1
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Weller J, Potthoff AL, Zeyen T, Schaub C, Duffy C, Schneider M, Herrlinger U. Current status of precision oncology in adult glioblastoma. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38899374 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13678] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of precision oncology, the application of targeted drugs based on comprehensive molecular profiling, has revolutionized treatment strategies in oncology. This review summarizes the current status of precision oncology in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults with a median survival below 2 years. Targeted treatments without prior target verification have consistently failed. Patients with BRAF V600E-mutated GBM benefit from BRAF/MEK-inhibition, whereas targeting EGFR alterations was unsuccessful due to poor tumor penetration, tumor cell heterogeneity, and pathway redundancies. Systematic screening for actionable molecular alterations resulted in low rates (< 10%) of targeted treatments. Efficacy was observed in one-third and currently appears to be limited to BRAF-, VEGFR-, and mTOR-directed treatments. Advancing precision oncology for GBM requires consideration of pathways instead of single alterations, new trial concepts enabling rapid and adaptive drug evaluation, a focus on drugs with sufficient bioavailability in the CNS, and the extension of target discovery and validation to the tumor microenvironment, tumor cell networks, and their interaction with immune cells and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Weller
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Zeyen
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Christina Schaub
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Cathrina Duffy
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Herrlinger
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
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2
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Dichiara M, Cosentino G, Giordano G, Pasquinucci L, Marrazzo A, Costanzo G, Amata E. Designing drugs optimized for both blood-brain barrier permeation and intra-cerebral partition. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:317-329. [PMID: 38145409 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2294118] [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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the increasing incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders globally, there is a paramount need for new pharmacotherapies. BBB effectively protects the brain but raises a profound challenge to drug permeation, with less than 2% of most drugs reaching the CNS. AREAS COVERED This article reviews aspects of the most recent design strategies, providing insights into ideas and concepts in CNS drug discovery. An overview of the products available on the market is given and why clinical trials are continuously failing is discussed. EXPERT OPINION Among the available CNS drugs, small molecules account for most successful CNS therapeutics due to their ability to penetrate the BBB through passive or carrier-mediated mechanisms. The development of new CNS drugs is very difficult. To date, there is a lack of effective drugs for alleviating or even reversing the progression of brain diseases. Particularly, the use of artificial intelligence strategies, together with more appropriate animal models, may enable the design of molecules with appropriate permeation, to elicit a biological response from the neurotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dichiara
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
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3
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Narayanam MK, Tsang JE, Xu S, Nathanson DA, Murphy JM. 18F-Labeled brain-penetrant EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors for PET imaging of glioblastoma. Chem Sci 2023; 14:13825-13831. [PMID: 38075671 PMCID: PMC10699577 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04424f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Significant evidence suggests that the failure of clinically tested epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g. erlotinib, lapatinib, gefitinib) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients is primarily attributed to insufficient brain penetration, resulting in inadequate exposure to the targeted cells. Molecular imaging tools can facilitate GBM drug development by visualizing drug biodistribution and confirming target expression and localization. To assess brain exposure via PET molecular imaging, we synthesized fluorine-18 isotopologues of two brain-penetrant EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors developed specifically for GBM. Adapting our recently reported radiofluorination of N-arylsydnones, we constructed an ortho-disubstituted [18F]fluoroarene as the key intermediate. The radiotracers were produced on an automated synthesis module in 7-8% activity yield with high molar activity. In vivo PET imaging revealed rapid brain uptake in rodents and tumor accumulation in an EGFR-driven orthotopic GBM xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruthi Kumar Narayanam
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Jonathan E Tsang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Shili Xu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - David A Nathanson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Jennifer M Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
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4
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Hill J, Jones RM, Crich D. Discovery of a Hydroxylamine-Based Brain-Penetrant EGFR Inhibitor for Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15477-15492. [PMID: 37934858 PMCID: PMC10683025 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Metastases to the brain remain a significant problem in lung cancer, as treatment by most small-molecule targeted therapies is severely limited by efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we report the discovery of a selective, orally bioavailable, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, 9, that exhibits high brain penetration and potent activity in osimertinib-resistant cell lines bearing L858R/C797S and exon19del/C797S EGFR resistance mutations. In vivo, 9 induced tumor regression in an intracranial patient-derived xenograft (PDX) murine model suggesting it as a potential lead for the treatment of localized and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by activating mutant bearing EGFR. Overall, we demonstrate that an underrepresented functional group in medicinal chemistry, the trisubstituted hydroxylamine moiety, can be incorporated into a drug scaffold without the toxicity commonly surmised to accompany these units, all while maintaining potent biological activity and without the molecular weight creep common to drug optimization campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarvis Hill
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, 250 West Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Georgia, 302 East Campus Road, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | | | - David Crich
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, 250 West Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Georgia, 302 East Campus Road, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center, University
of Georgia, 315 Riverbend
Road, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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5
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Alotaibi AA, Alanazi MM, Rahman AFMM. Discovery of New Pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine Derivatives as Potential Multi-Targeted Kinase Inhibitors and Apoptosis Inducers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1324. [PMID: 37765132 PMCID: PMC10536928 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the pursuit of developing more potent and effective targeted kinase inhibitors (TKIs), a series of new compounds, specifically halogenated '(E)-4-((7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-N'-benzylidenebenzohydrazides', were successfully synthesized in three steps with high yields. Among these novel compounds, namely 5e, 5h, 5k, and 5l, promising cytotoxic effects were observed against four different cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 29 to 59 µM. Notably, compound 5k emerged as the most potent inhibitor, exhibiting significant activity against EGFR, Her2, VEGFR2, and CDK2 enzymes, with IC50 values ranging from 40 to 204 nM, comparable to the well-known TKI sunitinib (IC50 = 261 nM). Mechanistic investigations of compound 5k revealed its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, accompanied by a notable increase in proapoptotic proteins caspase-3 and Bax, as well as the downregulation of Bcl-2 activity. Furthermore, molecular docking studies indicated similar binding interactions between compound 5k and the four enzymes, as observed with sunitinib. These findings highlight the potential of compound 5k as a promising candidate for further development as a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor with enhanced potency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A. F. M. Motiur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
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6
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Khairnar S, Sonawane A, Cheke RS, Kharkar PS, Gaikwad V, Patil S, Aware V. Hit discovery of novel 2-phenyl-substituted 4-amino-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidines as potential anti-glioblastoma therapeutics: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and computational screening. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:561-578. [PMID: 36823756 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22046] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly-aggressive, dreadful disease with poor prognosis and disappointing clinical success. There is an unmet medical need of molecularly-targeted therapeutics for GBM treatment. In the present work, a series of novel 2-phenyl-substituted 4-amino-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidines was designed, synthesized, purified, characterized, and evaluated for cytotoxicity against glioblastoma cell line U87-MG. The design process (virtual library enumeration around the core, physicochemical and molecular property prediction/calculation of the designs, filtering the undesirable ones, and the diversity analyses of the lead-like designs), was carefully curated so as to obtain a set of structurally-diverse, novel molecules (total 20), with a particular focus on the relatively unexplored core structure, 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidine. The preliminary screening was done using MTT assay at 10 and 100 μM concentrations of the title compounds F1 -F20 and positive control cisplatin, which yielded six hits (% inhibition at 10 μM: ~50%)-F2 , F3 , F5 , F7 , F15 , and F20 , which were taken up for IC50 determination. The top hits F2 and F7 (IC50 < 10 μM) were further used for computational studies such as target prediction, followed by their molecular docking in the binding sites of the top-3 predicted targets (epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 [CDK2]) /cyclin E, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK]). The docking pose analyses revealed interesting trends. The relatively planar core structure, presence of favorable hinge-binding substructures, basic groups, all added up, and culminated in appreciable cytotoxicity against GBM cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Khairnar
- Department of Chemistry, SNJB's KKHA Arts, SMGL Commerce and SPHJ Science College, Chandwad, India.,Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Research Centre, K. R. T. Arts, B. H. Commerce and A. M. Science College, Nashik, India
| | - Anjali Sonawane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Rameshwar S Cheke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Prashant S Kharkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Vishwas Gaikwad
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Research Centre, K. R. T. Arts, B. H. Commerce and A. M. Science College, Nashik, India
| | - Sambhaji Patil
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Research Centre, K. R. T. Arts, B. H. Commerce and A. M. Science College, Nashik, India
| | - Valmik Aware
- Department of Chemistry, SNJB's KKHA Arts, SMGL Commerce and SPHJ Science College, Chandwad, India
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7
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Chen BY, Salas JR, Trias AO, Rodriguez AP, Tsang JE, Guemes M, Le TM, Galic Z, Shepard HM, Steinman L, Nathanson DA, Czernin J, Witte ON, Radu CG, Schultz KA, Clark PM. Targeting deoxycytidine kinase improves symptoms in mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Immunology 2023; 168:152-169. [PMID: 35986643 PMCID: PMC9844239 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13569] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease driven by lymphocyte activation against myelin autoantigens in the central nervous system leading to demyelination and neurodegeneration. The deoxyribonucleoside salvage pathway with the rate-limiting enzyme deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) captures extracellular deoxyribonucleosides for use in intracellular deoxyribonucleotide metabolism. Previous studies have shown that deoxyribonucleoside salvage activity is enriched in lymphocytes and required for early lymphocyte development. However, specific roles for the deoxyribonucleoside salvage pathway and dCK in autoimmune diseases such as MS are unknown. Here we demonstrate that dCK activity is necessary for the development of clinical symptoms in the MOG35-55 and MOG1-125 experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse models of MS. During EAE disease, deoxyribonucleoside salvage activity is elevated in the spleen and lymph nodes. Targeting dCK with the small molecule dCK inhibitor TRE-515 limits disease severity when treatments are started at disease induction or when symptoms first appear. EAE mice treated with TRE-515 have significantly fewer infiltrating leukocytes in the spinal cord, and TRE-515 blocks activation-induced B and T cell proliferation and MOG35-55 -specific T cell expansion without affecting innate immune cells or naïve T and B cell populations. Our results demonstrate that targeting dCK limits symptoms in EAE mice and suggest that dCK activity is required for MOG35-55 -specific lymphocyte activation-induced proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Ying Chen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica R. Salas
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alyssa O. Trias
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arely Perez Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Tsang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Miriam Guemes
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thuc M. Le
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zoran Galic
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Lawrence Steinman
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David A. Nathanson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Johannes Czernin
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Owen N. Witte
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Caius G. Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Peter M. Clark
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Subham S, Jeppson JD, Worcester C, Schatmeyer B, Zhao J, Madan R, Lakis NS, Kimler BF, McGuirk JP, Chen RC, Stecklein SR, Akhavan D. EGFR as a potent CAR T target in triple negative breast cancer brain metastases. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 197:57-69. [PMID: 36318382 PMCID: PMC10987173 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06783-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is currently no curative treatment for patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer brain metastases (TNBC-BM). CAR T cells hold potential for curative treatment given they retain the cytolytic activity of a T cell combined with the specificity of an antibody. In this proposal we evaluated the potential of EGFR re-directed CAR T cells as a therapeutic treatment against TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS We leveraged a TNBC-BM tissue microarray and a large panel of TNBC cell lines and identified elevated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Next, we designed a second-generation anti-EGFR CAR T construct incorporating a clinically relevant mAb806 tumor specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) and intracellular 4-1BB costimulatory domain and CD3ζ using a lentivirus system and evaluated in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity. RESULTS We demonstrate EGFR is enriched in TNBC-BM patient tissue after neurosurgical resection, with six of 13 brain metastases demonstrating both membranous and cytoplasmic EGFR. Eleven of 13 TNBC cell lines have EGFR surface expression ≥ 85% by flow cytometry. EGFR806 CAR T treated mice effectively eradicated TNBC-BM and enhanced mouse survival (log rank p < 0.004). CONCLUSION Our results demonstrates anti-tumor activity of EGFR806 CAR T cells against TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Given EGFR806 CAR T cells are currently undergoing clinical trials in primary brain tumor patients without obvious toxicity, our results are immediately actionable against the TNBC-BM patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Subham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- BioEngineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - John D Jeppson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Colette Worcester
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bryan Schatmeyer
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Rashna Madan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Nelli S Lakis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bruce F Kimler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Joseph P McGuirk
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ronald C Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shane R Stecklein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - David Akhavan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
- BioEngineering Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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9
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Lin B, Ziebro J, Smithberger E, Skinner KR, Zhao E, Cloughesy TF, Binder ZA, O’Rourke DM, Nathanson DA, Furnari FB, Miller CR. EGFR, the Lazarus target for precision oncology in glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:2035-2062. [PMID: 36125064 PMCID: PMC9713527 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Lazarus effect is a rare condition that happens when someone seemingly dead shows signs of life. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represents a target in the fatal neoplasm glioblastoma (GBM) that through a series of negative clinical trials has prompted a vocal subset of the neuro-oncology community to declare this target dead. However, an argument can be made that the core tenets of precision oncology were overlooked in the initial clinical enthusiasm over EGFR as a therapeutic target in GBM. Namely, the wrong drugs were tested on the wrong patients at the wrong time. Furthermore, new insights into the biology of EGFR in GBM vis-à-vis other EGFR-driven neoplasms, such as non-small cell lung cancer, and development of novel GBM-specific EGFR therapeutics resurrects this target for future studies. Here, we will examine the distinct EGFR biology in GBM, how it exacerbates the challenge of treating a CNS neoplasm, how these unique challenges have influenced past and present EGFR-targeted therapeutic design and clinical trials, and what adjustments are needed to therapeutically exploit EGFR in this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lin
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Julia Ziebro
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Erin Smithberger
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Pathobiology and Translational Sciences Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kasey R Skinner
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Neurosciences Curriculum, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eva Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zev A Binder
- Department of Neurosurgery and Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Donald M O’Rourke
- Department of Neurosurgery and Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David A Nathanson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Frank B Furnari
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Ludwig Cancer Research, San Diego, California, USA
| | - C Ryan Miller
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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10
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Predicting Blood–Brain Barrier Permeation of Erlotinib and JCN037 by Molecular Simulation. J Membr Biol 2022; 256:147-157. [PMID: 36441253 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00274-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a well characterized biomaker on GBM. Treatment of GBM with EGFR inhibitors achieved limited efficacy due to low blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and BBB-penetrant drugs are required. In this study, the BBB penetration of erlotinib and JN037 were studied using molecular dynamics method with explicit membrane model. The free energy profiles indicate that JCN037 has a lower central energy barrier than erlotinib, and it has a local minimum at lipid-water interface while erlotinib has not. Unconstrained MD simulations found that erlotinib prefers staying in water while JCN037 tends to interact with lipid molecules. Further analysis reveals that the Br atom of JCN037 plays an important role in its interaction with lipid molecules, and the adjacent F atom enhances the interaction of Br. The two flexible methoxyethoxy chains of erlotinib are responsible for its poor penetration. Our computational results agree well with the experimental results, providing useful information in the design and improvement of drugs with good BBB permeation.
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11
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Sethi B, Kumar V, Mahato K, Coulter DW, Mahato RI. Recent advances in drug delivery and targeting to the brain. J Control Release 2022; 350:668-687. [PMID: 36057395 PMCID: PMC9884093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Our body keeps separating the toxic chemicals in the blood from the brain. A significant number of drugs do not enter the central nervous system (CNS) due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Certain diseases, such as tumor growth and stroke, are known to increase the permeability of the BBB. However, the heterogeneity of this permeation makes it difficult and unpredictable to transport drugs to the brain. In recent years, research has been directed toward increasing drug penetration inside the brain, and nanomedicine has emerged as a promising approach. Active targeting requires one or more specific ligands on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs), which brain endothelial cells (ECs) recognize, allowing controlled drug delivery compared to conventional targeting strategies. This review highlights the mechanistic insights about different cell types contributing to the development and maintenance of the BBB and summarizes the recent advancement in brain-specific NPs for different pathological conditions. Furthermore, fundamental properties of brain-targeted NPs will be discussed, and the standard lesion features classified by neurological pathology are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Sethi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE 68198, USA
| | - Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE 68198, USA
| | - Kalika Mahato
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE 68198, USA
| | - Donald W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE 68198, USA.
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12
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Markowicz-Piasecka M, Markiewicz A, Darłak P, Sikora J, Adla SK, Bagina S, Huttunen KM. Current Chemical, Biological, and Physiological Views in the Development of Successful Brain-Targeted Pharmaceutics. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:942-976. [PMID: 35391662 PMCID: PMC9294128 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01228-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges with successful pharmaceutical treatments of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is the delivery of drugs into their target sites with appropriate concentrations. For example, the physically tight blood-brain barrier (BBB) effectively blocks compounds from penetrating into the brain, also by the action of metabolizing enzymes and efflux transport mechanisms. However, many endogenous compounds, including both smaller compounds and macromolecules, like amino acids, sugars, vitamins, nucleosides, hormones, steroids, and electrolytes, have their peculiar internalization routes across the BBB. These delivery mechanisms, namely carrier-mediated transport and receptor-mediated transcytosis have been utilized to some extent in brain-targeted drug development. The incomplete knowledge of the BBB and the smaller than a desirable number of chemical tools have hindered the development of successful brain-targeted pharmaceutics. This review discusses the recent advancements achieved in the field from the point of medicinal chemistry view and discusses how brain drug delivery can be improved in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Markowicz-Piasecka
- Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Markiewicz
- Students Research Group, Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Patrycja Darłak
- Students Research Group, Laboratory of Bioanalysis, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Sikora
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Santosh Kumar Adla
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1C, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sreelatha Bagina
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Finland Oy, Neulaniementie 4, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristiina M. Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1C, POB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
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13
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Urner LM, Lee GY, Treacy JW, Turlik A, Khan SI, Houk KN, Jung ME. Intramolecular N-H⋅⋅⋅F Hydrogen Bonding Interaction in a Series of 4-Anilino-5-Fluoroquinazolines: Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of Electronic and Conformational Effects. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202103135. [PMID: 34767667 PMCID: PMC9482468 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202103135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The 4-anilino-6,7-ethylenedioxy-5-fluoroquinazoline scaffold is presented as a novel model system for the characterization of the weak NH⋅⋅⋅F hydrogen bonding (HB) interaction. In this scaffold, the aniline NH proton is forced into close proximity with the nearby fluorine (dH,F ∼2.0 Å, ∠∼138°), and a through-space interaction is observed by NMR spectroscopy with couplings (1h JNH,F ) of 19±1 Hz. A combination of experimental (NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography) and theoretical methods (DFT calculations) were used for the characterization of this weak interaction. In particular, the effects of conformational rigidity and steric compression on coupling were investigated. This scaffold was used for the direct comparison of fluoride with methoxy as HB acceptors, and the susceptibility of the NH⋅⋅⋅F interaction to changes in electron distribution and resonance was probed by preparing a series of molecules with different electron-donating or -withdrawing groups in the positions para to the NH and F. The results support the idea that fluorine can act as a weak HB acceptor, and the HB strength can be modulated through additive and linear electronic substituent effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz M. Urner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Ga Young Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Joseph W. Treacy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Aneta Turlik
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Saeed I. Khan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - K. N. Houk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
| | - Michael E. Jung
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (USA)
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14
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Liu H, Qiu W, Sun T, Wang L, Du C, Hu Y, Liu W, Feng F, Chen Y, Sun H. Therapeutic strtegies of glioblastoma (GBM): The current advances in the molecular targets and bioactive small molecule compounds. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 12:1781-1804. [PMID: 35847506 PMCID: PMC9279645 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common aggressive malignant tumor in brain neuroepithelial tumors and remains incurable. A variety of treatment options are currently being explored to improve patient survival, including small molecule inhibitors, viral therapies, cancer vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Among them, the unique advantages of small molecule inhibitors have made them a focus of attention in the drug discovery of glioblastoma. Currently, the most used chemotherapeutic agents are small molecule inhibitors that target key dysregulated signaling pathways in glioblastoma, including receptor tyrosine kinase, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, DNA damage response, TP53 and cell cycle inhibitors. This review analyzes the therapeutic benefit and clinical development of novel small molecule inhibitors discovered as promising anti-glioblastoma agents by the related targets of these major pathways. Meanwhile, the recent advances in temozolomide resistance and drug combination are also reviewed. In the last part, due to the constant clinical failure of targeted therapies, this paper reviewed the research progress of other therapeutic methods for glioblastoma, to provide patients and readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the treatment landscape of glioblastoma.
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Xiong B, Wang Y, Chen Y, Xing S, Liao Q, Chen Y, Li Q, Li W, Sun H. Strategies for Structural Modification of Small Molecules to Improve Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration: A Recent Perspective. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13152-13173. [PMID: 34505508 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the development of central nervous system (CNS) drugs, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts many drugs from entering the brain to exert therapeutic effects. Although many novel delivery methods of large molecule drugs have been designed to assist transport, small molecule drugs account for the vast majority of the CNS drugs used clinically. From this perspective, we review studies from the past five years that have sought to modify small molecules to increase brain exposure. Medicinal chemists make it easier for small molecules to cross the BBB by improving diffusion, reducing efflux, and activating carrier transporters. On the basis of their excellent work, we summarize strategies for structural modification of small molecules to improve BBB penetration. These strategies are expected to provide a reference for the future development of small molecule CNS drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baichen Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuaishuai Xing
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
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An efficient synthesis of diimidazo[1,2-a:1′,2′-c]quinazolines via a copper-catalyzed double Ullmann cross-coupling reaction. Tetrahedron 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2020.131918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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17
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Maryanoff BE, Wipf P. Presenting a Special Issue on "Medicinal Chemistry: From Targets to Therapies". ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:1780-1782. [PMID: 33062151 PMCID: PMC7549098 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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18
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Modification of imidazothiazole derivatives gives promising activity in B-Raf kinase enzyme inhibition; synthesis, in vitro studies and molecular docking. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127478. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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