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Zhao Q, Han B, Peng C, Zhang N, Huang W, He G, Li JL. A promising future of metal-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in medicinal chemistry: The emerging bioorganometallic antitumor agents. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:2194-2235. [PMID: 38591229 DOI: 10.1002/med.22039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Metal complexes based on N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have emerged as promising broad-spectrum antitumor agents in bioorganometallic medicinal chemistry. In recent decades, studies on cytotoxic metal-NHC complexes have yielded numerous compounds exhibiting superior cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin. Although the molecular mechanisms of these anticancer complexes are not fully understood, some potential targets and modes of action have been identified. However, a comprehensive review of their biological mechanisms is currently absent. In general, apoptosis caused by metal-NHCs is common in tumor cells. They can cause a series of changes after entering cells, such as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) variation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cytochrome c (cyt c) release, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, lysosome damage, and caspase activation, ultimately leading to apoptosis. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the influence of metal-NHCs on cancer cell apoptosis is crucial. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent advances in metal-NHC complexes that trigger apoptotic cell death via different apoptosis-related targets or signaling pathways, including B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2 family), p53, cyt c, ER stress, lysosome damage, thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibition, and so forth. We also discuss the challenges, limitations, and future directions of metal-NHC complexes to elucidate their emerging application in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Dermatology & Venerolog, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology & Venerolog, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun-Long Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Anti-Infective Agent Creation Engineering Research Centre of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Xu Z, Wang L, Hu H. Current scenario of fused pyrimidines with in vivo anticancer therapeutic potential. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2400202. [PMID: 38752780 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis, is responsible for nearly one in six deaths and represents a severe threat to public health worldwide. Chemotherapy can substantially improve the quality of life and survival of patients with cancer, but anticancer chemotherapeutics are associated with a range of adverse effects. Moreover, almost all currently available anticancer chemotherapeutics could develop drug resistance over a period of time of application in cancer patients and ultimately lead to cancer relapse and death in 90% of patients, creating an urgent need to develop new anticancer agents. Fused pyrimidines trait the inextricable part of DNA and RNA and are vital in numerous biological processes. Fused pyrimidines can act on various biological cancer targets and have the potential to address drug resistance. In addition, more than 20 fused pyrimidines have already been approved for clinical treatment of different cancers and occupy a prominent place in the current therapeutic arsenal, revealing that fused pyrimidines are privileged scaffolds for the development of novel anticancer chemotherapeutics. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current scenario of fused pyrimidines with in vivo anticancer therapeutic potential along with their acute toxicity, metabolic profiles as well as pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity and mechanisms of action developed from 2020 to the present to facilitate further rational exploitation of more effective candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xu
- Huanghuai University Industry Innovation & Research and Development Institute, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Zhumadian Agriculture International Cooperation and Exchange Center, Zhumadian, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyan Hu
- Zhumadian Aquatic Technology Promotion Station, Zhumadian, Henan, People's Republic of China
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3
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Jia S, Jia Y, Liang S, Wu L. Research progress of multi-target HDAC inhibitors blocking the BRD4-LIFR-JAK1-STAT3 signaling pathway in the treatment of cancer. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 110:117827. [PMID: 38964169 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117827] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) show beneficial effects on different hematological malignancy subtypes. However, their impacts on treating solid tumors are still limited due to diverse resistance mechanisms. Recent studies have found that the feedback activation of BRD4-LIFR-JAK1-STAT3 pathway after HDACi incubation is a vital mechanism inducing resistance of specific solid tumor cells to HDACis. This review summarizes the recent development of multi-target HDACis that can concurrently block BRD4-LIFR-JAK1-STAT3 pathway. Moreover, our findings hope to shed novel lights on developing novel multi-target HDACis with reduced BRD4-LIFR-JAK1-STAT3-mediated drug resistance in some tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Jia
- Jincheng People's Hospital, Jincheng 048026, China
| | - Yuye Jia
- Jincheng People's Hospital, Jincheng 048026, China
| | - Sufang Liang
- Jincheng People's Hospital, Jincheng 048026, China
| | - Liqiang Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
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4
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Jin X, Jin W, Tong L, Zhao J, Zhang L, Lin N. Therapeutic strategies of targeting non-apoptotic regulated cell death (RCD) with small-molecule compounds in cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2815-2853. [PMID: 39027232 PMCID: PMC11252466 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD) is a controlled form of cell death orchestrated by one or more cascading signaling pathways, making it amenable to pharmacological intervention. RCD subroutines can be categorized as apoptotic or non-apoptotic and play essential roles in maintaining homeostasis, facilitating development, and modulating immunity. Accumulating evidence has recently revealed that RCD evasion is frequently the primary cause of tumor survival. Several non-apoptotic RCD subroutines have garnered attention as promising cancer therapies due to their ability to induce tumor regression and prevent relapse, comparable to apoptosis. Moreover, they offer potential solutions for overcoming the acquired resistance of tumors toward apoptotic drugs. With an increasing understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing these non-apoptotic RCD subroutines, a growing number of small-molecule compounds targeting single or multiple pathways have been discovered, providing novel strategies for current cancer therapy. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the current regulatory mechanisms of the emerging non-apoptotic RCD subroutines, mainly including autophagy-dependent cell death, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, disulfidptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, alkaliptosis, oxeiptosis, parthanatos, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, and immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, we focused on discussing the pharmacological regulatory mechanisms of related small-molecule compounds. In brief, these insightful findings may provide valuable guidance for investigating individual or collaborative targeting approaches towards different RCD subroutines, ultimately driving the discovery of novel small-molecule compounds that target RCD and significantly enhance future cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jin
- Department of Ultrasound, Department of Medical Oncology and Department of Hematology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Wenke Jin
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Linlin Tong
- Department of Ultrasound, Department of Medical Oncology and Department of Hematology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound, Department of Medical Oncology and Department of Hematology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Na Lin
- Department of Ultrasound, Department of Medical Oncology and Department of Hematology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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5
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Thompson PE, Shortt J. Defeating MYC with drug combinations or dual-targeting drugs. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:490-502. [PMID: 38782688 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.04.008] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Members of the MYC family of proteins are a major target for cancer drug discovery, but the development of drugs that block MYC-driven cancers has not yet been successful. Approaches to achieve success may include the development of combination therapies or dual-acting drugs that target MYC at multiple nodes. Such treatments hold the possibility of additive or synergistic activity, potentially reducing side effect profiles and the emergence of resistance. In this review, we examine the prominent MYC-related targets and highlight those that have been targeted in combination and/or dual-target approaches. Finally, we explore the challenges of combination and dual-target approaches from a drug development perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip E Thompson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Jake Shortt
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Monash Hematology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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6
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Bauer N, Balourdas DI, Schneider JR, Zhang X, Berger LM, Berger BT, Schwalm MP, Klopp NA, Siveke JT, Knapp S, Joerger AC. Development of Potent Dual BET/HDAC Inhibitors via Pharmacophore Merging and Structure-Guided Optimization. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:266-279. [PMID: 38291964 PMCID: PMC10878397 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00427] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are prime targets in cancer therapy. Recent research has particularly focused on the development of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors for hard-to-treat tumors, such as pancreatic cancer. Here, we developed a new series of potent dual BET/HDAC inhibitors by choosing starting scaffolds that enabled us to optimally merge the two functionalities into a single compound. Systematic structure-guided modification of both warheads then led to optimized binders that were superior in potency to both parent compounds, with the best molecules of this series binding to both BRD4 bromodomains as well as HDAC1/2 with EC50 values in the 100 nM range in cellular NanoBRET target engagement assays. For one of our lead molecules, we could also show the selective inhibition of HDAC1/2 over all other zinc-dependent HDACs. Importantly, this on-target activity translated into promising efficacy in pancreatic cancer and NUT midline carcinoma cells. Our lead molecules effectively blocked histone H3 deacetylation in pancreatic cancer cells and upregulated the tumor suppressor HEXIM1 and proapoptotic p57, both markers of BET inhibition. In addition, they have the potential to downregulate the oncogenic drivers of NUT midline carcinoma, as demonstrated for MYC and TP63 mRNA levels. Overall, this study expands the portfolio of available dual BET/class I HDAC inhibitors for future translational studies in different cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Bauer
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Dimitrios-Ilias Balourdas
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Joel R. Schneider
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xin Zhang
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena M. Berger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Martin P. Schwalm
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
- German
Translational Cancer Network (DKTK) Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Nick A. Klopp
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens T. Siveke
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
- German
Translational Cancer Network (DKTK) Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Andreas C. Joerger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
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7
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Li R, Wu Y, Li Y, Shuai W, Wang A, Zhu Y, Hu X, Xia Y, Ouyang L, Wang G. Targeted regulated cell death with small molecule compounds in colorectal cancer: Current perspectives of targeted therapy and molecular mechanisms. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116040. [PMID: 38142509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116040] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), a tumor of the digestive system, is characterized by high malignancy and poor prognosis. Currently, targeted therapy of CRC is far away from satisfying. The molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death (RCD) have been clearly elucidated, which can be intervened by drug or genetic modification. Numerous studies have provided substantial evidence linking these mechanisms to the progression and treatment of CRC. The RCD includes apoptosis, autophagy-dependent cell death (ADCD), ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, and immunogenic cell death, etc, which provide potential targets for anti-cancer treatment. For the last several years, small-molecule compounds targeting RCD have been a well concerned therapeutic strategy for CRC. This present review aims to describe the function of small-molecule compounds in the targeted therapy of CRC via targeting apoptosis, ADCD, ferroptosis, necroptosis, immunogenic dell death and pyroptosis, and their mechanisms. In addition, we prospect the application of newly discovered cuproptosis and disulfidptosis in CRC. Our review may provide references for the targeted therapy of CRC using small-molecule compounds targeting RCD, including the potential targets and candidate compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yan Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wen Shuai
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Aoxue Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiuying Hu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yong Xia
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Medicine in Sichuan Province/Rehabilitation Medicine Research Institute, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Management Department of Scientific Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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8
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Wang Y, Huang A, Chen L, Sun F, Zhao M, Zhang M, Xie Y, Xu S, Li M, Hong L, Li G, Wang R. Design and synthesis of dual BRD4/Src inhibitors for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116009. [PMID: 38070430 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116009] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an extremely aggressive tumor with limited treatment options and effectiveness. Dual-target inhibitors capable of simultaneously suppressing invasion may represent a promising therapeutic approach for TNBC. In this work, we developed a series of dual BRD4/Src inhibitors by connecting JQ1 and dasatinib using various linkers and evaluated their efficacy against TNBC both in vitro and in vivo. Among these compounds, HL403 demonstrated IC50 values of 133 nM for BRD4 inhibition and 4.5 nM for Src inhibition. Most importantly, HL403 not only exhibited potent anti-proliferative capabilities, but also effectively suppressed the invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. Finally, the anti-tumor efficacy of HL403 was validated in a mouse MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumor model, achieving a tumor growth inhibition rate (TGI) of 70.7 %, which was superior to the combination of JQ1 and dasatinib (TGI = 54.0 %). Our research provides a promising and feasible new strategy for improving the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Aima Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lu Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Fan Sun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Man Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yubao Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shiyu Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Min Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Liang Hong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Guofeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Institute of Materia Medica and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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9
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Shirbhate E, Singh V, Jahoriya V, Mishra A, Veerasamy R, Tiwari AK, Rajak H. Dual inhibitors of HDAC and other epigenetic regulators: A novel strategy for cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115938. [PMID: 37989059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
A significant advancement in the field of epigenetic drug discovery has been evidenced in recent years. Epigenetic alterations are hereditary, nevertheless reversible variations to DNA or histone adaptations that regulate gene function individualistically of the fundamental sequence. The design and synthesis of various drugs targeting epigenetic regulators open a new door for epigenetic-targeted therapies to parade worthwhile therapeutic potential for haematological and solid malignancies. Several ongoing clinical trials on dual targeting strategy are being conducted comprising HDAC inhibitory component and an epigenetic regulating agent. In this perspective, the review discusses the pharmacological aspects of HDAC and other epigenetic regulating factors as dual inhibitors as an emerging alternative approach for combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Shirbhate
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Vaibhav Singh
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Varsha Jahoriya
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Aditya Mishra
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Ravichandran Veerasamy
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, 08100, Bedong, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Cancer & System Therapeutics, UAMS College of Pharmacy, UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR, United States
| | - Harish Rajak
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India.
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10
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Das T, Khatun S, Jha T, Gayen S. HDAC9 as a Privileged Target: Reviewing its Role in Different Diseases and Structure-activity Relationships (SARs) of its Inhibitors. Mini Rev Med Chem 2024; 24:767-784. [PMID: 37818566 DOI: 10.2174/0113895575267301230919165827] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
HDAC9 is a histone deacetylase enzyme belonging to the class IIa of HDACs which catalyses histone deacetylation. HDAC9 inhibit cell proliferation by repairing DNA, arresting the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, and altering genetic expression. HDAC9 plays a significant part in human physiological system and are involved in various type of diseases like cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis and CVD, autoimmune response, inflammatory disease, osteoporosis and liver fibrosis. This review discusses the role of HDAC9 in different diseases and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of various hydroxamate and non-hydroxamate-based inhibitors. SAR of compounds containing several scaffolds have been discussed in detail. Moreover, structural requirements regarding the various components of HDAC9 inhibitor (cap group, linker and zinc-binding group) has been highlighted in this review. Though, HDAC9 is a promising target for the treatment of a number of diseases including cancer, a very few research are available. Thus, this review may provide useful information for designing novel HDAC9 inhibitors to fight against different diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Totan Das
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Samima Khatun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Tarun Jha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Natural Science Laboratory, Division of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Shovanlal Gayen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Laboratory of Drug Design and Discovery, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
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11
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Yang Y, Liu P, Zhou M, Yin L, Wang M, Liu T, Jiang X, Gao H. Small-molecule drugs of colorectal cancer: Current status and future directions. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166880. [PMID: 37696461 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166880] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the world's fourth most deadly cancer. CRC, as a genetic susceptible disease, faces significant challenges in optimizing prognosis through optimal drug treatment modalities. In recent decades, the development of innovative small-molecule drugs is expected to provide targeted interventions that accurately address the different molecular characteristics of CRC. Although the clinical application of single-target drugs is limited by the heterogeneity and high metastasis of CRC, novel small-molecule drug treatment strategies such as dual/multiple-target drugs, drug repurposing, and combination therapies can help overcome these challenges and provide new insights for improving CRC treatment. In this review, we focus on the current status of a range of small molecule drugs that are being considered for CRC therapy, including single-target drugs, dual/multiple-target drugs, drug repurposing and combination strategies, which will pave the way for targeting CRC vulnerabilities with small-molecule drugs in future personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiren Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengyu Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyang Zhou
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, United States
| | - Linzhou Yin
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huiyuan Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Pan Y, Hou H, Zhou B, Gao J, Gao F. Hydroxamic acid hybrids: Histone deacetylase inhibitors with anticancer therapeutic potency. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115879. [PMID: 37875056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115879] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs), a class of enzymes responsible for the removal of acetyl functional groups from the lysine residues in the amino-terminal tails of core histones, play a critical role in the modulation of chromatin architecture and the regulation of gene expression. Dysregulation of HDAC expression has been closely associated with the development of various cancers. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) could regulate diverse cellular pathways, cause cell cycle arrest, and promote programmed cell death, making them promising avenues for cancer therapy with potent efficacy and favorable toxicity profiles. Hybrid molecules incorporating two or more pharmacophores in one single molecule, have the potential to simultaneously inhibit two distinct cancer targets, potentially overcome drug resistance and minimize drug-drug interactions. Notably, hydroxamic acid hybrids, exemplified by fimepinostat and tinostamustine as potential HDACis, could exert the anticancer effects through induction of apoptosis, differentiation, and growth arrest in cancer cells, representing useful scaffolds for the discovery of novel HDACis. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current scenario of hydroxamic acid hybrids as HDACis with anticancer therapeutic potential developed since 2020 to facilitate further rational exploitation of more effective candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Pan
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Center for Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Haodong Hou
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Center for Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Center for Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jingyue Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Center for Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Center for Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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13
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Ru J, Wang Y, Li Z, Wang J, Ren C, Zhang J. Technologies of targeting histone deacetylase in drug discovery: Current progress and emerging prospects. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115800. [PMID: 37708798 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) catalyze the hydrolysis of acetyl-l-lysine side chains in histones and non-histones, which are key to epigenetic regulation in humans. Targeting HDACs has emerged as a promising strategy for treating various types of cancer, including myeloma and hematologic malignancies. At present, numerous small molecule inhibitors targeting HDACs are actively being investigated in clinical trials. Despite their potential efficacy in cancer treatment, HDAC inhibitors suffer from multi-directional selectivity and preclinical resistance issues. Hence, developing novel inhibitors based on cutting-edge medicinal chemistry techniques is essential to overcome these limitations and improve clinical outcomes. This manuscript presents an extensive overview of the properties and biological functions of HDACs in cancer, provides an overview of the current state of development and limitations of clinical HDAC inhibitors, and analyzes a range of innovative medicinal chemistry techniques that are applied. These techniques include selective inhibitors, dual-target inhibitors, proteolysis targeting chimeras, and protein-protein interaction inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxiao Ru
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China
| | - Zijia Li
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, USA
| | - Changyu Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
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14
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Wahi A, Manchanda N, Jain P, Jadhav HR. Targeting the epigenetic reader "BET" as a therapeutic strategy for cancer. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106833. [PMID: 37683545 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106833] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins have the ability to bind to acetylated lysine residues present in both histones and non-histone proteins. This binding is facilitated by the presence of tandem bromodomains. The regulatory role of BET proteins extends to chromatin dynamics, cellular processes, and disease progression. The BET family comprises of BRD 2, 3, 4 and BRDT. The BET proteins are a class of epigenetic readers that regulate the transcriptional activity of a multitude of genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. Thus, targeting BET proteins has been identified as a potentially efficacious approach for the treatment of cancer. BET inhibitors (BETis) are known to interfere with the binding of BET proteins to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin, thereby leading to the suppression of transcription of several genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Here in this review, we focus on role of Bromodomain and extra C-terminal (BET) proteins in cancer progression. Furthermore, numerous small-molecule inhibitors with pan-BET activity have been documented, with certain compounds currently undergoing clinical assessment. However, it is apparent that the clinical effectiveness of the present BET inhibitors is restricted, prompting the exploration of novel technologies to enhance their clinical outcomes and mitigate undesired adverse effects. Thus, strategies like development of selective BET-BD1, & BD2 inhibitors, dual and acting BET are also presented in this review and attempts to cover the chemistry needed for proper establishment of designed molecules into BRD have been made. Moreover, the review attempts to summarize the details of research till date and proposes a space for future development of BET inhibitor with diminished side effects. It can be concluded that discovery of isoform selective BET inhibitors can be a way forward in order to develop BET inhibitors with negligible side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Wahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Namish Manchanda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Priti Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India.
| | - Hemant R Jadhav
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India
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15
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Zhao C, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Li S, Liu M, Geng Y, Liu F, Chai Q, Meng H, Li M, Li J, Zheng Y, Zhang Y. Discovery of Novel Fedratinib-Based HDAC/JAK/BRD4 Triple Inhibitors with Remarkable Antitumor Activity against Triple Negative Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14150-14174. [PMID: 37796543 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Multitarget HDAC inhibitors capable of simultaneously blocking the BRD4-LIFR-JAK1-STAT3 signaling pathway hold great potential for the treatment of TNBC and other solid tumors. Herein, novel Fedratinib-based multitarget HDAC inhibitors were rationally designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated, among which compound 25ap stood out as a potent HDAC/JAK/BRD4 triple inhibitor. Satisfyingly, compound 25ap led to concurrent inhibition of HDACs and the BRD4-LIFR-JAK1-STAT3 signaling pathway, which was validated by hyper-acetylation of histone and α-tubulin, hypo-phosphorylation of STAT3, downregulation of LIFR, MCL-1, and c-Myc in MDA-MB-231 cells. The multitarget effects of 25ap contributed to its robust antitumor response, including potent antiproliferative activity, remarkable apoptosis-inducing activity, and inhibition of colony formation. Notably, 25ap possessed an acceptable therapeutic window between normal and cancerous cells, desirable in vitro metabolic stability in mouse microsome, and sufficient in vivo exposure via intraperitoneal administration. Additionally, the in vivo antitumor potency of 25ap was demonstrated in an MDA-MB-231 xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Jin'ge Zhang
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Shunda Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Mengyang Liu
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yinping Geng
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Fengling Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Qipeng Chai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Meng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Mengzhe Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Jintao Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yichao Zheng
- Key Lab of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies (Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Yingjie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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16
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Badran MM, Abbas SH, Fujita M, Abdel-Aziz M. Harnessing pyrimidine as a building block for histone deacetylase inhibitors. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2300208. [PMID: 37462396 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300208] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are well-established multifaceted bioactive agents against tumors and neurodegenerative disorders. Pyrimidine and its fused and substituted derivatives were employed as a surface recognition moiety of HDAC inhibitors. De facto, the literature was loaded with different success stories of pyrimidine-based HDAC inhibitors that garnered much interest. Provoked by our continuous interest in HDAC inhibitors, we summarized and elaborated on the successful harnessing of the pyrimidine scaffold in this regard. Furthermore, we dissect our perspective that may guide medicinal chemists for an effective future design of more active chemotherapeutic agents with potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Badran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Samar H Abbas
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Mikako Fujita
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Mohamed Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
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17
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Gajjela BK, Zhou MM. Bromodomain inhibitors and therapeutic applications. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 75:102323. [PMID: 37207401 PMCID: PMC10524616 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The bromodomain acts to recognize acetylated lysine in histones and transcription proteins and plays a fundamental role in chromatin-based cellular processes including gene transcription and chromatin remodeling. Many bromodomain proteins, particularly the bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) protein BRD4 have been implicated in cancers and inflammatory disorders and recognized as attractive drug targets. Although clinical studies of many BET bromodomain inhibitors have made substantial progress toward harnessing the therapeutic potential of targeting the bromodomain proteins, the development of this new class of epigenetic drugs is met with challenges, especially on-target dose-limiting toxicity. In this review, we highlight the current development of new-generation small molecule inhibitors for the BET and non-BET bromodomain proteins and discuss the research strategies used to target different bromodomain proteins for a wide array of human diseases including cancers and inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharath Kumar Gajjela
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, United States
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, United States.
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18
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Pan Z, Zhao Y, Wang X, Xie X, Liu M, Zhang K, Wang L, Bai D, Foster LJ, Shu R, He G. Targeting bromodomain-containing proteins: research advances of drug discovery. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:13. [PMID: 37142850 PMCID: PMC10159834 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00127-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain (BD) is an evolutionarily conserved protein module found in 46 different BD-containing proteins (BCPs). BD acts as a specific reader for acetylated lysine residues (KAc) and serves an essential role in transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, DNA damage repair, and cell proliferation. On the other hand, BCPs have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases, including cancers, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and viral infections. Over the past decade, researchers have brought new therapeutic strategies to relevant diseases by inhibiting the activity or downregulating the expression of BCPs to interfere with the transcription of pathogenic genes. An increasing number of potent inhibitors and degraders of BCPs have been developed, some of which are already in clinical trials. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of recent advances in the study of drugs that inhibit or down-regulate BCPs, focusing on the development history, molecular structure, biological activity, interaction with BCPs and therapeutic potentials of these drugs. In addition, we discuss current challenges, issues to be addressed and future research directions for the development of BCPs inhibitors. Lessons learned from the successful or unsuccessful development experiences of these inhibitors or degraders will facilitate the further development of efficient, selective and less toxic inhibitors of BCPs and eventually achieve drug application in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoping Pan
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin Xie
- College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mingxia Liu
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Kaiyao Zhang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ding Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Rui Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology & Venerology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
- Laboratory of Dermatology, Clinical Institute of Inflammation and Immunology (CIII), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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19
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Duan Y, Yu T, Jin L, Zhang S, Shi X, Zhang Y, Zhou N, Xu Y, Lu W, Zhou H, Zhu H, Bai S, Hu K, Guan Y. Discovery of novel, potent, and orally bioavailable HDACs inhibitors with LSD1 inhibitory activity for the treatment of solid tumors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115367. [PMID: 37086699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) are attractive targets for epigenetic cancer therapy. There is an intimate interplay between the two enzymes. HDACs inhibitors have shown synergistic anticancer effects in combination with LSD1 inhibitors in several types of cancer. Herein, we describe the discovery of compound 5e, a highly potent HDACs inhibitor (HDAC1/2/6/8; IC50 = 2.07/4.71/2.40/107 nM) with anti-LSD1 potency (IC50 = 1.34 μM). Compound 5e exhibited marked antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell lines. 5e effectively induced mitochondrial apoptosis with G2/M phase arrest, inhibiting cell migration and invasion in MGC-803 and HCT-116 cancer cells. It also showed good liver microsomal stability and acceptable pharmacokinetic parameters in SD rats. More importantly, orally administered compound 5e demonstrated higher in vivo antitumor efficacy than SAHA in the MGC-803 (TGI = 71.5%) and HCT-116 (TGI = 57.6%) xenograft tumor models accompanied by good tolerability. This study provides a novel lead compound with dual inhibitory activity against HDACs and LSD1 to further develop epigenetic drugs for solid tumor therapy. Further optimization is needed to improve the LSD1 activity to achieve dual inhibitors with balanced potency on LSD1 and HDACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Tong Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Linfeng Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Shaojie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Shi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yizhe Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Nanqian Zhou
- Department of Ultrasonography, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, 450003, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yongtao Xu
- School of Medical Engineering, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Neural Information Analysis and Drug Intelligent Design, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Wenfeng Lu
- School of Medical Engineering, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Neural Information Analysis and Drug Intelligent Design, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Huimin Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Suping Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Kua Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Yuanyuan Guan
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
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20
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Li Z, Huang Y, Tu J, Yang W, Liu N, Wang W, Sheng C. Discovery of BRD4-HDAC Dual Inhibitors with Improved Fungal Selectivity and Potent Synergistic Antifungal Activity against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans. J Med Chem 2023; 66:5950-5964. [PMID: 37037787 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the past several decades, invasive fungal infections, especially candidiasis, have caused dramatic morbidity and mortality due to ineffective antifungal drugs and severe drug resistance. Herein, new BRD4-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were designed to restore the susceptibility of Candida albicans (C. albicans) to fluconazole (FLC). Interestingly, several compounds showed excellent selectivity against fungal HDACs. In particular, compound B2 showed excellent synergistic effect with FLC against resistant C. albicans (FICI = 0.063) with high selectivity against fungal HDACs (SI = 1653) and low cytotoxicity. Compound B2 effectively synergized with FLC and prevented biofilm formation and morphological transition in resistant C. albicans, potentiating the antifungal activity of FLC in vivo and significantly reducing kidney fungal loads. Thus, this drug combination is promising in the treatment of resistant C. albicans infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Reactor, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yahui Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Tu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanzhen Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Reactor, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science & Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, P.O. Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0207, United States
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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21
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When Just One Phosphate Is One Too Many: The Multifaceted Interplay between Myc and Kinases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054746. [PMID: 36902175 PMCID: PMC10003727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myc transcription factors are key regulators of many cellular processes, with Myc target genes crucially implicated in the management of cell proliferation and stem pluripotency, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, angiogenesis, DNA damage response, and apoptosis. Given the wide involvement of Myc in cellular dynamics, it is not surprising that its overexpression is frequently associated with cancer. Noteworthy, in cancer cells where high Myc levels are maintained, the overexpression of Myc-associated kinases is often observed and required to foster tumour cells' proliferation. A mutual interplay exists between Myc and kinases: the latter, which are Myc transcriptional targets, phosphorylate Myc, allowing its transcriptional activity, highlighting a clear regulatory loop. At the protein level, Myc activity and turnover is also tightly regulated by kinases, with a finely tuned balance between translation and rapid protein degradation. In this perspective, we focus on the cross-regulation of Myc and its associated protein kinases underlying similar and redundant mechanisms of regulation at different levels, from transcriptional to post-translational events. Furthermore, a review of the indirect effects of known kinase inhibitors on Myc provides an opportunity to identify alternative and combined therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
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22
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Ye J, Wu J, Liu B. Therapeutic strategies of dual-target small molecules to overcome drug resistance in cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188866. [PMID: 36842765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite some advances in targeted therapeutics of human cancers, curative cancer treatment still remains a tremendous challenge due to the occurrence of drug resistance. A variety of underlying resistance mechanisms to targeted cancer drugs have recently revealed that the dual-target therapeutic strategy would be an attractive avenue. Compared to drug combination strategies, one agent simultaneously modulating two druggable targets generally shows fewer adverse reactions and lower toxicity. As a consequence, the dual-target small molecule has been extensively explored to overcome drug resistance in cancer therapy. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing drug resistance mechanisms of cancer cells, such as enhanced drug efflux, deregulated cell death, DNA damage repair, and epigenetic alterations. Based upon the resistance mechanisms, we further discuss the current therapeutic strategies of dual-target small molecules to overcome drug resistance, which will shed new light on exploiting more intricate mechanisms and relevant dual-target drugs for future cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junhao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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23
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Targeting histone deacetylases for cancer therapy: Trends and challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
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24
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Huang Y, Liu N, Pan Z, Li Z, Sheng C. BET-HDAC Dual Inhibitors for Combinational Treatment of Breast Cancer and Concurrent Candidiasis. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1239-1253. [PMID: 36622852 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is susceptible to Candida infections, and candidiasis has an enhancing effect on the progression and metastasis of tumor. Breast cancer and concurrent candidiasis represent a significant challenge in clinical therapy. Herein, a series of novel small molecule inhibitors simultaneously targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) were designed for combinational treatment of breast cancer and resistant Candida albicans infections. Among them, compounds 13c and 17b exhibited excellent and balanced inhibitory activity against both BET family proteins BRD4 and HDAC1. As compared with BRD4 or HDAC1 inhibitors, dual inhibitors 13c and 17b displayed improved in vivo antitumor efficacy in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenograft models. Notably, they synergized with fluconazole (FLC) to effectively reduce the kidney fungal burden in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Thus, the BET-HDAC dual inhibitors represented a novel therapeutic strategy for combinational treatment of breast cancer and concurrent candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhizhi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Xueren Road 2, Dali 671000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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25
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Shu F, Xiao H, Li QN, Ren XS, Liu ZG, Hu BW, Wang HS, Wang H, Jiang GM. Epigenetic and post-translational modifications in autophagy: biological functions and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:32. [PMID: 36646695 PMCID: PMC9842768 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01300-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway where cellular components are dynamically degraded and re-processed to maintain physical homeostasis. However, the physiological effect of autophagy appears to be multifaced. On the one hand, autophagy functions as a cytoprotective mechanism, protecting against multiple diseases, especially tumor, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative and infectious disease. Conversely, autophagy may also play a detrimental role via pro-survival effects on cancer cells or cell-killing effects on normal body cells. During disorder onset and progression, the expression levels of autophagy-related regulators and proteins encoded by autophagy-related genes (ATGs) are abnormally regulated, giving rise to imbalanced autophagy flux. However, the detailed mechanisms and molecular events of this process are quite complex. Epigenetic, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNAs, and post-translational modifications, including ubiquitination, phosphorylation and acetylation, precisely manipulate gene expression and protein function, and are strongly correlated with the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. There is substantial evidence that autophagy-relevant regulators and machineries are subjected to epigenetic and post-translational modulation, resulting in alterations in autophagy levels, which subsequently induces disease or affects the therapeutic effectiveness to agents. In this review, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms mediated by epigenetic and post-translational modifications in disease-related autophagy to unveil potential therapeutic targets. In addition, the effect of autophagy on the therapeutic effectiveness of epigenetic drugs or drugs targeting post-translational modification have also been discussed, providing insights into the combination with autophagy activators or inhibitors in the treatment of clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shu
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Han Xiao
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Qiu-Nuo Li
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Xiao-Shuai Ren
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Zhi-Gang Liu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Cancer Center, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong China
| | - Bo-Wen Hu
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Guan-Min Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
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26
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Design, synthesis and anti-ovarian cancer activities of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine based chimeric BRD4 inhibitor/nitric oxide-donator. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:114970. [PMID: 36470106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114970] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) is an attractive epigenetic target that regulating diverse cellular processes, and the discovery of dual-target inhibitors including BRD4 is an effective approach in cancer treatment to increase potency and reduce drug resistance. Based on the multifunctional drug development strategy, a series of new derivatives of nitrooxy (ONO2) or furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) with BRD4 inhibitor capable of inhibiting BRD4 and simultaneously releasing NO were designed and synthesized. When NO concentrations were measured with Griess reagent under physiological conditions, all compounds released NO at micromolar levels, reaching effective antitumor concentrations. Biological studies showed that the most potent BRD4/NO hybrid 11a exhibited good BRD4 inhibitory activity and selectivity. Further mechanistic studies revealed that 11a significantly decreased the expression of BRD4 and c-Myc, as well as induced cellular apoptosis and autophagic cell death both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we optimized the chimeric BRD4-inhibitor/NO-donor based on our previous studies, and it should be a lead compound for targeted therapy of OC (ovarian cancer) in the future. This interesting strategy could expand the usage of BRDi in human malignancies and endogenous gastro-transmitters.
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27
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The Role of Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) Proteins in Controlling the Phagocytic Activity of Microglia In Vitro: Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010013. [PMID: 36613460 PMCID: PMC9820364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010013] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The correct phagocytic activity of microglia is a prerequisite for maintaining homeostasis in the brain. In the analysis of mechanisms regulating microglial phagocytosis, we focused on the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins: Brd2, Brd3, and Brd4, the acetylation code readers that control gene expression in cooperation with transcription factors. We used pharmacological (JQ1) and genetic (siRNA) inhibition of BET proteins in murine microglial cell line BV2. Inhibition of BET proteins reduced the phagocytic activity of BV2, as determined by using a fluorescent microspheres-based assay and fluorescently labelled amyloid-beta peptides. Gene silencing experiments demonstrated that all brain-existing BET isoforms control phagocytosis in microglia. From a set of 84 phagocytosis-related genes, we have found the attenuation of the expression of 14: Siglec1, Sirpb1a, Cd36, Clec7a, Itgam, Tlr3, Fcgr1, Cd14, Marco, Pld1, Fcgr2b, Anxa1, Tnf, Nod1, upon BET inhibition. Further analysis of the mRNA level of other phagocytosis-related genes which were involved in the pathomechanism of Alzheimer's disease demonstrated that JQ1 significantly reduced the expression of Cd33, Trem2, and Zyx. Our results indicate the important role of BET proteins in controlling microglial phagocytosis; therefore, targeting BET may be the efficient method of modulating microglial activity.
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28
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Zhao L, Liang Q, He Y, Liu M, Tong R, Jiang Z, Wang W, Shi J. HDAC/JAK dual target inhibitors of cancer-related targets: The success of nonclearable linked pharmacophore mode. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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29
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Qiang L, Li H, Wang Z, Wan L, Jiang G. Deconvoluting the complexity of autophagy in colorectal cancer: From crucial pathways to targeted therapies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1007509. [PMID: 36172152 PMCID: PMC9510924 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1007509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal tumor with a high degree of malignancy, and most clinical cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which has unfortunately missed an opportunity for surgery; therefore, elucidation of the crucial pathways of CRC development and discovery of targeted therapeutic strategies should be anticipated. Autophagy, which is an evolutionarily highly conserved catabolic process, may promote tumorigenesis and development of CRC. On the contrary, autophagy can trigger programmed cell death to inhibit CRC progression. Correspondingly, several targeted therapeutic strategies have been reported in CRC, including small-molecule compounds, polypeptides, non-coding RNAs, photodynamic, and adjuvant therapies. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing the crucial pathways of autophagy in CRC, and further discuss the current therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy. Together, these findings may shed light on the key regulatory mechanisms of autophagy and provide more promising therapeutic approaches for the future CRC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Qiang
- Department of Gastroenterology Ward, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Hongpeng Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Lin Wan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Guangfu Jiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guangfu Jiang,
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30
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Zhao Q, Xiong SS, Chen C, Zhu HP, Xie X, Peng C, He G, Han B. Discovery of spirooxindole-derived small-molecule compounds as novel HDAC/MDM2 dual inhibitors and investigation of their anticancer activity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:972372. [PMID: 35992773 PMCID: PMC9386376 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.972372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simultaneous inhibition of more than one target is considered to be a novel strategy in cancer therapy. Owing to the importance of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and p53-murine double minute 2 (MDM2) interaction in tumor development and their synergistic effects, a series of MDM2/HDAC bifunctional small-molecule inhibitors were rationally designed and synthesized by incorporating an HDAC pharmacophore into spirooxindole skeletons. These compounds exhibited good inhibitory activities against both targets. In particular, compound 11b was demonstrated to be most potent for MDM2 and HDAC, reaching the enzyme inhibition of 68% and 79%, respectively. Compound 11b also showed efficient antiproliferative activity towards MCF-7 cells with better potency than the reference drug SAHA and Nutlin-3. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that compound 11b increased the expression of p53 and Ac-H4 in MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicate that dual inhibition of HDAC and MDM2 may provide a novel and efficient strategy for the discovery of antitumor drug in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shan-Shan Xiong
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Can Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong-Ping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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31
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He G. Meet the Editorial Board Member. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/187152062213220601100200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gu He
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology Sichuan University Chengdu P.R. China
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32
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Jakubkiene V, Valiulis GE, Schweipert M, Zubriene A, Matulis D, Meyer-Almes FJ, Tumkevicius S. Synthesis and HDAC inhibitory activity of pyrimidine-based hydroxamic acids. Beilstein J Org Chem 2022; 18:837-844. [PMID: 35923158 PMCID: PMC9296983 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.18.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play an essential role in the transcriptional regulation of cells through the deacetylation of nuclear histone and non-histone proteins and are promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of various diseases. Here, the synthesis of new compounds in which a hydroxamic acid residue is attached to differently substituted pyrimidine rings via a methylene group bridge of varying length as potential HDAC inhibitors is described. The target compounds were obtained by alkylation of 2-(alkylthio)pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones with ethyl 2-bromoethanoate, ethyl 4-bromobutanoate, or methyl 6-bromohexanoate followed by aminolysis of the obtained esters with hydroxylamine. Oxidation of the 2-methylthio group to the methylsulfonyl group and following treatment with amines resulted in the formation of the corresponding 2-amino-substituted derivatives, the ester group of which reacted with hydroxylamine to give the corresponding hydroxamic acids. The synthesized hydroxamic acids were tested as inhibitors of the HDAC4 and HDAC8 isoforms. Among the synthesized pyrimidine-based hydroxamic acids N-hydroxy-6-[6-methyl-2-(methylthio)-5-propylpyrimidin-4-yloxy]hexanamide was found to be the most potent inhibitor of both the HDAC4 and HDAC8 isoforms, with an IC50 of 16.6 µM and 1.2 µM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginija Jakubkiene
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko 24, 03225 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Gabrielius Ernis Valiulis
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko 24, 03225 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Markus Schweipert
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Stephanstr. 7, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Asta Zubriene
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio 7, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daumantas Matulis
- Department of Biothermodynamics and Drug Design, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio 7, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Franz-Josef Meyer-Almes
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Stephanstr. 7, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Sigitas Tumkevicius
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, Vilnius University, Naugarduko 24, 03225 Vilnius, Lithuania
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33
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Li Z, Si W, Jin W, Yuan Z, Chen Y, Fu L. Targeting autophagy in colorectal cancer: An update on pharmacological small-molecule compounds. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2373-2385. [PMID: 35589015 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy, an evolutionarily highly conserved cellular degradation process, plays the Janus role (either cytoprotective or death-promoting) in colorectal cancer, so the targeting of several key autophagic pathways with small-molecule compounds may be a new therapeutic strategy. In this review, we discuss autophagy-associated cell death pathways and key cytoprotective autophagy pathways in colorectal cancer. Moreover, we summarize a series of small-molecule compounds that have the potential to modulate autophagy-associated cell death or cytoprotective autophagy for therapeutic purposes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the Janus role of autophagy in colorectal cancer, and shed new light on the exploitation of a growing number of small-molecule compounds to target autophagy in future cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiang Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Wen Si
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences Limited, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Wenke Jin
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Zhaoxin Yuan
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
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34
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Guo Z, Sun Y, Liang L, Lu W, Luo B, Wu Z, Huo B, Hu Y, Huang P, Wu Q, Wen S. Design and Synthesis of Dual EZH2/BRD4 Inhibitors to Target Solid Tumors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6573-6592. [PMID: 35500243 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
EZH2 inhibitors that prevent trimethylation of histone lysine 27 (H3K27) are often limited to the treatment of a subset of hematological malignancies. In most solid tumors, EZH2 inhibitors induce reciprocal H3K27 acetylation that subsequently results in acquired drug resistance. The combination of EZH2 and BRD4 inhibitors to resensitize solid cancer cells to EZH2 inhibitors has proven to be effective, underlying the significance of developing dual inhibitors. Herein, we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of first-in-class dual EZH2/BRD4 inhibitors. Our most promising compound, YM458, displays potent inhibitory activity against EZH2 and BRD4 and remarkable antiproliferative capacity against 11 solid cancer cell lines. Its in vivo therapeutic potential is validated in both lung cancer and pancreatic cancer xenograft tumor mice models, highlighting the potential of EZH2/BRD4 dual inhibitors to target a broad scope of EZH2 inhibitor-resistant solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yameng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Liyun Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wenhua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Bingling Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zhouming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Bitao Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yumin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078
| | - Shijun Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, China
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35
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Zhang J, Tang P, Zou L, Zhang J, Chen J, Yang C, He G, Liu B, Liu J, Chiang CM, Wang G, Ye T, Ouyang L. Discovery of Novel Dual-Target Inhibitor of Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4/Casein Kinase 2 Inducing Apoptosis and Autophagy-Associated Cell Death for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2021; 64:18025-18053. [PMID: 34908415 PMCID: PMC10118286 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an attractive epigenetic target in human cancers. Inhibiting the phosphorylation of BRD4 by casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance in cancer therapy. The present study describes the synthesis of multiple BRD4-CK2 dual inhibitors based on rational drug design, structure-activity relationship, and in vitro and in vivo evaluations, and 44e was identified to possess potent and balanced activities against BRD4 (IC50 = 180 nM) and CK2 (IC50 = 230 nM). In vitro experiments show that 44e could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis and autophagy-associated cell death of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. In two in vivo xenograft mouse models, 44e displays potent anticancer activity without obvious toxicities. Taken together, we successfully synthesized the first highly effective BRD4-CK2 dual inhibitor, which is expected to be an attractive therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Pan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Juncheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Chengcan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Tinghong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan, China
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36
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Wang Y, He M, Li X, Chai J, Jiang Q, Peng C, He G, Huang W. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Pyrano[2,3-c]-pyrazole-Based RalA Inhibitors Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Chem 2021; 9:700956. [PMID: 34869198 PMCID: PMC8634879 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.700956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of Ras small GTPases, including RalA and RalB, plays an important role in carcinogenesis, tumor progress, and metastasis. In the current study, we report the discovery of a series of 6-sulfonylamide-pyrano [2,3-c]-pyrazole derivatives as novel RalA inhibitors. ELISA-based biochemical assay results indicated that compounds 4k–4r suppressed RalA/B binding capacities to their substrates. Cellular proliferation assays indicated that these RalA inhibitors potently inhibited the proliferation of HCC cell lines, including HepG2, SMMC-7721, Hep3B, and Huh-7 cells. Among the evaluated compounds, 4p displayed good inhibitory capacities on RalA (IC50 = 0.22 μM) and HepG2 cells (IC50 = 2.28 μM). Overall, our results suggested that a novel small-molecule RalA inhibitor with a 6-sulfonylamide-pyrano [2, 3-c]-pyrazole scaffold suppressed autophagy and cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma, and that it has potential for HCC-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingyao He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinlong Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinglin Jiang
- School of Pharmacy and Sichuan Province College Key Laboratory of Structure-Specific Small Molecule Drugs, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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37
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Liu W, Jin W, Zhu S, Chen Y, Liu B. Targeting regulated cell death (RCD) with small-molecule compounds in cancer therapy: A revisited review of apoptosis, autophagy-dependent cell death and necroptosis. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:612-625. [PMID: 34718209 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.011] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Evasion of regulated cell death (RCD), mainly referring to apoptosis, autophagy-dependent cell death, necroptosis, and other subroutines, is one of the well-established hallmarks of cancer cells. Accumulating evidence has revealed several small-molecule compounds that target different subroutines of RCD in cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize key pathways of apoptosis, autophagy-dependent cell death and necroptosis in cancer, and describe small-molecule compounds that target these pathways and have potential as therapeutics. These inspiring findings light the way towards the discovery of more 'magic bullets' that could work individually or cooperatively to target precisely the three RCD subroutines and so improve cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenke Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shiou Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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38
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Schäker-Hübner L, Warstat R, Ahlert H, Mishra P, Kraft FB, Schliehe-Diecks J, Schöler A, Borkhardt A, Breit B, Bhatia S, Hügle M, Günther S, Hansen FK. 4-Acyl Pyrrole Capped HDAC Inhibitors: A New Scaffold for Hybrid Inhibitors of BET Proteins and Histone Deacetylases as Antileukemia Drug Leads. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14620-14646. [PMID: 34582215 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multitarget drugs are an emerging alternative to combination therapies. In three iterative cycles of design, synthesis, and biological evaluation, we developed a novel type of potent hybrid inhibitors of bromodomain, and extra-terminal (BET) proteins and histone deacetylases (HDACs) based on the BET inhibitor XD14 and well-established HDAC inhibitors. The most promising new hybrids, 49 and 61, displayed submicromolar inhibitory activity against HDAC1-3 and 6, and BRD4(1), and possess potent antileukemia activity. 49 induced apoptosis more effectively than the combination of ricolinostat and birabresib (1:1). The most balanced dual inhibitor, 61, induced significantly more apoptosis than the related control compounds 62 (no BRD4(1) affinity) and 63 (no HDAC inhibition) as well as the 1:1 combination of both. Additionally, 61 was well tolerated in an in vivo zebrafish toxicity model. Overall, our data suggest an advantage of dual HDAC/BET inhibitors over the combination of two single targeted compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Schäker-Hübner
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robin Warstat
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heinz Ahlert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pankaj Mishra
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 9, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fabian B Kraft
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Abteilung für Pharmazeutische und Zellbiologische Chemie, Pharmazeutisches Institut, Universität Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Julian Schliehe-Diecks
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andrea Schöler
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernhard Breit
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanil Bhatia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Hügle
- Institut für Biochemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 9, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Finn K Hansen
- Institut für Wirkstoffentwicklung, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Abteilung für Pharmazeutische und Zellbiologische Chemie, Pharmazeutisches Institut, Universität Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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39
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Feng L, Wang G, Chen Y, He G, Liu B, Liu J, Chiang CM, Ouyang L. Dual-target inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins in cancer: A review from medicinal chemistry perspectives. Med Res Rev 2021; 42:710-743. [PMID: 34633088 DOI: 10.1002/med.21859] [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: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), as the most studied member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family, is a chromatin reader protein interpreting epigenetic codes through binding to acetylated histones and non-histone proteins, thereby regulating diverse cellular processes including cell cycle, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. As a promising drug target, BRD4 function is closely related to cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and liver fibrosis. Currently, clinical resistance to BET inhibitors has limited their applications but synergistic antitumor effects have been observed when used in combination with other tumor inhibitors targeting additional cellular components such as PLK1, HDAC, CDK, and PARP1. Therefore, designing dual-target inhibitors of BET bromodomains is a rational strategy in cancer treatment to increase potency and reduce drug resistance. This review summarizes the protein structures and biological functions of BRD4 and discusses recent advances of dual BET inhibitors from a medicinal chemistry perspective. We also discuss the current design and discovery strategies for dual BET inhibitors, providing insight into potential discovery of additional dual-target BET inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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40
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Romanelli MN, Borgonetti V, Galeotti N. Dual BET/HDAC inhibition to relieve neuropathic pain: Recent advances, perspectives, and future opportunities. Pharmacol Res 2021; 173:105901. [PMID: 34547384 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the intense research on developing new therapies for neuropathic pain states, available treatments have limited efficacy and unfavorable safety profiles. Epigenetic alterations have a great influence on the development of cancer and neurological diseases, as well as neuropathic pain. Histone acetylation has prevailed as one of the well investigated epigenetic modifications in these diseases. Altered spinal activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and Bromo and Extra terminal domain (BET) have been described in neuropathic pain models and restoration of these aberrant epigenetic modifications showed pain-relieving activity. Over the last decades HDACs and BETs have been the focus of drug discovery studies, leading to the development of numerous small-molecule inhibitors. Clinical trials to evaluate their anticancer activity showed good efficacy but raised toxicity concerns that limited translation to the clinic. To maximize activity and minimize toxicity, these compounds can be applied in combination of sub-maximal doses to produce additive or synergistic interactions (combination therapy). Recently, of particular interest, dual BET/HDAC inhibitors (multi-target drugs) have been developed to assure simultaneous modulation of BET and HDAC activity by a single molecule. This review will summarize the most recent advances with these strategies, describing advantages and limitations of single drug treatment vs combination regimens. This review will also provide a focus on dual BET/HDAC drug discovery investigations as future therapeutic opportunity for human therapy of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Novella Romanelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Galeotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
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41
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Zhang B, Xu Z, Zhou W, Liu Z, Zhao J, Gou S. A light-controlled multi-step drug release nanosystem targeting tumor hypoxia for synergistic cancer therapy. Chem Sci 2021; 12:11810-11820. [PMID: 34659720 PMCID: PMC8442699 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01888d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a major obstacle for cancer therapy due to its association with cell proliferation, tumor distant metastasis, and treatment resistance. In this study, a hypoxia-activated bifunctional prodrug (CC5) was designed, synthesized and encapsulated by a photo-responsive ruthenium complex-derived polymer to yield a light-controlled multi-step drug release system (CC5-RuCa) for synergistic therapy against tumor hypoxia. Under NIR irradiation, CC5-RuCa not only generated ROS to kill the cancer cells in the exterior of the tumor but also released the prodrug CC5 with enhanced intratumoral penetration in the severe hypoxia region inside the tumor tissue. In vivo studies on MDA-MB-231 xenograft models revealed that CC5-RuCa with preferential accumulation in the tumor exhibited highly efficient tumor regression through the synergistic effect of photodynamic therapy and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
| | - Zichen Xu
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
| | - Zhikun Liu
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
| | - Shaohua Gou
- Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
- Nanjing Junruo Institute of Biomedicine Nanjing 211100 China
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42
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Jin W, Tan H, Wu J, He G, Liu B. Dual-target inhibitors of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) in cancer therapy: Current situation and future directions. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:246-256. [PMID: 34438075 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is emerging as a therapeutic target that acts synergistically with other targets of small-molecule drugs in cancer. Therefore, the discovery of potential new dual-target inhibitors of BRD4 may be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this review, we highlight a series of strategies to design therapeutic dual-target inhibitors of BRD4 that focus on the synergistic functions of this protein. Drug combinations that exploit synthetic lethality, protein-protein interactions, functional complementarity, and blocking of resistance mechanisms could ultimately overcome the barriers inherent to the development of BRD4 inhibitors as future cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenke Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huidan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junhao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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43
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44
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Guest EE, Pickett SD, Hirst JD. Structural variation of protein-ligand complexes of the first bromodomain of BRD4. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:5632-5641. [PMID: 34105560 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00658d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family, plays a key role in several diseases, especially cancers. With increased interest in BRD4 as a therapeutic target, many X-ray crystal structures of the protein in complex with small molecule inhibitors are publicly available over the recent decade. In this study, we use this structural information to investigate the conformations of the first bromodomain (BD1) of BRD4. Structural alignment of 297 BRD4-BD1 complexes shows a high level of similarity between the structures of BRD4-BD1, regardless of the bound ligand. We employ WONKA, a tool for detailed analyses of protein binding sites, to compare the active site of over 100 of these crystal structures. The positions of key binding site residues show a high level of conformational similarity, with the exception of Trp81. A focused analysis on the highly conserved water network in the binding site of BRD4-BD1 is performed to identify the positions of these water molecules across the crystal structures. The importance of the water network is illustrated using molecular docking and absolute free energy perturbation simulations. 82% of the ligand poses were better predicted when including water molecules as part of the receptor. Our analysis provides guidance for the design of new BRD4-BD1 inhibitors and the selection of the best structure of BRD4-BD1 to use in structure-based drug design, an important approach for faster and more cost-efficient lead discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen E Guest
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Stephen D Pickett
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D Pharmaceuticals, Computational Chemistry, Stevenage, UK
| | - Jonathan D Hirst
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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45
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Duan YC, Zhang SJ, Shi XJ, Jin LF, Yu T, Song Y, Guan YY. Research progress of dual inhibitors targeting crosstalk between histone epigenetic modulators for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 222:113588. [PMID: 34107385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal epigenetics is a critical hallmark of human cancers. Anticancer drug discovery directed at histone epigenetic modulators has gained impressive advances with six drugs available for cancer therapy and numerous other candidates undergoing clinical trials. However, limited therapeutic profile, drug resistance, narrow safety margin, and dose-limiting toxicities pose intractable challenges for their clinical utility. Because histone epigenetic modulators undergo intricate crosstalk and act cooperatively to shape an aberrant epigenetic profile, co-targeting histone epigenetic modulators with a different mechanism of action has rapidly emerged as an attractive strategy to overcome the limitations faced by the single-target epigenetic inhibitors. In this review, we summarize in detail the crosstalk of histone epigenetic modulators in regulating gene transcription and the progress of dual epigenetic inhibitors targeting this crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chao Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Shao-Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jing Shi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Lin-Feng Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Tong Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yu Song
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Guan
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
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Ren Y, Li S, Zhu R, Wan C, Song D, Zhu J, Cai G, Long S, Kong L, Yu W. Discovery of STAT3 and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Dual-Pathway Inhibitors for the Treatment of Solid Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7468-7482. [PMID: 34043359 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, simultaneous inhibition of multiple targets through drug combination is an important anticancer strategy owing to the complex mechanism behind tumorigenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that the inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) will lead to compensated activation of a notorious cancer-related drug target, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), in breast cancer through a cascade, which probably limits the anti-proliferation effect of HDAC inhibitors in solid tumors. By incorporating the pharmacophore of the HDAC inhibitor SAHA (vorinostat) into the STAT3 inhibitor pterostilbene, a series of potent pterostilbene hydroxamic acid derivatives with dual-target inhibition activity were synthesized. An excellent hydroxamate derivate, compound 14, inhibited STAT3 (KD = 33 nM) and HDAC (IC50 = 23.15 nM) with robust potency in vitro. Compound 14 also showed potent anti-proliferation ability in vivo and in vitro. Our study provides the first STAT3 and HDAC dual-target inhibitor for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ren Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
| | - Chengying Wan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawen Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiping Cai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Sihui Long
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Advanced Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, 206 1st Rd Optics Valley, East Lake New Technology Development District, Wuhan, Hubei 430205, China
| | - Lingyi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenying Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
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47
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Current status in the discovery of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 38:127829. [PMID: 33685790 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127829] [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: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The development of desired multitarget agents may provide an attractive and cost-effective complement or alternative to drug combinations. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), as important epigenetic modulators, are attractive targets in drug discovery and development. Considering the fact that BET and HDAC inhibitors exert a synergistic effect on cellular processes in cancer cells, the design of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors may be a rational strategy to improve the efficacy of their single-target drugs for tumor treatment. In the current review, we depict the development of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors and particularly highlight their structure-activity relationships (SARs), binding modes, and biological functions with the aim to facilitate rational drug design and develop more dual BET/HDAC inhibitors.
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Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of nitroisoxazole-containing spiro[pyrrolidin-oxindole] derivatives as novel glutathione peroxidase 4/mouse double minute 2 dual inhibitors that inhibit breast adenocarcinoma cell proliferation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 217:113359. [PMID: 33725632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A series of highly active CF3-containing 3'-(nitroisoxazole)spiro[pyrrolidin-3,2'-oxindoles] were synthesized and found to be novel glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)/mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) dual inhibitors. Bioactive spirooxindole and isoxazole skeletons were combined, and the resulting compounds exhibited strong activities against both targets. In particular, compound 3d displayed excellent activity in the suppression of MDM2-mediated degradation of p53, as well as levels of GPX4, in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Moreover, 3d also exhibited inhibitory effects on MDM2 and GPX4 in MCF-7 xenograft model to trigger ferroptotic and apoptotic cell death in in vivo experiments, which was consistent with the results of in vitro experiments.
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Tang P, Zhang J, Liu J, Chiang CM, Ouyang L. Targeting Bromodomain and Extraterminal Proteins for Drug Discovery: From Current Progress to Technological Development. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2419-2435. [PMID: 33616410 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins bind acetylated lysine residues in histones and nonhistone proteins via tandem bromodomains and regulate chromatin dynamics, cellular processes, and disease procession. Thus targeting BET proteins is a promising strategy for treating various diseases, especially malignant tumors and chronic inflammation. Many pan-BET small-molecule inhibitors have been described, and some of them are in clinical evaluation. Nevertheless, the limited clinical efficacy of the current BET inhibitors is also evident and has inspired the development of new technologies to improve their clinical outcomes and minimize unwanted side effects. In this Review, we summarize the latest protein characteristics and biological functions of BRD4 as an example of BET proteins, analyze the clinical development status and preclinical resistance mechanisms, and discuss recent advances in BRD4-selective inhibitors, dual-target BET inhibitors, proteolysis targeting chimera degraders, and protein-protein interaction inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Singh A, Chang TY, Kaur N, Hsu KC, Yen Y, Lin TE, Lai MJ, Lee SB, Liou JP. CAP rigidification of MS-275 and chidamide leads to enhanced antiproliferative effects mediated through HDAC1, 2 and tubulin polymerization inhibition. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 215:113169. [PMID: 33588178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The study focuses on the prudent design and synthesis of anilide type class I HDAC inhibitors employing a functionalized pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine skeleton as the surface recognition part. Utilization of the bicyclic aromatic ring to fabricate the target compounds was envisioned to confer rigidity to the chemical architecture of MS-275 and chidamide. In-vitro enzymatic and cellular assays led to the identification of compound 7 as a potent inhibitor of HDAC1 and 2 isoform that exerted substantial cell growth inhibitory effects against human breast MDA-MB-231, cervical HeLa, breast MDA-MB-468, colorectal DLD1, and colorectal HCT116 cell lines with an IC50 values of 0.05-0.47 μM, better than MS-275 and chidamide. In addition, the anilide 7 was also endowed with a superior antiproliferative profile than MS275 and chidamide towards the human cutaneous T cell lymphoma (HH and HuT78), leukemia (HL60 and KG-1), and HDACi sensitive/resistant gastric cell lines (YCC11 and YCC3/7). Exhaustive exploration of the construct 7 confirmed it to be a microtubule-targeting agent that could trigger the cell-cycle arrest in mitosis. In pursuit of extracting the benefits of evidenced microtubule-destabilizing activity of the anilide 7, it was further evaluated against non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines as well as the multiple-drug resistant uterine cancer cell line (MES-SA/Dx5) and overwhelmingly positive results in context of inhibitory effects were attained. Furthermore, molecular modelling studies were performed and some key interactions of the anilide 7 with the amino acid residues of the active site of HDAC1 isoform and tubulin were figured out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshdeep Singh
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yu Chang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Navdeep Kaur
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Cheng Hsu
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Biomedical Commercialization Center, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Yun Yen
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Tony Eight Lin
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Jung Lai
- Biomedical Commercialization Center, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Bau Lee
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
| | - Jing-Ping Liou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Biomedical Commercialization Center, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
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