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Zohourian N, Brown JA. Current trends in clinical trials and the development of small molecule epigenetic inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. Epigenomics 2024; 16:671-680. [PMID: 38639711 PMCID: PMC11233149 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms control and regulate normal chromatin structure and gene expression patterns, with epigenetic dysregulation observed in many different cancer types. Importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible, offering the potential to silence oncogenes and reactivate tumor suppressors. Small molecule drugs manipulating these epigenetic mechanisms are at the leading edge of new therapeutic options for cancer treatment. The clinical use of histone deacetyltransferases inhibitors (HDACi) demonstrates the effectiveness of targeting epigenetic mechanisms for cancer treatment. Notably, the development of new classes of inhibitors, including lysine acetyltransferase inhibitors (KATi), are the future of epigenetic-based therapeutics. We outline the progress of current classes of small molecule epigenetic drugs for use against cancer (preclinical and clinical) and highlight the potential market growth in epigenetic-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Zohourian
- Department of Biological Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - James Al Brown
- Department of Biological Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
- Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre (LDCRC), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Tomkiewicz C, Coumoul X, Nioche P, Barouki R, Blanc EB. Costs of molecular adaptation to the chemical exposome: a focus on xenobiotic metabolism pathways. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220510. [PMID: 38310928 PMCID: PMC10838638 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Organisms adapt to their environment through different pathways. In vertebrates, xenobiotics are detected, metabolized and eliminated through the inducible xenobiotic-metabolizing pathways (XMP) which can also generate reactive toxic intermediates. In this review, we will discuss the impacts of the chemical exposome complexity on the balance between detoxication and side effects. There is a large discrepancy between the limited number of proteins involved in these pathways (few dozens) and the diversity and complexity of the chemical exposome (tens of thousands of chemicals). Several XMP proteins have a low specificity which allows them to bind and/or metabolize a large number of chemicals. This leads to undesired consequences, such as cross-inhibition, inefficient metabolism, release of toxic intermediates, etc. Furthermore, several XMP proteins have endogenous functions that may be disrupted upon exposure to exogenous chemicals. The gut microbiome produces a very large number of metabolites that enter the body and are part of the chemical exposome. It can metabolize xenobiotics and either eliminate them or lead to toxic derivatives. The complex interactions between chemicals of different origins will be illustrated by the diverse roles of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor which binds and transduces the signals of a large number of xenobiotics, microbiome metabolites, dietary chemicals and endogenous compounds. This article is part of the theme issue 'Endocrine responses to environmental variation: conceptual approaches and recent developments'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm unit UMRS 1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Nioche
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm unit UMRS 1124, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm unit UMRS 1124, 75006 Paris, France
- Hôpital Necker Enfants malades, AP-HP, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Etienne B. Blanc
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm unit UMRS 1124, 75006 Paris, France
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Jackson KD, Achour B, Lee J, Geffert RM, Beers JL, Latham BD. Novel Approaches to Characterize Individual Drug Metabolism and Advance Precision Medicine. Drug Metab Dispos 2023; 51:1238-1253. [PMID: 37419681 PMCID: PMC10506699 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.122.001066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Interindividual variability in drug metabolism can significantly affect drug concentrations in the body and subsequent drug response. Understanding an individual's drug metabolism capacity is important for predicting drug exposure and developing precision medicine strategies. The goal of precision medicine is to individualize drug treatment for patients to maximize efficacy and minimize drug toxicity. While advances in pharmacogenomics have improved our understanding of how genetic variations in drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) affect drug response, nongenetic factors are also known to influence drug metabolism phenotypes. This minireview discusses approaches beyond pharmacogenetic testing to phenotype DMEs-particularly the cytochrome P450 enzymes-in clinical settings. Several phenotyping approaches have been proposed: traditional approaches include phenotyping with exogenous probe substrates and the use of endogenous biomarkers; newer approaches include evaluating circulating noncoding RNAs and liquid biopsy-derived markers relevant to DME expression and function. The goals of this minireview are to 1) provide a high-level overview of traditional and novel approaches to phenotype individual drug metabolism capacity, 2) describe how these approaches are being applied or can be applied to pharmacokinetic studies, and 3) discuss perspectives on future opportunities to advance precision medicine in diverse populations. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This minireview provides an overview of recent advances in approaches to characterize individual drug metabolism phenotypes in clinical settings. It highlights the integration of existing pharmacokinetic biomarkers with novel approaches; also discussed are current challenges and existing knowledge gaps. The article concludes with perspectives on the future deployment of a liquid biopsy-informed physiologically based pharmacokinetic strategy for patient characterization and precision dosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klarissa D Jackson
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (K.D.J., J.L., R.M.G., J.L.B., B.D.L.); and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island (B.A.)
| | - Brahim Achour
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (K.D.J., J.L., R.M.G., J.L.B., B.D.L.); and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island (B.A.)
| | - Jonghwa Lee
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (K.D.J., J.L., R.M.G., J.L.B., B.D.L.); and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island (B.A.)
| | - Raeanne M Geffert
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (K.D.J., J.L., R.M.G., J.L.B., B.D.L.); and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island (B.A.)
| | - Jessica L Beers
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (K.D.J., J.L., R.M.G., J.L.B., B.D.L.); and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island (B.A.)
| | - Bethany D Latham
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (K.D.J., J.L., R.M.G., J.L.B., B.D.L.); and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island (B.A.)
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