Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel prodrug, a S-trityl-l-cysteine derivative targeting kinesin spindle protein

Strategies for the development of stimuli-responsive small molecule prodrugs for cancer treatment

Approved anticancer drugs typically face challenges due to their narrow therapeutic window, primarily because of high systemic toxicity and limited selectivity for tumors. Prodrugs are initially inactive drug molecules designed to undergo specific chemical modifications. These modifications render the drugs inactive until they encounter specific conditions or biomarkers in vivo, at which point they are converted into active drug molecules. This thoughtful design significantly improves the efficacy of anticancer drug delivery by enhancing tumor specificity and minimizing off-target effects. Recent advancements in prodrug design have focused on integrating these strategies with delivery systems like liposomes, micelles, and polymerosomes to further improve targeting and reduce side effects. This review outlines strategies for designing stimuli-responsive small molecule prodrugs focused on cancer treatment, emphasizing their chemical structures and the mechanisms controlling drug release. By providing a comprehensive overview, we aim to highlight the potential of these innovative approaches to revolutionize cancer therapy.

Design, synthesis, molecular dynamics simulation, MM/GBSA studies and kinesin spindle protein inhibitory evaluation of some 4-aminoquinoline hybrids

The discovery of novel chemotherapeutic agents is always challenging for researchers in industry and academia. Among the recent promising anticancer therapeutic targets, an important modulatory factor in mitosis is the expression of the kinesin family motor protein (Eg5). In terms of chemotherapy treatment, mitosis has gained significant attention due to its role as one of the biological processes that can be intervened in it. This study was undertaken to design, synthesise and evaluation of 4-aminoquinoline hybrid compounds as potential Eg5 inhibitors. Based on data collected from Malachite green and steady state ATPase assays, it has been determined that compounds such as 6c, 6d, 6g, and 6h are sensitive to Eg5 inhibition. In special mention, compounds 4 and 6c showed promising inhibitory activity in Malachite green assay with IC₅₀ values of 2.32 ± 0.23 µM and 1.97 ± 0.23 µM respectively. Compound 4 showed favourable inhibitory potential Steady state ATPase Assay with IC₅₀ value of 5.39 ± 1.39 µM. We performed molecular docking, MM/GBSA calculations, and molecular dynamic simulations to evaluate the interactions between ligands and the binding site of the kinesin spindle protein to evaluate the functional consequences of these interactions. As a result of these findings, it can be concluded that these 4-amioquinoline Schiff's base hybrids may prove to be promising candidates for development as novel inhibitors of Eg5. Further in-vivo research in this area is required.

New Carbonate-Based Materials and Study of Cytotoxic Capacity in Cancer Cells

Calcium carbonate, one of the most commonly found biominerals produced by organisms, has shown great potential for the development of systems with biological applications due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and simple chemical composition. Here, we focus on the synthesis of various carbonate-based materials with vaterite phase control and their subsequent functionalization for applications in treating glioblastoma, one of the most limiting tumors currently without effective treatments. The incorporation of l-cysteine into the systems increased cell selectivity while the incorporation of manganese supplied the materials with cytotoxic capacity. Extensive characterization of the systems by infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the incorporation of the different fragments causing selectivity and cytotoxicity to the systems. To verify their therapeutic activity, the vaterite-based materials were tested in the CT2A cell line (murine glioma) and compared to SKBR3 (breast cancer) and HEK-293T (human kidney) cell lines. These studies on the cytotoxicity of the materials have shown promising results that can encourage future in vivo studies in glioblastoma models.

Kinesin spindle protein inhibitors in cancer: from high throughput screening to novel therapeutic strategies

Bringing to a halt the cell cycle in mitosis and interfering with its normal progression is one of the most successful anti-cancer strategies used nowadays. Classically, several kinds of anti-cancer drugs like taxanes and vinca alkaloids directly inhibit microtubules during cell division. These drugs exhibit serious side effects, most importantly, severe peripheral neuropathies. Alternatively, KSP inhibitors are grasping a lot of research attention as less toxic mitotic inhibitors. In this review, we track the medicinal chemistry developmental stages of KSP inhibitors. Moreover, we address the challenges that are faced during the development of KSP inhibitor therapy for cancer and future insights for the latest advances in research that are directed to find active KSP inhibitor drugs.

Scientists have recognized the importance of selective KSP inhibitors in the early 2000s and so various KSP protein inhibitors have been investigated. Only ten of these have been clinically evaluated for cancer treatment. Ispinesib (SB-715992) and filanesib (Arry-520) were the most promising small molecules in clinical trials against the KSP protein. Many challenges are faced during the development of an active anti-KSP drug; most importantly are the unsatisfactory clinical trial results. Designing dual inhibitors, antibody–drug conjugates, combination therapy and gene therapy approach are among the main strategies that are being investigated nowadays to find new effective KSP inhibitors. The scientific research efforts are still devoted to find an effective and tolerable KSP inhibitor drug that can gain US FDA approval.