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Abduh MS, Alwassil OI, Aldaqal SM, Alfwuaires MA, Farhan M, Hanieh H. A pyrazolopyridine as a novel AhR signaling activator with anti-breast cancer properties in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116079. [PMID: 38402910 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the main causes of malignancy-related deaths globally and has a significant impact on women's quality of life. Despite significant therapeutic advances, there is a medical need for targeted therapies in breast cancer. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor mediates responses to environment stimuli, is emerging as a unique pleiotropic target. Herein, a combined molecular simulation and in vitro investigations identified 3-(3-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine (3FPP) as a novel AhR ligand in T47D and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Its agonistic effects induced formation of the AhR-AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt) heterodimer and prompted its binding to the penta-nucleotide sequence, called xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE) motif. Moreover, 3FPP augmented the promoter-driven luciferase activities and expression of AhR-regulated genes encoding cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and microRNA (miR)-212/132 cluster. It reduced cell viability, migration, and invasion of both cell lines through AhR signaling. These anticancer properties were concomitant with reduced levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), SRY-related HMG-box4 (SOX4), snail family zinc finger 2 (SNAI2), and cadherin 2 (CDH2). In vivo, 3FPP suppressed tumor growth and activated AhR signaling in an orthotopic mouse model. In conclusion, our results introduce the fused pyrazolopyridine 3FPP as a novel AhR agonist with AhR-specific anti-breast cancer potential in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisa S Abduh
- Immune Responses in Different Diseases Research Group, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Osama I Alwassil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Saleh M Aldaqal
- Immune Responses in Different Diseases Research Group, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Manal A Alfwuaires
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mahdi Farhan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan; Drug Development Department, UniTechPharma, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland.
| | - Hamza Hanieh
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan; Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan.
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2
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Wooten J, Mavingire N, Damar K, Loaiza-Perez A, Brantley E. Triumphs and challenges in exploiting poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition to combat triple-negative breast cancer. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:1625-1640. [PMID: 37042191 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) regulates a myriad of DNA repair mechanisms to preserve genomic integrity following DNA damage. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) confer synthetic lethality in malignancies with a deficiency in the homologous recombination (HR) pathway. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) fail to respond to most targeted therapies because their tumors lack expression of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Certain patients with TNBC harbor mutations in HR mediators such as breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2), enabling them to respond to PARPi. PARPi exploits the synthetic lethality of BRCA-mutant cells. However, de novo and acquired PARPi resistance frequently ensue. In this review, we discuss the roles of PARP in mediating DNA repair processes in breast epithelial cells, mechanisms of PARPi resistance in TNBC, and recent advances in the development of agents designed to overcome PARPi resistance in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Wooten
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Nicole Mavingire
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Katherine Damar
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Andrea Loaiza-Perez
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Oncología Ángel H. Roffo (IOAHR), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eileen Brantley
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California, USA
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3
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Hanieh H, Bani Ismail M, Alfwuaires MA, Ibrahim HIM, Farhan M. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as an Anticancer Target: An Overview of Ten Years Odyssey. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28103978. [PMID: 37241719 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28103978] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/per-Arnt-sim (PAS) superfamily, is traditionally known to mediate xenobiotic metabolism. It is activated by structurally diverse agonistic ligands and regulates complicated transcriptional processes through its canonical and non-canonical pathways in normal and malignant cells. Different classes of AhR ligands have been evaluated as anticancer agents in different cancer cells and exhibit efficiency, which has thrust AhR into the limelight as a promising molecular target. There is strong evidence demonstrating the anticancer potential of exogenous AhR agonists including synthetic, pharmaceutical, and natural compounds. In contrast, several reports have indicated inhibition of AhR activity by antagonistic ligands as a potential therapeutic strategy. Interestingly, similar AhR ligands exert variable anticancer or cancer-promoting potential in a cell- and tissue-specific mode of action. Recently, ligand-mediated modulation of AhR signaling pathways and the associated tumor microenvironment is emerging as a potential approach for developing cancer immunotherapeutic drugs. This article reviews advances of AhR in cancer research covering publication from 2012 to early 2023. It summarizes the therapeutic potential of various AhR ligands with an emphasis on exogenous ligands. It also sheds light on recent immunotherapeutic strategies involving AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Hanieh
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Bani Ismail
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Manal A Alfwuaires
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hairul-Islam M Ibrahim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahdi Farhan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
- Department of Drug Development, UniTechPharma, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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4
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Elson DJ, Kolluri SK. Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and AhR as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040526. [PMID: 37106727 PMCID: PMC10135996 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulating a wide range of biological responses. A diverse array of xenobiotics and endogenous small molecules bind to the receptor and drive unique phenotypic responses. Due in part to its role in mediating toxic responses to environmental pollutants, AhR activation has not been traditionally viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the expression and activation of AhR can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, and many clinically approved drugs transcriptionally activate AhR. Identification of novel select modulators of AhR-regulated transcription that promote tumor suppression is an active area of investigation. The development of AhR-targeted anticancer agents requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor suppression. Here, we summarized the tumor-suppressive mechanisms regulated by AhR with an emphasis on the endogenous functions of the receptor in opposing carcinogenesis. In multiple different cancer models, the deletion of AhR promotes increased tumorigenesis, but a precise understanding of the molecular cues and the genetic targets of AhR involved in this process is lacking. The intent of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting AhR-dependent tumor suppression and distill insights for development of AhR-targeted cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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5
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An overview of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in the Last two decades (2002–2022): A medicinal chemistry perspective. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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The Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and Its Ligands in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225574. [PMID: 36428667 PMCID: PMC9688153 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a complex disease which is defined by numerous cellular and molecular markers that can be used to develop more targeted and successful therapies. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is overexpressed in many breast tumor sub-types, including estrogen receptor -positive (ER+) tumors; however, the prognostic value of the AhR for breast cancer patient survival is not consistent between studies. Moreover, the functional role of the AhR in various breast cancer cell lines is also variable and exhibits both tumor promoter- and tumor suppressor- like activity and the AhR is expressed in both ER-positive and ER-negative cells/tumors. There is strong evidence demonstrating inhibitory AhR-Rα crosstalk where various AhR ligands induce ER degradation. It has also been reported that different structural classes of AhR ligands, including halogenated aromatics, polynuclear aromatics, synthetic drugs and other pharmaceuticals, health promoting phytochemical-derived natural products and endogenous AhR-active compounds inhibit one or more of breast cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration/invasion, and metastasis. AhR-dependent mechanisms for the inhibition of breast cancer by AhR agonists are variable and include the downregulation of multiple genes/gene products such as CXCR4, MMPs, CXCL12, SOX4 and the modulation of microRNA levels. Some AhR ligands, such as aminoflavone, have been investigated in clinical trials for their anticancer activity against breast cancer. In contrast, several publications have reported that AhR agonists and antagonists enhance and inhibit mammary carcinogenesis, respectively, and differences between the anticancer activities of AhR agonists in breast cancer may be due in part to cell context and ligand structure. However, there are reports showing that the same AhR ligand in the same breast cancer cell line gives opposite results. These differences need to be resolved in order to further develop and take advantage of promising agents that inhibit mammary carcinogenesis by targeting the AhR.
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Ryan GJ, Gunnlaugsson T, Quinn SJ. Hook, Line, and Sinker! Spectroscopic Studies of Bi-Modular Mono- and Bis-1,8-naphthalimide-Ru(bpy) 3-conjugates as DNA "Light Switches". Inorg Chem 2022; 61:12073-12086. [PMID: 35876859 PMCID: PMC9364415 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bi-chromophoric ruthenium polypyridyl complexes comprising one or two nitro-1,8-naphthalimide groups are shown to be effective DNA binders with off-on light switching properties. The binding to DNA was investigated using a combination of studies such as UV-visible absorption and emission titrations, thermal denaturation, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The DNA affinity was shown to be sensitive to both the linker length and the number of naphthalimides (one vs two) contained in these systems and binding constants ranging from 106 to 107 M-1 for salmon testes DNA. The strong DNA binding is attributed to the combination of naphthalimide intercalation and the electrostatic interaction of the ruthenium complex. Large emission enhancements from the metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission arising from the metal complex were observed upon DNA binding, which was attributed to the interruption of intramolecular electron transfer quenching processes. Moving the nitro substitution from the 4-position to the 3-position is found to result in modification of the DNA binding and the resulting optical properties. The off-on light switch phenomena reported demonstrate the potential of these complexes to act as DNA probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary J Ryan
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), Bernal Institute, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Susan J Quinn
- School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.,Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), Bernal Institute, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
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8
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Recent Developments on 1,8-Naphthalimide Moiety as Potential Target for Anticancer Agents. Bioorg Chem 2022; 121:105677. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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9
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Hanieh H, Ibrahim HIM, Mohammed M, Alwassil OI, Abukhalil MH, Farhan M. Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling by gallic acid suppresses progression of human breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:153817. [PMID: 34782204 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the significant advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains the most common malignancy and the second cause of death in women. Increasingly, preclinical evidence has suggested aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a ligand activated transcription factor, a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer. PURPOSE This study aims at screening a number of phenolic compounds to identify an Ahr ligand with suppressive effects on human breast cancer. METHODS Potential interactions between Ahr and phenolic compounds were predicted in silico, and physical interaction was examined by ligand competitive binding in vitro. The MDA-MB-231 and T47D breast cancer cell lines were used to examine the expression of Ahr downstream genes and progression of breast cancer cells in vitro. Binding of Ahr/Ahr nuclear transporter (Arnt) complex to the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE)-box was examined by DNA-protein interaction (DPI)-ELISA, promoter activity was assessed using luciferase reporter system, and RNA interreference was carried out using electroporation. The real-time PCR and/or immunoblotting were used to quantify gene expressions. Tumor growth in vivo was assessed using a murine orthotopic model. RESULTS A combined computational modeling and in vitro approaches identified gallic acid (GA) as an Ahr ligand with agonistic properties. It induced binding of Ahr/Arnt to the XRE-box, enhanced the promoter activity and expression of Ahr downstream genes including cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and SRY-related HMG-box4 (SOX4)-targeting miR-212/132 cluster and miR-335 in both MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells. GA increased apoptosis while decreased proliferation, migration and invasion capacities of breast cancer cells in an Ahr-dependent fashion. Furthermore, it reduced the levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and SOX4, while selectively increased that of tumor protein 53 (P53), in an Ahr-dependent and -independent fashions. In an in vivo orthotopic model, GA activated Ahr signaling and reduced the growth of breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION We identified GA as an Ahr phenolic ligand, and provided evidence on the role of Ahr in mediating its anti-breast cancer effects, indicating that GA, and possibly other phenolic compounds, have important therapeutic implications in human breast cancer through activation of Ahr signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Hanieh
- Department of Medical Analysis, Department of Biological Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma'an 71111, Jordan; International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan.
| | - Hairul-Islam M Ibrahim
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maged Mohammed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44111, Egypt
| | - Osama I Alwassil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad H Abukhalil
- Department of Medical Analysis, Department of Biological Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma'an 71111, Jordan; International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Mahdi Farhan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan; Department of Drug Development, UniTechPharma, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
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10
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Shih TL, Lin KH, Chen RJ, Chen TY, Kao WT, Liu JW, Wang HH, Peng HY, Sun YY, Lu WJ. A novel naphthalimide derivative reduces platelet activation and thrombus formation via suppressing GPVI. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9434-9446. [PMID: 34448532 PMCID: PMC8500964 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Naphthalimide derivatives have multiple biological activities, including antitumour and anti‐inflammatory activities. We previously synthesized several naphthalimide derivatives; of them, compound 5 was found to exert the strongest inhibitory effect on human DNA topoisomerase II activity. However, the effects of naphthalimide derivatives on platelet activation have not yet been investigated. Therefore, the mechanism underlying the antiplatelet activity of compound 5 was determined in this study. The data revealed that compound 5 (5–10 μM) inhibited collagen‐ and convulxin‐ but not thrombin‐ or U46619‐mediated platelet aggregation, suggesting that compound 5 is more sensitive to the inhibition of glycoprotein VI (GPVI) signalling. Indeed, compound 5 could inhibit the phosphorylation of signalling molecules downstream of GPVI, followed by the inhibition of calcium mobilization, granule release and GPIIb/IIIa activation. Moreover, compound 5 prevented pulmonary embolism and prolonged the occlusion time, but tended to prolong the bleeding time, indicating that it can prevent thrombus formation but may increase bleeding risk. This study is the first to demonstrate that the naphthalimide derivative compound 5 exerts antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects. Future studies should modify compound 5 to synthesize more potent and efficient antiplatelet agents while minimizing bleeding risk, which may offer a therapeutic potential for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzenge-Lien Shih
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Hung Lin
- Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ray-Jade Chen
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Kao
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Wei Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Hsiao Wang
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yu Peng
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yo Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wan-Jung Lu
- Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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Baker JR, Russell CC, Gilbert J, McCluskey A, Sakoff JA. Amino alcohol acrylonitriles as broad spectrum and tumour selective cytotoxic agents. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:929-942. [PMID: 34263170 PMCID: PMC8223738 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00021g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have identified specific dichlorophenylacrylonitriles as lead compounds in the development of novel anticancer compounds, notably, (Z)-N-(4-(2-cyano-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)vinyl)phenyl)acetamide (1) and ANI-7 (2). Herein we specifically probe the SAR associated with the terminal aromatic ring and associated cytoxicity in a broad range of human cancer cell lines. Synthesis of three focused libraries revealed a poor tolerance for electron withdrawing and donating moieties (Library A). A clear preference for hydrophobic substituents on a terminal piperazine moiety (Library B) with good levels of broad spectrum cytotoxicity, e.g. 13a (GI50 2.5-6.0 μM), as did the introduction of a methylene spacer with 13i (4-CH3PhCH2; GI50 1.5-4.5 μM). Removal of the aromatic moiety and installation of simple hydrophobic groups (Library C), in particular an adamantyl moiety, afforded highly active broad spectrum cytotoxic agents with GI50 values ranging from 1.7 μM (14k; 1-adamantyl) to 5.6 μM (14i; pyrrolidine). Within these libraries we note lung cancer selectivity, relative to normal cells, of 13h (fluoro substituted acrylonitrile, GI50 1.6 μM, 9.3-fold selective); the colorectal selectivity of 14h (methylpiperidine analogue, GI50 0.36 μM, 6.9-fold selective) and the breast cancer selectivity of 13f (nitrile substituted acrylonitrile, GI50 2.3-6.0 μM, up to 20-fold selective). The latter was confirmed as a novel AhR ligand and a CYP1A1 activating compound, that likely induces cell death following bioactivation; a phenomenon previously described in breast cancer cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Baker
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
| | - Cecilia C Russell
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
| | - Jayne Gilbert
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital Edith Street Waratah NSW 2298 Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
| | - Jennette A Sakoff
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital Edith Street Waratah NSW 2298 Australia
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12
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Stanton DT, Baker JR, McCluskey A, Paula S. Development and interpretation of a QSAR model for in vitro breast cancer (MCF-7) cytotoxicity of 2-phenylacrylonitriles. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2021; 35:613-628. [PMID: 33945106 PMCID: PMC8093599 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-021-00387-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The Arylhydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), a member of the Per-ARNT-SIM transcription factor family, has been as a potential new target to treat breast cancer sufferers. A series of 2-phenylacrylonitriles targeting AhR has been developed that have shown promising and selective activity against cancerous cell lines while sparing normal non-cancerous cells. A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling approach was pursued in order to generate a predictive model for cytotoxicity to support ongoing synthetic activities and provide important structure-activity information for new structure design. Recent work conducted by us has identified a number of compounds that exhibited false positive cytotoxicity values in the standard MTT assay. This work describes a good quality model that not only predicts the activity of compounds in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, but was also able to identify structures that subsequently gave false positive values in the MTT assay by identifying compounds with aberrant biological behavior. This work not only allows the design of future breast cancer cytotoxic activity in vitro, but allows the avoidance of the synthesis of those compounds anticipated to result in anomalous cytotoxic behavior, greatly enhancing the design of such compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer R Baker
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Stefan Paula
- Department of Chemistry, Tschannen Science Center, California State University at Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
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13
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Baker JR, Pollard BL, Lin AJS, Gilbert J, Paula S, Zhu X, Sakoff JA, McCluskey A. Modelling and Phenotypic Screening of NAP-6 and 10-Cl-BBQ, AhR Ligands Displaying Selective Breast Cancer Cytotoxicity in Vitro. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1499-1512. [PMID: 33300308 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To exploit the interaction of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway in developing breast-cancer-specific cytotoxic compounds, we examined the breast cancer selectivity and the docking pose of the AhR ligands (Z)-2-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione (NAP-6; 5) and 10-chloro-7H-benzo[de]benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-7-one (10-Cl-BBQ; 6). While the breast cancer selectivity of 5 in vitro is known, we discuss the SAR around this lead and, by using phenotypic cell-line screening and the MTT assay, show for the first time that 6 also presents with breast cancer selectivity, notably in the triple-negative (TN) receptor breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468, the ER+ breast cancer cell lines T47D, ZR-75-1 and the HER2+ breast cancer cell line SKBR3 (GI50 values of 0.098, 0.97, 0.13 and 0.21 μM, respectively). Indeed, 6 is 55 times more potent in MDA-MB-468 cells than normal MCF10A breast cells (GI50 of 0.098 vs 5.4 μM) and more than 130 times more potent than in cell lines derived from pancreas, brain and prostate (GI50 of 0.098 vs 10-13 μM). Molecular docking poses of 5 and 6 together with analogue synthesis and phenotypic screening show the importance of the naphthalene moiety, and an ortho-disposed substituent on the N-phenyl moiety for biological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Baker
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Brett L Pollard
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Andrew J S Lin
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Jayne Gilbert
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Hospital, Edith Street, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Stefan Paula
- Present address: Department of Chemistry, California State University at Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95819
| | - Xiao Zhu
- Research Computing, Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP), Purdue University, 155 South Grant Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jennette A Sakoff
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater Hospital, Edith Street, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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