Src kinase inhibitors induce apoptosis and mediate cell cycle arrest in lymphoma cells

Dual Drug Repurposing: The Example of Saracatinib

Saracatinib (AZD0530) is a dual Src/Abl inhibitor initially developed by AstraZeneca for cancer treatment; however, data from 2006 to 2024 reveal that this drug has been tested not only for cancer treatment, but also for the treatment of other diseases. Despite the promising pre-clinical results and the tolerability shown in phase I trials, where a maximum tolerated dose of 175 mg was defined, phase II clinical data demonstrated a low therapeutic action against several cancers and an elevated rate of adverse effects. Recently, pre-clinical research aimed at reducing the toxic effects and enhancing the therapeutic performance of saracatinib using nanoparticles and different pharmacological combinations has shown promising results. Concomitantly, saracatinib was repurposed to treat Alzheimer's disease, targeting Fyn. It showed great clinical results and required a lower daily dose than that defined for cancer treatment, 125 mg and 175 mg, respectively. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, this Src inhibitor has also been studied in relation to other health conditions such as pulmonary and liver fibrosis and even for analgesic and anti-allergic functions. Although saracatinib is still not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the large number of alternative uses for saracatinib and the elevated number of pre-clinical and clinical trials performed suggest the huge potential of this drug for the treatment of different kinds of diseases.

Harmonizing the craft of crafting clinically endorsed small-molecule BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of hematological malignancies

The advancement and practical use of small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that specifically target the BCR-ABL fusion protein have introduced a revolutionary era of precision medicine for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the synthesis, mechanisms of action, and clinical implementation of clinically validated TKIs in the context of BCR-ABL, emphasizing the remarkable strides made in achieving therapeutic precision. We delve into the intricate design and synthesis of these small molecules, highlighting the synthetic strategies and modifications that have led to increased selectivity, enhanced binding affinities, and reduced off-target effects. Additionally, we discuss the structural biology of BCR-ABL inhibition and how it informs drug design. The success of these compounds in inhibiting aberrant kinase activity is a testament to the meticulous refinement of the synthetic process. Furthermore, this review provides a detailed analysis of the clinical applications of these TKIs, covering not only their efficacy in achieving deep molecular responses but also their impact on patient outcomes, safety profiles, and resistance mechanisms. We explore ongoing research efforts to overcome resistance and enhance the therapeutic potential of these agents. In conclusion, the synthesis and utilization of clinically validated small-molecule TKIs targeting BCR-ABL exemplify the transformative power of precision medicine in the treatment of hematological malignancies. This review highlights the evolving landscape of BCR-ABL inhibition and underscores the continuous commitment to refining and expanding the therapeutic repertoire for these devastating diseases.

Tris DBA palladium overcomes hypoxia-mediated drug resistance in multiple myeloma

Despite recent progress in novel and targeted therapies, multiple myeloma (MM) remains a therapeutically challenging incurable disease. The regulation of important cellular processes and its link to cancer presented Src as an attractive target for MM. We suggest a novel strategy to improve the treatment of MM and overcome the drug resistance for the current therapeutic agents by specific inhibition of Src in MM cells by Tris (Dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium (Tris DBA). Tris DBA reduces proliferation, induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in MM cells. Tris DBA showed additive effect with proteasome inhibitors reducing proliferation, cell cycle signaling, and increasing apoptosis more than each drug alone. Tris DBA overcame hypoxia-induced effects such as enhanced chemotaxis or drug resistance to proteasome inhibitors by inhibition of HIF1α expression. Moreover, we found that Tris DBA is an effective anti-myeloma agent alone or in combination with other targeted drugs and that it reverses hypoxia-induced drug resistance in myeloma.

Src protein-tyrosine kinase structure, mechanism, and small molecule inhibitors

The physiological Src proto-oncogene is a protein-tyrosine kinase that plays key roles in cell growth, division, migration, and survival signaling pathways. From the N- to C-terminus, Src contains a unique domain, an SH3 domain, an SH2 domain, a protein-tyrosine kinase domain, and a regulatory tail. The chief phosphorylation sites of human Src include an activating pTyr419 that results from phosphorylation in the kinase domain by an adjacent Src molecule and an inhibitory pTyr530 in the regulatory tail that results from phosphorylation by C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) or Chk (Csk homologous kinase). The oncogenic Rous sarcoma viral protein lacks the equivalent of Tyr530 and is constitutively activated. Inactive Src is stabilized by SH2 and SH3 domains on the rear of the kinase domain where they form an immobilizing and inhibitory clamp. Protein kinases including Src contain hydrophobic regulatory and catalytic spines and collateral shell residues that are required to assemble the active enzyme. In the inactive enzyme, the regulatory spine contains a kink or a discontinuity with a structure that is incompatible with catalysis. The conversion of inactive to active Src is accompanied by electrostatic exchanges involving the breaking and making of distinct sets of kinase domain salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Src-catalyzed protein phosphorylation requires the participation of two Mg(2+) ions. Although nearly all protein kinases possess a common K/E/D/D signature, each enzyme exhibits its unique variations of the protein-kinase reaction template. Bosutinib, dasatinib, and ponatinib are Src/multikinase inhibitors that are approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and vandetanib is approved for the treatment of medullary thyroid cancer. The Src and BCR-Abl inhibitors saracatinib and AZD0424, along with the previous four drugs, are in clinical trials for a variety of solid tumors including breast and lung cancers. Both ATP and targeted therapeutic Src protein kinase inhibitors such as dasatinib and ponatinib make hydrophobic contacts with catalytic spine residues and form hydrogen bonds with hinge residues connecting the small and large kinase lobes.

Imatinib resistance: a review of alternative inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia

The development of point mutations in the BCR-ABL kinase domain is the main reason for imatinib resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia. Different detection methods are used in chronic myeloid leukemia monitoring, such as direct sequencing, denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and allele specific polymerase chain reaction. Mutation analysis has become mandatory during patient workup of chronic myeloid leukemia in order for the physician to choose the most suitable tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This article, a review of possible therapies used to overcome imatinib resistance, investigates the current position by searching the PubMed electronic database using the following keywords: imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, aurora kinase, SRC kinase, mutation, treatment, drugs and resistance. New tyrosine kinase inhibitors include BCR-ABL kinase selective inhibitors, dual ABL/SRC kinase inhibitors and aurora kinase inhibitors. Awareness of the spectrum of new drugs against mutations, in particular the T315I mutation, makes it possible to properly select the best therapy for each patient.

Current status of SRC inhibitors in solid tumor malignancies

SUMMARY

Src is believed to play an important role in cancer, and several agents targeting Src are in clinical development.

DESIGN

We reviewed Src structure and function and preclinical data supporting its role in the development of cancer via a PubMed search. We conducted an extensive review of Src inhibitors by searching abstracts from major oncology meeting databases in the last 3 years and by comprehensively reviewing ongoing clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov.

RESULTS

In this manuscript, we briefly review Src structure and function, mechanisms involving Src that lead to the development of cancer, and Src inhibitors and key preclinical data establishing a rationale for clinical application. We then focus on clinical data supporting their use in solid tumor malignancies, a newer arena than their more well-established hematologic applications. Particularly highlighted are clinical trials investigating new biomarkers as well as ongoing studies assessing Src inhibitor activity in biomarker-selected patient populations. We also review newer investigational Src-targeting agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Src inhibitors have shown little activity in monotherapy trials in unselected solid tumor patient populations. Combination studies and biomarker-driven clinical trials are under way.

The effect of the dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor AZD0530 on Philadelphia positive leukaemia cell lines

Background

Imatinib mesylate, a selective inhibitor of Abl tyrosine kinase, is efficacious in treating chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, most advanced-phase CML and Ph+ ALL patients relapse on Imatinib therapy. Several mechanisms of refractoriness have been reported, including the activation of the Src-family kinases (SFK). Here, we investigated the biological effect of the new specific dual Src/Abl kinase inhibitor AZD0530 on Ph+ leukaemic cells.

Methods

Cell lines used included BV173 (CML in myeloid blast crisis), SEM t(4;11), Ba/F3 (IL-3 dependent murine pro B), p185^Bcr-Abl infected Ba/F3 cells, p185^Bcr-Abl mutant infected Ba/F3 cells, SupB15 (Ph+ ALL) and Imatinib resistant SupB15 (RTSupB15) (Ph+ ALL) cells. Cells were exposed to AZD0530 and Imatinib. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival and signalling pathways were assessed by dye exclusion, flow cytometry and Western blotting respectively.

Results

AZD0530 specifically inhibited the growth of, and induced apoptosis in CML and Ph+ ALL cells in a dose dependent manner, but showed only marginal effects on Ph- ALL cells. Resistance to Imatinib due to the mutation Y253F in p185^Bcr-Abl was overcome by AZD0530. Combination of AZD0530 and Imatinib showed an additive inhibitory effect on the proliferation of CML BV173 cells but not on Ph+ ALL SupB15 cells. An ongoing transphosphorylation was demonstrated between SFKs and Bcr-Abl. AZD0530 significantly down-regulated the activation of survival signalling pathways in Ph+ cells, resistant or sensitive to Imatinib, with the exception of the RTSupB15.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that AZD0530 targets both Src and Bcr-Abl kinase activity and reduces the leukaemic maintenance by Bcr-Abl.

Dasatinib sensitizes primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes to chlorambucil and fludarabine in vitro

The dual c-abl/Src kinase inhibitor, dasatinib, utilized to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) when used at clinically attainable sublethal concentrations, synergistically sensitized primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) lymphocytes to chlorambucil and fludarabine. In contrast, dasatinib alone demonstrated toxicity to CLL lymphocytes at concentrations that are generally not clinically attainable. Dasatinib resistance and poorer dasatinib-mediated sensitization to chlorambucil and fludarabine was associated with higher expression of c-abl protein levels. In contrast, chlorambucil and fludarabine resistance correlated with basal p53 protein levels. Moreover, Western blot analysis after in vitro treatment of primary CLL lymphocytes with dasatinib, chlorambucil and/or fludarabine, showed that dasatinib: (i) inhibited c-abl function (e.g. downregulation of c-abl protein levels and decreased the phosphorylation of a c-abl downstream target, Dok2), (ii) decreased chlorambucil/fludarabine induced accumulation of p53 protein levels, (iii) altered the response to chlorambucil/fludarabine induced DNA-damage as evidenced by an increase in chlorambucil/fludarabine-induced H2AX phosphorylation, and (iv) accentuated the c-abl downregulation induced by chlorambucil/fludarabine. Our results suggest that dasatinib in combination with chlorambucil or fludarabine may improve the therapy of CLL.

Targeted medical therapy of biliary tract cancer: recent advances and future perspectives

The limited efficacy of cytotoxic therapy for advanced biliary tract and gallbladder cancers emphasizes the need for novel and more effective medical treatment options. A better understanding of the specific biological features of these neoplasms led to the development of new targeted therapies, which take the abundant expression of several growth factors and cognate tyrosine kinase receptors into account. This review will briefly summarize the status and future perspectives of antiangiogenic and growth factor receptor-based pharmacological approaches for the treatment of biliary tract and gallbladder cancers. In view of multiple novel targeted approaches, the rationale for innovative therapies, such as combinations of growth factor (receptor)-targeting agents with cytotoxic drugs or with other novel anticancer drugs will be highlighted.