synthesized and assayed for their PD-L1 binding by NMR and homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence. Among them, compound 10 demonstrated to strongly bind with the PD-L1 protein and challenged it in a co-culture of PD-L1 expressing cancer cells (PC9 and HCC827 cells) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells enhanced antitumor immune activity of the latter. Compound 10 significantly increased interferon γ release and apoptotic induction of cancer cells, with low cytotoxicity in healthy cells when compared to 1, thus paving the way for subsequent preclinical optimization and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Russomanno
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Giulia Assoni
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, (CIBIO), Università degli Studi di Trento, Via Sommarive 9, Povo I-38123, Trento, Italy.,Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Riccardo Scaglia
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Martina Pedrini
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Giovanna Polcaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Paolo Orlando
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Marianna Falzoni
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuntini
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Centro di Risonanza Magnetica, CERM, Università di Firenze, Firenze 50019, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Greta Donati
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; Institute for Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Chemistry Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Daniela Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via C. Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Ospedale "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Università di Salerno, Salerno 84131, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, Napoli 80131, Italy
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29
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Anderson EM, Thomassian S, Gong J, Hendifar A, Osipov A. Advances in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5510. [PMID: 34771675 PMCID: PMC8583016 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies among all cancers. Despite curative intent, surgery and the use of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy, PDAC remains treatment-resistant. In recent years, more contemporary treatment modalities such as immunotherapy via checkpoint inhibition have shown some promise in many other malignancies, yet PDAC still eludes an effective curative treatment. In investigating these phenomena, research has suggested that the significant desmoplastic and adaptive tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC promote the proliferation of immunosuppressive cells and act as major obstacles to treatment efficacy. In this review, we explore challenges associated with the treatment of PDAC, including its unique immunosuppressive TME. This review examines the role of surgery in PDAC, recent advances in surgical approaches and surgical optimization. We further focus on advances in immunotherapeutic approaches, including checkpoint inhibition, CD40 agonists, and discuss promising immune-based future strategies, such as therapeutic neoantigen cancer vaccines as means of overcoming the resistance mechanisms which underly the dense stroma and immune milieu of PDAC. We also explore unique signaling, TME and stromal targeting via novel small molecule inhibitors, which target KRAS, FAK, CCR2/CCR5, CXCR4, PARP and cancer-associated fibroblasts. This review also explores the most promising strategy for advancement in treatment of pancreatic cancer by reviewing contemporary combinatorial approaches in efforts to overcome the treatment refractory nature of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M. Anderson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Shant Thomassian
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (S.T.); (J.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Jun Gong
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (S.T.); (J.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Andrew Hendifar
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (S.T.); (J.G.); (A.H.)
| | - Arsen Osipov
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (S.T.); (J.G.); (A.H.)
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30
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Zeng QX, Wang K, Zhang X, Shi YL, Dou YY, Guo ZH, Zhang XT, Zhang N, Deng HB, Li YH, Song DQ. Structure-activity relationship and biological evaluation of 12 N-substituted aloperine derivatives as PD-L1 down-regulatory agents through proteasome pathway. Bioorg Chem 2021; 117:105432. [PMID: 34678602 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105432] [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: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-nine 12 N-substituted aloperine derivatives were synthesized and screened for suppression on PD-L1 expression in H460 cells, as a continuation of our work. Systematic structural modifications led to the identification of compound 6b as the most active PD-L1 modulator. Compound 6b could significantly down-regulate both constitutive and inductive PD-L1 expression in NSCLC cells, and successively enhance the cytotoxicity of co-cultured T cells against tumor cells at the concentration of 20 μM. Also, it exhibited a moderate in vivo anticancer efficacy against Lewis tumor xenograft with a stable PK and safety profile. The mechanism study indicated that 6b mediated the degradation of PD-L1 through a proteasome pathway, rather than a lysosome route. These results provided the powerful information for cancer immunotherapy of aloperine derivatives with unique endocyclic skeleton by targeting PD-L1 to activate immune cells to kill cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Xuan Zeng
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272000, China
| | - Yu-Long Shi
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yue-Ying Dou
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Guo
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xin-Tong Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hong-Bin Deng
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Ying-Hong Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Dan-Qing Song
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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31
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Kozlova A, Thabault L, Liberelle M, Klaessens S, Prévost JRC, Mathieu C, Pilotte L, Stroobant V, Van den Eynde B, Frédérick R. Rational Design of Original Fused-Cycle Selective Inhibitors of Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10967-10980. [PMID: 34338527 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) is a heme-containing enzyme constitutively expressed at high concentrations in the liver and responsible for l-tryptophan (l-Trp) homeostasis. Expression of TDO2 in cancer cells results in the inhibition of immune-mediated tumor rejection due to an enhancement of l-Trp catabolism via the kynurenine pathway. In the study herein, we disclose a new 6-(1H-indol-3-yl)-benzotriazole scaffold of TDO2 inhibitors developed through rational design, starting from existing inhibitors. Rigidification of the initial scaffold led to the synthesis of stable compounds displaying a nanomolar cellular potency and a better understanding of the structural modulations that can be accommodated inside the active site of hTDO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Kozlova
- Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Léopold Thabault
- Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Maxime Liberelle
- Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Simon Klaessens
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Julien R C Prévost
- Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Caroline Mathieu
- Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Luc Pilotte
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Vincent Stroobant
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Benoît Van den Eynde
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,de Duve Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.,Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Brussels B-1200, Belgium
| | - Raphaël Frédérick
- Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels B-1200, Belgium
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32
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Liu J, Zhao Z, Qiu N, Zhou Q, Wang G, Jiang H, Piao Y, Zhou Z, Tang J, Shen Y. Co-delivery of IOX1 and doxorubicin for antibody-independent cancer chemo-immunotherapy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2425. [PMID: 33893275 PMCID: PMC8065121 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22407-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies are currently used in the clinic to interupt the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint, which reverses T cell dysfunction/exhaustion and shows success in treating cancer. Here, we report a histone demethylase inhibitor, 5-carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline (IOX1), which inhibits tumour histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing 1A (JMJD1A) and thus downregulates its downstream β-catenin and subsequent PD-L1, providing an antibody-independent paradigm interrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint. Synergistically, IOX1 inhibits cancer cells’ P-glycoproteins (P-gp) through the JMJD1A/β-catenin/P-gp pathway and greatly enhances doxorubicin (DOX)-induced immune-stimulatory immunogenic cell death. As a result, the IOX1 and DOX combination greatly promotes T cell infiltration and activity and significantly reduces tumour immunosuppressive factors. Their liposomal combination reduces the growth of various murine tumours, including subcutaneous, orthotopic, and lung metastasis tumours, and offers a long-term immunological memory function against tumour rechallenging. This work provides a small molecule-based potent cancer chemo-immunotherapy. Some chemotherapeutic drugs, such as doxorubicin, induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and promote anti-tumor immune responses. Here the authors report that the histone demethylase inhibitor 5-carboxy-8-hydroxyquinoline (IOX1) reduces the expression of PD-L1 in cancer cells and enhances doxorubicin-induced ICD, promoting T cell infiltration and reducing tumor growth in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihao Zhao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nasha Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guowei Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiping Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Piao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuxian Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianbin Tang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China.
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33
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Zhang J, Zhang Y, Qu B, Yang H, Hu S, Dong X. If small molecules immunotherapy comes, can the prime be far behind? Eur J Med Chem 2021; 218:113356. [PMID: 33773287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Anti-cancer immunotherapy, which includes cellular immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, has transformed the treatment strategies of several malignancies in the past decades. Immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) is the most commonly tested therapy and has the potential to induce a durable immune response in different types of cancers. However, all approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are fraught with disadvantages including lack of oral bioavailability, prolonged tissue retention and poor membrane permeability. Therefore, the research focus has shifted to developing small molecule inhibitors to obviate the limitations of mAbs. Given the complexity of the tumor micro-environment (TME), the combination of ICIs with various small molecule agonists/inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials to improve treatment outcomes and prevent tumor recurrence. In this review, we have summarized the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of several molecular targets, along with the current status of small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Bingxue Qu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), PR China; Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, PR China
| | - Shengquan Hu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
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34
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Li L, Jin XJ, Li JW, Li CH, Zhou SY, Li JJ, Feng CQ, Liu DL, Liu YQ. Systematic insight into the active constituents and mechanism of Guiqi Baizhu for the treatment of gastric cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:1772-1784. [PMID: 33682294 PMCID: PMC8088928 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of diseases has been recognized, but the material basis and mechanisms are not clear. In this study, target prediction of the antigastric cancer (GC) effect of Guiqi Baizhu (GQBZP) and the analysis of potential key compounds, key targets, and key pathways for the therapeutic effects against GC were carried out based on the method of network analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment. There were 33 proteins shared between GQBZP and GC, and 131 compounds of GQBZP had a high correlation with these proteins, indicating that the PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway might play a key role in GC. From these studies, we selected human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and programmed cell death 1‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) for docking; the results showed that 385 and 189 compounds had high docking scores with HER2 and PD‐L1, respectively. Six compounds were selected for microscale thermophoresis (MST). Daidzein/quercetin and isorhamnetin/formononetin had the highest binding affinity for HER2 and PD‐L1, with Kd values of 3.7 μmol/L and 490, 667, and 355 nmol/L, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation studies based on the docking complex structures as the initial conformation yielded the binding free energy between daidzein/quercetin with HER2 and isorhamnetin/formononetin with PD‐L1, calculated by molecular mechanics Poisson‐Boltzmann surface area, of −26.55, −14.18, −19.41, and −11.86 kcal/mol, respectively, and were consistent with the MST results. In vitro experiments showed that quercetin, daidzein, and isorhamnetin had potential antiproliferative effects in MKN‐45 cells. Enzyme activity assays showed that quercetin could inhibit the activity of HER2 with an IC50 of 570.07 nmol/L. Our study provides a systematic investigation to explain the material basis and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Jin
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China.,College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jia-Wei Li
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China.,School of basic medical sciences, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Hao Li
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shuang-Yan Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Big Data for Bio Intelligence, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun-Jie Li
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Cai-Qin Feng
- Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dong-Ling Liu
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China.,College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yong-Qi Liu
- Gansu University Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine & Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Major Diseases, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Dun huang Medical and Transformation, Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
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35
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Yang X, Cheng B, Xiao Y, Xue M, Liu T, Cao H, Chen J. Discovery of novel CA-4 analogs as dual inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and PD-1/PD-L1 interaction for cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113058. [PMID: 33280898 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A series of novel CA-4 analogs as dual inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and PD-1/PD-L1 were designed, synthesized and bio-evaluated. Among them, compound TP5 exhibited strongest inhibitory effects against five cancer cell lines with an IC50 value of 800 nM in HepG2 cells. In addition, mechanism studies revealed that TP5 could effectively inhibit tubulin polymerization, suppress HepG2 cells migration and colony formation, and cause cell arrest at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis. Furthermore, TP5 exhibited moderate anti-PD-1/PD-L1 activity with IC50 values of 48.76 μM in a homogenous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay. In vivo efficacy studies indicated that TP5 could significantly suppress tumor growth in an immune checkpoint humanized mouse model with a Tumor Growth Suppression (TGI) of 57.9% at 100 mg/kg without causing significant toxicity. Moreover, TP5 did not cause in vivo cardiotoxicity in BALB/c mice. These results suggest that the novel CA-4 analogs may serve as a starting point for developing more potent dual inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and PD-1/PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchao Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430063, China
| | - Mingming Xue
- Tianjin Tiancheng Chemical Co., Ltd., Chemical Street, Binhai New District, Tianjin, 300480, China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hao Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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36
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Zhang RY, Liu ZK, Wei D, Yong YL, Lin P, Li H, Liu M, Zheng NS, Liu K, Hu CX, Yang XZ, Chen ZN, Bian H. UBE2S interacting with TRIM28 in the nucleus accelerates cell cycle by ubiquitination of p27 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:64. [PMID: 33589597 PMCID: PMC7884418 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00432-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic sequencing analysis of tumors provides potential molecular therapeutic targets for precision medicine. However, identifying a key driver gene or mutation that can be used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains difficult. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing on genomic DNA obtained from six pairs of HCC and adjacent tissues and identified two novel somatic mutations of UBE2S (p. Gly57Ala and p. Lys63Asn). Predictions of the functional effects of the mutations showed that two amino-acid substitutions were potentially deleterious. Further, we observed that wild-type UBE2S, especially in the nucleus, was significantly higher in HCC tissues than that in adjacent tissues and closely related to the clinicopathological features of patients with HCC. Functional assays revealed that overexpression of UBE2S promoted the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and G1/S phase transition of HCC cells in vitro, and promoted the tumor growth significantly in vivo. Mechanistically, UBE2S interacted with TRIM28 in the nucleus, both together enhanced the ubiquitination of p27 to facilitate its degradation and cell cycle progression. Most importantly, the small-molecule cephalomannine was found by a luciferase-based sensitive high-throughput screen (HTS) to inhibit UBE2S expression and significantly attenuate HCC progression in vitro and in vivo, which may represent a promising strategy for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Yu Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ze-Kun Liu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ding Wei
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu-Le Yong
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Peng Lin
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hao Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Man Liu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Nai-Shan Zheng
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ke Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Cai-Xia Hu
- Oncology and Hepatobiliary Minimally Invasive Interventional Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiao-Zhen Yang
- Oncology and Hepatobiliary Minimally Invasive Interventional Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zhi-Nan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Huijie Bian
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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37
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Han C, Zhang A, Liu Z, Moore C, Fu YX. Small molecular drugs reshape tumor microenvironment to synergize with immunotherapy. Oncogene 2021; 40:885-898. [PMID: 33288883 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), especially anti-programmed death 1 (anti-PD-1) and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) therapy, has become an increasingly appealing therapeutic strategy for cancer patients. However, only a small portion of patients responds to anti-PD treatment. Therefore, treatment strategies are urgently needed to reverse the ICB-resistant tumor microenvironment (TME). It has become clear that the TME has diminished innate sensing that is critical to activate adaptive immunity. In addition, tumor cells upregulate various immunosuppressive factors to diminish the immune response and resist immunotherapy. In this review, we briefly update the current small molecular drugs that could synergize with immunotherapy, especially anti-PD therapy. We will discuss the modes of action by those drugs including inducing innate sensing and limiting immunosuppressive factors in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanhui Han
- The Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Anli Zhang
- The Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zhida Liu
- The Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Casey Moore
- The Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- The Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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38
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Wang F, Ye W, Wang S, He Y, Zhong H, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Han J, Bing Z, Ji S, Liu H, Yao X. Discovery of a new inhibitor targeting PD-L1 for cancer immunotherapy. Neoplasia 2021; 23:281-293. [PMID: 33529880 PMCID: PMC7851350 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 immunologic checkpoint using monoclonal antibodies has provided breakthrough therapies against cancer in the recent years. Nevertheless, intrinsic disadvantages of therapeutic antibodies may limit their applications. Thus, blocking of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by small molecules may be a promising alternative for cancer immunotherapy. We used a docking-based virtual screening strategy to rapidly identify new small molecular inhibitors targeting PD-L1. We demonstrated that a small molecule compound (N-[2-(aminocarbonyl)phenyl][1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide [APBC]) could effectively interrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by directly binding to PD-L1, presenting the KD and IC50 values at low-micromolar level. Molecular docking study revealed that APBC may have function through a PD-L1 dimer-locking mechanism, occluding the PD-1 interaction surface of PD-L1. We further confirmed the ligand blocking activity and T cell-reinvigoration potency of APBC using cell-based assays. APBC could dose-dependently elevate cytokine secretions of the primary T-lymphocytes that are cocultured with cancer cells. Importantly, APBC displayed superior antitumor efficacy in hPD-L1 knock-in B16F10-bearing mouse model without the induction of observable liver toxicity. Analyses on the APBC-treated mice further revealed drastically elevated levels of infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and inflammatory cytokines production in tumor microenvironment. The APBC compound could serve as a privileged scaffold in the design of improved PD pathway modulators, thus providing us promising drug candidates for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wenling Ye
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongxing He
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Yongchang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianting Han
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhitong Bing
- Institute of Modern Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shaoping Ji
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China.
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Wu Y, Zhang Y, Chen X, Hu Y, Dong G, Guo Y, Sheng C. A theranostic probe of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) for small molecule cancer immunotherapy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113163. [PMID: 33482599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Discovering novel small molecules for cancer immunotherapy represents a promising but challenging strategy in future cancer treatment. Herein, we designed the first theranostic fluorescent probes to efficiently detect and inhibit the enzymatic activity of 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). Probe 6b is a highly active IDO1 inhibitor (IC50 = 12 nM, Cellular IC50 = 10 nM), which can sensitively and specifically detect endogenous IDO1 in living cells. Furthermore, as a theranostic probe, 6b showed excellent in vivo antitumor efficacy in the CT26 xenograft mouse model as well. Therefore, it can be applied as a valuable chemical tool for better understanding the immunotherapy mechanism of IDO1 and improving the therapeutic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yanhui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Avenue, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Avenue, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Yulu Hu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Avenue, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yuan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, 1 Xuefu Avenue, Xi'an, 710127, China.
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Cheng B, Wang W, Niu X, Ren Y, Liu T, Cao H, Wang S, Tu Y, Chen J, Liu S, Yang X, Chen J. Discovery of Novel and Highly Potent Resorcinol Dibenzyl Ether-Based PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors with Improved Drug-like and Pharmacokinetic Properties for Cancer Treatment. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15946-15959. [PMID: 33264007 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A series of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors based on the resorcinol diphenyl ether scaffold were discovered by incorporating hydrophilic moieties into the side chain and converting into the corresponding hydrochloride salt. Among these compounds, P18 showed the highest inhibitory activity against PD-1/PD-L1 with an IC50 value of 9.1 nM in a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence binding assay. Besides, P18 promoted HepG2 cell death dose dependently in a HepG2/PD-L1 and Jurkat/PD-1 coculture cell model. Further, P18 demonstrated significantly higher water solubility (17.61 mg/mL) and improved pharmacokinetics (e.g., t1/2 of ∼20 h and oral bioavailability of 12%) than the previous analogues. Moreover, P18 was highly effective in suppressing tumor growth in an immune checkpoint humanized mouse model without apparent toxicity. Collectively, these results suggest that compound P18 represents a promising PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor worthy of further investigation as a potential anticancer agent.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis
- B7-H1 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Proliferation
- Drug Discovery
- Humans
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/chemistry
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacokinetics
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/metabolism
- Melanoma, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Phenyl Ethers/chemistry
- Piperidines/chemistry
- Piperidines/pharmacokinetics
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Resorcinols/chemistry
- Tissue Distribution
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoge Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yichang Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hao Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuanghu Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yingfeng Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jingxuan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xuchao Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Dai Z, Liu H, Wang B, Yang D, Zhu YY, Yan H, Zhu PF, Liu YP, Chen HC, Zhao YL, Zhao LX, Zhao XD, Liu HY, Luo XD. Structures/cytotoxicity/selectivity relationship of natural steroidal saponins against GSCs and primary mechanism of tribulosaponin A. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 210:113068. [PMID: 33310292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the highly aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), small population of cancer cells that exist in GBM tissues, resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and usually driving GBM recurrence, have been developed as effective therapeutic target. Steroidal saponins are one of important resources for anti-tumor agent and may be benefited to selectively clear GSCs. In this report, total of 97 natural steroidal saponins were investigated the relationship among structures/cytotoxicity/selectivity against GSCs, glioma cell lines and human untransformed cells, and revealed that tribulosaponin A was the most potent compound. Further investigation suggested that tribulosaponin A up-regulated the expression of NCF1 and NOX1 to accumulate ROS for triggering apoptosis in GSCs, but not in untransformed cells, and it was further supported by the assay that N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) clearing ROS delayed GSCs apoptosis. Besides, tribulosaponin A damaged GSCs recapturing tumor spheres formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Dai
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Feng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Cheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Xing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu-Dong Zhao
- Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hai-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Dong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Provincial Center for Research & Development of Natural Products, School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
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42
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Small molecules targeting the innate immune cGAS‒STING‒TBK1 signaling pathway. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:2272-2298. [PMID: 33354501 PMCID: PMC7745059 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple cancer immunotherapies including chimeric antigen receptor T cell and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been successfully developed to treat various cancers by motivating the adaptive anti-tumor immunity. Particularly, the checkpoint blockade approach has achieved great clinic success as evidenced by several U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-programmed death receptor 1/ligand 1 or anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 antibodies. However, the majority of cancers have low clinical response rates to these ICIs due to poor tumor immunogenicity. Indeed, the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase‒stimulator of interferon genes‒TANK-binding kinase 1 (cGAS‒STING‒TBK1) axis is now appreciated as the major signaling pathway in innate immune response across different species. Aberrant signaling of this pathway has been closely linked to multiple diseases, including auto-inflammation, virus infection and cancers. In this perspective, we provide an updated review on the latest progress on the development of small molecule modulators targeting the cGAS‒STING‒TBK1 signaling pathway and their preclinical and clinical use as a new immune stimulatory therapy. Meanwhile, highlights on the clinical candidates, limitations and challenges, as well as future directions in this field are also discussed. Further, small molecule inhibitors targeting this signaling axis and their potential therapeutic use for various indications are discussed as well.
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Key Words
- ABZI, amidobenzimidazole
- ACMA, 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine
- AMP, adenosine monophosphate
- ATP, adenosine triphosphate
- Anti-tumor
- BNBC, 6-bromo-N-(naphthalen-1-yl)benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carboxamide
- CBD, cyclic dinucleotide-binding domain
- CDA, cyclic diadenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP)
- CDG, cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP)
- CDN, cyclic dinucleotide
- CMA, 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone
- CTD, C-terminal domain
- CTLA-4, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4
- CTT, C-terminal tail
- CXCL, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand
- DC50, concentration for 50% degradation
- DCs, dendritic cells
- DMXAA, 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid
- DSDP, dispiro diketopiperzine
- EM, cryo-electron microscopy
- ENPP1, ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase
- ER, endoplasmic reticulum
- FAA, flavone-8-acetic acid
- FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FP, fluorescence polarization
- GMP, guanosine monophosphate
- GTP, guanosine triphosphate
- HCQ, hydrochloroquine
- HTS, high throughput screening
- ICI, immune checkpoint inhibitor
- IKK, IκB kinase
- IO, immune-oncology
- IRF3, interferon regulatory factor 3
- ISG, interferon stimulated gene
- ITC, isothermal titration calorimetry
- Immunotherapy
- KD, kinase domain
- LBD, ligand-binding domain
- MDCK, Madin–Darby canine kidney
- MG, Mangostin
- MI, maximum induction
- MLK, mixed lineage kinase
- MinEC5×, minimum effective concentration for inducing 5-fold luciferase activity
- NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB
- Ntase, nucleotidyl transferase
- PBMCs, peripheral-blood mononuclear cells
- PD-1, programmed death receptor 1
- PD-L1, programmed death ligand 1
- PDE, phosphodiesterases
- PDK1, 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1
- PPi, pyrophosphoric acid
- PROTACs, proteolysis targeting chimeras
- PRRs, pattern recognition receptors
- QC, quinacrine
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- SDD, scaffold and dimerization domain
- STAT, signal transducer and activator of transcription
- STING
- STING, stimulator of interferon genes
- Small molecule modulators
- TBK1
- TBK1, TANK-binding kinase 1
- THIQCs, tetrahydroisoquinolone acetic acids
- TNFRSF, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily
- ULD, ubiquitin-like domain
- VHL, von Hippel–Lindau
- cAIMP, cyclic adenosine-inosine monophosphate
- cGAMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate
- cGAS
- cGAS, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase
- dsDNA, double-stranded DNA
- i.t., intratumoral
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Gong Y, Chen M, Tan Y, Shen J, Jin Q, Deng W, Sun J, Wang C, Liu Z, Chen Q. Injectable Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive SN38 Prodrug Scaffold with Checkpoint Inhibitors for Combined Chemoimmunotherapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:50248-50259. [PMID: 33135879 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents have been widely used for cancer treatment in clinics. Aside from their direct cytotoxicity to cancer cells, some of them could activate the immune system of the host, contributing to the enhanced antitumor activity. Here, the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive hydrogel, covalently cross-linked by phenylboronic acid-modified 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38-SA-BA) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), is fabricated for topical delivery of anti-programmed cell death protein ligand 1 antibodies (aPDL1). In the presence of endogenous ROS, SN38-SA-BA will be oxidized and hydrolyzed, leading to the degradation of hydrogel and the release of initial free SN38 and encapsulated aPDL1. It is demonstrated that SN38 could elicit specific immune responses by triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD) of cancer cells, a distinct cell death pathway featured with the release of immunostimulatory damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Meanwhile, the released aPDL1 could bind to programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PDL1) expressed on cancer cells to augment antitumor T cell responses. Thus, the ROS-responsive prodrug hydrogel loaded with aPDL1 could induce effective innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses after local injection, significantly inhibiting or even eliminating those tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimou Gong
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Muchao Chen
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yanjun Tan
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Shen
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Qiutong Jin
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Wutong Deng
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Jian Sun
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chao Wang
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Qian Chen
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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Neothalfine, a potent natural anti-tumor agent against metastatic colorectal cancer and its primary mechanism. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 29:115849. [PMID: 33221063 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neothalfine is a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid with the abundant resource in medicinal plants and has not been reported its anti-tumor efficacy. In the present study, the anti-tumor efficacy was investigated and it showed broad-spectrum activity against several cancer cell lines, especially metastatic colorectal cancer (HCT116, SW620, T84) with the IC50 values of 7.2, 5.9, 8.2 nM, respectively, roughly equal to well-known anti-tumor agent docetaxel (4.0, 4.7, 2.7 nM) and nearly 1000 folds than CPT-11 (4.4, 5.1, 6.9 μM). Furthermore, neothalfine inhibited colorectal cell proliferation by resulting in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis through the dysfunction of mitochondria to trigger intrinsic apoptotic pathway by untargeted metabolomic method, mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3/7 activity assay. Moreover, neothalfine damaged colorectal cancer clonal spheres expansion significantly at the concentration of 3.5 nM with nearly 1000 folds efficacy than CPT-11 (3.0 µM). The results supported that neothalfine might be an anti-tumor lead for further investigation.
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45
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Liu K, Lan Y, Li X, Li M, Cui L, Luo H, Luo L. Development of small molecule inhibitors/agonists targeting STING for disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110945. [PMID: 33254439 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS) -stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway is the primary immune response pathway in the cytoplasm. Pharmacological regulation of the STING pathway has good characteristics in both structure and function, which plays a significant role in the immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and cancer. In this review, we summarized the activation of STING signaling pathway, the STING-related diseases, the development principle and the latest progress of inhibitors and agonists targeting STING. Our review demonstrates that STING signal pathway is a promising drug target, providing effective clues and correct guidance for the discovery of novel small molecule inhibitors/agonists that targeted STING for cancer, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifeng Liu
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524023, China
| | - Yongqi Lan
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524023, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Animal Experiment Center of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524023, China
| | - Mingyue Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524023, China
| | - Hui Luo
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524023, China
| | - Lianxiang Luo
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524023, China; The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524023, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524023, China.
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46
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Kuang Z, Heng Y, Huang S, Shi T, Chen L, Xu L, Mei H. Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis and Ensemble-Based Flexible Docking of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: A Pilot Study. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:26914-26923. [PMID: 33111018 PMCID: PMC7581254 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Although mAbs targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway have achieved remarkable therapeutic potential against multiple types of cancer, it is still of great interest for researchers to develop small-molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors without the mAb-related disadvantages of no oral bioavailability and poor solid tumor penetration. However, targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with small molecules is normally considered challenging because of the flat and large interaction surface of the PD-1/PD-L1 complex. In this paper, a total of 2558 PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were compiled from recent patents and literatures and then used for exploring the chemical space and structural features of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors by partial least-squares discriminant analysis. The results showed that intramolecular H bond, amphotericity indices, radius of gyration, nonbond electrostatic energy, fractional van der Waals surface area of H-bond donors, octanol-water partition coefficient, and molecular weight are the seven key features discriminating the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors from noninhibitors, with the prediction accuracy larger than 0.90. Based on the seven crystal structures of the PD-L1 dimer complexed with the patent Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) inhibitors, the feasibility of molecular docking for this unconventional binding pocket was further investigated. The results showed that the ensemble-based flexible docking protocol can reproduce the near-native binding conformations of the BMS inhibitors with a strong correlation between the IC50 values and ligand-receptor interaction energies (R = 0.81). In general, this paper delineates, for the first time, the characteristic features of the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as well as a high-quality flexible docking strategy for the unconventional binding pocket of the PD-L1 dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuyin Kuang
- Key
Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yu Heng
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Shuheng Huang
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Tingting Shi
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Linxin Chen
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Lei Xu
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Hu Mei
- Key
Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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47
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Federico S, Pozzetti L, Papa A, Carullo G, Gemma S, Butini S, Campiani G, Relitti N. Modulation of the Innate Immune Response by Targeting Toll-like Receptors: A Perspective on Their Agonists and Antagonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13466-13513. [PMID: 32845153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a class of proteins that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damaged-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and they are involved in the regulation of innate immune system. These transmembrane receptors, localized at the cellular or endosomal membrane, trigger inflammatory processes through either myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) or TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) signaling pathways. In the last decades, extensive research has been performed on TLR modulators and their therapeutic implication under several pathological conditions, spanning from infections to cancer, from metabolic disorders to neurodegeneration and autoimmune diseases. This Perspective will highlight the recent discoveries in this field, emphasizing the role of TLRs in different diseases and the therapeutic effect of their natural and synthetic modulators, and it will discuss insights for the future exploitation of TLR modulators in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Federico
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Pozzetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Papa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicola Relitti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
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48
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Geng Q, Rohondia SO, Khan HJ, Jiao P, Dou QP. Small molecules as antagonists of co-inhibitory pathways for cancer immunotherapy: a patent review (2018-2019). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:677-694. [PMID: 32715813 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1801640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Therapeutic antibodies blocking co-inhibitory pathways do not attack tumor cells directly, but instead bind to their targeted proteins and mobilize the immune system to eradicate tumors. However, only a small fraction of patients with certain cancer types can benefit from the antibodies. Additionally, antibodies have shown serious immune-related adverse events in certain patients. Small-molecule antagonists may be a complementary and potentially synergistic approach to antibodies for patients with various cancers. AREAS COVERED The authors review the small molecules as antagonists of co-inhibitory pathway proteins, summarize their preliminary SARs, discuss biochemistry assays used in patents for the development of small molecules as novel antagonists. EXPERT OPINION The disclosed pharmacophores of small molecules as co-inhibitory pathway antagonists are represented by biphenyl derivatives, biaryl derivatives, teraryl derivatives, quateraryl derivatives, and oxadiazole/thiadiazole derivatives. However, these antagonists are still inferior to therapeutic antibodies in their inhibitory activities due to relatively flat of human co-inhibitory pathways proteins. Allosteric modulators may be an alternative approach. The more safety and efficacy evaluation trials of small-molecule antagonists targeting co-inhibitory pathways should be performed to demonstrate the proof-of-principle that small-molecule antagonists can result in sustained safety and antitumor response in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Geng
- Department of Chemistry, Qilu Normal University , Jinan, China
| | - Sagar O Rohondia
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Harras J Khan
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Peifu Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, Qilu Normal University , Jinan, China
| | - Q Ping Dou
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, USA
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Discovery of novel resorcinol diphenyl ether-based PROTAC-like molecules as dual inhibitors and degraders of PD-L1. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 199:112377. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Cheng B, Ren Y, Niu X, Wang W, Wang S, Tu Y, Liu S, Wang J, Yang D, Liao G, Chen J. Discovery of Novel Resorcinol Dibenzyl Ethers Targeting the Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Cell Death–Ligand 1 Interaction as Potential Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2020; 63:8338-8358. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yichang Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoge Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuanghu Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yingfeng Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jin Wang
- AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Deying Yang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guochao Liao
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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