|
1
|
Sarkisjan D, Julsing JR, El Hassouni B, Honeywell RJ, Kathmann I, Matherly LH, Lee YB, Kim DJ, Peters GJ. RX-3117 (Fluorocyclopentenyl-Cytosine)-Mediated Down-Regulation of DNA Methyltransferase 1 Leads to Protein Expression of Tumor-Suppressor Genes and Increased Functionality of the Proton-Coupled Folate Carrier. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082717. [PMID: 32295203 PMCID: PMC7215832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: RX-3117 (fluorocyclopentenyl-cytosine) is a cytidine analog that inhibits DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). We investigated the mechanism and potential of RX-3117 as a demethylating agent in several in vitro models. (2) Methods: we used western blotting to measure expression of several proteins known to be down-regulated by DNA methylation: O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and the tumor-suppressor genes, p16 and E-cadherin. Transport of methotrexate (MTX) mediated by the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) was used as a functional assay. (3) Results: RX-3117 treatment decreased total DNA-cytosine-methylation in A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and induced protein expression of MGMT, p16 and E-cadherin in A549 and SW1573 NSCLC cells. Leukemic CCRF-CEM cells and the MTX-resistant variant (CEM/MTX, with a deficient reduced folate carrier) have a very low expression of PCFT due to promoter hypermethylation. In CEM/MTX cells, pre-treatment with RX-3117 increased PCFT-mediated MTX uptake 8-fold, and in CEM cells 4-fold. With the reference hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine similar values were obtained. RX-3117 also increased PCFT gene expression and PCFT protein. (4) Conclusion: RX-3117 down-regulates DNMT1, leading to hypomethylation of DNA. From the increased protein expression of tumor-suppressor genes and functional activation of PCFT, we concluded that RX-3117 might have induced hypomethylation of the promotor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dzjemma Sarkisjan
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.S.); (J.R.J.); (B.E.H.); (R.J.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Joris R. Julsing
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.S.); (J.R.J.); (B.E.H.); (R.J.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Btissame El Hassouni
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.S.); (J.R.J.); (B.E.H.); (R.J.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Richard J. Honeywell
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.S.); (J.R.J.); (B.E.H.); (R.J.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Ietje Kathmann
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.S.); (J.R.J.); (B.E.H.); (R.J.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201-1976, USA;
| | - Young B. Lee
- Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (Y.B.L.); (D.J.K.)
| | - Deog J. Kim
- Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (Y.B.L.); (D.J.K.)
| | - Godefridus J. Peters
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.S.); (J.R.J.); (B.E.H.); (R.J.H.); (I.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-20-4442633
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Balboni B, El Hassouni B, Honeywell RJ, Sarkisjan D, Giovannetti E, Poore J, Heaton C, Peterson C, Benaim E, Lee YB, Kim DJ, Peters GJ. RX-3117 (fluorocyclopentenyl cytosine): a novel specific antimetabolite for selective cancer treatment. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:311-322. [PMID: 30879349 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1583742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION RX-3117 is an oral, small molecule cytidine analog anticancer agent with an improved pharmacological profile relative to gemcitabine and other nucleoside analogs. The agent has excellent activity against various cancer cell lines and xenografts including gemcitabine-resistant variants and it has excellent oral bioavailability; it is not a substrate for the degradation enzyme cytidine deaminase. RX-3117 is being evaluated at a daily oral schedule of 700 mg (5 days/week for 3 weeks) which results in plasma levels in the micromolar range that have been shown to be cytotoxic to cancer cells. It has shown clinical activity in refractory bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer. Areas covered: The review provides an overview of the relevant market and describes the mechanism of action, main pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic features and clinical development of this investigational small molecule. Expert opinion: RX-3117 is selectively activated by uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2), which is expressed only in tumors and has a dual mechanism of action: DNA damage and inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Because of its tumor selective activation, novel mechanism of action, excellent oral bioavailability and candidate biomarkers for patient selection, RX-3117 has the potential to replace gemcitabine in the treatment of a spectrum of cancer types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Balboni
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Btissame El Hassouni
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Richard J Honeywell
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Dzjemma Sarkisjan
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , Netherlands.,b Cancer Pharmacology Lab , Pisa , Italy
| | - Julie Poore
- c Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Rockville , MD , USA
| | - Callie Heaton
- c Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Rockville , MD , USA
| | | | - Ely Benaim
- c Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Rockville , MD , USA
| | - Young B Lee
- c Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Rockville , MD , USA
| | - Deog J Kim
- c Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Rockville , MD , USA
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Synergistic effect and reduced toxicity by intratumoral injection of cytarabine-loaded hyaluronic acid hydrogel conjugates combined with radiotherapy on lung cancer. Invest New Drugs 2019; 37:1146-1157. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-019-00740-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|