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Lath A, Santal AR, Kaur N, Kumari P, Singh NP. Anti-cancer peptides: their current trends in the development of peptide-based therapy and anti-tumor drugs. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2022; 39:45-84. [PMID: 35699384 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2082157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Human cancer remains a cause of high mortality throughout the world. The conventional methods and therapies currently employed for treatment are followed by moderate-to-severe side effects. They have not generated curative results due to the ineffectiveness of treatments. Besides, the associated high costs, technical requirements, and cytotoxicity further characterize their limitations. Due to relatively higher presidencies, bioactive peptides with anti-cancer attributes have recently become treatment choices within the therapeutic arsenal. The peptides act as potential anti-cancer agents explicitly targeting tumor cells while being less toxic to normal cells. The anti-cancer peptides are isolated from various natural sources, exhibit high selectivity and high penetration efficiency, and could be quickly restructured. The therapeutic benefits of compatible anti-cancer peptides have contributed to the significant expansion of cancer treatment; albeit, the mechanisms by which bioactive peptides inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells remain unclear. This review will provide a framework for assessing anti-cancer peptides' structural and functional aspects. It shall provide appropriate information on their mode of action to support and strengthen efforts to improve cancer prevention. The article will mention the therapeutic health benefits of anti-cancer peptides. Their importance in clinical studies is elaborated for reducing cancer incidences and developing sustainable treatment models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Lath
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Anita Rani Santal
- Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Nameet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Poonam Kumari
- Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, CIL and UCIM, Punjab University, Chandigarh, Inida
| | - Nater Pal Singh
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
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Akbarian M, Khani A, Eghbalpour S, Uversky VN. Bioactive Peptides: Synthesis, Sources, Applications, and Proposed Mechanisms of Action. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031445. [PMID: 35163367 PMCID: PMC8836030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive peptides are a group of biological molecules that are normally buried in the structure of parent proteins and become active after the cleavage of the proteins. Another group of peptides is actively produced and found in many microorganisms and the body of organisms. Today, many groups of bioactive peptides have been marketed chemically or recombinantly. This article reviews the various production methods and sources of these important/ubiquitous and useful biomolecules. Their applications, such as antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant activities, blood-lipid-lowering effect, opioid role, antiobesity, ability to bind minerals, antidiabetic, and antiaging effects, will be explored. The types of pathways proposed for bioactive applications will be in the next part of the article, and at the end, the future perspectives of bioactive peptides will be reviewed. Reading this article is recommended for researchers interested in various fields of physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology and food industry professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Akbarian
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Ali Khani
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran;
| | - Sara Eghbalpour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Surgery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol 4717647745, Iran;
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(813)-974-5816
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Mauro M, Lazzara V, Punginelli D, Arizza V, Vazzana M. Antitumoral compounds from vertebrate sister group: A review of Mediterranean ascidians. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 108:103669. [PMID: 32192994 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Among the diseases that afflict the human population, cancer is one for which many drug treatments are not yet known or effective. Moreover, the pharmacological treatments used often create serious side effects in sick patients and for this reason, it is essential to find effective and less harmful treatments. To date, marine biodiversity is a real source of metabolites with antitumoral activity and among invertebrates' ascidians have been the main source to obtain them. Mediterranean area is the richest in biodiversity and contains several ascidian species used in drugs development during the years. However, many more Mediterranean ascidian species have not been studied and could be a source of useful bioactive compounds. This review aims to summarize the scientific studies that analyzed the antitumor compounds obtained from different Mediterranean ascidians species, encouraging them to search further compounds in other new species to improve pharmacological treatments and human population life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Mauro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18-90123 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Valentina Lazzara
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18-90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Diletta Punginelli
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18-90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18-90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mirella Vazzana
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18-90123 Palermo, Italy
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Lichota A, Gwozdzinski K. Anticancer Activity of Natural Compounds from Plant and Marine Environment. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3533. [PMID: 30423952 PMCID: PMC6275022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the substances of plant and marine origin that have anticancer properties. The chemical structure of the molecules of these substances, their properties, mechanisms of action, their structure⁻activity relationships, along with their anticancer properties and their potential as chemotherapeutic drugs are discussed in this paper. This paper presents natural substances from plants, animals, and their aquatic environments. These substances include the vinca alkaloids, mistletoe plant extracts, podophyllotoxin derivatives, taxanes, camptothecin, combretastatin, and others including geniposide, colchicine, artesunate, homoharringtonine, salvicine, ellipticine, roscovitine, maytanasin, tapsigargin, and bruceantin. Compounds (psammaplin, didemnin, dolastin, ecteinascidin, and halichondrin) isolated from the marine plants and animals such as microalgae, cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, invertebrates (e.g., sponges, tunicates, and soft corals) as well as certain other substances that have been tested on cells and experimental animals and used in human chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lichota
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Gwozdzinski
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland.
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Abstract
Cyclic depsipeptides are polypeptides in which one or more amino acid is replaced by a hydroxy acid, resulting in the formation of at least one ester bond in the core ring structure. Many natural cyclic depsipeptides possessing intriguing structural and biological properties, including antitumor, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, anthelmintic, and anti-inflammatory activities, have been identified from fungi, plants, and marine organisms. In particular, the potent effects of cyclic depsipeptides on tumor cells have led to a number of clinical trials evaluating their potential as chemotherapeutic agents. Although many of the trials have not achieved the desired results, romidepsin (FK228), a bicyclic depsipeptide that inhibits histone deacetylase, has been shown to have clinical efficacy in patients with refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and has received Food and Drug Administration approval for use in treatment. In this review, we discuss antitumor cyclic depsipeptides that have undergone clinical trials and focus on their structural features, mechanisms, potential applications in chemotherapy, and pharmacokinetic and toxicity data. The results of this study indicate that cyclic depsipeptides could be a rich source of new cancer therapeutics.
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Abstract
This paper illustrates some biochemical and pharmacological properties of two natural marine products such as trabectedin (ET-743, Yondelis) and aplidine. Trabectedin has shown clinical antitumor activity in refractory soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer. The lack of cross resistance of trabectedin with other chemotherapeutic drugs is presumably related to its peculiar mode of action, that seems to be related to a promoter-dependent transcription modulation. Aplidine is a potent pro-apoptotic inducer in human leukemia and has antiangiogenic properties. These examples support the view that more research should be carried out to investigate new natural marine products since there are compounds among them with antitumor properties. Some of them appear to act by mechanisms different from those of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and thus may be effective against tumors for which no active drugs are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D'Incalci
- Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via Eritrea 62, Milan, Italy.
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Barboza NM, Medina DJ, Budak-Alpdogan T, Aracil M, Jimeno JM, Bertino JR, Banerjee D. Plitidepsin (Aplidin) is a potent inhibitor of diffuse large cell and Burkitt lymphoma and is synergistic with rituximab. Cancer Biol Ther 2012; 13:114-22. [PMID: 22336911 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.13.2.18876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Plitidepsin (Aplidin), an antitumor agent of marine origin, presently is undergoing phase II/III clinical trials, and has shown promise for the treatment of lymphoma. Here, we describe the antitumor effects of plitidepsin alone and in combination with rituximab and investigated the effects of each drug and the combination on the cell cycle and mechanism of cell death. Several Diffuse Large Cell Lymphoma (DLCL) lines and Burkitt cell lines were tested for sensitivity to plitidepsin and rituximab. All DLCL and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines were inhibited by plitidepsin in nanomolar concentrations, while rituximab sensitivity varied among different cell lines. Ramos and the RL cell lines proved sensitive to rituximab and were used to test the effects of each of the two drugs. The two agents exhibited synergism at all tested concentrations. For in vivo studies, irradiated athymic nude mice were engrafted with the Ramos lymphoma. Treatment was initiated when the tumors were ~0.5 cm in diameter, and toxic and therapeutic effects were monitored. In the in vivo study, additive effects of the combined two drugs, was demonstrated without an increase in host toxicity. The in vitro synergy and the in vivo additive antitumor effects without an increase in host toxicity with two relatively non-marrow suppressive agents encourages further development of this combination for treatment of aggressive B-cell lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora M Barboza
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Bioactive peptides and depsipeptides with anticancer potential: sources from marine animals. Mar Drugs 2012; 10:963-986. [PMID: 22822350 PMCID: PMC3397454 DOI: 10.3390/md10050963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2011] [Revised: 03/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologically active compounds with different modes of action, such as, antiproliferative, antioxidant, antimicrotubule, have been isolated from marine sources, specifically algae and cyanobacteria. Recently research has been focused on peptides from marine animal sources, since they have been found as secondary metabolites from sponges, ascidians, tunicates, and mollusks. The structural characteristics of these peptides include various unusual amino acid residues which may be responsible for their bioactivity. Moreover, protein hydrolysates formed by the enzymatic digestion of aquatic and marine by-products are an important source of bioactive peptides. Purified peptides from these sources have been shown to have antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effect on several human cancer cell lines such as HeLa, AGS, and DLD-1. These characteristics imply that the use of peptides from marine sources has potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer, and that they might also be useful as molecular models in anticancer drug research. This review focuses on the latest studies and critical research in this field, and evidences the immense potential of marine animals as bioactive peptide sources.
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Lee J, Currano JN, Carroll PJ, Joullié MM. Didemnins, tamandarins and related natural products. Nat Prod Rep 2012; 29:404-24. [PMID: 22270031 DOI: 10.1039/c2np00065b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery and isolation of the didemnin family of marine depsipeptides in 1981, the synthesis and biological activity of its congeners have been of great interest to the scientific community. The didemnins have demonstrated antitumor, antiviral, and immunosuppressive activity at low nano- and femtomolar levels. Of the congeners, didemnin B was the first marine natural product to reach phase II clinical trials in the United States, stimulating many analogue syntheses to date. About two decades later, tamandarins A and B were isolated, and were found to possess very similar structure and biological activity to that of the didemnin B. These compounds have shown impressive biological activity and some progress has been made in establishing structure-activity relationships. However, their molecular mechanism of action still remains unclear. This review highlights the long-standing study of didemnins and its critical application towards the understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of tamandarins and their potential use as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisun Lee
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Chemistry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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Funel N, Costa F, Pettinari L, Taddeo A, Sala A, Chiriva-Internati M, Cobos E, Colombo G, Milzani A, Campani D, Dalle-Donne I, Gagliano N. Ukrain affects pancreas cancer cell phenotype in vitro by targeting MMP-9 and intra-/extracellular SPARC expression. Pancreatology 2010; 10:545-52. [PMID: 20975318 DOI: 10.1159/000266127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS We investigated whether the anticancer drug Ukrain (UK) is able to modulate the expression of some of the key markers of tumor progression in pancreatic cell carcinoma, in order to assess its potential therapeutic effect. METHODS Three cell lines (HPAF-II, PL45, HPAC) were treated with UK (5, 10 and 20 μM) for 48 h, or left untreated. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) mRNA levels were assessed by real-time PCR. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 activity was analyzed by SDS zymography; SPARC protein levels in cell lysates and supernatants were determined by Western blot. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometric analysis, and invasion by matrigel invasion assay. RESULTS UK down-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9, suggesting that UK may decrease pancreatic cancer cell invasion, as confirmed by the matrigel invasion assay. SPARC protein down-regulation in supernatants points to an inhibition by UK of extracellular matrix remodeling in the tumor microenvironment. At the same time, SPARC mRNA and cellular protein level up-regulation suggests that UK can affect cell proliferation by cell cycle inhibition, showing a cell cycle G2/M arrest in UK-treated cells. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that UK modulates two major aspects involved in tumorigenesis of pancreatic cancer cells, such as extracellular matrix remodeling and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccola Funel
- Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Longo-Sorbello GSA, Gao H, Mishra PJ, Kamen B, Soto A, Jimeno J, Aracil M, Paz de Paz MF, Bertino JR, Banerjee D. Heparin and suramin alter plitidepsin uptake via inhibition of GPCR coupled signaling. J Chemother 2010; 21:550-7. [PMID: 19933047 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2009.21.5.550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Plitidepsin (Aplidin) is a novel antitumor agent, derived from the mediterranean tunicate Aplidium albicans, and is currently in phase ii clinical trials with evidence of activity in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma, renal cell carcinoma, melanoma and neuroblastoma patients. As compared to its parental compound didemnin B, plitidepsin has shown a better therapeutic index with less bone marrow toxicity, cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity in patients and a more potent cytotoxic effect in several tumor cell lines. As sensitivity to the drug varies between cell lines and fresh leukemia samples, we performed studies on transport of plitidepsin in leukemia and lymphoma cell lines to determine the mechanism of uptake. The drug is taken up by an active transport process, i.e. the process is temperature and energy dependent, and has a high-affinity binding site with Kt =212 nM and Vmax = 15 pmoles/min. Importantly, once inside the cell, efflux of plitidepsin is minimum, suggesting that the drug is bound to intracellular macromolecules. Further work showed that plitidepsin binds to G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), since GPCR and GRK (GPCR kinases) inhibitors suramin and heparin respectively, markedly reduce the drug uptake and its cytotoxic activity. Signaling via Jak/Stat pathway is inhibited by pharmacological concentrations of plitidepsin, further confirming the relationship between plitidepsin and GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S A Longo-Sorbello
- Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersy, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
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Ochab-Marcinek A, Gudowska-Nowak E, Nasonova E, Ritter S. Modeling radiation-induced cell cycle delays. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2009; 48:361-370. [PMID: 19669777 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-009-0239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is known to delay the cell cycle progression. In particular after particle exposure significant delays have been observed and it has been shown that the extent of delay affects the expression of damage, such as chromosome aberrations. Thus, to predict how cells respond to ionizing radiation and to derive reliable estimates of radiation risks, information about radiation-induced cell cycle perturbations is required. In the present study we describe and apply a method for retrieval of information about the time-course of all cell cycle phases from experimental data on the mitotic index only. We study the progression of mammalian cells through the cell cycle after exposure. The analysis reveals a prolonged block of damaged cells in the G2 phase. Furthermore, by performing an error analysis on simulated data valuable information for the design of experimental studies has been obtained. The analysis showed that the number of cells analyzed in an experimental sample should be at least 100 to obtain a relative error <20%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ochab-Marcinek
- Department of Soft Condensed Matter, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, Warsaw, Poland.
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Pandey PK. Endangered medicinal species of the Indian Ocean: radical need for conservation. Chem Biodivers 2009; 6:990-1001. [PMID: 19623561 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200800183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Life originated in the Oceans, which are also the most fertile source of chemically distinctive natural products that are mainly accumulated in living organisms. Several of these compounds show pharmacological activities, and are helpful for the invention and discovery of bioactive compounds, primarily for several fatal diseases. The Indian Ocean is home to several exotic species of flora and fauna. Several environmental and man-made factors are responsible for deterioration of several precious biodiversity areas of the Ocean. The author, while highlighting the medicinal importance of these organisms, underlines the need for comprehensive conservatory measures on the part of the international community to be taken in order to maintain the rich Oceanic biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pt Kartikay Pandey
- Dr. Pandey's Laboratories and Research Foundation, Behind Madiyaon Police Station, Lucknow, India.
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Nagle DG, Zhou YD. Marine Natural Products as Inhibitors of Hypoxic Signaling in Tumors. PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS : PROCEEDINGS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF EUROPE 2009; 8:415-429. [PMID: 20622986 PMCID: PMC2901131 DOI: 10.1007/s11101-009-9120-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Marine natural products have become a major source of new chemical entities in the discovery of potential anticancer agents that potently suppress various antitumor molecular targets. As a consequence of insufficient vascularization, hypoxic regions form within rapidly growing solid tumor masses. Specific alterations of gene expression in these hypoxic tumor cells help facilitate the survival and metastatic spread of solid tumors. The transcriptional response to cellular hypoxia is primarily mediated by the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) that regulates the expression of more than 100 genes involved in cellular adaptation and survival under hypoxic stress. Clinical studies in cancer patients indicate that HIF-1 activation is directly correlated with advanced disease stages and treatment resistance. HIF-1 has emerged as an important tumor-selective molecular target for anticancer drug discovery. As a result, natural product-based inhibitors of HIF-1 activation have been identified from plants and microorganisms. Recently, structurally unique natural products from marine sponges, crinoids, and algae have been identified as HIF-1 activation inhibitors. The US National Cancer Institute's Open Repository of marine invertebrate and algae extracts has proven to be a valuable source of natural product HIF-1 inhibitors. Among the active compounds identified, certain marine natural products have also been shown to suppress the hypoxic induction of HIF-1 target genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Some of these marine HIF-1 inhibitors act by interfering with the generation of mitochondrial signaling molecules in hypoxic cells. However, the precise mechanisms of action for many newly identified marine natural product HIF-1 inhibitors remain unresolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale G. Nagle
- Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1-602-915-7026; Fax +1-602-915-6975;
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Abstract
Drug discovery from marine natural products has enjoyed a renaissance in the past few years. Ziconotide (Prialt; Elan Pharmaceuticals), a peptide originally discovered in a tropical cone snail, was the first marine-derived compound to be approved in the United States in December 2004 for the treatment of pain. Then, in October 2007, trabectedin (Yondelis; PharmaMar) became the first marine anticancer drug to be approved in the European Union. Here, we review the history of drug discovery from marine natural products, and by describing selected examples, we examine the factors that contribute to new discoveries and the difficulties associated with translating marine-derived compounds into clinical trials. Providing an outlook into the future, we also examine the advances that may further expand the promise of drugs from the sea.
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Nalda-Molina R, Valenzuela B, Ramon-Lopez A, Miguel-Lillo B, Soto-Matos A, Perez-Ruixo JJ. Population pharmacokinetics meta-analysis of plitidepsin (Aplidin) in cancer subjects. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2008; 64:97-108. [PMID: 18941750 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-008-0841-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2008] [Accepted: 09/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the population pharmacokinetics of plitidepsin (Aplidin) in cancer patients. METHODS A total of 283 patients (552 cycles) receiving intravenous plitidepsin as monotherapy at doses ranging from 0.13 to 8.0 mg/m(2) and given as 1- or 24-h infusions every week; 3- or 24-h infusion biweekly; or 1-h infusion daily for 5 consecutive days every 21 days were included in the analysis. An open three-compartment pharmacokinetic model and a nonlinear binding to red blood cells model were used to describe the plitidepsin pharmacokinetics in plasma and blood, respectively, using NONMEM V software. The effect of selected covariates on plitidepsin pharmacokinetics was investigated. Model evaluation was performed using goodness-of-fit plots, posterior predictive check and bootstrap. RESULTS Plasma clearance and its between subject variability (%) was 13.6 l/h (71). Volume of distribution at steady-state was calculated to be 4791 l (59). The parameters B (max) and C (50) of the non-linear blood distribution were 471 microg/l (56) and 41.6 microg/l, respectively. Within the range of covariates studied, age, sex, body size variables, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, creatinine clearance, albumin, total protein, performance status, co-administration of inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 and presence of liver metastases were not statistically related to plitidepsin pharmacokinetic parameters. Bootstrap and posterior predictive check evidenced the model was deemed appropriate to describe the time course of plitidepsin blood and plasma concentrations in cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS The integration of phase I/II pharmacokinetic data demonstrated plitidepsin linear elimination from plasma, dose-proportionality up to 8.0 mg/m(2), and time-independent pharmacokinetics. The distribution to red blood cells can be considered linear at doses lower than 5 mg/m(2) administered as 3-h or longer infusion. No clinically relevant covariates were identified as predictors of plitidepsin pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Nalda-Molina
- Department of Engineering, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics Division, Faculty of Pharmacy, Miguel Hernández University, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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Caers J, Menu E, De Raeve H, Lepage D, Van Valckenborgh E, Van Camp B, Alvarez E, Vanderkerken K. Antitumour and antiangiogenic effects of Aplidin in the 5TMM syngeneic models of multiple myeloma. Br J Cancer 2008; 98:1966-74. [PMID: 18521088 PMCID: PMC2441967 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aplidin® is an antitumour drug, currently undergoing phase II evaluation in different haematological and solid tumours. In this study, we analysed the antimyeloma effects of Aplidin in the syngeneic 5T33MM model, which is representable for the human disease. In vitro, Aplidin inhibited 5T33MMvv DNA synthesis with an IC50 of 3.87 nM. On cell-cycle progression, the drug induced an arrest in transition from G0/G1 to S phase, while Western blot showed a decreased cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression. Furthermore, Aplidin induced apoptosis by lowering the mitochondrial membrane potential, by inducing cytochrome c release and by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. For the in vivo experiment, 5T33MM-injected C57Bl/KaLwRij mice were intraperitoneally treated with vehicle or Aplidin (90 μg kg−1 daily). Chronic treatment with Aplidin was well tolerated and reduced serum paraprotein concentration by 42% (P<0.001), while BM invasion with myeloma cells was decreased by 35% (P<0.001). Aplidin also reduced the myeloma-associated angiogenesis to basal values. This antiangiogenic effect was confirmed in vitro and explained by inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and vessel formation. These data indicate that Aplidin is well tolerated in vivo and its antitumour and antiangiogenic effects support the use of the drug in multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Caers
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Jette, Brussels 1090, Belgium
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Moneo V, Serelde BG, Leal JFM, Blanco-Aparicio C, Diaz-Uriarte R, Aracil M, Tercero JC, Jimeno J, Carnero A. Levels of p27kip1 determine Aplidin sensitivity. Mol Cancer Ther 2007; 6:1310-6. [PMID: 17431109 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-06-0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aplidin (plitidepsin) is a novel anticancer drug isolated from the marine tunicate Aplidium albicans. Aplidin shows potent antitumor activity in preclinical models against a wide variety of human tumors. Aplidin is currently in phase II clinical trials in a variety of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Moreover, clinical studies of Aplidin in combination with other agents are ongoing because it generally lacks cross-resistance with other known cytotoxic drugs. The mode of action of Aplidin in tumor cells is only partially understood. Aplidin induces an early oxidative stress response, which results in a rapid and sustained activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase Src, and the serine threonine kinases c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Here, we show that sensitivity to Aplidin correlates inversely with the levels of expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1) (p27) in a panel of low passaged human sarcoma cell lines. Aplidin induces p27 through an oxidation-dependent mechanism and the reduction of p27 levels by specific short hairpin RNA increases Aplidin sensitivity. We confirmed these results in p27 null mouse embryonic fibroblasts corroborating the specificity of the p27 role in Aplidin response because p21(waf1) null mouse embryonic fibroblasts do not show this increased sensitivity. We propose a mechanism of action of Aplidin involving p27 and support the analysis of p27 in the response to Aplidin in currently ongoing clinical trials to establish the levels of this protein as response predictor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Moneo
- Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Center, Madrid, Spain
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19
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Bravo SB, García-Rendueles MER, Seoane R, Dosil V, Cameselle-Teijeiro J, López-Lázaro L, Zalvide J, Barreiro F, Pombo CM, Alvarez CV. Plitidepsin has a cytostatic effect in human undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 11:7664-73. [PMID: 16278386 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-0455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma is a highly aggressive human cancer with very poor prognosis. Although there have been a few studies of candidate treatments, the fact that it is an infrequent tumor makes it very difficult to design clinical trials. A strong association has been observed between undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma and TP53 mutations in numerous molecular genetic and expression studies. Plitidepsin (Aplidin, PharmaMar, Madrid, Spain) is a novel anticancer compound obtained from a sea tunicate. This compound has been reported to induce apoptosis independently of TP53 status. We investigated the actions of plitidepsin in human thyroid cancer cells. In initial experiments using primary cultured cells from a differentiated (papillary) carcinoma, we found that 100 nmol/L plitidepsin induced apoptosis, whereas lower doses were cytostatic. Because our aim was to study the effects of plitidepsin at clinically relevant concentrations, subsequent experiments were done with a dosage regimen reflecting plasma concentrations observed in previously reported clinical trials: 100 nmol/L for 4 hours, followed by 10 nmol/L for 20 hours (4(100)/20(10) plitidepsin). This plitidepsin dosage regimen blocked the proliferation of a primary undifferentiated/anaplastic thyroid carcinoma culture obtained in our laboratory and of a commercial cell line (8305C) obtained from an undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma; however, it did not induce apoptosis. The proportion of cells in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle was greatly increased and the proportion in the S/G(2)-M phases greatly reduced, suggesting that plitidepsin blocks G(1)-to-S transition. Levels of the cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4/p21 complex proteins were decreased and, in line with this, the levels of unphosphorylated Rb1 increased. The decrease in cell cycle proteins correlated with hypoacetylation of histone H3. Finally, we did experiments to assess how rapidly tumor cells return to their initial pretreatment proliferative behavior after 4(100)/20(10) plitidepsin treatment. Cells from undifferentiated tumors needed more than 3 days to recover logarithmic growth, and after 7 days, cell number was still significantly lower than in control cultures. 4(100)/20(10) plitidepsin inhibited the growth in soft agar. Together, our data show that plitidepsin is able to block in vitro cell cycle progression at concentrations similar to serum concentrations observed in vivo, and that this effect is persistent for several days after plitidepsin removal. Whether plitidepsin will prove to be clinically useful in the treatment of undifferentiated thyroid cancers remains to be established. However, our results raise the possibility that plitidepsin might be effective alone or in combination with radiotherapy and/or other drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana B Bravo
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, Spain
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González-Santiago L, Suárez Y, Zarich N, Muñoz-Alonso MJ, Cuadrado A, Martínez T, Goya L, Iradi A, Sáez-Tormo G, Maier JV, Moorthy A, Cato ACB, Rojas JM, Muñoz A. Aplidin® induces JNK-dependent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via alteration of glutathione homeostasis, Rac1 GTPase activation, and MKP-1 phosphatase downregulation. Cell Death Differ 2006; 13:1968-81. [PMID: 16543941 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4401898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aplidin is an antitumor agent in phase II clinical trials that induces apoptosis through the sustained activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We report that Aplidin alters glutathione homeostasis increasing the ratio of oxidized to reduced forms (GSSG/GSH). Aplidin generates reactive oxygen species and disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential. Exogenous GSH inhibits these effects and also JNK activation and cell death. We found two mechanisms by which Aplidin activates JNK: rapid activation of Rac1 small GTPase and downregulation of MKP-1 phosphatase. Rac1 activation was diminished by GSH and enhanced by L-buthionine (SR)-sulfoximine, which inhibits GSH synthesis. Downregulation of Rac1 by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes or the use of a specific Rac1 inhibitor decreased Aplidin-induced JNK activation and cytotoxicity. Our results show that Aplidin induces apoptosis by increasing the GSSG/GSH ratio, a necessary step for induction of oxidative stress and sustained JNK activation through Rac1 activation and MKP-1 downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L González-Santiago
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols', Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arturo Duperier, 4, Madrid E-28029, Spain
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21
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Jimeno J, Aracil M, Tercero JC. Adding pharmacogenomics to the development of new marine-derived anticancer agents. J Transl Med 2006; 4:3. [PMID: 16401350 PMCID: PMC1334219 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-4-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2005] [Accepted: 01/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has always been a highly productive tool in the development of anticancer therapies. Renewed interest in the potential of this tool has recently been sparked by the realization that the marine ecosystem can be used for the discovery and development of new compounds with clinical potential in advanced resistant tumors. These compounds can be incorporated into combination approaches in a chronic therapy scenario. Our marine anticancer program is using the sea to develop new agents with activity in resistant solid tumors and to identify new cellular targets for therapeutic intervention. This review describes the integration of different pharmacogenomic tools in the development of Yondelis™, Aplidin® and Kahalalide F, three marine-derived compounds currently in Phase II or III development. Our results are reinforcing the targeted selectivity of these agents and opening the gates for customized therapies in cancer patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jimeno
- PharmaMar R & D, Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
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Taddei ML, Chiarugi P, Cuevas C, Ramponi G, Raugei G. Oxidation and inactivation of low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase by the anticancer drug Aplidin. Int J Cancer 2005; 118:2082-8. [PMID: 16287083 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The marine plitidepsin Aplidin derived from the Mediterranean tunicate Aplidium albicans is a strong apoptotic inducer with promising antitumor activity. However, little is known about the mechanism of action of the molecule. In this article, we report that Aplidin is cytotoxic for NIH3T3 cells and that its action is exerted through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Rotenone, but not other selective inhibitors of ROS production, blocks the induction of ROS, suggesting the involvement of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in Aplidin action. The intracellular rise of redox potential caused by Aplidin inactivates several molecular targets. Among these targets, we focused our attention on protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). In agreement with the well-characterized effect of ROS-mediated PTP oxidation, due to the presence of a cysteine residue in their catalytic site, we found that Aplidin induces a strong decrease in PTP activity. In particular, since the expression of low molecular weight-PTP (LMW-PTP) is strongly associated with tumor onset and progression, we investigated the effect of Aplidin on this enzyme. Our data show that LMW-PTP is oxidized and inactivated during Aplidin treatment, thus causing a hyper-phosphorylation of its substrate beta-catenin. These findings demonstrate that, at least in part, the antitumoral activity of Aplidin could be due to the direct inhibition of LMW-PTP and its related oncogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Taddei
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy
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23
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Faivre S, Chièze S, Delbaldo C, Ady-Vago N, Guzman C, Lopez-Lazaro L, Lozahic S, Jimeno J, Pico F, Armand JP, Martin JAL, Raymond E. Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Aplidine, a New Marine Cyclodepsipeptide in Patients With Advanced Malignancies. J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:7871-80. [PMID: 16172454 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2005.09.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeTo establish the safety, pharmacokinetic parameters, maximum-tolerated dose, and recommended dose of aplidine, a novel marine cyclodepsipeptide, in patients with advanced cancer.Patients and MethodsUsing a modified Fibonacci method, we performed a phase I and pharmacokinetic study of aplidine administered as a 24-hour intravenous infusion every 2 weeks.ResultsSixty-seven patients received aplidine at a dose ranging from 0.2 to 8 mg/m2. Dose-limiting myotoxicity corresponding to grade 2 to 3 creatine phosphokinase elevation and grade 1 to 2 myalgia and muscle weakness occurred in two of six patients at 6 mg/m2. No cardiac toxicity was observed. Electron microscopy analysis showed the disappearance of thick filaments of myosin. Grade 3 muscle toxicity occurred in three of 14 patients at the recommended dose of 5 mg/m2and seemed to be more readily reversible with oral carnitine (1 g/10 kg). Therefore, dose escalation was resumed using carnitine prophylactically, allowing an increase in the recommended dose to 7 mg/m2. Other toxicities were nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, asthenia, and transaminase elevation with mild hematologic toxicity. Aplidine displayed a long half-life (21 to 44 hours), low clearance (45 to 49 L/h), and a high volume of distribution (1,036 to 1,124 L) with high interpatient variability in plasma, whereas in whole blood, clearance ranged from 3.0 to 6.2 L/h. Minor responses and prolonged tumor stabilizations were observed in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma.ConclusionMuscle toxicity was dose limiting in this study. Recommended doses of aplidine were 5 and 7 mg/m2without and with carnitine, respectively. The role of carnitine will be further explored in phase II studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Faivre
- Department of Medicine, Institute Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France
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24
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Aquaculture of “Non-Food Organisms” for Natural Substance Production. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/b135821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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25
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Biscardi M, Caporale R, Balestri F, Gavazzi S, Jimeno J, Grossi A. VEGF inhibition and cytotoxic effect of aplidin in leukemia cell lines and cells from acute myeloid leukemia. Ann Oncol 2005; 16:1667-74. [PMID: 16014640 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdi311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aplidine (APL) is a marine depsipeptide isolated from the Mediterranean tunicate Aplidium albicans that is under clinical phase II development. In contrast to the lack of bone marrow toxicity reported in phase I/II studies, it has been shown to induce cytotoxicity at very low concentration against lymphoblastic leukemia blast, as well as having an impact in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor 1 loop. PATIENTS AND METHODS To confirm these findings we investigated APL-related VEGF inhibition and its cytotoxic effect on myeloid leukemic cells lines (K-562, HEL and HL60) and fresh leukemia blasts derived from 30 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The conventional active 4-demetoxi-daunorubicin (idarubicin; IDA) was included as a positive control. RESULTS APL was found to be significantly (P<0.001) more active than IDA in obtaining 50% growth-inhibition in K-562, HEL and HL60 cell lines. Results obtained with AML blast cells were super imposible. ID(50) ranged from 0.024 to 0.610 microM for IDA (0.200+/-0.176) and from 0.001 to 0.108 microM for APL (0.020+/-0.031). Annexin V tests and cell cycle analysis performed on cell lines confirmed the stronger citotoxic capability of APL as apoptotic inducer and as a G(1) blocker. The inhibitory effects of APL on VEGF release and secretion have been confirmed by ELISA tests performed on HEL: the VEGF concentration in cell surnatant was reduced from 169 to 36 pg/ml after 24 h of exposure to a pharmacological concentration of APL. CONCLUSIONS APL harbors a strong in vitro antileukemic activity at a concentration achievable in patients at non-myelotoxic doses. Our data also support the notion of an impact on VEGF secretion. Clinical studies with this new marine-derived compound in relapsed/resistant leukemia are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Biscardi
- U.O. Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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26
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Straight AM, Oakley K, Moores R, Bauer AJ, Patel A, Tuttle RM, Jimeno J, Francis GL. Aplidin reduces growth of anaplastic thyroid cancer xenografts and the expression of several angiogenic genes. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2005; 57:7-14. [PMID: 16001179 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-005-0014-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2004] [Accepted: 02/21/2005] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and highly lethal human cancers. Median survival after diagnosis is 4-6 months despite available radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Additional treatments are needed for ATC. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic stimulus, which is expressed by ATC. Previously, anti-VEGF antibody was used to block VEGF-dependent angiogenesis in ATC xenografts. This treatment induced partial (56%) but not complete tumor regression. Aplidin (APLD) is a marine derived antitumor agent currently in phase II clinical studies. Multiple activities of this compound have been described which likely contribute to its antiproliferative effect. Notably, APLD has been shown to have antiangiogenic properties which include: inhibition of VEGF secretion, reduction in the synthesis of the VEGF receptor (FLT-1), and blockade of matrix metalloproteinase production by endothelial cells. We hypothesized that Aplidin, with its broad spectrum of action and antiangiogenic properties, would be a potentially effective drug against ATC. METHODS Thirty BALB/c nu/nu mice were injected with ATC cells (ARO-81, 1 x 10(6)) and allowed to implant for 3 weeks. Animals were randomized to receive daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle, low dose (0.5 mg/kg/day), or high dose (1.0 mg/kg/day) APLD. After 3 days, the animals were killed and the tumors were removed, weighed, and divided for RNA and protein analyses. RESULTS APLD significantly reduced ATC xenograft growth (low dose, 20% reduction, P = 0.01; high dose, 40% reduction, P < 0.001). This was associated with increased levels of apoptosis related proteins polyadenosylribose polymerase 85 (PARP-85, 75% increase, P = 0.024) and caspase 8 (greater than fivefold increase, P = 0.03). APLD treatment was further associated with lost or reduced expression of several genes that support angiogenesis to include: VEGF, hypoxia inducible factor 1(HIF-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta), TGFbeta receptor 2 (TGFbetaR2), melanoma growth stimulating factor 1 (GRO1), cadherin, and vasostatin. CONCLUSIONS This data supports the hypothesis that APLD may be an effective adjunctive therapy against ATC. The demonstrated molecular impact against angiogenic related genes specifically supports future strategies combining APLD with VEGF interacting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Straight
- Department of Pediatrics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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Mayer AMS, Gustafson KR. Marine pharmacology in 2001-2: antitumour and cytotoxic compounds. Eur J Cancer 2005; 40:2676-704. [PMID: 15571951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2004.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2004] [Revised: 07/30/2004] [Accepted: 09/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
During 2001 and 2002, marine antitumour pharmacology research aimed at the discovery of novel antitumour agents was published in 175 peer-reviewed articles. The purpose of this paper is to present a structured Review of the antitumour and cytotoxic properties of 97 marine natural products, many of them novel compounds that belong to diverse structural classes, including polyketides, terpenes, steroids, and peptides. The organisms yielding these bioactive compounds comprise a taxonomically diverse group of marine invertebrate animals, algae, fungi and bacteria. Antitumour pharmacological studies were conducted with 30 structurally characterised natural marine products in a number of experimental and clinical models which further defined their mechanisms of action. Particularly potent in vitro cytotoxicity data generated with murine and human tumour cell lines was reported for 67 novel marine chemicals with as yet undetermined mechanisms of action. Noteworthy, is the fact that marine anticancer research was sustained by a collaborative effort, involving researchers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, The Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States. Finally, this 2001-2 overview of the marine pharmacology literature highlights the fact that the discovery of novel marine antitumour agents has continued at the same pace as during 1998, 1999 and 2000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro M S Mayer
- Department of Pharmacology, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA.
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Losada A, López-Oliva JM, Sánchez-Puelles JM, García-Fernández LF. Establishment and characterisation of a human carcinoma cell line with acquired resistance to Aplidin. Br J Cancer 2004; 91:1405-13. [PMID: 15365569 PMCID: PMC2409906 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Aplidin (APL) is a new antitumoral drug from marine origin currently in phase II clinical trials against a wide multiplicity of cancers. As resistance may be, as with other drugs, an important obstacle to the APL therapeutic efficacy, we have established an acquired resistance cellular model by continuous exposure of HeLa cells to the drug. The stably resistant subline generated (HeLa-APL), possessing more than 1000-fold relative resistance to APL than parental cells, did not show crossresistance to a subset of clinically relevant antitumoral agents. In addition, resistance was not related to overexpression of P-glycoprotein or differences in overall drug accumulation. Comparing to parental cells, HeLa-APL cells did not present either significant differences in the growth rate or apparent alterations in the cell cycle distribution. Aplidin induced rapid and persistent phosphorylation of both JNK and p38 MAPKs, resulting in activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in parental cells, but, notably, in HeLa-APL-resistant cells MAPKs activation only occurred in a slight and transiently manner, failing to activate the above-mentioned apoptotic machinery. These results suggest that sustained activation of JNK and p38 is essential for triggering the apoptotic programme induced by APL and that HeLa-APL cells bypass this apoptotic response by preventing the specific mechanisms that prime and sustain the long-term activation of these signalling cascades. Although far from human tumour physiology in vivo, HeLa-APL cells represent a potentially useful tool in gaining insights into the mode of action of APL, in selecting non-crossresistant APL structural analogues, as well as in investigating and developing methods to prevent resistance to this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Losada
- Drug Discovery Department, PharmaMar, S.A., E-28770-Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
| | - J M López-Oliva
- Drug Discovery Department, PharmaMar, S.A., E-28770-Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Sánchez-Puelles
- Drug Discovery Department, PharmaMar, S.A., E-28770-Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
| | - L F García-Fernández
- Drug Discovery Department, PharmaMar, S.A., E-28770-Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
- PharmaMar, S.A.U. Drug Discovery Department, Avda. de los Reyes 1, P.I. La Mina-Norte, E-28770-Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain. E-mail:
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Gutiérrez-Rodríguez M, Martín-Martínez M, García-López MT, Herranz R, Cuevas F, Polanco C, Rodríguez-Campos I, Manzanares I, Cárdenas F, Feliz M, Lloyd-Williams P, Giralt E. Synthesis, Conformational Analysis, and Cytotoxicity of Conformationally Constrained Aplidine and Tamandarin A Analogues Incorporating a Spirolactam β-Turn Mimetic. J Med Chem 2004; 47:5700-12. [PMID: 15509169 DOI: 10.1021/jm040788m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
With the aim of studying the contribution of the beta II turn conformation at the side chain of didemnins to the bioactive conformation responsible for their antitumoral activity, conformationally restricted analogues of aplidine and tamandarin A, where the side chain dipeptide Pro8-N-Me-d-Leu7 is replaced with the spirolactam beta II turn mimetic (5R)-7-[(1R)-1-carbonyl-3-methylbutyl]-6-oxo-1,7-diazaspiro[4.4]nonane, were prepared. Additionally, restricted analogues, where the aplidine (pyruvyl9) or tamandarin A [(S)-Lac9] acyl groups are replaced with the isobutyryl, Boc, and 2-methylacryloyl groups, were also prepared. These structural modifications were detrimental to cytotoxic activity, leading to a decrease of 1-2 orders of magnitude with respect to that exhibited by aplidine and tamandarin A. The conformational analysis of one of these spirolactam aplidine analogues, by NMR and molecular modeling methods, showed that the conformational restriction caused by the spirolactam does not produce significant changes in the overall conformation of aplidine, apart from preferentially stabilizing the trans rotamer at the pyruvyl9-spirolactam amide bond, whereas in aplidine both cis and trans rotamers at the pyruvyl9-Pro8 amide bond are more or less equally stabilized. These results seem to indicate a preference for the cis form at that amide bond in the bioactive conformation of aplidine. The significant influence of this cis/trans isomerism upon the cytotoxicity suggests a possible participation of a peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase in the mechanism of action of aplidine.
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Taraboletti G, Poli M, Dossi R, Manenti L, Borsotti P, Faircloth GT, Broggini M, D'Incalci M, Ribatti D, Giavazzi R. Antiangiogenic activity of aplidine, a new agent of marine origin. Br J Cancer 2004; 90:2418-24. [PMID: 15173857 PMCID: PMC2409535 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The antineoplastic compound aplidine, a new marine-derived depsipeptide, has shown preclinical activity in vitro on haematological and solid tumour cell lines. It is currently in early phase clinical trials. The exact mechanism of action of this anticancer agent still needs to be clarified. We have previously reported that aplidine blocks the secretion of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by the human leukaemia cells MOLT-4, suggesting a possible effect on tumour angiogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the antiangiogenic effect of aplidine. In vivo, in the chick embryo allantoic membrane (CAM) assay, aplidine inhibited spontaneous angiogenesis, angiogenesis elicited by exogenous VEGF and FGF-2, and induced by VEGF overexpressing 1A9 ovarian carcinoma cells. In vitro, at concentrations achievable in the plasma of patients, aplidine inhibited endothelial cell functions related to angiogenesis. It affected VEGF- and FGF-2-induced endothelial cell proliferation, inhibited cell migration and invasiveness assessed in the Boyden chamber and blocked the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) by endothelial cells. Finally, aplidine prevented the formation of capillary-like structures by endothelial cells on Matrigel. These findings indicate that aplidine has antiangiogenic activity in vivo and inhibits endothelial cell functional responses to angiogenic stimuli in vitro. This effect might contribute to the antineoplastic activity of aplidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Taraboletti
- Department of Oncology, Mario Negri Institute, Bergamo 24125, Italy.
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Cuadrado A, González L, Suárez Y, Martínez T, Muñoz A. JNK activation is critical for Aplidin-induced apoptosis. Oncogene 2004; 23:4673-80. [PMID: 15122339 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Aplidin is an antitumor drug that induces apoptosis and activates EGFR, Src, JNK and p38MAPK. Here, we show that Aplidin induces c-JUN, JUN B, JUN D, c-FOS, FRA-1 and FOS B genes of the activator-protein (AP)-1 family, and also p65/RELA, a major component of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Concordantly, Aplidin increases AP-1 and NF-kappaB activity. c-FOS induction depends on EGFR, Src and JNK/p38MAPK. In contrast, induction of c-JUN does not require EGFR activity and p65/RELA induction is only partially dependent on these kinases. We used several genetically deficient cells to identify the critical target of Aplidin. Mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient for src, yes and fyn, and those lacking all p38MAPK isoforms displayed normal Aplidin sensitivity (IC50=12 nM). In contrast, MEFs lacking jnk1 and jnk2, which do not express any JNK isoform, were much less sensitive (IC50>500 nM). Furthermore, cells lacking c-jun or expressing a c-Jun protein in which JNK targets Ser(63/73) were mutated (c-JunAA) showed intermediate sensitivity (IC50=60 nM). Additionally, Aplidin has higher cytotoxic activity against proliferating than quiescent cells, which is reflected in higher JNK activation. We conclude that phosphorylation by JNK of c-Jun and additional substrate(s) is crucial for Aplidin activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cuadrado
- Pharma Mar SA, E-28770 Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
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Amador ML, Jimeno J, Paz-Ares L, Cortes-Funes H, Hidalgo M. Progress in the development and acquisition of anticancer agents from marine sources. Ann Oncol 2004; 14:1607-15. [PMID: 14581267 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdg443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M L Amador
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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Jimeno J, López-Martín JA, Ruiz-Casado A, Izquierdo MA, Scheuer PJ, Rinehart K. Progress in the clinical development of new marine-derived anticancer compounds. Anticancer Drugs 2004; 15:321-9. [PMID: 15057135 DOI: 10.1097/00001813-200404000-00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Naturally derived anticancer agents continue to be instrumental in the systemic therapeutic intervention against solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Such compounds now have a relevant role in contemporary models of combination with targeted agents, thus providing a rationale to consider nature as a valid tool to discover new innovative anticancer agents. The marine ecosystem has increasingly been the focus of interest for new discoveries in the field that are expected to be of significant therapeutic impact in cancer patients. A critical review of the integrated data generated in our marine-derived anticancer program seems to confirm such expentancies. ET-743 (Yondelis) represents the first new agent developed against advanced pretreated soft tissue sarcoma in the past 25 years, and also harbors activity in women bearing pretreated ovarian cancer and a solid potential in combination therapy. The lack of cumulative toxicities makes this compound suitable for long-lasting therapies, reversible transaminitis being the most prevalent toxicity. Aplidin has shown a positive therapeutic index in phase I trials and phase II studies are ongoing. In contrast to the lack of bone marrow toxicity, a set of translational results anticipates a potential in leukemia. Kahalalide F has also successfully completed the phase I program in solid tumors with evidence of activity in resistant tumors and phase II studies are under way. Finally, the mechanistic data generated in parallel with the clinical program confirms the potential of the marine ecosystem in the discovery of new agents acting against new cellular targets of relevance in cancer cell biology.
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Berlinck RGS, Hajdu E, da Rocha RM, de Oliveira JHHL, Hernández ILC, Seleghim MHR, Granato AC, de Almeida EVR, Nuñez CV, Muricy G, Peixinho S, Pessoa C, Moraes MO, Cavalcanti BC, Nascimento GGF, Thiemann O, Silva M, Souza AO, Silva CL, Minarini PRR. Challenges and rewards of research in marine natural products chemistry in Brazil. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2004; 67:510-22. [PMID: 15043447 DOI: 10.1021/np0304316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Brazil is blessed with a great biodiversity, which constitutes one of the most important sources of biologically active compounds, even if it has been largely underexplored. As is the case of the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, the Brazilian marine fauna remains practically unexplored in the search for new biologically active natural products. Considering that marine organisms have been shown to be one of the most promising sources of new bioactive compounds for the treatment of different human diseases, the 8000 km of the Brazilian coastline represents a great potential for finding new pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. This review presents the status of marine natural products chemistry in Brazil, including results reported by different research groups with emphasis on the isolation, structure elucidation, and evaluation of biological activities of natural products isolated from sponges, ascidians, octocorals, and Opistobranch mollusks. A brief overview of the first Brazilian program on the isolation of marine bacteria and fungi, directed toward the production of biologically active compounds, is also discussed. The current multidisciplinary collaborative program under development at the Universidade de São Paulo proposes to establish a new paradigm toward the management of the Brazilian marine biodiversity, integrating research on the species diversity, ecology, taxonomy, and biogeography of marine invertebrates and microorganisms. This program also includes a broad screening program of Brazilian marine bioresources, to search for active compounds that may be of interest for the development of new drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto G S Berlinck
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 780, CEP 13560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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New Marine Derived Anticancer Therapeutics ─ A Journey from the Sea to Clinical Trials †. Mar Drugs 2004. [PMCID: PMC3783878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has been instrumental as a source for therapeutics. Despite the fact that we live in an oceanic planet, a number of technical factors have historically hampered the evolution of a marine-based chamanic medicine. With the implementation of scuba diving tools and the development of sophisticated instruments for the isolation and elucidation of structures of natural products from marine organisms, major advances have been made in the discovery of marine derived therapeutics. The availability of ARA-C, a nucleoside analog that is a basic component in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, and its fluorinated analog Gemcitabine, an important therapeutic tool in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and in non small cell lung cancer, is a solid proof and validation of the potential of this approach. As a result of our discovery and developmental program, three innovative compounds with novel mechanisms of action: ET-743, AplidinR and Kahalalide F, have been shown to display a positive therapeutic index and activity in resistant solid tumors that supports the ongoing clinical phase III/II trials. ET-743 represents the first active agent against sarcomas developed in the past 25 years and has demonstrated a therapeutic potential in pretreated ovarian cancer. Several chemical entities are under advanced preclinical testing and additional candidates for clinical development are emerging, including compounds hitting a specific target. Moreover, the development of a given marine candidate implies the collaboration of an interdisciplinary team special focused on supply, formulation, pharmacogenetics and preclinical toxicology.
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New Marine Derived Anticancer Therapeutics ─ A Journey from the Sea to Clinical Trials. Mar Drugs 2004. [DOI: 10.3390/md201014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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In vitro toxicity of three new antitumoral drugs (trabectedin, aplidin, and kahalalide F) on hematopoietic progenitors and stem cells. Exp Hematol 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2003.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Erba E, Serafini M, Gaipa G, Tognon G, Marchini S, Celli N, Rotilio D, Broggini M, Jimeno J, Faircloth GT, Biondi A, D'Incalci M. Effect of Aplidin in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells. Br J Cancer 2003; 89:763-73. [PMID: 12915891 PMCID: PMC2376915 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2003] [Revised: 05/21/2003] [Accepted: 05/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytotoxic effect of Aplidin was investigated on fresh leukaemia cells derived from children with B-cell-precursor (BCP) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) by using stromal-layer culture system and on four cell lines, ALL-PO, Reh, ALL/MIK and TOM-1, derived from patients with ALL with different molecular genetic abnormalities. In ALL cell lines Aplidin was cytotoxic at nanomolar concentrations. In the ALL cell lines the drug-induced cell death was clearly related to the induction of apoptosis and appeared to be p53-independent. Only in ALL-PO 20 nM Aplidin treatment caused a block of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and downregulation of VEGF-mRNA, but Aplidin cytotoxicity does not seem to be related to VEGF inhibition since the sensitivity of ALL-PO cells to Aplidin is comparable to that observed for the other cells used. Aplidin induced a G(1) and a G(2) M block in ALL cell lines. In patient-derived leukaemia cells, Aplidin induced a strong cytotoxicity evidenced in a stroma-supported immunocytometric assay. Cells from children with genetic abnormalities such as t(9;22) and t(4;11) translocations, associated with an inferior treatment outcome, were sensitive to Aplidin to the same extent as that observed in other BCP-ALL cases. Aplidin exerted a strong cell killing effect (>88%) against primary culture cells from five relapsed ALL cases, at concentrations much lower than those reported to be achieved in plasma of patients receiving Aplidin at recommended doses. Taken together these data suggest that Aplidin could be a new anticancer drug to be investigated in ALL patients resistant to available therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Erba
- Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Via Eritrea, 62-20157 Milan, Italy.
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Bresters D, Broekhuizen AJF, Kaaijk P, Faircloth GT, Jimeno J, Kaspers GJL. In vitro cytotoxicity of aplidin and crossresistance with other cytotoxic drugs in childhood leukemic and normal bone marrow and blood samples: a rational basis for clinical development. Leukemia 2003; 17:1338-43. [PMID: 12835722 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2402972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
To determine the potential of aplidin as a cytotoxic agent in pediatric leukemia, we tested bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples (n=72) of children with different types of leukemia and healthy children in the methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium assay. Also, we compared these results with other cytotoxic drugs. Aplidin was cytotoxic in vitro at nanomolar concentrations, in a dose-dependent fashion. L-carnitine, that is applied in clinical studies to prevent myotoxicity caused by aplidin, had no effect on aplidin cytotoxicity in vitro. Aplidin cytotoxicity in vitro was not different when initial and relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or initial ALL and initial acute myeloid leukemia were compared. However, normal BM (n=19) and PB (n=13) cells were more resistant to aplidin than leukemic cells (median two- to seven-fold, P=0.001 and median four- to 11-fold, P&<0.0001, respectively). In leukemia samples, no significant crossresistance between aplidin and other cytotoxic drugs was found, except for a trend for correlation with 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (rho=0.71, P=0.02). In normal BM samples, significant crossresistance with the epipodophyllotoxins was found, which is not readily explained by the currently known mechanisms of action of aplidin. In conclusion, we show that aplidin has selective cytotoxicity in vitro towards childhood leukemia cells and generally lacks crossresistance with other known cytotoxic drugs, which warrants clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bresters
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Yin J, Aviles P, Lee W, Ly C, Floriano P, Ignacio M, Faircloth G. Development of a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of Aplidin, a novel marine-derived antineoplastic agent, in human plasma. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2003; 17:1909-1914. [PMID: 12876692 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.1133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay was developed and validated to quantify a novel marine-derived depsipeptide, Aplidin, in human plasma. The method was validated to demonstrate the specificity, recovery, limit of quantitation (LOQ), accuracy, and precision of measurements. The calibration range for Aplidin was established using Aplidin standards from 0.05-50 ng/mL in blank human plasma. The multiple reaction monitoring, based on the transition m/z 1110.7 --> 295.3, was specific for Aplidin, and that based on the transition m/z 1112.6 --> 297.3 was specific for didemnin B (the internal standard); no endogenous materials interfered with the analysis of Aplidin and didemnin B from blank human plasma. The assay was linear over the concentration range 0.05-50.0 ng/mL. The correlation coefficients for the calibration curves ranged from 0.9979 to 0.9999. The mean intra- and interday accuracies for all calibration standards (n = 12) ranged from 97 to 106% (</=6% bias), and the mean interday precision for all calibration standards was less than 8.3%. The mean intra- and interday assay accuracy for all quality control replicates (n = 12), determined at each QC level throughout the validated runs, remained below 12 and 7%, respectively. The mean intra- and interday assay precision was less than 13.1 and 10.7% for all QC levels, respectively. The assay is currently used to measure Aplidin plasma concentrations to support clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Yin
- PharmaMar USA, Inc., 320 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4616, USA.
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Broggini M, Marchini SV, Galliera E, Borsotti P, Taraboletti G, Erba E, Sironi M, Jimeno J, Faircloth GT, Giavazzi R, D'Incalci M. Aplidine, a new anticancer agent of marine origin, inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and blocks VEGF-VEGFR-1 (flt-1) autocrine loop in human leukemia cells MOLT-4. Leukemia 2003; 17:52-9. [PMID: 12529660 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2402788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2002] [Accepted: 09/17/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism by which aplidine, a marine natural product in early clinical development as an anticancer agent, induces cell growth inhibition and apoptosis has been investigated in the human leukemia cell line MOLT-4. This cell line is characterized not only by the ability to secrete VEGF, but also for the presence on its surface of the VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1). Previous studies from our laboratory concerned with evaluating early changes in gene expression induced by aplidine in MOLT-4 cells have shown that the drug decreases the expression of VEGFR-1 (Marchini et al. Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res 2000; 41: 833). Here, we report the ability of aplidine to block the VEGF/VEGFR-1 loop. We found that aplidine blocked VEGF secretion that was temporally followed by a decrease in both VEGF and VEGFR-1 production. Aplidine did not directly affect either VEGF transcription or stabilization of its mRNA. Transfection of MOLT-4 cells with an antisense VEGF cDNA construct, resulted in inhibition of colony formations. One clone, transfected with sense VEGF cDNA, secreting 8-10 times more VEGF than parental cells, was less sensitive to aplidine-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis than control cells. Moreover, addition of VEGF in the medium decreased the activity of aplidine in MOLT-4 cells. These data demonstrate that aplidine inhibits the growth and induces apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells through the inhibition of VEGF secretion which blocks the VEGF/VEGFR-1 autocrine loop necessary for the growth of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Broggini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
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