The novel agent phospho-glycerol-ibuprofen-amide (MDC-330) inhibits glioblastoma growth in mice: an effect mediated by cyclin D1

NSAIDs: Old Acquaintance in the Pipeline for Cancer Treatment and Prevention─Structural Modulation, Mechanisms of Action, and Bright Future

The limitations of current chemotherapeutic drugs are still a major issue in cancer treatment. Thus, targeted multimodal therapeutic approaches need to be strategically developed to successfully control tumor growth and prevent metastatic burden. Inflammation has long been recognized as a hallmark of cancer and plays a key role in the tumorigenesis and progression of the disease. Several epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical studies have shown that traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit anticancer activities. This Perspective reports the most recent outcomes for the treatment and prevention of different types of cancers for several NSAIDs alone or in combination with current chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, an extensive review of the most promising structural modifications is reported, such as phospho, H₂S, and NO releasing-, selenium-, metal complex-, and natural product-NSAIDs, among others. We also provide a perspective about the new strategies used to obtain more efficient NSAID- or NSAID derivative- formulations for targeted delivery.

New Formulation of a Methylseleno-Aspirin Analog with Anticancer Activity towards Colon Cancer

Aspirin (ASA) has attracted wide interest of numerous scientists worldwide thanks to its chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC). Incorporation of selenium (Se) atom into ASA has greatly increased their anti-tumoral efficacy in CRC compared with the organic counterparts without the Se functionality, such as the promising antitumoral methylseleno-ASA analog (1a). Nevertheless, the efficacy of compound 1a in cancer cells is compromised due to its poor solubility and volatile nature. Thus, 1a has been formulated with native α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin (CD), a modified β-CD (hydroxypropyl β-CD, HP-β-CD) and Pluronic F127, all of them non-toxic, biodegradable and FDA approved. Water solubility of 1a is enhanced with β- and HP- β-CDs and Pluronic F127. Compound 1a forms inclusion complexes with the CDs and was incorporated in the hydrophobic core of the F127 micelles. Herein, we evaluated the cytotoxic potential of 1a, alone or formulated with β- and HP- β-CDs or Pluronic F127, against CRC cells. Remarkably, 1a formulations demonstrated more sustained antitumoral activity toward CRC cells. Hence, β-CD, HP-β-CD and Pluronic F127 might be excellent vehicles to improve pharmacological properties of organoselenium compounds with solubility issues and volatile nature.

Impact of anesthesia and analgesia techniques on glioblastoma progression. A narrative review

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive malignant CNS tumor with a median survival of 15 months after diagnosis. Standard therapy for GBM includes surgical resection, radiation, and temozolomide. Recently, anesthetics and analgesics have received attention for their potential involvement in mediating tumor growth. This narrative review investigated whether various members of the 2 aforementioned classes of drugs have a definitive impact on GBM progression by summarizing pertinent in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Recent publications regarding general anesthetics have been inconsistent, showing that they can be pro-tumoral or antitumoral depending on the experimental context. The local anesthetic lidocaine has shown consistent antitumoral effects in vitro. Clinical studies looking at anesthetics have not concluded that their use improves patient outcomes. In vitro and in vivo studies looking at opioid involvement in GBM have demonstrated inconsistent findings regarding whether these drugs are pro-tumoral or antitumoral. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and specifically COX-2 inhibitors, have shown inconsistent findings across multiple studies looking at whether they are beneficial in halting GBM progression. Until multiple repeatable studies show that anesthetics and analgesics can suppress GBM growth, there is no strong evidence to recommend changes in the anesthetic care of these patients.

Anticancer effects of novel NSAIDs derivatives on cultured human glioblastoma cells

Several epidemiologic, clinical and experimental reports indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could have a potential as anticancer agents. The aim of this study was the evaluation of cytotoxic potential in human glioblastoma cells of novel synthesized NSAID derivatives, obtained by linking, through a spacer, α-lipoic acid (ALA) to anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen (AL-3, 11 and 17), flurbiprofen (AL-6, 13 and 19) and ibuprofen (AL-9, 15 and 21). The effects on the level of gene expression were also determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. According to our results, NSAID derivatives exhibited concentration dependent cytotoxic effects on U87-MG cell line when compared with the control group. Moreover, treatment of the most active compounds (AL-3, AL-6 and AL-9) caused upregulation of tumor suppressor gene PTEN and downregulation of some oncogenes such as AKT1, RAF1 and EGFR. In conclusion, our results revealed that AL-3, AL-6 and AL-9 could be suitable candidates for further investigation to develop new pharmacological strategies for the prevention of cancer.

Targeting Glycolysis with Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Enhances the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutics in Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Xenografts

Pancreatic cancer is a complex disease, in need of new therapeutic approaches. In this study, we explored the effect and mechanism of action of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol in green tea, alone and in combination with current chemotherapeutics on pancreatic cancer cell growth, focusing on glycolysis metabolism. Moreover, we investigated whether EGCG's effect is dependent on its ability to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS). EGCG reduced pancreatic cancer cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner and the growth inhibition effect was further enhanced under glucose deprivation conditions. Mechanistically, EGCG induced ROS levels concentration-dependently. EGCG affected glycolysis by suppressing the extracellular acidification rate through the reduction of the activity and levels of the glycolytic enzymes phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. Cotreatment with catalase abrogated EGCG's effect on phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. Furthermore, EGCG sensitized gemcitabine to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. EGCG and gemcitabine, given alone, reduced pancreatic tumor xenograft growth by 40% and 52%, respectively, whereas the EGCG/gemcitabine combination reduced tumor growth by 67%. EGCG enhanced gemcitabine's effect on apoptosis, cell proliferation, cell cycle and further suppressed phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase levels. In conclusion, EGCG is a strong combination partner of gemcitabine reducing pancreatic cancer cell growth by suppressing glycolysis.

Arylpropionic acid-derived NSAIDs: New insights on derivatization, anticancer activity and potential mechanism of action

NSAIDs displayed chemopreventive and anticancer effects against several types of cancers. Moreover, combination of NSAIDs with anticancer agents resulted in enhanced anticancer activity. These findings have attracted much attention of researchers working in this field. The 2-arylpropionic acid-derived NSAIDs represent one of the most widely used anti-inflammatory agents. Additionally, they displayed antiproliferative activities against different types of cancer cells. Large volume of research was performed to identify molecular targets responsible for this activity. However, the exact mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of profens is still unclear. In this review article, the anticancer potential, structure activity relationship and synthesis of selected profen derivatives were summarized. This review is focused also on non-COX targets which can mediate the anticancer activity of this derivatives. The data in this review highlighted profens as promising lead compounds in future research to develop potent and safe anticancer agents.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth, Invasion, and Migration partly through the Inhibition of Akt Pathway and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Enhanced Efficacy when Combined with Gemcitabine

Most pancreatic cancers are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage when they have already metastasized. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenolic constituent of green tea, has been shown to reduce pancreatic cancer growth, but its effect on metastasis remains elusive. This study evaluated the capacity of EGCG to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion and the underlying mechanisms. EGCG reduced pancreatic cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. EGCG prevented "Cadherin switch" and decreased the expression level of TCF8/ZEB1, β-Catenin, and Vimentin. Mechanistically, EGCG inhibited the Akt pathway in a time-dependent manner, by suppressing IGFR phosphorylation and inducing Akt degradation. Co-treatment with catalase or N-Acetyl-L-cysteine did not abrogate EGCG's effect on the Akt pathway or cell growth. Moreover, EGCG synergized with gemcitabine to suppress pancreatic cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion, through modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and inhibiting Akt pathway. In summary, EGCG may prove beneficial to improve gemcitabine sensitivity in inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion, to some extent through the inhibition of Akt pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.