New in Vivo Compatible Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 Inhibitors

Novel Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) Inhibitors in Cancer Treatment

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to a family of zinc-dependent proteolytic metalloenzymes. MMP-9, a member of the gelatinase B family, is characterized as one of the most intricate MMPs. The crucial involvement of MMP-9 in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling underscores its significant correlation with each stage of cancer pathogenesis and progression. The design and synthesis of MMP-9 inhibitors is a potentially attractive research area. Unfortunately, to date, there is no effective MMP-9 inhibitor that passes the clinical trials and is approved by the FDA. This review primarily focuses on exploring the diverse strategies employed in the design and advancement of MMP-9 inhibitors, along with their anticancer effects and selectivity. To illuminate the essential structural characteristics necessary for the future design of novel MMP-9 inhibitors, the current narrative review highlights several recently discovered MMP-9 inhibitors exhibiting notable selectivity and potency.

Secretomics reveals gelatinase substrates at the blood-brain barrier that are implicated in astroglial barrier function

The gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, are key for leukocyte penetration of the brain parenchymal border in neuroinflammation and the functional integrity of this barrier; however, it is unclear which MMP substrates are involved. Using a tailored, sensitive, label-free mass spectrometry-based secretome approach, not previously applied to nonimmune cells, we identified 119 MMP-9 and 21 MMP-2 potential substrates at the cell surface of primary astrocytes, including known substrates (β-dystroglycan) and a broad spectrum of previously unknown MMP-dependent events involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Using neuroinflammation as a model of assessing compromised astroglial barrier function, a selection of the potential MMP substrates were confirmed in vivo and verified in human samples, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and neuronal cell adhesion molecule. We provide a unique resource of potential MMP-2/MMP-9 substrates specific for the astroglia barrier. Our data support a role for the gelatinases in the formation and maintenance of this barrier but also in astrocyte-neuron interactions.

The roles of theaflavins in reducing dentin erosion

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of theaflavins [TFs] on the process of dentin erosion and investigation the potential mechanism. For erosion kinetics of the dentin, 7 experimental groups (n = 5) treated with 10% ethanol [EtOH] (negative control) are erosion for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 d erosion cycles (4 cycles/d). For the effect of TFs on dentin erosion, 6 experimental groups (n = 5) were treated with 1% epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG], 1% chlorhexidine [CHX], 1%, 2%, 4%, and 8% TFs for the 30 s and then subjected to erosion cycles (4 cycles/d for 7 d). The erosive dentin wear (μm) and surface morphology were evaluated and compared by laser scanning confocal microscope and scanning electron microscopy. The matrix metalloproteinase inhibition effects of TFs were investigated using in situ zymography and molecular docking. TFs-treated collagen was investigated by ultimate microtensile strength, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and molecular docking. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The TFs-treated groups (7.56 ± 0.39, 5.29 ± 0.61, 3.28 ± 0.33, and 2.62 ± 0.99 μm for 1%, 2%, 4%, and 8% TFs) had significantly lower erosive dentin wear than the negative control group (11.23 ± 0.82 μm), and the effect was concentration-dependent at low concentrations (P < 0.05). TFs inhibit matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]. Moreover, TFs crosslink dentin collagen and cause hydrophilic changes in dentin collagen. TFs preserve organic matrix within the demineralized dentin by inhibiting MMP activity and simultaneously improving collagen's resistance to enzymes, both of which contribute to preventing or slowing down the progression of dentin erosion.

Influence of N-arylsulfonamido d-valine N-substituents on the selectivity and potency of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

To develop matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) for both therapy and medicinal imaging by fluorescence-based techniques or positron-emission tomography (PET), a small library of eighteen N-substituted N-arylsulfonamido d-valines were synthesized and their potency to inhibit two gelatinases (MMP-2, and MMP-9), two collagenases (MMP-8, and MMP-13) and macrophage elastase (MMP-12) was determined in a Structure-Activity-Relation study with ({4-[3-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]phenyl}sulfonyl)-d-valine (1) as a lead. All compounds were shown to be more potent MMP-2/-9 inhibitors (nanomolar range) compared to other tested MMPs. This is a remarkable result considering that a carboxylic acid group is the zinc binding moiety. The compound with a terminal fluoropropyltriazole group at the furan ring (P1' substituent) was only four times less potent in inhibiting MMP-2 activity than the lead compound 1, making this compound a promising probe for PET application (after using a prosthetic group approach to introduce fluorine-18). Compounds with a TEG spacer and a terminal azide or even a fluorescein moiety at the sulfonylamide N atom (P2' substituent) were almost as active as the lead structure 1, making the latter derivative a suitable fluorescence imaging tool.

Insights into the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Precancerous Conditions and in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide. CRC is derived from polyps and many factors, such as Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) can gain the progression of colorectal carcinogenesis. Many investigations have indicated the role of MMPs in CRC development while there is not enough knowledge about the function of MMPs in precancerous conditions. This review summarizes the current information about the role of MMPs in polyps and CRC progression.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third and second cancer for incidence and mortality worldwide, respectively, and is becoming prevalent in developing countries. Most CRCs derive from polyps, especially adenomatous polyps, which can gradually transform into CRC. The family of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of CRC. Prominent MMPs, including MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, and MMP-21, have been detected in CRC patients, and the expression of most of them correlates with a poor prognosis. Moreover, many studies have explored the inhibition of MMPs and targeted therapy for CRC, but there is not enough information about the role of MMPs in polyp malignancy. In this review, we discuss the role of MMPs in colorectal cancer and its pathogenesis

Cisplatin combined with capecitabine-induced chemotherapy for local nasopharyngeal carcinoma can improve the quality of life and reduce toxic and side effects

Background

This study was designed to probe into the effect of cisplatin combined with capecitabine on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

A total of 136 NPC patients treated for the first time in our hospital from January 2016 to March 2017 were collected and divided into two groups: A and B. Among them, 66 in group A were treated with cisplatin intravenous drip, while 70 in group B were treated with capecitabine on the basis of group A. The efficacy, toxic and side effects, and quality of life of the two groups were observed.

Results

The short-term efficacy of group B was better than that of group A (p<0.05). The toxic and side effects of group B were lower than that of group A (p<0.05). The quality of life in group B was higher than that in group A (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Cisplatin combined with capecitabine-induced chemotherapy for local NPC can improve the quality of life and reduce the toxic and side effects.

Biphenyl substituted lysine derivatives as recognition elements for the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are an important factor in cancer progression and metastasis, especially gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. A simple methodology for their detection and monitoring is highly desirable. Molecular probes have been very widely and successfully applied to study the activity of MMPs in cellular processes in vitro. We thus synthesized a small compound library of MMP-2 and MMP-9 binding probes based on drug molecules and endowed with free amine groups for the functionalization of transducer surfaces. In this study, we combined experimental results obtained by a kinetic fluorogenic peptide substrate cleavage assay with molecular modeling studies in order to assess the ability of the probe to bind to their target enzymes. The synthesized biphenyl substituted lysine derivatives showed IC₅₀-values in the low nanomolar concentration range against MMP-2 (ligands 3a-d: 3 nM to 8 µM, ligands 4a-d: 45 nM to 350 µM) and low micromolar range against MMP-9 (ligands 3a-d: 350 nM to 60 µM, ligands 4a-d: 5 µM to 600 µM), with a selectivity up to more than 160-fold for MMP-2. The experimental results correlated well with molecular modelling with FleXAID and X-score functions. We showed that in our compound series, the side chain remained far away from the S1' cavity and the ligand for all the docked minima. Ligands 4a-d with their free amine group on the side chain may thus be bound to transducer surfaces for the fabrication of sensors, while retaining their activity against their target enzymes.

Stimuli-activatable nanomaterials for phototherapy of cancer

Phototherapy including photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), as non-invasive therapy approaches, have gained accumulated attention for cancer treatment in past years. PTT and PDT can generate local hyperthermia effects and reactive oxygen species (ROS) respectively, for tumor eradication. To improve the therapeutic performance while minimizing the reverse side effects of phototherapy, extensive efforts have been devoted to developing stimuli-activatable (e.g. pH, redox, ROS, enzyme, etc) nanomaterials for tumor-specific delivery/activation of the phototherapeutics. In this review, we first overviewed the recent advances of the engineered stimuli-responsive nanovectors for the phototherapy of cancer. We particularly summarized the progress of stimuli-activatable nanomaterials-based combinatory therapy strategies for augmenting the performance of phototherapy. We further discuss challenges for the clinical translation of nanomaterials-based phototherapy.

Novel matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: an updated patent review (2014 - 2020)

Introduction: Matrix MetalloProteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes in several pathophysiological processes connected to the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Earlier clinical trials evaluating broad spectrum MMP inhibitors as cancer therapeutics failed to succeed, resulting in toxic side effects, such as musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, due to poor selectivity. As it is now recognized that some MMPs are essential for tumor progression and metastasis, but others play host-protective functions, selective MMP inhibitors are needed, and their interest has grown also for therapeutic applications beyond cancer, such as infectious, inflammatory and neurological diseases. Areas covered: This updated review describes patents concerning MMP inhibitors published within January 2014 and June 2020, with therapeutic applications spanning from cancer to inflammatory and neurological disorders. Expert opinion: Although the number of patents has decreased with respect to the previous decade, new applications provide selective matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors for therapeutic treatments beyond cancer. For several applications, the need of selective inhibitors resulted in the development of new non-hydroxamate compounds, paving the way towards a renewed interest towards MMPs as therapeutic targets. In particular, inhibitors able to cross the blood-brain barrier have been disclosed and proposed for the treatment of neurological conditions, infections, wound healing and cancer.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitors in cancer: A minireview

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc dependent proteolytic metalloenzyme. MMP-9 is one of the most complex forms of matrix metalloproteinases. MMP-9 has the ability to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) components and has important role in the pathophysiological functions. Overexpression and dysregulation of MMP-9 is associated with various diseases. Thus, regulation and inhibition of MMP-9 is an important therapeutic approach for combating various diseases including cancer. Inhibitors of MMP-9 can be used as anticancer agents. Till date no selective MMP-9 inhibitors passed the clinical trials. In this review the structure, activation, function and inhibitors of MMP-9 are mainly focused. Some highly active and/or selective MMP-9 inhibitors have been discussed which may be helpful to explore the structural significance of MMP-9 inhibitors. This study may be useful to design new potent and selective MMP-9 inhibitors against cancer in future.