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Cano-González L, Espinosa-Mendoza JD, Matadamas-Martínez F, Romero-Velásquez A, Flores-Ramos M, Colorado-Pablo LF, Cerbón-Cervantes MA, Castillo R, González-Sánchez I, Yépez-Mulia L, Hernández-Campos A, Aguayo-Ortiz R. Structure-Based Optimization of Carbendazim-Derived Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors through Alchemical Free Energy Calculations. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7228-7238. [PMID: 37947759 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Carbendazim derivatives, commonly used as antiparasitic drugs, have shown potential as anticancer agents due to their ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cancer cells by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Crystallographic structures of α/β-tubulin multimers complexed with nocodazole and mebendazole, two carbendazim derivatives with potent anticancer activity, highlighted the possibility of designing compounds that occupy both benzimidazole- and colchicine-binding sites. In addition, previous studies have demonstrated that the incorporation of a phenoxy group at position 5/6 of carbendazim increases the antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines. Despite the significant progress made in identifying new tubulin-targeting anticancer compounds, further modifications are needed to enhance their potency and safety. In this study, we explored the impact of modifying the phenoxy substitution pattern on antiproliferative activity. Alchemical free energy calculations were used to predict the binding free energy difference upon ligand modification and define the most viable path for structure optimization. Based on these calculations, seven compounds were synthesized and evaluated against lung and colon cancer cell lines. Our results showed that compound 5a, which incorporates an α-naphthyloxy substitution, exhibits the highest antiproliferative activity against both cancer lines (SK-LU-1 and SW620, IC50 < 100 nM) and induces morphological changes in the cells associated with mitotic arrest and mitotic catastrophe. Nevertheless, the tubulin polymerization assay showed that 5a has a lower inhibitory potency than nocodazole. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that this low antitubulin activity could be associated with the loss of the key H-bond interaction with V236. This study provides insights into the design of novel carbendazim derivatives with anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cano-González
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Johan D Espinosa-Mendoza
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Ariana Romero-Velásquez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Miguel Flores-Ramos
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Yucatán 97357, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Colorado-Pablo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Ignacio González-Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Aguayo-Ortiz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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2
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Becerril-Vega J, Hernández-Campos A, González-Hernández I, Flores-Ramos M, Castillo R, Leyva-Gómez G, Mayet-Cruz L, Jung-Cook H. Development and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Two Parenteral Formulations of Albendazole Using Prodrug and Cosolvent Approaches. AAPS PharmSciTech 2023; 24:158. [PMID: 37498473 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-023-02613-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug used for parasitic infections. In addition, due to its mechanism of action, it has been studied as an anticancer agent. However, poor and highly variable bioavailability are limiting factors for its use in systemic illnesses. The present study aimed to develop two parenteral formulations of albendazole and to compare its pharmacokinetic profile with the conventional oral administration. Parenteral formulations were developed using two different approaches: a phosphonooxymethylated prodrug and cosolvents. For the albendazole prodrug, once synthetized, its solubility and hydrolysis with alkaline phosphatase were evaluated. A factorial design of experiments was used for the cosolvent formulation. Stability and hemolytic activity were assessed. A pharmacokinetic study was performed on New Zealand rabbits. Both formulations were administered intravenously, and the prodrug was also administered intramuscularly. Results were compared with those obtained after the oral administration of albendazole. A 20,000-fold and 6000-fold increase in albendazole solubility was found with the prodrug and cosolvent formulations, respectively. Both parenteral formulations displayed higher albendazole plasma concentrations for the first 2 h compared with oral administration, even when the oral dose was doubled. The absolute bioavailability of oral albendazole was 15.5% while for the intramuscular administration of the prodrug was 102.6%. Both parenteral formulations showed a significant decrease in the formation of albendazole sulfoxide (ANOVA p<0.05) and allowed greater exposure to albendazole. Albendazole cosolvent parenteral formulation could be a promising option in systemic illnesses considering its ease of preparation and superb pharmacokinetic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Becerril-Vega
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Iliana González-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Flores-Ramos
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Mayet-Cruz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Helgi Jung-Cook
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
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3
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Yukuyama MN, Zuo J, Park C, Yousef M, Henostroza MAB, de Araujo GLB, Bou-Chacra NA, Löbenberg R. Biphasic dissolution combined with modified cylinder method-A new promising method for dissolution test in drug-loaded nanoemulsions. Int J Pharm 2023; 632:122554. [PMID: 36586637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Dissolution testing is important in assessing the in vitro drug release performance for oral administration dosage forms. However, currently, a simple and efficient in vitro test to investigate critical factors that may impact the drug release and bioavailability at the development stage of a drug-loaded nanoemulsion (NE) is lacking. Thus, in this study, we developed a new combined biphasic and modified cylinder (BP + MC) method to evaluate the dissolution profile of NEs. Flubendazole (FLZ), a Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class II drug, offers a new prospective for drug repositioning for treating lung cancer and cryptococcal meningitis. We compared the drug release profiles of three different FLZ formulations (micronized as a suspension, loaded in NE, and solubilized in oil) by using three different methods (dialysis bag, modified cylinder method, and a new BP + MC method). The results showed potential higher drug release of FLZ from the suspension compared to FLZ-loaded NE at pH 1.2, and higher drug release from FLZ-loaded NE compared to other forms in octanol phase. These results correlate well with the in vivo test performed in mice carried out in our previous works. Furthermore, the partition mechanism of the drug released from the NE is discussed in-depth in this article, as well as the advantage of drug-loaded NEs over other preparations in creating supersaturable conditions. Based on the results, we provide new insights into how dissolution methods for a poorly water-solubility drug can be designed. Therefore, we present this new combined BP + MC method as a potential new discriminative dissolution test for future studies when developing drug-loaded NE and comparing with other dosage forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Nishitani Yukuyama
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, 8613 - 114 St NW, T6G 2H7 Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Av, 580, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jieyu Zuo
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, 8613 - 114 St NW, T6G 2H7 Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chulhun Park
- College of Pharmacy, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Malaz Yousef
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, 8613 - 114 St NW, T6G 2H7 Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mirla Anali Bazán Henostroza
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Av, 580, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lima Barros de Araujo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Av, 580, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Nádia Araci Bou-Chacra
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Av, 580, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Raimar Löbenberg
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, 8613 - 114 St NW, T6G 2H7 Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Zhou K, Cheong JE, Krishnaji ST, Ghalali A, Fu H, Sui L, Alix-Panabières C, Cayrefourcq L, Bielenberg D, Sun L, Zetter B. Inhibition of Wnt Signaling in Colon Cancer Cells via an Oral Drug that Facilitates TNIK Degradation. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:25-36. [PMID: 36302395 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We have synthesized an oxetane derivative of the benzimidazole compound mebendazole (OBD9) with enhanced solubility and strong anticancer activity in multiple types of cancer cells, especially colorectal cancer. In this report, we provide evidence that OBD9 suppresses colorectal cancer growth by interfering with the Wnt signaling pathway, a main driver of cell growth in colorectal cancer. Specifically, we find that OBD9 induces autophagic degradation of TNIK (traf2 and Nck-interacting kinase), which promotes T-cell factor-4 (TCF4)/beta-catenin-mediated gene expression. Thus, OBD9 as a TNIK inhibitor blocks Wnt/beta-catenin signaling at the final step of transcriptional activation. We suggest that OBD9 provides a potential novel autophagy-mediated, Wnt-damping therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhou
- Luye Pharma Boston R&D, Woburn, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Aram Ghalali
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Haojie Fu
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lufei Sui
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Diane Bielenberg
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lijun Sun
- Center for Drug Discovery and Translational Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bruce Zetter
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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5
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Hu C, Qin M, Zhang F, Gao R, Gan X, Du T. Improvement of Antialveolar echinococcosis efficacy of novel Albendazole-Bile acids Derivatives with Enhanced Oral Bioavailability. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011031. [PMID: 36595544 PMCID: PMC9838834 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic and fatal infectious parasitic disease, which has not been well-researched. Current recommended therapies for AE by the World Health Organization include complete removal of the infected tissue followed by two years of albendazole (ABZ), administered orally, which is the only effective first-line anti-AE drug. Unfortunately, in most cases, complete resection of AE lesions is impossible, requiring ABZ administration for even longer periods. Only one-third of patients experienced complete remission or cure with such treatments, primarily due to ABZ's low solubility and low bioavailability. To improve ABZ bioavailability, albendazole bile acid derivative (ABZ-BA) has been designed and synthesized. Its structure was identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Its physicochemical properties were evaluated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and polarizing microscopy; it was compared with ABZ to assess its solubilization mechanism at the molecular level. To avoid the effects of bile acid on the efficacy of albendazole, the inhibitory effect of ABZ-BA on protoscolex (PSCs)s was observed in vitro. The inhibitory effect of ABZ-BA on PSCs was evaluated by survival rate, ultrastructural changes, and the expression of key cytokines during PSC apoptosis. The results showed that ABZ-BA with 4-amino-1-butanol as a linker was successfully prepared. Physicochemical characterization demonstrated that the molecular arrangement of ABZ-BA presents a short-range disordered amorphous state, which changes the drug morphology compared with crystalline ABZ. The equilibrium solubility of ABZ-BA was 4-fold higher than ABZ in vitro. ABZ-BA relative bioavailability (Frel) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was 26-fold higher than ABZ in vivo. The inhibitory effect of ABZ-BA on PSCs was identical to that of ABZ, indicating that adding bile acid did not affect the efficacy of anti-echinococcosis. In the pharmacodynamics study, it was found that the ABZ-BA group had 2.7-fold greater than that of Albenda after 1 month of oral administration. The relative bioavailability of ABZ-BA is significantly better than ABZ due to the transformation of the physical state from a crystalline state to an amorphous state. Furthermore, sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) expressed in the apical small intestine has a synergistic effect through the effective transport of bile acids. Therefore, we concluded that the NC formulation could potentially be developed to improve anti-AE drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Hu
- Medical College, Qinghai University, Qinghai, China
- StateKey Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Qinghai, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
| | - Meng Qin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fabin Zhang
- Medical College, Qinghai University, Qinghai, China
| | - Ruixue Gao
- Medical College, Qinghai University, Qinghai, China
| | - Xuehui Gan
- Medical College, Qinghai University, Qinghai, China
| | - Tao Du
- Medical College, Qinghai University, Qinghai, China
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Yukuyama MN, Ferreira Guimaraes LM, Segovia RS, Lameu C, de Araujo GLB, Löbenberg R, de Souza A, Bazán Henostroza MA, Folchini BR, Peroni CM, Saito Miyagi MY, Oliveira IF, Rinaldi Alvarenga JF, Fiamoncini J, Bou-Chacra NA. Malignant wound – The influence of oil components in flubendazole-loaded nanoemulsions in A549 lung cancer xenograft-bearing mice. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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7
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Song B, Park EY, Kim KJ, Ki SH. Repurposing of Benzimidazole Anthelmintic Drugs as Cancer Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194601. [PMID: 36230527 PMCID: PMC9559625 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although non-prescription anthelmintics are often used for cancer treatment, there is a lack of information regarding their anti-cancer effects in clinical settings. The aims of our review are to describe the possibilities and limitations of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics and to suggest ways to overcome these limitations. The results of the current review illustrate the potential development of anthelmintics as a useful strategy for cancer treatment based on much preclinical evidence. Furthermore, they suggest that more rigorous studies on whole anti-cancer pathways and development strategies, including formulations, could result in significantly enhanced anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles as a repurposed cancer therapy in clinical settings. Abstract Benzimidazoles have shown significant promise for repurposing as a cancer therapy. The aims of this review are to investigate the possibilities and limitations of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics and to suggest ways to overcome these limitations. This review included studies on the anti-cancer effects of 11 benzimidazoles. Largely divided into three parts, i.e., preclinical anti-cancer effects, clinical anti-cancer effects, and pharmacokinetic properties, we examine the characteristics of each benzimidazole and attempt to elucidate its key properties. Although many studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles, there is limited evidence regarding their effects in clinical settings. This might be because the clinical trials conducted using benzimidazoles failed to restrict their participants with specific criteria including cancer entities, cancer stages, and genetic characteristics of the participants. In addition, these drugs have limitations including low bioavailability, which results in insufficient plasma concentration levels. Additional studies on whole anti-cancer pathways and development strategies, including formulations, could result significant enhancements of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles in clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomi Song
- Graduate School of Clinical Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea
| | - Eun Young Park
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Korea
| | - Kwang Joon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Korea
- Correspondence: (K.J.K.); (S.H.K.); Tel.: +82-61-450-2334 (K.J.K.); +82-62-230-6639 (S.H.K.)
| | - Sung Hwan Ki
- Graduate School of Clinical Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea
- Correspondence: (K.J.K.); (S.H.K.); Tel.: +82-61-450-2334 (K.J.K.); +82-62-230-6639 (S.H.K.)
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Daniel JP, Mesquita FP, Da Silva EL, de Souza PFN, Lima LB, de Oliveira LLB, de Moraes MEA, Moreira-Nunes CDFA, Burbano RMR, Zanatta G, Montenegro RC. Anticancer potential of mebendazole against chronic myeloid leukemia: in silico and in vitro studies revealed new insights about the mechanism of action. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:952250. [PMID: 36091760 PMCID: PMC9452629 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.952250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is caused by constitutively active fusion protein BCR-ABL1, and targeting ABL1 is a promising therapy option. Imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib have all been shown to work effectively in clinical trials. ABL1 mutations, particularly the T315I gate-keeper mutation, cause resistance in patients. As a result, broad-spectrum ABL1 medicines are desperately needed. In order to screen potential drugs targeting CML, mebendazole (MBZ) was subjected to the in vitro test against CML cell lines (K562 and FEPS) and computational assays. The antiproliferative effect of MBZ and the combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) was tested using end-point viability assays, cell cycle distribution analysis, cell membrane, and mitochondrial dyes. By interrupting the cell cycle and causing cell death, MBZ and its combination with imatinib and dasatinib have a significant antiproliferative effect. We identified MBZ as a promising “new use” drug targeting wild-type and mutant ABL1 using molecular docking. Meanwhile, we determined which residues in the allosteric site are important in ABL1 drug development. These findings may not only serve as a model for repositioning current authorized medications but may also provide ABL1-targeted anti-CML treatments a fresh lease of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Paulino Daniel
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Felipe Pantoja Mesquita
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Emerson Lucena Da Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Pedro Filho Noronha de Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Luina Benevides Lima
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | - Caroline de Fátima Aquino Moreira-Nunes
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Rommel Mario Rodríguez Burbano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ophir Loyola Hospital, Belém, Brazil
| | - Geancarlo Zanatta
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Raquel Carvalho Montenegro
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Raquel Carvalho Montenegro,
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9
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Sultana T, Jan U, Lee JI. Double Repositioning: Veterinary Antiparasitic to Human Anticancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084315. [PMID: 35457127 PMCID: PMC9029030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning, the approach of discovering different uses for existing drugs, has gained enormous popularity in recent years in the anticancer drug discovery field due to the increasing demand for anticancer drugs. Additionally, the repurposing of veterinary antiparasitic drugs for the treatment of cancer is gaining traction, as supported by existing literature. A prominent example is the proposal to implement the use of veterinary antiparasitics such as benzimidazole carbamates and halogenated salicylanilides as novel anticancer drugs. These agents have revealed pronounced anti-tumor activities and gained special attention for “double repositioning”, as they are repurposed for different species and diseases simultaneously, acting via different mechanisms depending on their target. As anticancer agents, these compounds employ several mechanisms, including the inhibition of oncogenic signal transduction pathways of mitochondrial respiration and the inhibition of cellular stress responses. In this review, we summarize and provide valuable information about the experimental, preclinical, and clinical trials of veterinary antiparasitic drugs available for the treatment of various cancers in humans. This review suggests the possibility of new treatment options that could improve the quality of life and outcomes for cancer patients in comparison to the currently used treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Sultana
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.S.); (U.J.)
| | - Umair Jan
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.S.); (U.J.)
| | - Jeong Ik Lee
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.S.); (U.J.)
- Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2049-6234
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10
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Park D. Fenbendazole Suppresses Growth and Induces Apoptosis of Actively Growing H4IIE Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via p21-Mediated Cell-Cycle Arrest. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:184-193. [PMID: 35110505 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bendimidazole anthelmintics (BAs) have gained interest for their anticancer activity. The anticancer activity is mediated via multiple intracellular changes, which are not consistent under different conditions even in the same cells. We investigated the anticancer activity of fenbendazole (FZ, one of BAs) under two different growth conditions. The growth rate of H4IIE cells was dose-dependently decreased by FZ only in actively growing cells but not in fully confluent quiescent cells. Apoptosis-associated changes were also induced by FZ in actively growing cells. Markers of autophagy were not changed by FZ. The number of cells was markedly increased in sub-G1 phase but decreased in S- and G2/M phases by FZ. FZ up-regulated p21 (an inhibitor of cyclin-CDK) but suppressed the expression of cell cycle-promoting proteins (cyclin D1 and cyclin B1). FZ did not affect integrin αV or n-cadherin expression as well as cell migration. Glycolytic changes (glucose consumption and lactate production) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were not affected by FZ. Although the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was altered by FZ, the inhibition of MAPKs did not affect the pro-apoptotic activity of FZ. Taken together, FZ selectively suppressed the growth of cells via p21-mediated cell cycle arrest at G1/S and G2/M, and resulted in apoptosis only in actively growing cells but not in quiescent cells. Glucose metabolism, ROS generation, and MAPKs are unlikely targets of FZ at least in H4IIE rat hepatocellular carcinoma cells used in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deokbae Park
- Department of Histology, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Jeju National University
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11
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Elmaaty A, Darwish KM, Chrouda A, Boseila AA, Tantawy MA, Elhady SS, Shaik AB, Mustafa M, Al-karmalawy AA. In Silico and In Vitro Studies for Benzimidazole Anthelmintics Repurposing as VEGFR-2 Antagonists: Novel Mebendazole-Loaded Mixed Micelles with Enhanced Dissolution and Anticancer Activity. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:875-899. [PMID: 35036753 PMCID: PMC8757357 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and its incidence is unfortunately anticipated to rise in the next years. On the other hand, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) is highly expressed in tumor-associated endothelial cells, where it affects tumor-promoting angiogenesis. Therefore, VEGFR-2 is considered one of the most promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Furthermore, some FDA-approved benzimidazole anthelmintics have already shown potential anticancer activities. Therefore, repurposing them against VEGFR-2 can provide a rapid and effective alternative that can be implicated safely for cancer treatment. Hence, 13 benzimidazole anthelmintic drugs were subjected to molecular docking against the VEGFR-2 receptor. Among the tested compounds, fenbendazole (FBZ, 1), mebendazole (MBZ, 2), and albendazole (ABZ, 3) were proposed as potential VEGFR-2 antagonists. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out at 200 ns, giving more information on their thermodynamic and dynamic properties. Besides, the anticancer activity of the aforementioned drugs was tested in vitro against three different cancer cell lines, including liver cancer (HUH7), lung cancer (A549), and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines. The results depicted potential cytotoxic activity especially against both HUH7 and A549 cell lines. Furthermore, to improve the aqueous solubility of MBZ, it was formulated in the form of mixed micelles (MMs) which showed an enhanced drug release with better promising cytotoxicity results compared to the crude MBZ. Finally, an in vitro quantification for VEGFR-2 concentration in treated HUH7 cells has been conducted based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results disclosed that FBZ, MBZ, and ABZ significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the concentration of VEGFR-2, while the lowest inhibition was achieved in MBZ-loaded MMs, which was even much better than the reference drug sorafenib. Collectively, the investigated benzimidazole anthelmintics could be encountered as lead compounds for further structural modifications and thus better anticancer activity, and that was accomplished through studying their structure-activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman
Abo Elmaaty
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said 42526, Egypt
| | - Khaled M. Darwish
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Amani Chrouda
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
- Laboratory
of Interfaces and Advanced Materials, Faculty of Sciences, Monastir University, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
| | - Amira A. Boseila
- Pharmaceutics
Department, Egyptian Drug Authority EDA
(Formerly Known as National Organization for Drug Control and Research
NODCAR) Dokki, Giza 12611, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Tantawy
- Hormones
Department, Medical Research Division, National
Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
- Stem
Cells Lab, Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Sameh S. Elhady
- Department
of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Afzal B. Shaik
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vignan Pharmacy College, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Vadlamudi 522 213, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Muhamad Mustafa
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Deraya University, Minia 61111, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. Al-karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal
Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
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12
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Chen C, Ding Y, Liu H, Sun M, Wang H, Wu D. Flubendazole Plays an Important Anti-Tumor Role in Different Types of Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23010519. [PMID: 35008943 PMCID: PMC8745596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Flubendazole, belonging to benzimidazole, is a broad-spectrum insect repellent and has been repurposed as a promising anticancer drug. In recent years, many studies have shown that flubendazole plays an anti-tumor role in different types of cancers, including breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. Although the anti-tumor mechanism of flubendazole has been studied, it has not been fully understood. In this review, we summarized the recent studies regarding the anti-tumor effects of flubendazole in different types of cancers and analyzed the related mechanisms, in order to provide the theoretical reference for further studies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoran Chen
- Institute of Nursing and Health, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Jinming Avenue, Kaifeng 475004, China; (C.C.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yueming Ding
- Institute of Nursing and Health, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Jinming Avenue, Kaifeng 475004, China; (C.C.); (Y.D.)
| | - Huiyang Liu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
| | - Mengyao Sun
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
| | - Honggang Wang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (D.W.)
| | - Dongdong Wu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
- School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
- Correspondence: (H.W.); (D.W.)
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13
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Wzgarda-Raj K, Książkiewicz O, Palusiak M. Co-crystals synthesis of 2- and 4-mercaptopyridine with thiourea and its analogue, trithiocyanuric acid. CrystEngComm 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2ce00592a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This article describes the synthesis of four new co-crystals obtained via cross-crystallisation of 2- and 4-mercaptopyridine with thiourea and trithiocyanuric acid, and examines their crystal structures. The resulting structures are...
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14
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Computational repurposing of benzimidazole anthelmintic drugs as potential colchicine binding site inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:1623-1638. [PMID: 34505541 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although some benzimidazole-based anthelmintic drugs are found to possess anticancer activity, their modes of binding interactions have not been reported. Methodology: In this study, we aimed to investigate the binding interactions and electronic configurations of nine benzimidazole-based anthelmintics against one of the well-known cancer targets (tubulin protein). Results: Binding affinities of docked benzimidazole drugs into colchicine-binding site were calculated where flubendazole > oxfendazole > nocodazole > mebendazole. Flubendazole was found to bind more efficiently with tubulin protein than other drugs. Quantum mechanics studies revealed that the electron density of HOMO of flubendazole and mebendazole together with their molecular electrostatic potential map are closely similar to that of nocodazole. Conclusion: Our study has ramifications for considering repurposing of flubendazole as a promising anticancer candidate.
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15
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Wzgarda-Raj K, Książkiewicz O, Palusiak M. A rare case of a 2:2:1 ternary cocrystal of pyridine sulfides and trithiocyanuric acid. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C-STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY 2021; 77:479-484. [PMID: 34350845 DOI: 10.1107/s2053229621007208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We report a rare case of a 2:2:1 ternary cocrystal consisting of two trithiocyanuric acid molecules, two bis(pyridin-4-yl) sulfide molecules and 1,4-bis(pyridin-4-yl)tetrasulfane, namely, 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trithione-4-(pyridin-4-ylsulfanyl)pyridine-1,4-bis(pyridin-4-yl)tetrasulfane (2/2/1), 2C3H3N3S3·2C10H8N2S·C10H8N2S4. This interesting crystal structure with five neutral molecules per asymmetric unit was synthesized and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments and quantum-chemical modelling. Among various specific interactions, hydrogen and halogen bridges have a significant role in stabilizing the crystal structure. In particular, the role played by stacking interactions has been revealed by structure analysis and theoretical calculations. Crystallization was spontaneous and reproducible. One of the components, 1,4-bis(pyridin-4-yl)tetrasulfane, has been characterized by XRD for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Wzgarda-Raj
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Łodz, Pomorska 163/165, Łodz 90-236, Poland
| | - Olga Książkiewicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Łodz, Pomorska 163/165, Łodz 90-236, Poland
| | - Marcin Palusiak
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Łodz, Pomorska 163/165, Łodz 90-236, Poland
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16
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Improvement of the Bioavailability and Anti-hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis Effect of Albendazole-Isethionate/Hypromellose Acetate Succinate (HPMC-AS) Complex. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0223320. [PMID: 33875425 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02233-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maximizing the pharmacodynamics of albendazole (ABZ), which is used to treat echinococcoses, is essential for the long-term treatment of echinococcosis patients. ABZ is a weak base whose solubility depends on the pH value of the solvent. After it has been orally administered, its solubility drops sharply from when it is in gastric juices (pH 1.4) to when it is in intestinal juices (pH 6.5) and is subsequently absorbed in the ileum and jejunum. This results in low solubility and poor bioavailability of the drug. In this study, we developed an orally administered albendazole-isethionate (ABZ-HES)/hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) complex tablet (TABZ-HES-H) with improved solubility and bioavailability. Previous studies demonstrated that ABZ-HES has a higher intrinsic dissolution rate under pH 1.4 than the ABZ free base used in the commercial product Albenda and that HPMC-AS can effectively inhibit ABZ crystallization, which could be due to the hydrophobic interaction between ABZ and HPMC-AS in an aqueous environment. In this study, the dissolution behavior of TABZ-HES-H in vitro was studied by the two-step pH conversion method. Our results demonstrated that the oral bioavailability of TABZ-HES-H was approximately 2.6 times higher than that of ABZ. More importantly, in the rat model of secondary hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, the anti-hepatic alveolar echinococcosis effect of TABZ-HES-H was 3.4 times higher than that of a commercial product. The improved preparation with salt and polymer has proven to be a feasible method of improving the oral bioavailability and pharmacodynamics of ABZ.
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17
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Khattab M, Al-Karmalawy AA. Revisiting Activity of Some Nocodazole Analogues as a Potential Anticancer Drugs Using Molecular Docking and DFT Calculations. Front Chem 2021; 9:628398. [PMID: 33842429 PMCID: PMC8024586 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.628398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although potential anticancer activities of benzimidazole-based anthelmintic drugs have been approved by preclinical and clinical studies, modes of binding interactions have not been reported so far. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to propose binding interactions of some benzimidazole-based anthelmintics with one of the most important cancer targets (Tubulin protein). Studied drugs were selected based on their structural similarity with the cocrystallized ligand (Nocodazole) with tubulin protein. Quantum mechanics calculations were also employed for characterization of electronic configuration of studied drugs at the atomic and molecular level. Order of binding affinities of tested benzimidazole drugs toward colchicine binding site on tubulin protein is as follows: Flubendazole > Oxfendazole > Nocodazole > Mebendazole > Albendazole > Oxibendazole > Fenbendazole > Ciclobendazole > Thiabendazole > Bendazole. By analyzing binding mode and hydrogen bond length between the nine studied benzimidazole drugs and colchicine binding site, Flubendazole was found to bind more efficiently with tubulin protein than other benzimidazole derivatives. The quantum mechanics studies showed that the electron density of HOMO of Flubendazole and Mebendazole together with their MEP map are quite similar to that of Nocodazole which is also consistent with the calculated binding affinities. Our study has ramifications for considering the repurposing of Flubendazole as a promising anticancer candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khattab
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta, Egypt
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18
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Wzgarda-Raj K, Rybarczyk-Pirek AJ, Wojtulewski S, Palusiak M. Trithiocyanuric acid: novel cocrystals and analysis of its tautomeric forms. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C-STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY 2021; 77:49-55. [DOI: 10.1107/s2053229620016137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cocrystals of trithiocyanuric acid with 2,2′-bipyridyl [1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trithione–2,2′-bipyridine (2/1), 2C3H3N3S3·C10H8N2, (I)] and 4-methylbenzohydrazide [1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trithione–4-methylbenzohydrazide (1/1), C8H10N2O·C3H3N3S3, (II)] crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system. In the crystals, molecules of both components are linked by hydrogen bonds. The trithiocyanuric acid molecules are connected by N—H...S hydrogen bonds forming R
2
2(8) synthons, which are further organized into chain motifs. Computations based on quantum chemistry methods have been performed for a more detailed description of the observed tautomerism of trithiocyanuric acid.
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19
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Nath J, Paul R, Ghosh SK, Paul J, Singha B, Debnath N. Drug repurposing and relabeling for cancer therapy: Emerging benzimidazole antihelminthics with potent anticancer effects. Life Sci 2020; 258:118189. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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20
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Preusser S, Kalden D, Wendler F, Schönherr PRW, Görls H, Westerhausen M, Imhof W. Mechanistic investigations on C–H activated dealkylating cyclo-amination reactions of substituted triazenes, formamidines and amidines. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR NATURFORSCHUNG SECTION B-A JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/znb-2020-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Catalytic dealkylating cycloamination reactions of N
1-methylated-N
1,N
3-diarylated triazenes proceed via two subsequent oxidative addition reactions, regioselectivity producing benzotriazoles by C–H and C–Br activation steps. Whereas palladium-based catalysis in the presence of dealkylating reagents and directing phosphane ligands leads to high yields, the homologous metals nickel and platinum as well as other 3d transition metals show only poor catalytic activity in similar procedures. Starting compounds have been widely varied to introduce potentially competing reaction sites and to investigate the reaction mechanism of the catalytic cyclization reactions. Yields of the benzotriazole synthesis strongly depend on the electronic and steric properties of the directing phosphane ligands, the nature of the dealkylating bases and the substitution pattern in 2- and 4-position of the aryl groups of the starting triazenes. In order to clarify the role of the catalyst, palladium-based intermediates were identified. Finally, formamidines and bulky amidines were tested in related C–H activated dealkylating cycloamination reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Preusser
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Humboldtstraße 8 , D-07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Diana Kalden
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Humboldtstraße 8 , D-07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Felix Wendler
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Humboldtstraße 8 , D-07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Paul R. W. Schönherr
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Humboldtstraße 8 , D-07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Helmar Görls
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Humboldtstraße 8 , D-07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Matthias Westerhausen
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena , Humboldtstraße 8 , D-07743 Jena , Germany
| | - Wolfgang Imhof
- Institute of Integrated Natural Sciences , University Koblenz – Landau , Universitätsstraße 1 , D-56070 Koblenz , Germany
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21
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Li J, An Z, Sun J, Tan C, Gao D, Tan Y, Jiang Y. Highly Selective Oxidation of Organic Sulfides by a Conjugated Polymer as the Photosensitizer for Singlet Oxygen Generation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:35475-35481. [PMID: 32658457 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c10162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte PPET3-N2 was used as a photosensitizer for photocatalytic oxidation of organic sulfides, including thioanisole, ethyl phenyl sulfide, 4-methylphenyl methyl sulfide, etc., to form sulfoxides with good yields and high selectivity. Oxidation reactions were performed in both batch and microfluidic reactors, where the microfluidic reactor can significantly promote the conversion of photocatalytic oxidation reaction to over 98% in about 8 min. Further studies of the photocatalytic oxidation of the antitumor drug ricobendazole in the microfluidic reactor demonstrate the potential application of the polymer material in organic reactions given its high selectivity, good efficiency, and operation convenience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoyi An
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Open FIESTA, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Junyang Sun
- Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut 06490, United States
| | - Chunyan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Open FIESTA, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Dan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Open FIESTA, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Ying Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
- Open FIESTA, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yuyang Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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22
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Son DS, Lee ES, Adunyah SE. The Antitumor Potentials of Benzimidazole Anthelmintics as Repurposing Drugs. Immune Netw 2020; 20:e29. [PMID: 32895616 PMCID: PMC7458798 DOI: 10.4110/in.2020.20.e29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of refractory tumor cells limits therapeutic efficacy in cancer by activating mechanisms that promote cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and survival. Benzimidazole anthelmintics have broad-spectrum action to remove parasites both in human and veterinary medicine. In addition to being antiparasitic agents, benzimidazole anthelmintics are known to exert anticancer activities, such as the disruption of microtubule polymerization, the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle (G2/M) arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and blockage of glucose transport. These antitumorigenic effects even extend to cancer cells resistant to approved therapies and when in combination with conventional therapeutics, enhance anticancer efficacy and hold promise as adjuvants. Above all, these anthelmintics may offer a broad, safe spectrum to treat cancer, as demonstrated by their long history of use as antiparasitic agents. The present review summarizes central literature regarding the anticancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics, including albendazole, parbendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole, oxibendazole, oxfendazole, ricobendazole, and flubendazole in cancer cell lines, animal tumor models, and clinical trials. This review provides valuable information on how to improve the quality of life in patients with cancers by increasing the treatment options and decreasing side effects from conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deok-Soo Son
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neurosciences and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
| | - Eun-Sook Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32301, USA
| | - Samuel E Adunyah
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neurosciences and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
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23
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Laudisi F, Marônek M, Di Grazia A, Monteleone G, Stolfi C. Repositioning of Anthelmintic Drugs for the Treatment of Cancers of the Digestive System. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144957. [PMID: 32668817 PMCID: PMC7404055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors of the digestive system, when combined together, account for more new cases and deaths per year than tumors arising in any other system of the body and their incidence continues to increase. Despite major efforts aimed at discovering and validating novel and effective drugs against these malignancies, the process of developing such drugs remains lengthy and costly, with high attrition rates. Drug repositioning (also known as drug repurposing), that is, the process of finding new uses for approved drugs, has been gaining popularity in oncological drug development as it provides the opportunity to expedite promising anti-cancer agents into clinical trials. Among the drugs considered for repurposing in oncology, compounds belonging to some classes of anthelmintics—a group of agents acting against infections caused by parasitic worms (helminths) that colonize the mammalian intestine—have shown pronounced anti-tumor activities and attracted particular attention due to their ability to target key oncogenic signal transduction pathways. In this review, we summarize and discuss the available experimental and clinical evidence about the use of anthelmintic drugs for the treatment of cancers of the digestive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (A.D.G.); (G.M.)
| | - Martin Marônek
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (A.D.G.); (G.M.)
| | - Giovanni Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (A.D.G.); (G.M.)
| | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (A.D.G.); (G.M.)
- Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-72596163
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24
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Aroua LM. Novel Mixed Complexes Derived from Benzoimidazolphenylethanamine and
4-(Benzoimidazol-2-yl)aniline: Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial
Evaluation and Theoretical Prediction of Toxicity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.14233/ajchem.2020.22472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Benzoimidazolphenylethanamine (BPE) has been synthesized using condensation reaction from
o-phenyldiamine and L-phenylalanine. Some metal complexes have been synthesized from
4-(benzoimidazol-2-yl)aniline, benzoimidazolylphenylethanamine and cadmium(II), tin(II), copper(II)
and nickel(II) metal in a molar ratio (1:1:1). All new metal complexes were characterized by
spectroscopic data of FTIR, UV-visible electronic absorption, X-ray powder diffraction and thermal
analysis. Spectra analysis of the mixed metal complexes showed the coordination of ligands to the
metal ions via nitrogen atoms. The XRD powder showed that metal complexes have a monoclinic
system. The preliminary tested in vitro antibacterial activities of Sn(II) complex was assayed against
four bacterial isolates namely Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive,
Pseudomonas aerugmosa and Escherichia coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi M. Aroua
- 1Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Qassim University, Campus University, King Abdulaziz Road, P.O.Box: 6644, Buraydah, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2Laboratory of Organic Structural Chemistry & Macromolecules, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunis El-Manar University, El Manar I 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
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25
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Armando RG, Gómez DLM, Gomez DE. New drugs are not enough‑drug repositioning in oncology: An update. Int J Oncol 2020; 56:651-684. [PMID: 32124955 PMCID: PMC7010222 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.4966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning refers to the concept of discovering novel clinical benefits of drugs that are already known for use treating other diseases. The advantages of this are that several important drug characteristics are already established (including efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity), making the process of research for a putative drug quicker and less costly. Drug repositioning in oncology has received extensive focus. The present review summarizes the most prominent examples of drug repositioning for the treatment of cancer, taking into consideration their primary use, proposed anticancer mechanisms and current development status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Gabriela Armando
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Bernal B1876, Argentina
| | - Diego Luis Mengual Gómez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Bernal B1876, Argentina
| | - Daniel Eduardo Gomez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Bernal B1876, Argentina
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26
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Kortylewicz ZP, Coulter DW, Baranowska-Kortylewicz J. Biological Evaluation of a Potential Anticancer Agent Methyl N-[5-(3'-Iodobenzoyl)-1 H-Benzimidazol-2-yl]Carbamate. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2019; 35:16-25. [PMID: 31687840 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2019.2988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Resistance of cancer to chemo- and radiotherapy remains a major clinical problem. This study contributes to the ongoing search for agents that can bypass this resistance by developing a novel antimitotic theranostic. Materials and Methods: Methyl N-[5-(3'-iodobenzoyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]carbamates 1 and 2 were synthesized from a common precursor 3 or its 3'-stannylated derivative. The cytotoxicity of compound 1 was evaluated in several neuroblastoma and glioblastoma cell lines and in the NCI 60-cell assay. Biodistribution was conducted in mice after oral administration of compound 2 to determine tissue and brain uptake. Result: Lethal concentrations (LC50s) of compound 1 in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma are >15 × lower compared with compound 3, a drug currently tested in clinical studies in pediatric and adult brain tumors. Growth inhibition concentrations (GI50) are in the nanomolar range in 60 cancer cell lines. When compound 1 is combined with a 4-Gy dose of radiation, <0.5% of cells retain their reproductive integrity. Increased hydrophobicity of new agents greatly enhances their brain uptake after oral administration. Conclusions: Compound 1 is potently cytotoxic in a wide range of human cancer cell lines. Its structure allows incorporation of imaging and therapeutic radionuclides. It is therefore expected that compound 1 can be developed into a novel theranostic modality across a wide range of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew P Kortylewicz
- J. Bruce Henriksen Cancer Research Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Don W Coulter
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 982168 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Janina Baranowska-Kortylewicz
- J. Bruce Henriksen Cancer Research Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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27
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Hu C, Liu Z, Liu C, Li J, Wang Z, Xu L, Chen C, Fan H, Qian F. Enhanced Oral Bioavailability and Anti-Echinococcosis Efficacy of Albendazole Achieved by Optimizing the "Spring" and "Parachute". Mol Pharm 2019; 16:4978-4986. [PMID: 31613633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b00851] [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: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Maximizing the pharmacological efficacy of albendazole (ABZ), an anti-echinococcosis drug, is essential in the long-term treatment of patients with echinococcosis. As a weakly alkaline drug, ABZ has a pH-dependent solubility that decreases dramatically from gastric fluid (pH 1.4) to intestinal fluid (pH 6.5), where it is absorbed. In this study, we endeavored to develop an optimized tablet formulation of ABZ to improve its dissolution and oral bioavailability from two aspects: a faster initial dissolution in the gastric pH condition (i.e., the "spring") and a more prolonged drug supersaturation in the intestinal pH condition (i.e., the "parachute"). To achieve this goal, ABZ-HCl salt was selected first, which demonstrated a higher intrinsic dissolution rate under pH 1.4 compared with the ABZ free base that is used in the commercial product Albenda. Second, by comparing the ABZ supersaturation kinetics under pH 6.5 in the presence of various polymers including poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), PVP/VA, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and HPMC acetate succinate (HPMC-AS), HPMC-AS was found to be the most effective crystallization inhibitor for ABZ, likely due to the hydrophobic interaction between ABZ and HPMC-AS in an aqueous environment. The newly designed tablet formulation containing ABZ-HCl and HPMC-AS showed ∼3 times higher oral bioavailability compared with that of Albenda in Beagle dogs. More significantly, the anti-echinococcosis efficacy of the improved formulation was 2.4 times higher than that of Albenda in a secondary hepatic alveolar echinococcosis Sprague-Dawley rat model. The strategy of simultaneously improving the spring and parachute of an oral formulation of ABZ, by using a highly soluble salt and an effective polymeric crystallization inhibitor, was once again proven to be a viable and readily translatable approach to optimize the unsatisfactory oral medicines due to solubility and bioavailability limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.,Medical College, Qinghai University, Qinghai 810001, P. R. China
| | - Zhengsheng Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Chengyu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | | | | | - Liuting Xu
- Crystal Pharmatech Co., Ltd., B4-101, Biobay, 218 Xinghu Street, Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu 215123, P. R. China
| | - Cen Chen
- Crystal Pharmatech Co., Ltd., B4-101, Biobay, 218 Xinghu Street, Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu 215123, P. R. China
| | | | - Feng Qian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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28
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Park H, Lim W, You S, Song G. Oxibendazole induces apoptotic cell death in proliferating porcine trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelial cells via mitochondria-mediated calcium disruption and breakdown of mitochondrial membrane potential. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 220:9-19. [PMID: 30822534 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The well-known and effective anthelmintic oxibendazole was recently shown to have a broad spectrum of biological abilities, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammation activities. In contrast, the mechanism of oxibendazole's anti-proliferative effect via cell signaling pathways and its role in pre-implantation has not been studied. Therefore, in this study we demonstrated the effects of oxibendazole on the proliferation of porcine trophectoderm (pTr) cells and porcine luminal epithelial (pLE) cells, a well-known in vitro model system of the fetal-maternal interface. Cell proliferation decreased in both pTr and pLE cells in response to oxibendazole, and we determined that this was modulated through intracellular cell signal transduction. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, P90RSK, and S6 were downregulated by exposure to a 200 nM dose of oxibendazole in both types of cells, while the expression of phosphorylated JNK, AKT, and P70S6K was upregulated. Pre-treatment with a PI3K/AKT inhibitor (Wortmannin), ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126), and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) induced the signaling interactions of these molecules, and oxibendazole co-treatment with each inhibitor resulted in even greater decreases in cell proliferation. Furthermore, intracellular and mitochondrial calcium ion accumulation was observed, which would mean that calcium ion homeostasis was disrupted, causing damage to the mitochondrial membrane potential. These deteriorated conditions ultimately led to apoptotic cell death. Taken together, the results of the present study identified that the apoptotic effect of oxibendazole on pTr and pLE cells is regulated by cell signaling pathways, and thus oxibendazole could influence the connection between the conceptus and the maternal uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahyun Park
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Whasun Lim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungkwon You
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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29
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Kubíček V, Skálová L, Skarka A, Králová V, Holubová J, Štěpánková J, Šubrt Z, Szotáková B. Carbonyl Reduction of Flubendazole in the Human Liver: Strict Stereospecificity, Sex Difference, Low Risk of Drug Interactions. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:600. [PMID: 31191322 PMCID: PMC6546852 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Flubendazole (FLU), an anthelmintic drug of benzimidazole type, is now considered a promising anti-cancer agent due to its tubulin binding ability and low system toxicity. The present study was aimed at determining more information about FLU reduction in human liver, because this information has been insufficient until now. Subcellular fractions from the liver of 12 human patients (6 male and 6 female patients) were used to study the stereospecificity, cellular localization, coenzyme preference, enzyme kinetics, and possible inter-individual or sex differences in FLU reduction. In addition, the risk of FLU interaction with other drugs was evaluated. Our study showed that FLU is predominantly reduced in cytosol, and the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) coenzyme is preferred. The strict stereospecificity of FLU carbonyl reduction was proven, and carbonyl reductase 1 was identified as the main enzyme of FLU reduction in the human liver. A higher reduction of FLU and a higher level of carbonyl reductase 1 protein were found in male patients than in female patients, but overall inter-individual variability was relatively low. Hepatic intrinsic clearance of FLU is very low, and FLU had no effect on doxorubicin carbonyl reduction in the liver and in cancer cells. All these results fill the gaps in the knowledge of FLU metabolism in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Kubíček
- Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Adam Skarka
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Věra Králová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Jana Holubová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Jana Štěpánková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Zdeněk Šubrt
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia.,Department of Surgery, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Barbora Szotáková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
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30
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Yu CG, Bondada V, Ghoshal S, Singh R, Pistilli CK, Dayaram K, Iqbal H, Sands M, Davis KL, Bondada S, Geddes JW. Repositioning Flubendazole for Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:2618-2630. [PMID: 30747048 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported the serendipitous observation that fenbendazole, a benzimidazole anthelmintic, improved functional and pathological outcomes following thoracic spinal cord contusion injury in mice when administered pre-injury. Fenbendazole is widely used in veterinary medicine. However, it is not approved for human use and it was uncertain if only post-injury administration would offer similar benefits. In the present study we evaluated post-injury administration of a closely related, human anthelmintic drug, flubendazole, using a rat spinal cord contusion injury model. Flubendazole, administered i.p. 5 or 10 mg/kg day, beginning 3 h post-injury and daily thereafter for 2 or 4 weeks, resulted in improved locomotor function after contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) compared with vehicle-treated controls. Histological analysis of spinal cord sections showed that such treatment with flubendazole also reduced lesion volume and improved total tissue sparing, white matter sparing, and gray matter sparing. Flubendazole inhibited the activation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); suppressed cyclin B1 expression and Bruton tyrosine kinase activation, markers of B cell activation/proliferation and inflammation; and reduced B cell autoimmune response. Together, these results suggest the use of the benzimidazole anthelmintic flubendazole as a potential therapeutic for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Guang Yu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Vimala Bondada
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Sarbani Ghoshal
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Ranjana Singh
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Christina K Pistilli
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Kavi Dayaram
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Hina Iqbal
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Madison Sands
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Kate L Davis
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Subarrao Bondada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - James W Geddes
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
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31
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Mebendazole Potentiates Radiation Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018; 103:195-207. [PMID: 30196056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The lack of a molecular target in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) makes it one of the most challenging breast cancers to treat. Radiation therapy (RT) is an important treatment modality for managing breast cancer; however, we previously showed that RT can also reprogram a fraction of the surviving breast cancer cells into breast cancer-initiating cells (BCICs), which are thought to contribute to disease recurrence. In this study, we characterize mebendazole (MBZ) as a drug with potential to prevent the occurrence of radiation-induced reprogramming and improve the effect of RT in patients with TNBC. METHODS AND MATERIALS A high-throughput screen was used to identify drugs that prevented radiation-induced conversion of TNBC cells into cells with a cancer-initiating phenotype and exhibited significant toxicity toward TNBC cells. MBZ was one of the drug hits that fulfilled these criteria. In additional studies, we used BCIC markers and mammosphere-forming assays to investigate the effect of MBZ on the BCIC population. Staining with propidium iodide, annexin-V, and γ-H2AX was used to determine the effect of MBZ on cell cycle, apoptosis, and double-strand breaks. Finally, the potential for MBZ to enhance the effect of RT in TNBC was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS MBZ efficiently depletes the BCIC pool and prevents the ionizing radiation-induced conversion of breast cancer cells into therapy-resistant BCICs. In addition, MBZ arrests cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and causes double-strand breaks and apoptosis. MBZ sensitizes TNBC cells to ionizing radiation in vitro and in vivo, resulting in improved tumor control in a human xenograft model of TNBC. CONCLUSIONS The data presented in this study support the repurposing of MBZ as a combination treatment with RT in patients with TNBC.
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32
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Kralova V, Hanušová V, Caltová K, Špaček P, Hochmalová M, Skálová L, Rudolf E. Flubendazole and mebendazole impair migration and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in oral cell lines. Chem Biol Interact 2018; 293:124-132. [PMID: 30075109 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Benzimidazole anthelmintics flubendazole and mebendazole are microtubule-targeting drugs that showed considerable anti-cancer activity in different preclinical models. In this study, the effects of flubendazole and mebendazole on proliferation, migration and cadherin switching were studied in a panel of oral cell lines in vitro. Both compounds reduced the viability of the PE/CA-PJ15 and H376 oral squamous carcinoma cells and of the premalignant oral keratinocytes DOK with the IC50 values in the range of 0.19-0.26 μM. Normal oral keratinocytes and normal gingival fibroblasts were less sensitive to the treatment. Flubendazole and mebendazole also reduced the migration of the PE/CA-PJ15 cell in concentrations that had no anti-migratory effects on the normal gingival fibroblasts. Levels of the focal adhesion kinase FAK, Rho-A and Rac1 GTPases and the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor GEF-H1 were decreased in both PE/CA-PJ15 cells and gingival fibroblasts following treatment. Both drugs also interfered with cadherin switching in the model of TGF-β-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the DOK cell line. Levels of N-cadherin were reduced in the TGF-β induced cells co-treated with flubendazol and mebendazole in very low concentration (50 nM). These results suggest direct effects of both benzimidazoles on selected processes of EMT in oral cell lines such as cadherin switching as well as cellular migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Kralova
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Šimkova 870, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 03, Czech Republic.
| | - Veronika Hanušová
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Šimkova 870, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Caltová
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Šimkova 870, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Špaček
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 05, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Hochmalová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 05, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 05, Czech Republic
| | - Emil Rudolf
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Šimkova 870, Hradec Králové, CZ-500 03, Czech Republic
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33
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Zhou X, Liu J, Zhang J, Wei Y, Li H. Flubendazole inhibits glioma proliferation by G2/M cell cycle arrest and pro-apoptosis. Cell Death Discov 2018. [PMID: 29531815 PMCID: PMC5841417 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-017-0017-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Flubendazole, FDA-approved anthelmintic, has been widely used in treating testinal parasites. In the recent years, Flubendazole has been reported to exert anticancer activities. On the other hand, little was known about the effects of Flubendazole on gliomas. Here we demonstrated a novel effect of flubendazole on glioma cells. We found that Flubendazole inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis of glioma cell lines in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth in xenograft models by intraperitoneal injection. However, Flubendazole might have no influence on cell migration. Mechanism study reaveled that Flubendazole caused cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase, which partly account for the suppressed proliferation. Consistently, Flubendazole induced P53 expression and reduced Cyclin B1 and p-cdc2 expression in glioma cells. In addition, Flubendazole promoted cell apoptosis by regulating the classical apoptosis protein BCL-2 expression. These observations suggest that Flubendazole exerts anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects in Glioma through affecting the cell cycle and intrinsic apoptotic signaling, and indicate a novel utilization of Flubendazole in the treatment of Glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xumin Zhou
- 1Department of Pathogen Biology and Experimental teaching center of Preventive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Jumei Liu
- 1Department of Pathogen Biology and Experimental teaching center of Preventive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- 2Department of Respiration, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Yong Wei
- 1Department of Pathogen Biology and Experimental teaching center of Preventive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Hua Li
- 1Department of Pathogen Biology and Experimental teaching center of Preventive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
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Raisová Stuchlíková L, Králová V, Lněničková K, Zárybnický T, Matoušková P, Hanušová V, Ambrož M, Šubrt Z, Skálová L. The metabolism of flubendazole in human liver and cancer cell lines. Drug Test Anal 2018; 10:1139-1146. [PMID: 29426058 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Flubendazole (FLU), a benzimidazole anthelmintic drug widely used in veterinary medicine, has been approved for the treatment of gut-residing nematodes in humans. In addition, FLU is now considered a promising anti-cancer agent. Despite this, information about biotransformation of this compound in human is lacking. Moreover, there is no information regarding whether cancer cells are able to metabolize FLU in order to deactivate it. For these reasons, the present study was designed to identify all metabolites of Phase I and Phase II of FLU in human liver and in various cancer cells using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis. Precision-cut human liver slices and 9 cell lines of different origin (breast, colon, oral cavity) were used as in vitro model systems. Our study showed that FLU with a reduced carbonyl group (FLUR) is the only FLU metabolite formed in the human liver. All human cancer cell lines were able to form FLUR. In addition, methylated FLUR was detected in breast cells MCF7 and intestinal SW480 cells. The accumulation of FLU and its reduction to FLUR markedly differed among cells. The extent of FLU reduction was in a good correlation with the detected expression level of carbonyl reductase 1. In most cases, FLU entered in a higher amount and was reduced to a lesser extent in proliferating (metastatic) cells than in differentiated (non-cancerous, non-metastatic) ones. These results support the promising potential of FLU in anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Raisová Stuchlíková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Věra Králová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Lněničková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Zárybnický
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Matoušková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Hanušová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ambrož
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Šubrt
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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35
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Chen Q, Li Y, Zhou X, Li R. Oxibendazole inhibits prostate cancer cell growth. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:2218-2226. [PMID: 29434928 PMCID: PMC5776919 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies among men and is the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in the developed world. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the most common treatment for PCa. However, the majority of androgen-sensitive PCa patients will eventually develop resistance to ADT and the disease will become androgen-independent. There is, therefore, an immediate requirement to develop effective therapeutic techniques towards the treatment of recurrent PCa. Oxibendazole (OBZ) is an anthelmintic drug that has also shown promise in the treatment of malignancies. In the present study, the capability of OBZ to repress the growth of PCa cells was assessed in human androgen-independent PCa 22Rv1 and PC-3 cell lines. The growth of the 22Rv1 and PC-3 cell lines, as assessed with a trypan blue exclusion assay, was markedly inhibited by OBZ treatment in vitro, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 0.25 and 0.64 µM, respectively. The mean size of 22Rv1 tumors in nude mice treated with OBZ (25 mg/kg/day) was 47.96% smaller than that of the control mice. Treatment with OBZ increased the expression of microRNA-204 (miR-204), as determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the level of p53 as determined with western blotting, two well-characterized tumor suppressor genes. When miR-204 expression was knocked down by introduction of an miR-204 inhibitor, the inhibitory effect of OBZ was markedly reduced; however, when it was overexpressed, the inhibitory efficiency of OBZ was markedly higher, indicating that upregulation of miR-204 is key for the efficacy of OBZ. Additionally, OBZ was demonstrated with RT-qPCR to repress the expression of the androgen receptor, and by western blotting to reduce prostate-specific androgen in 22Rv1 cells. The results suggest that OBZ has potential for clinical use in the treatment of recurrent PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoli Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Runsheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Movahedi F, Li L, Gu W, Xu ZP. Nanoformulations of albendazole as effective anticancer and antiparasite agents. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2017; 12:2555-2574. [PMID: 28954575 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Initially emerging as a widely used clinical antiparasitic drug, albendazole (ABZ) has been increasingly recognized as an effective anticancer agent due to its outstanding advantage, in other words, low toxicity to normal cells but high effectiveness against parasites and some tumors. The major challenge is its poor water solubility and subsequently low bioavailability. This article thus first reviews the brief achievements in using ABZ to treat parasites and cancers, and summarizes the basic mechanisms of action of ABZ. Then this article critically reviews recent nanotechnological strategies, in other words, formulating/conjugating it with carriers into nanoformulations, in practices of improving aqueous solubility and efficacy in treatment of tumors and parasites. Our expert opinions in this field are provided for more effective delivery of ABZ to treat tumors and parasites in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Movahedi
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Li Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Wenyi Gu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhi Ping Xu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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Čáňová K, Rozkydalová L, Rudolf E. Anthelmintic Flubendazole and Its Potential Use in Anticancer Therapy. ACTA MEDICA (HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ) 2017; 60:5-11. [DOI: 10.14712/18059694.2017.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Flubendazole is a widely used anthelmintic drug belonging to benzimidazole group. The molecular mechanism of action of flubendazole is based on its specific binding to tubulin, which results in disruption of microtubule structure and function, and in the interference with the microtubule-mediated transport of secretory vesicles in absorptive tissues of helminths. The microtubule-disrupting properties of benzimidazole derivatives raised recently interest in these compounds as possible anti-cancer agents. In this minireview flubendazole effects towards selected human malignant cells including myeloma, leukemia, neuroblastoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma are discussed along with basic data on its pharmacokinetics, metabolism and toxicity.
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Zhang X, Zhao J, Gao X, Pei D, Gao C. Anthelmintic drug albendazole arrests human gastric cancer cells at the mitotic phase and induces apoptosis. Exp Ther Med 2017; 13:595-603. [PMID: 28352336 PMCID: PMC5348670 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As microtubules have a vital function in the cell cycle, oncologists have developed microtubule inhibitors capable of preventing uncontrolled cell division, as in the case of cancer. The anthelmintic drug albendazole (ABZ) has been demonstrated to inhibit hepatocellular, ovarian and prostate cancer cells via microtubule targeting. However, its activity against human gastric cancer (GC) cells has remained to be determined. In the present study, ABZ was used to treat GC cells (MKN-45, SGC-7901 and MKN-28). A a CCK-8 cell proliferation assay was performed to assess the effects of ABZ on cell viability and cell cycle changes were assessed using flow cytometry. SGC-7901 cells were selected for further study, and flow cytometry was employed to determine the apoptotic rate, immunofluorescence analysis was employed to show changes of the microtubule structure as well as the subcellular localization and expression levels of cyclin B1, and western blot analysis was used to identify the dynamics of microtubule assembly. The expression levels of relevant proteins, including cyclin B1 and Cdc2, the two subunits of mitosis-promoting factor as well as apoptosis-asociated proteins were also assessed by western blot analysis. The results showed that ABZ exerted its anti-cancer activity in GC cell lines by disrupting microtubule formation and function to cause mitotic arrest, which is also associated with the accumulation of cyclin B1, and consequently induces apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyang Gao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Dongsheng Pei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biological Cancer Therapy, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
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Recent advances in targeting the telomeric G-quadruplex DNA sequence with small molecules as a strategy for anticancer therapies. Future Med Chem 2016; 8:1259-90. [PMID: 27442231 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2015-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomeric DNA (hTelo), present at the ends of chromosomes to protect their integrity during cell division, comprises tandem repeats of the sequence d(TTAGGG) which is known to form a G-quadruplex secondary structure. This unique structural formation of DNA is distinct from the well-known helical structure that most genomic DNA is thought to adopt, and has recently gained prominence as a molecular target for new types of anticancer agents. In particular, compounds that can stabilize the intramolecular G-quadruplex formed within the human telomeric DNA sequence can inhibit the activity of the enzyme telomerase which is known to be upregulated in tumor cells and is a major contributor to their immortality. This provides the basis for the discovery and development of small molecules with the potential for selective toxicity toward tumor cells. This review summarizes the various families of small molecules reported in the literature that have telomeric quadruplex stabilizing properties, and assesses the potential for compounds of this type to be developed as novel anticancer therapies. A future perspective is also presented, emphasizing the need for researchers to adopt approaches that will allow the discovery of molecules with more drug-like properties in order to improve the chances of lead molecules reaching the clinic in the next decade.
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Repositioning of drugs for intervention in tumor progression and metastasis: Old drugs for new targets. Drug Resist Updat 2016; 26:10-27. [PMID: 27180307 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The increasing unraveling of the molecular basis of cancer offers manifold novel options for intervention strategies. However, the discovery and development of new drugs for potential clinical applications is a tremendously time-consuming and costly process. Translating a novel lead candidate compound into an approved clinical drug takes often more than a decade, and the success rate is very low due to versatile efforts including defining its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, side effects as well as lack of sufficient efficacy. Thus, strategies are needed to minimize time and costs, while maximizing success rates. A very attractive strategy for novel cancer therapeutic options is the repositioning of already approved drugs. These medicines, approved for the treatment of non-malignant disorders, have already passed some early costs and time, have been tested in humans and are ready for clinical trials as anti-cancer drugs. Here we discuss the repositioning of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), statins, anti-psychotic drugs, anti-helminthic drugs and vitamin D as anti-tumor agents. We focus on their novel actions and potential for inhibition of cancer growth and metastasis by interfering with target molecules and pathways, which drive these malignant processes. Furthermore, important pre-clinical and clinical data are reviewed herein, which elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms which enable their repositioning for cancer therapy and disruption of metastasis.
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Flubendazole, FDA-approved anthelmintic, targets breast cancer stem-like cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:6326-40. [PMID: 25811972 PMCID: PMC4467440 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cell (CS-like cell) is considered to be responsible for recurrence and drug resistance events in breast cancer, which makes it a potential target for novel cancer therapeutic strategy. The FDA approved flubendazole, has been widely used in the treatment of intestinal parasites. Here, we demonstrated a novel effect of flubendazole on breast CS-like cells. Flubendazole inhibited breast cancer cells proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manner and delayed tumor growth in xenograft models by intraperitoneal injection. Importantly, flubendazole reduced CD44high/CD24low subpopulation and suppressed the formation of mammosphere and the expression of self-renewal related genes including c-myc, oct4, sox2, nanog and cyclinD1. Moreover, we found that flubendazole induced cell differentiation and inhibited cell migration. Consistently, flubendazole reduced mesenchymal markers (β-catenin, N-cadherin and Vimentin) expression and induced epithelial and differentiation marker (Keratin 18) expression in breast cancer cells. Mechanism study revealed that flubendazole arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced monopolar spindle formation through inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Furthermore, flubendazole enhanced cytotoxic activity of conventional therapeutic drugs fluorouracil and doxorubicin against breast cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings uncovered a remarkable effect of flubendazole on suppressing breast CS-like cells, indicating a novel utilization of flubendazole in breast cancer therapy.
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Králová V, Hanušová V, Rudolf E, Čáňová K, Skálová L. Flubendazole induces mitotic catastrophe and senescence in colon cancer cells in vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol 2016; 68:208-18. [DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Flubendazole (FLU), a member of benzimidazole family of anthelmintic drugs, is able to inhibit proliferation of various cancer cells. The aim of present study was to elucidate the mechanisms of antiproliferative effect of FLU on colorectal cancer cells in vitro.
Methods
The effect of FLU on proliferation, microtubular network, DNA content, caspase activation and senescence induction was studied in SW480 and SW620 cell lines.
Key findings
Flubendazole significantly affected cell proliferation in a pattern typical for mitotic inhibitor. This was accompanied by decrease in cyclin D1 levels, increase in cyclin B1 levels, activation of caspase 2 and caspase 3/7 and PARP cleavage. Morphological observations revealed disruption of microtubular network, irregular mitotic spindles, formation of giant multinucleated cells and increase in nuclear area and DNA content. In SW620 cell line, 37.5% giant multinucleated cells induced by FLU treatment showed positivity for SA-β-galactosidase staining. Cell lines were able to recover from the treatment and this process was faster in SW480 cells.
Conclusion
Flubendazole in low concentration temporarily inhibits cell proliferation and induces mitotic catastrophe and premature senescence in human colon cancer cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Věra Králová
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Hanušová
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Emil Rudolf
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Čáňová
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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ERK-dependent phosphorylation of HSF1 mediates chemotherapeutic resistance to benzimidazole carbamates in colorectal cancer cells. Anticancer Drugs 2015; 26:657-66. [PMID: 25811962 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Drugs containing the benzimidazole carbamate scaffold include anthelmintic and antifungal agents, and they are now also recognized as having potential applications in the treatment of colorectal and other cancers. These agents act by binding to β-tubulin, and in doing so they disrupt microtubules, arrest cell division, and promote apoptotic cell death in malignant cells. We have evaluated several commercially available benzimidazole carbamates for cytotoxic activity in colorectal cancer cells. In addition to cytotoxicity, we also observe activation of the transcription factor, heat shock factor-1 (HSF1). HSF1 is well known to mediate a cytoprotective response that promotes tumor cell survival and drug resistance. Here, we show that biochemical inhibition with the HSF1 inhibitor KRIBB11 or siRNA-based silencing of HSF1 results in a significant enhancement of drug potency, causing an approximately two-fold decrease in IC50 values of parbendazole and nocodazole. We also define a mechanism for drug-induced HSF1 activation, which results from a phosphorylation event at Ser326 that is dependent on the activation of the extracellular regulated protein kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Inhibition of the upstream kinase MEK-1/2 with U0126 attenuates the phosphorylation of both ERK-1/2 and HSF1, and significantly enhances drug cytotoxicity. From these data we propose a unique model whereby the ERK-1/2-dependent activation of HSF1 promotes chemotherapeutic resistance to benzimidazole carbamates. Therefore, targeting the ERK-1/2 signaling cascade is a potential strategy for HSF1 inhibition and a means of enhancing the cytotoxicity of these agents.
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Biological Activity and Molecular Structures of Bis(benzimidazole) and Trithiocyanurate Complexes. Molecules 2015; 20:10360-76. [PMID: 26053490 PMCID: PMC6272323 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200610360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
1-(1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)-N-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (abb) and 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylmethylsulfanylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (tbb) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis. These bis(benzimidazoles) have been further used in combination with trithiocyanuric acid for the preparation of complexes. The crystal and molecular structures of two of them have been solved. Each nickel atom in the structure of trinuclear complex [Ni3(abb)3(H2O)3(μ-ttc)](ClO4)3·3H2O·EtOH (1), where ttcH3 = trithiocyanuric acid, is coordinated with three N atoms of abb, the N,S donor set of ttc anion and an oxygen of a water molecule. The crystal of [(tbbH2)(ttcH2)2(ttcH3)(H2O)] (2) is composed of a protonated bis(benzimidazole), two ttcH2 anions, ttcH3 and water. The structure is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds. These compounds were primarily synthesized for their potential antimicrobial activity and hence their possible use in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria or yeasts (fungi). The antimicrobial and antifungal activity of the prepared compounds have been evaluated on a wide spectrum of bacterial and yeast strains and clinical specimens isolated from patients with infectious wounds and the best antimicrobial properties were observed in strains after the use of ligand abb and complex 1, when at least 80% growth inhibition was achieved.
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Kang BS, Lee SE, Ng CL, Kim JK, Park JS. Exploring the Preparation of Albendazole-Loaded Chitosan-Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles. MATERIALS 2015; 8:486-498. [PMID: 28787952 PMCID: PMC5455285 DOI: 10.3390/ma8020486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Revised: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to improve the solubility of albendazole and optimize the preparation of an oral nanoparticle formulation, using β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and chitosan-tripolyphosphate (TPP) nanoparticles. The solubility of albendazole in buffers, surfactants, and various concentrations of acetic acid solution was investigated. To determine drug loading, the cytotoxic effects of the albendazole concentration in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) were investigated. The formulations were prepared by mixing the drug solution in Tween 20 with the chitosan solution. TPP solution was added dropwise with sonication to produce a nanoparticle through ionic crosslinking. Then the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were investigated to obtain an optimal composition. The solubility of albendazole was greater in pH 2 buffer, Tween 20, and βCD depending on the concentration of acetic acid. Drug loading was determined as 100 µg/mL based on the results of cell viability. The optimized ratio of Tween 20, chitosan/hydroxypropyl βCD, and TPP was 2:5:1, which resulted in smaller particle size and proper zeta positive values of the zeta potential. The chitosan-TPP nanoparticles increased the drug solubility and had a small particle size with homogeneity in formulating albendazole as a potential anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong-Seok Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Korea.
| | - Sang-Eun Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Korea.
| | - Choon Lian Ng
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Korea.
| | - Jin-Ki Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 426-791, Korea.
| | - Jeong-Sook Park
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Drug Research and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-764, Korea.
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Identification of flubendazole as potential anti-neuroblastoma compound in a large cell line screen. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8202. [PMID: 25644037 PMCID: PMC4314641 DOI: 10.1038/srep08202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Flubendazole was shown to exert anti-leukaemia and anti-myeloma activity through inhibition of microtubule function. Here, flubendazole was tested for its effects on the viability of in total 461 cancer cell lines. Neuroblastoma was identified as highly flubendazole-sensitive cancer entity in a screen of 321 cell lines from 26 cancer entities. Flubendazole also reduced the viability of five primary neuroblastoma samples in nanomolar concentrations thought to be achievable in humans and inhibited vessel formation and neuroblastoma tumour growth in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Resistance acquisition is a major problem in high-risk neuroblastoma. 119 cell lines from a panel of 140 neuroblastoma cell lines with acquired resistance to various anti-cancer drugs were sensitive to flubendazole in nanomolar concentrations. Tubulin-binding agent-resistant cell lines displayed the highest flubendazole IC50 and IC90 values but differences between drug classes did not reach statistical significance. Flubendazole induced p53-mediated apoptosis. The siRNA-mediated depletion of the p53 targets p21, BAX, or PUMA reduced the neuroblastoma cell sensitivity to flubendazole with PUMA depletion resulting in the most pronounced effects. The MDM2 inhibitor and p53 activator nutlin-3 increased flubendazole efficacy while RNAi-mediated p53-depletion reduced its activity. In conclusion, flubendazole represents a potential treatment option for neuroblastoma including therapy-refractory cells.
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Nygren P, Fryknäs M, Agerup B, Larsson R. Repositioning of the anthelmintic drug mebendazole for the treatment for colon cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2013; 139:2133-40. [PMID: 24135855 PMCID: PMC3825534 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-013-1539-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
In the present study, we screened a compound library containing 1,600 clinically used compounds with the aim to identify compounds, which potentially could be repositioned for colon cancer therapy. Methods Two established colon cancer cell lines were tested using the fluorometric microculture cytotoxicity assay (FMCA). For compound comparison connectivity map (CMAP) analysis, NCI 60 data mining and protein kinase binding measurements were performed. Results Sixty-eight compounds were defined as hits with activity in both of these cell lines (<40 % cell survival compared with control) at 10 μM drug concentration. Analysis of chemical similarity of the hit compounds revealed several distinct clusters, among them the antiparasitic benzimidazole group. Two of these compounds, mebendazole (MBZ) and albendazole (ABZ) are registered for human use. Data from the NCI 60 cell line panel revealed only modest correlation between MBZ and ABZ, indicating differences in mechanism of action. This was further supported when gene expression signatures were compared in the CMAP database; ABZ ranked very low when MBZ was used as the query signature. Furthermore, MBZ, but not ABZ, was found to significantly interact with several protein kinases including BCR–ABL and BRAF. Analysis of the diagnosis-specific activity of MBZ showed activity in 80 % of the colon cancer cell lines in the NCI 60 panel. Three additional colon cancer cell lines and three cell models with non-malignant phenotypes were subsequently tested, confirming selective colon cancer activity of MBZ. Conclusion MBZ seemingly has repositioning potential for colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Nygren
- Section of Oncology, Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Science, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
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