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Guidetti F, Arribas AJ, Sartori G, Spriano F, Barnabei L, Tarantelli C, Von Roemeling R, Martinez E, Zucca E, Bertoni F. Targeting IRAK4 with Emavusertib in Lymphoma Models with Secondary Resistance to PI3K and BTK Inhibitors. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020399. [PMID: 36675328 PMCID: PMC9864368 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) represent a recognized option for the treatment of patients affected by indolent B cell lymphomas. However, small molecules as single agents show limited success in their ability in inducing complete responses, with only partial remission achieved in most patients, suggesting the need for combination therapies. IRAK4 is a protein kinase downstream of the Toll-like receptor signaling (TLR), a driver pathway of secondary tumor° resistance in both hematological and solid tumor malignancies. Activation of IRAK4 upon TLRs and IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) stimulation and through the adaptor protein MYD88 initiates a signaling cascade that induces cytokine and survival factor expression mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB. MYD88-L265P encoding mutations occur in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, in lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas and in few marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). The IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib (CA-4948) has shown early safety and clinical activity in lymphoma and leukemia patients. In this preclinical study, we assessed emavusertib effectiveness in MZL, both as single agent and in combination with targeted agents, with a particular focus on its capability to overcome resistance to BTK and PI3K inhibitors. We showed that the presence of MYD88 L265P mutation in bona fide MZL cell lines confers sensitivity to the IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib as single agent. Emavusertib-based combinations improved the sensitivity of MZL cells to BTK and PI3K inhibitors, including cells with a secondary resistance to these agents. Emavusertib exerted its activity via inhibition of NF-κB signaling and induction of apoptosis. Considering the early safety data from clinical trials, our study identifies the IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib as a novel compound to be explored in trials for patients with MYD88-mutated indolent B cell lymphomas as single agent and as combination partner with BTK or PI3K inhibitors in unselected populations of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Guidetti
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alberto J. Arribas
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Sartori
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Filippo Spriano
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Laura Barnabei
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Tarantelli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Emanuele Zucca
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-58-666-7206
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Labbozzetta M, Barreca M, Spanò V, Raimondi MV, Poma P, Notarbartolo M, Barraja P, Montalbano A. Novel insights on [1,2]oxazolo[5,4-e]isoindoles on multidrug resistant acute myeloid leukemia cell line. Drug Dev Res 2022; 83:1331-1341. [PMID: 35749723 PMCID: PMC9540667 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A series of [1,2]oxazolo[5,4-e]isoindole derivatives was evaluated against HL-60 cell line and its multidrug resistance (MDR) variant, HL-60R, resistant to doxorubicin and to other P-gp substrates by overexpressing the efflux pump. They displayed antiproliferative activities, with IC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 5.5 µM. In particular, the newly synthesized compound 4k produced synergistic effects in terms of cell growth inhibition and cell death induction either in combination with a Vinca alkaloid, Vinblastine, and a Taxane, Paclitaxel in HL-60R cells. The study of the mechanism of action indicated that all compounds showed antimitotic activity through inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Thus, [1,2]oxazoles could represent a valuable tool to overcome MDR mechanism, confirming the potential use of this class of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Labbozzetta
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Marilia Barreca
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Maria Valeria Raimondi
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Paola Poma
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Monica Notarbartolo
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
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Cilibrasi V, Spanò V, Bortolozzi R, Barreca M, Raimondi MV, Rocca R, Maruca A, Montalbano A, Alcaro S, Ronca R, Viola G, Barraja P. Synthesis of 2H-Imidazo[2',1':2,3] [1,3]thiazolo[4,5-e]isoindol-8-yl-phenylureas with promising therapeutic features for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3/ITD mutations. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 235:114292. [PMID: 35339838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite progressive advances in understanding the molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the conventional therapeutic approach has not changed substantially, and the outcome for most patients is poor. Thus, continuous efforts on the discovery of new compounds with improved features are required. Following a multistep sequence, we have identified a new tetracyclic ring system with strong antiproliferative activity towards several haematological cell lines. The new compounds possess structural properties typical of inactive-state-binding kinase inhibitors and are structurally related to quizartinib which is known as type-II tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In particular, the high activity found in two cell lines MOLM-13 and MV4-11, expressing the constitutively activated mutant FLT3/ITD, indicates inhibition of FLT3 kinase and on the basis of structure-activity relationship (SAR) the presence of an ureido moiety demonstrates to play a key role in driving the antiproliferative activity towards these cell lines. Molecular modelling studies supported the mechanism of recognition of the most active compounds within the FLT3 pocket where quizartinib binds. Moreover, Molecular Dynamics simulation (MDs) revealed the formation of a recurrent H-bond with Asp829, which more stabilizes the complex of 9c and the FLT3 inactive state. In MV4-11 cell line compound 9c reduces the phosphorylation of FLT3 (Y591) and some of its downstream targets leading to cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and induction of apoptosis. In an MV4-11 xenograft mouse model, 9c significantly reduces the tumor growth at the dose of 1-3 mg/kg without apparent toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cilibrasi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Bortolozzi
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padova, Italy
| | - Marilia Barreca
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Raimondi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Rocca
- Net4Science srl, Academic Spinoff, Università Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annalisa Maruca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Net4Science srl, Academic Spinoff, Università Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Net4Science srl, Academic Spinoff, Università Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Traslazionale Unità di Oncologia Sperimentale ed Immunologia, Università di Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padova, Italy; Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Laboratorio di Oncoematologia Università di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
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Barreca M, Spanò V, Raimondi MV, Bivacqua R, Giuffrida S, Montalbano A, Cavalli A, Bertoni F, Barraja P. GPCR Inhibition in Treating Lymphoma. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:358-364. [PMID: 38239337 PMCID: PMC10796172 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important classes of cell surface receptors involved in multiple physiological functions. Aberrant expression, upregulation, and mutation of GPCR signaling pathways are frequent in many types of cancers, promoting hyperproliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Recent studies showed that alterations of GPCRs are involved in different lymphoma types. Herein, we review the synthetic strategies to obtain GPCR inhibitors, focusing on CXCR4 inhibitors which represent most of the GPCR inhibitors available in the market or under preclinical investigations for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilia Barreca
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria V Raimondi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Bivacqua
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuffrida
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Via Francesco Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge - Batiment Amphipole, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Via Francesco Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Via Vincenzo Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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