Comparative Activity and Off-Target Effects in Cells of the CHK1 Inhibitors MK-8776, SRA737, and LY2606368

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of glucose metabolism inhibitors as anticancer agents

Compared to normal cells, tumour cells exhibit an upregulation of glucose transporters and an increased rate of glycolytic activity. In previous research, we successfully identified a promising hit compound BH10 through a rigorous screening process, which demonstrates a potent capacity for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation by targeting glucose metabolism. In the current study, we identify Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) as a potential protein target of BH10via avidin pull-down assays with biotinylated-BH10. Subsequently, we present a comprehensive analysis of a series of BH10 analogues characterized by the incorporation of a naphthoimidazole scaffold and the introduction of a triazole ring with diverse terminal functional groups. Notably, compound 4d has emerged as the most potent candidate, exhibiting better anti-cancer activities against HEC1A cancer cells with an IC50 of 2.60 μM, an extended biological half-life, and an improved pharmacokinetic profile (compared to BH10) in mice.

Discovery of pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidin-6(5H)-one derivatives as checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitors with potent antitumor efficacy

Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) plays a crucial role in the DNA damage response pathway, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Herein, we present the synthesis, optimization, and evaluation of selective CHK1 inhibitors with a pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidin-6(5H)-one scaffold. Among them, compound 11 showed single-digit nanomolar potency against CHK1 (IC50: 0.55 nM) with good kinase selectivity. Notably, 11 showed anti-proliferative effect in MV-4-11 cells singly (IC50 = 202 nM) and a synergistic effect in combination with gemcitabine in HT-29 cells (IC50 = 63.53 nM). Furthermore, the combination of 11 and gemcitabine exhibited synergistic effect in the HT-29 xenograft mouse model. Overall, this work provides a strong foundation for the development of selective CHK1 inhibitors and the therapeutic strategy for cancer.

Adavosertib and beyond: Biomarkers, drug combination and toxicity of WEE1 inhibitors

WEE1 kinase is renowned as an S-G2 checkpoint inhibitor activated by ATR-CHK1 in response to replication stress. WEE1 inhibition enhances replication stress and effectively circumvents checkpoints into mitosis, which triggers significant genetic impairs and culminates in cell death. This approach has been validated clinically for its promising anti-tumor efficacy across various cancer types, notably in cases of ovarian cancers. Nonetheless, the initial stage of clinical trials has shown that the first-in-human WEE1 inhibitor adavosertib is limited by dose-limiting adverse events. As a result, recent efforts have been made to explore predictive biomarkers and smart combination schedules to alleviate adverse effects. In this review, we focused on the exploration of therapeutic biomarkers, as well as schedules of combination utilizing WEE1 inhibitors and canonical anticancer drugs, according to the latest preclinical and clinical studies, indicating that the optimal application of WEE1 inhibitors will likely be as part of dose-reducing combination and be tailored to specific patient populations.

Double-strand DNA break repair: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Double-strand break (DSB), a significant DNA damage brought on by ionizing radiation, acts as an initiating signal in tumor radiotherapy, causing cancer cells death. The two primary pathways for DNA DSB repair in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), which cooperate and compete with one another to achieve effective repair. The DSB repair mechanism depends on numerous regulatory variables. DSB recognition and the recruitment of DNA repair components, for instance, depend on the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex and the Ku70/80 heterodimer/DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK) complex, whose control is crucial in determining the DSB repair pathway choice and efficiency of HR and NHEJ. In-depth elucidation on the DSB repair pathway's molecular mechanisms has greatly facilitated for creation of repair proteins or pathways-specific inhibitors to advance precise cancer therapy and boost the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. The architectures, roles, molecular processes, and inhibitors of significant target proteins in the DSB repair pathways are reviewed in this article. The strategy and application in cancer therapy are also discussed based on the advancement of inhibitors targeted DSB damage response and repair proteins.

Anticancer potentiating effect and downregulation of PD-L1 expression: Study on the 2-[(p-fluorophenyl)amino]-6-substituted-9H-purine analogues as novel CHK1 inhibitors

In this study, a series of 2-[p-fluorophenyl]-6-substituted-9H-purine analogues were designed and synthesized as CHK1 inhibitors, among which compound b22 was the most potent. b22 exhibited nearly no antiproliferative activity toward HT29 cells and displayed a significant antitumor potentiating effect on HT29 cells when treated in combination with gemcitabine (Gem). A time-dependent assay found that treatment with Gem for 8 h before adding b22 achieved the optimal effect. Furthermore, the immunofluorescence and qPCR results demonstrated that b22 can remarkably reverse the upregulation of PD-L1 induced by Gem, which suggested dual effects of b22 in antitumor potentiation and antitumor immunity.

Targeting replication stress in cancer therapy

Replication stress is a major cause of genomic instability and a crucial vulnerability of cancer cells. This vulnerability can be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting kinases that coordinate the DNA damage response with cell cycle control, including ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 checkpoint kinases. In addition, inhibiting the DNA damage response releases DNA fragments into the cytoplasm, eliciting an innate immune response. Therefore, several ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 inhibitors are undergoing clinical evaluation as monotherapies or in combination with chemotherapy, poly[ADP-ribose]polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, or immune checkpoint inhibitors to capitalize on high replication stress, overcome therapeutic resistance and promote effective antitumour immunity. Here, we review current and emerging approaches for targeting replication stress in cancer, from preclinical and biomarker development to clinical trial evaluation.

Inhibition of Protein Synthesis Induced by CHK1 Inhibitors Discriminates Sensitive from Resistant Cancer Cells

The DNA-damage-activated checkpoint protein CHK1 is required to prevent replication or mitosis in the presence of unrepaired DNA damage. Inhibitors of CHK1 (CHK1i) circumvent this checkpoint and enhance cell killing by DNA-damaging drugs. CHK1i also elicit single-agent cytotoxicity in a small subset of cell lines. Resolving the mechanisms underlying the single-agent activity may permit patient stratification and targeted therapy against sensitive tumors. Our recent comparison of three CHK1i demonstrated that they all inhibited protein synthesis only in sensitive cells. LY2606368, the most selective of these CHK1i, was used in the current study. Comparison across a panel of cell lines demonstrated that sensitive cells died upon incubation with LY2606368, whereas resistant cells underwent growth inhibition and/or cytostasis but failed to die. Sensitive cells exhibited inhibition of protein synthesis, elevated DNA damage, impaired DNA repair, and subsequently death. The consequence of CHK1 inhibition involved activation of cyclin A/CDK2 and MUS81, resulting in DNA damage. This damage led to activation of AMPK, dephosphorylation of 4E-BP1, and inhibition of protein synthesis. Inhibition of MUS81 prevented activation of AMPK, while inhibition of AMPK enhanced DNA repair and cell survival. The activation of AMPK may involve a combination of LKB1 and CaMKKβ. This study raises questions concerning the potential importance of the inhibition of protein synthesis in response to other drugs, alone or in combination with CHK1i. It also highlights the importance of clearly discriminating among growth inhibition, cytostasis, and cell death, as only the latter is likely to result in tumor regression.