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Li L, Ni R, Zheng D, Chen L. Eradicating the tumor “seeds”: nanomedicines-based therapies against cancer stem cells. Daru 2023:10.1007/s40199-023-00456-0. [DOI: 10.1007/s40199-023-00456-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
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The Anti-Cancer Properties of the HIV Protease Inhibitor Nelfinavir. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113437. [PMID: 33228205 PMCID: PMC7699465 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary To this day, cancer remains a medical challenge despite the development of cutting-edge diagnostic methods and therapeutics. Thus, there is a continual demand for improved therapeutic options for managing cancer patients. However, novel drug development requires decade-long time commitment and financial investments. Repurposing approved and market-available drugs for cancer therapy is a way to reduce cost and the timeframe for developing new therapies. Nelfinavir is an anti-infective agent that has extensively been used to treat acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in adult and pediatric patients. In addition to its anti-infective properties, nelfinavir has demonstrated potent off-target anti-cancer effects, suggesting that it could be a suitable candidate for drug repurposing for cancer. In this review, we systematically compiled the therapeutic benefits of nelfinavir against cancer as a single drug or in combination with chemoradiotherapy, and outlined the possible underlying mechanistic pathways contributing to the anti-cancer effects. Abstract Traditional cancer treatments may lose efficacy following the emergence of novel mutations or the development of chemoradiotherapy resistance. Late diagnosis, high-cost of treatment, and the requirement of highly efficient infrastructure to dispense cancer therapies hinder the availability of adequate treatment in low-income and resource-limited settings. Repositioning approved drugs as cancer therapeutics may reduce the cost and timeline for novel drug development and expedite the availability of newer, efficacious options for patients in need. Nelfinavir is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor that has been approved and is extensively used as an anti-infective agent to treat acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Yet nelfinavir has also shown anti-cancer effects in in vitro and in vivo studies. The anti-cancer mechanism of nelfinavir includes modulation of different cellular conditions, such as unfolded protein response, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, the proteasome pathway, oxidative stress, the tumor microenvironment, and multidrug efflux pumps. Multiple clinical trials indicated tolerable and reversible toxicities during nelfinavir treatment in cancer patients, either as a monotherapy or in combination with chemo- or radiotherapy. Since orally available nelfinavir has been a safe drug of choice for both adult and pediatric HIV-infected patients for over two decades, exploiting its anti-cancer off-target effects will enable fast-tracking this newer option into the existing repertoire of cancer chemotherapeutics.
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Ravaud C, Paré M, Yao X, Azoulay S, Mazure NM, Dani C, Ladoux A. Resveratrol and HIV-protease inhibitors control UCP1 expression through opposite effects on p38 MAPK phosphorylation in human adipocytes. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:1184-1196. [PMID: 31294462 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Brown and brown-like adipocytes (BBAs) control thermogenesis and are detected in adult humans. They express UCP1, which transforms energy into heat. They appear as promising cells to fight obesity. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms leading to the browning of human white adipocytes or the whitening of BBAs represents a goal to properly and safely control the pathways involved in these processes. Here, we analyzed how drugs endowed with therapeutic potential affect the differentiation of human adipose progenitor-cells into BBAs and/or their phenotype. We showed that HIV-protease inhibitors (PI) reduced UCP1 expression in BBAs modifying their metabolic profile and the mitochondria functionality. Lopinavir (LPV) was more potent than darunavir (DRV), a last PI generation. PPARγ and PGC-1α were decreased in a PI or cell-specific manner, thus altering UCP1's constitutive expression. In addition, LPV altered p38 MAPK phosphorylation, blunting then the β-adrenergic responses. In contrast, low doses of resveratrol stimulated the activatable expression of UCP1 in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner and counteracted the LPV induced loss of UCP1. This effect was independent of the resveratrol-induced sirtuin-1 expression. Altogether our results uncover how drugs impact crucial components of the networks regulating the expression of the thermogenic signature. They provide important information to control the relevant pathways involved in energy expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xi Yao
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, iBV, France
| | | | - Nathalie M Mazure
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, CNRS-UMR 7284-Inserm U1081, Nice, France
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Anticancer and Differentiation Properties of the Nitric Oxide Derivative of Lopinavir in Human Glioblastoma Cells. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23102463. [PMID: 30261624 PMCID: PMC6222694 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and deadly form of primary malignant brain tumor among adults. A promising emerging approach for GBM treatment may be offered from HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PIs). In fact, in addition to their primary pharmacological activity in the treatment of HIV infection, they possess important anti-neoplastic effects. According to previous studies, the addition of a nitric oxide (NO) donating group to parental compounds can reduce their toxicity and enhance the anticancer action of various compounds, including HIV-PIs. In this study we compared the effects of the HIV-PI Lopinavir (Lopi) and of its NO-derivative Lopinavir-NO (Lopi-NO) on the in vitro growth of LN-229 and U-251 human GBM cell lines. Lopi-NO reduced the viability of LN-229 and U-251 cells at significantly lower concentrations than the parental drug. In particular, Lopi-NO inhibited tumor cell proliferation and induced the differentiation of U-251 cells toward an astrocyte-like phenotype without triggering significant cell death in both cell types. The anticancer effect of Lopi-NO was persistent even upon drug removal. Furthermore, Lopi-NO induced strong autophagy that did not appear to be related to its chemotherapeutic action. Overall, our results suggest that Lopi-NO could be a potential effective anticancer drug for GBM treatment.
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Impairment of the activin A autocrine loop by lopinavir reduces self-renewal of distinct human adipose progenitors. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2986. [PMID: 28592814 PMCID: PMC5462747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02807-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of the adipose tissue requires a proper balance between self-renewal and differentiation of adipose progenitors (AP). Any deregulation leads either to fat overexpansion and obesity or fat loss and consequent lipodystrophies. Depending on the fat pad location, APs and adipocytes are heterogeneous. However, information on the pharmacological sensitivity of distinct APs to drugs known to alter the function of adipose tissue, especially HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) is scant. Here we show that PIs decreased proliferation and clonal expansion of APs, modifying their self-renewal potential. Lopinavir was the most potent PI tested. Decrease in self-renewal was accompanied by a reduced expression of the immediate early response gene IER3, a gene associated with tissue expansion. It was more pronounced in chin-derived APs than in knee-derived APs. Furthermore, lopinavir lowered the activin A–induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Expressions of the transcription factor EGR1 and its targets, including INHBA were subsequently altered. Therefore, activin A secretion was reduced leading to a dramatic impairment of APs self-renewal sustained by the activin A autocrine loop. All together, these observations highlight the activin A autocrine loop as a crucial effector to maintain APs self-renewal. Targeting this pathway by HIV-PIs may participate in the induction of unwanted side effects.
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Maksimovic-Ivanic D, Fagone P, McCubrey J, Bendtzen K, Mijatovic S, Nicoletti F. HIV-protease inhibitors for the treatment of cancer: Repositioning HIV protease inhibitors while developing more potent NO-hybridized derivatives? Int J Cancer 2017; 140:1713-1726. [PMID: 27870005 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The possible use of HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PI) as new therapeutic option for the treatment of cancer primarily originated from their success in treating HIV-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). While these findings were initially attributed to immune reconstitution and better control of oncogenic viral infections, the number of reports on solid tumors, KS, lymphoma, fibrosarcoma, multiple myeloma and prostate cancer suggest other mechanisms for the anti-neoplastic activity of PIs. However, a major drawback for the possible adoption of HIV-PIs in the therapy of cancer relies on their relatively weak anticancer potency and important side effects. This has propelled several groups to generate derivatives of HIV-PIs for anticancer use, through modifications such as attachment of different moieties, ligands and transporters, including saquinavir-loaded folic acid conjugated nanoparticles and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives of HIV-PIs. In this article, we discuss the current preclinical and clinical evidences for the potential use of HIV-PIs, and of novel derivatives, such as saquinavir-NO in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijela Maksimovic-Ivanic
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic," Belgrade University, Serbia
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - James McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Klaus Bendtzen
- Institute for Inflammation Research (IIR), Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sanja Mijatovic
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic," Belgrade University, Serbia
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
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Khan IN, Al-Karim S, Bora RS, Chaudhary AG, Saini KS. Cancer stem cells: a challenging paradigm for designing targeted drug therapies. Drug Discov Today 2015; 20:1205-16. [PMID: 26143148 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite earlier controversies about their role and existence within tumors, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are now emerging as a plausible target for new drug discovery. Research and development (R&D) efforts are being directed against key gene(s) driving initiation, growth, and metastatic pathways in CSCs and the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the niche signals that enable these pluripotent CSCs to evade radio- and chemotherapy, and to travel to secondary tissues remain enigmatic. Small-molecule drugs, biologics, miRNA, RNA interference (RNAi), and vaccines, among others, are under active investigation. Here, we examine the feasibility of leveraging current knowhow of the molecular biology of CSCs and their cellular milieu to design futuristic, targeted drugs with potentially lower toxicity that can override the multiple drug-resistance issues currently observed with existing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishaq N Khan
- Embryonic & Cancer Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Innovation for Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Al-Karim
- Embryonic & Cancer Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Embryonic Stem Cell Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roop S Bora
- Embryonic & Cancer Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; School of Biotechnology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib 173 101, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Adeel G Chaudhary
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Innovation for Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kulvinder S Saini
- Embryonic & Cancer Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; School of Biotechnology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib 173 101, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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Ozolek JA, Cohen DE, Kool M, Pfister SM, Korshunov A, Bukowinski AJ, Davis AW. Medulloepithelioma with peculiar clinical presentation, stem cell phenotype and aberrant DNA-methylation profile. CNS Oncol 2015; 4:203-12. [PMID: 26118758 DOI: 10.2217/cns.15.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a 21-year-old male with a neck mass diagnosed as medulloepithelioma. Despite aggressive chemo- and radio-therapy, the tumor metastasized and proved fatal after seventeen months. The tumor demonstrated robust immunohistochemical expression of multiple markers of embryonic/neural stem cells and embryogenesis from the paraffin embedded tissue. The tumor, expressing LIN28A but negative for the 19q13.42 amplicon, also lacked the characteristic methylation profile for medulloepithelioma and other tumors with similar morphology. The expression of embryonic markers may explain its unresponsiveness to therapy and poor prognosis. Therapies targeted at embryonic cell phenotypes may hold the key for successfully treating cancers with embryonal phenotypes or tumors harboring cells with embryonal phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Ozolek
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Debra E Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology & Blood & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrew J Bukowinski
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Amy W Davis
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Zhang L, Tong X, Li J, Huang Y, Hu X, Chen Y, Huang J, Wang J, Liu B. Apoptotic and autophagic pathways with relevant small-molecule compounds, in cancer stem cells. Cell Prolif 2015; 48:385-97. [PMID: 26013704 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence demonstrates existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are suspected of contributing to cancer cell self-renewal capacity and resistance to radiation and/or chemotherapy. Including evasion of apoptosis and autophagic cell death, CSCs have revealed abilities to resist cell death, making them appealing targets for cancer therapy. Recently, molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and of autophagy in CSCs have been gradually explored, comparing them in stem cells and in cancer cells; distinct expression of these systems in CSCs may elucidate how these cells exert their capacity of unlimited self-renewal and hierarchical differentiation. Due to their proposed ability to drive tumour initiation and progression, CSCs may be considered to be potentially useful pharmacological targets. Further, multiple compounds have been verified as triggering apoptosis and/or autophagy, suppressing tumour growth, thus providing new strategies for cancer therapy. In this review, we summarized regulation of apoptosis and autophagy in CSCs to elucidate how key proteins participate in control of survival and death; in addition, currently well-studied compounds that target CSC apoptosis and autophagy are selectively presented. With increasing attention to CSCs in cancer therapy, researchers are now trying to find responses to unsolved questions as unambiguous as possible, which may provide novel insight into future anti-cancer regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Xupeng Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the mechanisms of anti-cancer activity of nelfinavir and other protease inhibitors (PIs) based on evidences reported in the published literature. METHODS We extensively reviewed the literature concerning nelfinavir (NFV) as an off target anti-cancer drug and other PIs. A classification of PIs based on anti-cancer mode of action was proposed. Controversies regarding nelfinavir mode of action were also addressed. CONCLUSIONS The two main mechanisms involved in anti-cancer activity are endoplasmic reticulum stress-unfolded protein response pathway and Akt inhibition. However there are many other effects, partially dependent and independent of those mentioned, that may be useful in cancer treatment, including MMP-9 and MMP-2 inhibition, down-regulation of CDK-2, VEGF, bFGF, NF-kB, STAT-3, HIF-1 alfa, IGF, EGFR, survivin, BCRP, androgen receptor, proteasome, fatty acid synthase (FAS), decrease in cellular ATP concentration and upregulation of TRAIL receptor DR5, Bax, increased radiosensitivity, and autophagy. The end result of all these effects is slower growth, decreased angiogenesis, decreased invasion and increased apoptosis, which means reduced proliferation and increased cancer cells death. PIs may be classified according to their anticancer activity at clinically achievable doses, in AKT inhibitors, ER stressors and Akt inhibitors/ER stressors. Beyond the phase I trials that have been recently completed, adequately powered and well-designed clinical trials are needed in the various cancer type settings, and specific trials where NFV is tested in association with other known anti-cancer pharmaceuticals should be sought, in order to find an appropriate place for NFV in cancer treatment. The analysis of controversies on the molecular mechanisms of NFV hints to the possibility that NFV works in a different way in tumor cells and in hepatocytes and adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Koltai
- Centro de Diagnostico y Tratamiento de la Obra Social del Personal de la Alimentación, Talar de Pacheco, Buenos Aires, 1618, Argentina
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Akram ON, DeGraff DJ, Sheehan JH, Tilley WD, Matusik RJ, Ahn JM, Raj GV. Tailoring Peptidomimetics for Targeting Protein–Protein Interactions. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:967-78. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-13-0611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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