Antitumor effect of axitinib combined with dopamine and PK-PD modeling in the treatment of human breast cancer xenograft

Arylpiperazine Derivatives and Cancer: A New Challenge in Medicinal Chemistry

Background: In recent decades, there has been a startling rise in the number of cancer patients worldwide, which has led to an amazing upsurge in the development of novel anticancer treatment candidates. On a positive note, arylpiperazines have garnered attention in cancer research due to their potential as scaffolds for developing anticancer agents. These compounds exhibit a diverse array of biological activities, including cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. Indeed, one of the key advantages of arylpiperazines lies in their ability to interact with various molecular targets implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Aim: Here, we focus on the chemical structures of several arylpiperazine derivatives, highlighting their anti-proliferative activity in different tumor cell lines. The modular structure, diverse biological activities, and potential for combination therapies of arylpiperazine compounds make them valuable candidates for further preclinical and clinical investigations in the fight against cancer. Conclusion: This review, providing a careful analysis of different arylpiperazines and their biological applications, allows researchers to refine the chemical structures to improve potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties, thus advancing their therapeutic potential in oncology.

Constructing a novel prognostic model for triple-negative breast cancer based on genes associated with vasculogenic mimicry

BACKGROUND

Research has shown a connection between vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and cancer progression. However, the functions of genes related to VM in the emergence and progression of TNBC have not been completely elucidated.

METHODS

A survival risk model was constructed by screening biomarkers using DESeq2 and WGCNA based on public TNBC transcriptome data. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis was performed, and tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity were analyzed. The selected biomarkers were validated via quantitative PCR detection, immunohistochemical staining, and protein detection in breast cancer cell lines. Biomarkers related to the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells were validated via in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that 235 target genes were connected to the complement and coagulation cascade pathways. The risk score was constructed using KCND2, NRP1, and VSTM4. The prognosis model using the risk score and pathological T stage yielded good validation results. The clinical risk of TNBC was associated with the angiogenesis signaling pathway, and the low-risk group exhibited better sensitivity to immunotherapy. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry indicated that the expression levels of KCND2 in TNBC tissues were higher than those in adjacent nontumor tissues. In the TNBC cell line, the protein expression of KCND2 was increased. Knockdown of KCND2 and VSTM4 inhibited the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, three VM-related biomarkers were identified, including KCND2, NRP1, and VSTM4. These findings are likely to aid in deepening our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of VM in TNBC.

Response to BRAF-targeted Therapy Is Enhanced by Cotargeting VEGFRs or WNT/β-Catenin Signaling in BRAF-mutant Colorectal Cancer Models

The fact that 10% of colorectal cancer tumors harbor BRAF V600E mutations suggested targeting BRAF as a potential therapy. However, BRAF inhibitors have only limited single-agent efficacy in this context. The potential for combination therapy has been shown by the BEACON trial where targeting the EGF receptor with cetuximab greatly increased efficacy of BRAF inhibitors in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. Therefore, we explored whether efficacy of the mutant BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib could be enhanced by cotargeting of either oncogenic WNT/β-catenin signaling or VEGFR signaling. We find the WNT/β-catenin inhibitors pyrvinium, ICG-001 and PKF118-310 attenuate growth of colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro with BRAF-mutant lines being relatively more sensitive. Pyrvinium combined with vemurafenib additively or synergistically attenuated growth of colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro. The selective and potent VEGFR inhibitor axitinib was most effective against BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro, but the addition of vemurafenib did not significantly increase these effects. When tested in vivo in animal tumor models, both pyrvinium and axitinib were able to significantly increase the ability of vemurafenib to attenuate tumor growth in xenografts of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer cells. The magnitude of these effects was comparable with that induced by a combination of vemurafenib and cetuximab. This was associated with additive effects on release from tumor cells and tumor microenvironment cell types of substances that would normally aid tumor progression. Taken together, these preclinical data indicate that the efficacy of BRAF inhibitor therapy in colorectal cancer could be increased by cotargeting either WNT/β-catenin or VEGFRs with small-molecule inhibitors.

Curcumol repressed cell proliferation and angiogenesis via SP1/mir-125b-5p/VEGFA axis in non-small cell lung cancer

NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) is one of the most common and lethal malignant tumors, with low 5-year overall survival rate. Curcumol showed antitumor activity in several cancers, but evidence about its effect on NSCLC remains unclear. In the present study, we found that Curcumol markedly inhibited NSCLC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Endothelial cells are an important part of tumor microenvironment. Tube formation assay and wound healing assay indicated that A549 derived conditioned medium affected HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Mechanistically, Curcumol downregulated the expression of SP1 (specificity protein 1) while upregulated miR-125b-5p, followed by decreasing VEGFA expression in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, overexpression of SP1 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of Curcumol on A549 and H1975 cell viability and VEGFA expression. Inhibition of miR-125b-5p presented similar effect. Interestingly, there was mutual modulation between SP1 and miR-125b-5p. Collectively, our study revealed that Curcumol inhibited cell growth and angiogenesis of NSCLC in vitro and in vivo, possibly through SP1/miR-125b-5p/VEGFA regulatory mechanism. These findings may provide effective therapy strategies for NSCLC treatment.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors [VEGFR] as Target in Breast Cancer Treatment: Current Status in Preclinical and Clinical Studies and Future Directions

Breast cancer [BC] is one of the most common cancers among women, one of the leading causes of a considerable number of cancer-related death globally. Among all procedures leading to the formation of breast tumors, angiogenesis has an important role in cancer progression and outcomes. Therefore, various anti-angiogenic strategies have developed so far to enhance treatment's efficacy in different types of BC. Vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGFs] and their receptors are regarded as the most well-known regulators of neovascularization. VEGF binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptors [VEGFRs] provides cell proliferation and vascular tissue formation by the subsequent tyrosine kinase pathway. VEGF/VEGFR axis displays an attractive target for anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer drug design. This review aims to describe the existing literature regarding VEGFR inhibitors, focusing on BC treatment reported in the last two decades.

Disabling VEGF-Response of Purkinje Cells by Downregulation of KDR via miRNA-204-5p

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known for its wide-ranging functions, not only in the vascular system, but also in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). To study the role of VEGF in neuronal protection, growth and maturation processes have recently attracted much interest. These effects are mainly mediated by VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Current studies have shown the age-dependent expression of VEGFR-2 in Purkinje cells (PC), promoting dendritogenesis in neonatal, but not in mature stages. We hypothesize that microRNAs (miRNA/miR) might be involved in the regulation of VEGFR-2 expression during the development of PC. In preliminary studies, we performed a miRNA profiling and identified miR204-5p as a potential regulator of VEGFR-2 expression. In the recent study, organotypic slice cultures of rat cerebella (postnatal day (p) 1 and 9) were cultivated and VEGFR-2 expression in PC was verified via immunohistochemistry. Additionally, PC at age p9 and p30 were isolated from cryosections by laser microdissection (LMD) to analyse VEGFR-2 expression by quantitative RT-PCR. To investigate the influence of miR204-5p on VEGFR-2 levels in PC, synthetic constructs including short hairpin (sh)-miR204-5p cassettes (miRNA-mimics), were microinjected into PC. The effects were analysed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and morphometric analysis. For the first time, we could show that miR204-5p has a negative effect on VEGF sensitivity in juvenile PC, resulting in a significant decrease of dendritic growth compared to untreated juvenile PC. In mature PC, the overexpression of miR204-5p leads to a shrinkage of dendrites despite VEGF treatment. The results of this study illustrate, for the first time, which miR204-5p expression has the potential to play a key role in cerebellar development by inhibiting VEGFR-2 expression in PC.

Dopamine D1 Receptor in Cancer

Simple Summary

Circulating hormones and their specific receptors play a significant role in the development and progression of various cancers. This review aimed to summarize current knowledge about the dopamine D1 receptor’s biological role in different cancers, including breast cancer, central nervous system tumors, lymphoproliferative disorders, and other neoplasms. Treatment with dopamine D1 receptor agonists was proven to exert a major anti-cancer effect in many preclinical models. We highlight this receptor’s potential as a target for the adjunct therapy of tumors and discuss possibilities and necessities for further research in this area.

Abstract

Dopamine is a biologically active compound belonging to catecholamines. It plays its roles in the human body, acting both as a circulating hormone and neurotransmitter. It acts through G-protein-coupled receptors divided into two subgroups: D1-like receptors (D1R and D5R) and D2-like receptors (D2R, D3R, D4R). Physiologically, dopamine receptors are involved in central nervous system functions: motivation or cognition, and peripheral actions such as blood pressure and immune response modulation. Increasing evidence indicates that the dopamine D1 receptor may play a significant role in developing different human neoplasms. This receptor’s value was presented in the context of regulating various signaling pathways important in tumor development, including neoplastic cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, migration, invasiveness, or the enrichment of cancer stem cells population. Recent studies proved that its activation by selective or non-selective agonists is associated with significant tumor growth suppression, metastases prevention, and tumor microvasculature maturation. It may also exert a synergistic anti-cancer effect when combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or temozolomide. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the heterogeneity of dopamine D1 receptor molecular roles and signaling pathways in human neoplasm development and discusses possible perspectives of its therapeutic targeting as an adjunct anti-cancer strategy of treatment. We highlight the priorities for further directions in this research area.

Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of MBQ-167 to Predict Tumor Growth Inhibition in Mice

MBQ-167 is a dual inhibitor of the Rho GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that has shown promising results as an anti-cancer therapeutic at the preclinical stage. This drug has been tested in vitro and in vivo in metastatic breast cancer mouse models. The aim of this study is to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK-PD) model of MBQ-167 to predict tumor growth inhibition following intraperitoneal (IP) administration in mice bearing Triple Negative and HER2+ mammary tumors. PBPK and Simeoni tumor growth inhibition (TGI) models were developed using the Simcyp V19 Animal Simulator. Our developed PBPK framework adequately describes the time course of MBQ-167 in each of the mouse tissues (e.g., lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, plasma) and tumor, since the predicted results were consistent with the experimental data. The developed PBPK-PD model successfully predicts tumor shrinkage in HER2+ and triple-negative breast tumors after the intraperitoneal administration of 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) dose level of MBQ-167 three times a week. The findings from this study suggest that MBQ-167 has a higher net effect and potency inhibiting Triple Negative mammary tumor growth compared to HER2+ and that liver metabolism is the major route of elimination of this drug.

Implications of flavonoids as potential modulators of cancer neovascularity

PURPOSE

The formation of new blood vessels from previous ones, angiogenesis, is critical in tissue repair, expansion or remodeling in physiological processes and in various pathologies including cancer. Despite that, the development of anti-angiogenic drugs has great potential as the treatment of cancer faces many problems such as development of the resistance to treatment or an improperly selected therapy approach. An evaluation of predictive markers in personalized medicine could significantly improve treatment outcomes in many patients.

METHODS

This comprehensive review emphasizes the anticancer potential of flavonoids mediated by their anti-angiogenic efficacy evaluated in current preclinical and clinical cancer research.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Flavonoids are important groups of phytochemicals present in common diet. Flavonoids show significant anticancer effects. The anti-angiogenic effects of flavonoids are currently a widely discussed topic of preclinical cancer research. Flavonoids are able to regulate the process of tumor angiogenesis through modulation of signaling molecules such as VEGF, MMPs, ILs, HIF or others. However, the evaluation of the anti-angiogenic potential of flavonoids within the clinical studies is not frequently discussed and is still of significant scientific interest.

Mechanistic Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of Sunitinib and Dopamine in MCF-7/Adr Xenografts: Linking Cellular Heterogeneity to Tumour Burden

The self-renewal and differentiation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) leads to cellular heterogeneity, causing one of the greatest challenges in cancer therapy. Growing evidence suggests that CSC-targeting therapy enhances the effect of concomitant antitumour therapy. To gain an in-depth understanding of this enhanced effect, the kinetic profile of estimated CSC frequency (the fraction of CSCs in tumour) was evaluated for in vivo characterization of cellular heterogeneity using sunitinib and dopamine as a paradigm combination therapy. Female MCF-7/Adr xenografted Balb/c nude mice were treated with sunitinib (p.o., 20 mg/kg) and dopamine (i.p., 50 mg/kg), alone or in combination. Estimated CSC frequency and tumour size were measured over time. Mechanistic PK/PD modelling was performed to quantitatively describe the relationship between drug concentration, estimated CSC frequency and tumour size. Sunitinib reduced tumour size by inducing apoptosis of differentiated tumour cells (DTCs) and enriched CSCs by stimulating its proliferation. Dopamine exhibited anti-CSC effects by suppressing the capacity of CSCs and inducing its differentiation. Simulation and animal studies indicated that concurrent administration was superior to sequential administration under current experimental conditions. Alongside tumour size, the current study provides mechanistic insights into the estimation of CSC frequency as an indicator for cellular heterogeneity. This forms the conceptual basis for in vivo characterization of other combination therapies in preclinical cancer studies.

Preclinical PK/PD model for the combinatorial use of dexamethasone and sulpiride in the treatment of breast cancer

Previous studies show that dopamine D₂-like receptor (D2DR) antagonist sulpiride (SUL) enhances the antitumor efficacy of dexamethasone (DEX) in drug-resistant breast cancer involving cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of SUL in nude mice and developed a semi-mechanism PK/PD model to quantitatively characterize the synergistic effect of DEX and SUL in preclinical breast cancer xenografts. After nude mice received oral administration of a single dose of SUL (50 mg/kg, ig), plasma concentrations were assessed using LC-MS/MS. A two-compartment model with double first-order absorption rate was developed to describe the PK profiles of SUL. The pharmacodynamic (PD) study was conducted in nude mice bearing human breast cancer MCF-7/Adr xenografts, which received oral administration of DEX (1, 8 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) or SUL (25, 50 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) alone or in various combination. Tumor volumes were measured every other day. The PK model of SUL as well as that of DEX with a time-dependent clearance were integrated into the final PK/PD model both using Hill’s function, where DEX exerted its antitumor efficacy by inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, and SUL enhanced DEX responses by decreasing the sensitivity parameter EC₅₀. The PK/PD model was evaluated and subjected external validation. Finally, simulations were performed to predict the antitumor efficacy of DEX combined with SUL under various dose regimens, where changing dosing frequency of SUL had little effect, while the antitumor efficacy was predicted to be improved when DEX was given more frequently. The established PK/PD model in this study quantitatively characterizes the antitumor efficacy of the DEX combined with SUL as well as their synergism, and the simulations could provide reference for dose optimization of the combination in future studies.

N-arylpiperazine-containing compound (C2): An enhancer of sunitinib in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, involving D1DR activation

Previous studies showed that dopamine (DA) significantly reduces the frequency of cancer stem-like cells (CSC) and enhances the efficacy of sunitinib (SUN) in the treatment of breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To overcome the shortcomings of DA in clinical practice, the purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy as well as the underlying mechanism of an orally available, N-arylpiperazine-containing compound C2, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer when used alone or in combination with SUN. Our results showed that C2 and SUN exerted synergistic effects on inhibiting the growth of SW1990 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. C2 significantly inhibited colony formation and migration of both cells. SW1990 xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were utilized for pharmacodynamic investigation in vivo. C2 alone showed little inhibition effect on tumor growth but increased the anti-tumor efficacy of SUN in both xenografts. Moreover, C2 down-regulated CSC markers (CD133 and ALDH) of both cancer cells and up-regulated the expression of dopamine receptor D1 (D1DR) in tumor. Besides, the SW1990 tumor growth was dose-dependently inhibited when the cells were pretreated with C2 before implantation. C2 increased intratumoral cAMP level, and the combination with D1DR specific antagonist SCH23390 reversed the above-mentioned effects of C2 both in vitro and in vivo, indicating the activation of D1DR may be involved in the underlying mechanism of C2 action. In summary, C2 could reduce the CSC frequency and enhance the anti-cancer effect of SUN in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, demonstrating its potential in cancer therapy.

Downregulation of Keap1 contributes to poor prognosis and Axitinib resistance of renal cell carcinoma via upregulation of Nrf2 expression

Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling has a protective effect on normal cells. A number of previous studies demonstrated that Keap1/Nrf2 signaling is associated with drug resistance in numerous tumors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the roles of Keap1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its effect on sensitivity to chemotherapy. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of Keap1 in 45 cases of RCC tumors and adjacent normal tissues. A total of five randomly selected patients with RCC, five RCC cell lines and normal renal tubular cells were examined to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of Keap1. The 5-year survival rate was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The cell viability was assessed by a Cell Counting kit-8 assay. The cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry. The expressions of associated proteins were determined by western blot analysis. It was identified that in RCC tissues and RCC cell lines, the expression of Keap1 was downregulated, which was considered to be associated with poor prognosis. In total, 1 µM Axitinib significantly decreased cell viability, promoted ROS release and induced cell apoptosis in ACHN cells. Silencing Keap1 was able to reverse the inhibitory effect of Axitinib and enhance the protein expressions of Nrf2, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 and heme oxygenase 1. However, silencing Nrf2 increased the cell sensitivity to Axitinib. Under Axitinib condition, overexpressing Nrf2 was able to increase cell viability; however, overexpressing Keap1 resulted in an opposite effect. Keap1 serves as a tumor suppressor; its low expression was associated with poor prognosis and a decreased sensitivity of RCC cells to Axitinib. A possible mechanism underlying Axitinib resistance may involve Nrf2 overexpression.