1
|
Chen L, Hu Y, Lu Z, Lin Z, Li L, Wu JQ, Yu ZL, Wang C, Chen WH, Hu J. Design, Synthesis, and Antitumor Efficacy of Substituted 2-Amino[1,2,4]triazolopyrimidines and Related Heterocycles as Dual Inhibitors for Microtubule Polymerization and Janus Kinase 2. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15006-15024. [PMID: 37856840 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the synergistic effect of microtubule-targeting agents in combination with Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors, prompting the development of single agents with enhanced therapeutic efficacy by dually inhibiting tubulin polymerization and JAK2. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of substituted 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolopyrimidines and related heterocycles as dual inhibitors for tubulin polymerization and JAK2. Most of these compounds exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against the selected cancer cells, with compound 7g being the most active. This compound effectively inhibits both tubulin assembly and JAK2 activity. Furthermore, phosphorylated compound 7g (i.e., compound 7g-P) could efficiently convert to compound 7g in vivo. Compound 7g, whether it was administered directly or in the form of a phosphorylated prodrug (i.e., compound 7g-P), significantly inhibited the growth of A549 xenografts in nude mice. The present findings strongly suggest that compound 7g represents a promising chemotherapeutic agent with high antitumor efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Yunfei Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Zhonghui Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Zeyin Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Lanqing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Qiang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong 852, P. R. China
| | - Chunye Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huizhou First Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Huizhou 516000, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Hua Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| | - Jinhui Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hou Z, Lin S, Du T, Wang M, Wang W, You S, Xue N, Liu Y, Ji M, Xu H, Chen X. S-72, a Novel Orally Available Tubulin Inhibitor, Overcomes Paclitaxel Resistance via Inactivation of the STING Pathway in Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050749. [PMID: 37242532 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-targeting agents are widely used as active anticancer drugs. However, drug resistance always emerges after their long-term use, especially in the case of paclitaxel, which is the cornerstone of all subtypes of breast cancer treatment. Hence, the development of novel agents to overcome this resistance is vital. This study reports on a novel, potent, and orally bioavailable tubulin inhibitor called S-72 and evaluated its preclinical efficacy in combating paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer and the molecular mechanisms behind it. We found that S-72 suppresses the proliferation, invasion and migration of paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer cells in vitro and displays desirable antitumor activities against xenografts in vivo. As a characterized tubulin inhibitor, S-72 typically inhibits tubulin polymerization and further triggers mitosis-phase cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis, in addition to suppressing STAT3 signaling. Further studies showed that STING signaling is involved in paclitaxel resistance, and S-72 blocks STING activation in paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer cells. This effect further restores multipolar spindle formation and causes deadly chromosomal instability in cells. Our study offers a promising novel microtubule-destabilizing agent for paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer treatment as well as a potential strategy that can be used to improve paclitaxel sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Songwen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Tingting Du
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Mingjin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Weida Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shen You
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Nina Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yichen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ming Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Heng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Non-Clinical Drug Metabolism and PK/PD Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Deng S, Banerjee S, Chen H, Pochampally S, Wang Y, Yun MK, White SW, Parmar K, Meibohm B, Hartman KL, Wu Z, Miller DD, Li W. SB226, an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization, inhibits paclitaxel-resistant melanoma growth and spontaneous metastasis. Cancer Lett 2023; 555:216046. [PMID: 36596380 PMCID: PMC10321023 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.216046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Extensive preclinical studies have shown that colchicine-binding site inhibitors (CBSIs) are promising drug candidates for cancer therapy. Although numerous CBSIs were generated and evaluated, but so far the FDA has not approved any of them due to undesired adverse events or insufficient efficacies. We previously reported two very potent CBSIs, the dihydroquinoxalinone compounds 5 m and 5t. In this study, we further optimized the structures of compounds 5 m and 5t and integrated them to generate a new analog, SB226. X-ray crystal structure studies and a tubulin polymerization assay confirmed that SB226 is a CBSI that could disrupt the microtubule dynamics and interfere with microtubule assembly. Biophysical measurements using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy verified the high binding affinity of SB226 to tubulin dimers. The in vitro studies showed that SB226 possessed sub-nanomolar anti-proliferative activities with an average IC50 of 0.76 nM against a panel of cancer cell lines, some of which are paclitaxel-resistant, including melanoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer cells. SB226 inhibited the colony formation and migration of Taxol-resistant A375/TxR cells, and induced their G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Our subsequent in vivo studies confirmed that 4 mg/kg SB226 strongly inhibited the tumor growth of A375/TxR melanoma xenografts in mice and induced necrosis, anti-angiogenesis, and apoptosis in tumors. Moreover, SB226 treatment significantly inhibited spontaneous axillary lymph node, lung, and liver metastases originating from subcutaneous tumors in mice without any obvious toxicity to the animals' major organs, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of SB226 as a novel anticancer agent for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, 1301 E. Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, United States; Molecular Biosciences Program, Middle Tennessee State University, 1301 E. Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Satyanarayana Pochampally
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, United States
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, United States
| | - Keyur Parmar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Kelli L Hartman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Zhongzhi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deng S, Leong HC, Datta A, Gopal V, Kumar AP, Yap CT. PI3K/AKT Signaling Tips the Balance of Cytoskeletal Forces for Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1652. [PMID: 35406424 PMCID: PMC8997157 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays essential roles in multiple cellular processes, which include cell growth, survival, metabolism, and motility. In response to internal and external stimuli, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway co-opts other signaling pathways, cellular components, and cytoskeletal proteins to reshape individual cells. The cytoskeletal network comprises three main components, which are namely the microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Collectively, they are essential for many fundamental structures and cellular processes. In cancer, aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling cascade and alteration of cytoskeletal structures have been observed to be highly prevalent, and eventually contribute to many cancer hallmarks. Due to their critical roles in tumor progression, pharmacological agents targeting PI3K/AKT, along with cytoskeletal components, have been developed for better intervention strategies against cancer. In our review, we first discuss existing evidence in-depth and then build on recent advances to propose new directions for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Deng
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (S.D.); (V.G.)
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore;
| | - Hin Chong Leong
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore;
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Arpita Datta
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
| | - Vennila Gopal
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (S.D.); (V.G.)
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore;
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Departments of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Celestial T. Yap
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (S.D.); (V.G.)
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore;
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhurta D, Bharate SB. Styryl Group, a Friend or Foe in Medicinal Chemistry. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100706. [PMID: 35166041 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The styryl (Ph-CH=CH-R) group is widely represented in medicinally important compounds, including drugs, clinical candidates, and molecular probes as it positively impacts the lipophilicity, oral absorption, and biological activity. The analysis of matched molecular pairs (styryl vs. phenethyl, phenyl, methyl, H) for the biological activity indicates the superiority aspect of styryl compounds. However, the Michael acceptor site in the styryl group makes it amenable to the nucleophilic attack by biological nucleophiles and transformation to the toxic metabolites. One of the downsides of styryl compounds is isomerization that impacts the molecular conformation and directly affects biological activity. The impact of cis-trans isomerism and isosteric replacements on biological activity is exemplified. We also discuss the styryl group-bearing drugs, clinical candidates, and fluorescent probes. Overall, the present review reveals the utility of the styryl group in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deendyal Bhurta
- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Natural Products and medicinal chemistry, 180001, Jammu, INDIA
| | - Sandip Bibishan Bharate
- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine CSIR, Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry, Canal Road, 180001, Jammu, INDIA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Smolarczyk R, Czapla J, Jarosz-Biej M, Czerwinski K, Cichoń T. Vascular disrupting agents in cancer therapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 891:173692. [PMID: 33130277 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumor blood vessel formation is a key process for tumor expansion. Tumor vessels are abnormal and differ from normal vessels in architecture and components. Besides oxygen and nutrients supply, the tumor vessels system, due to its abnormality, is responsible for: hypoxia formation, and metastatic routes. Tumor blood vessels can be a target of anti-cancer therapies. There are two types of therapies that target tumor vessels. The first one is the inhibition of the angiogenesis process. However, the inhibition is often ineffective because of alternative angiogenesis mechanism activation. The second type is a specific targeting of existing tumor blood vessels by vascular disruptive agents (VDAs). There are three groups of VDAs: microtubule destabilizing drugs, flavonoids with anti-vascular functions, and tumor vascular targeted drugs based on endothelial cell receptors. However, VDAs possess some limitations. They may be cardiotoxic and their application in therapy may leave viable residual, so called, rim cells on the edge of the tumor. However, it seems that a well-designed combination of VDAs with other anti-cancer drugs may bring a significant therapeutic effect. In this article, we describe three groups of vascular disruptive agents with their advantages and disadvantages. We mention VDAs clinical trials. Finally, we present the current possibilities of VDAs combination with other anti-cancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Smolarczyk
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej Street 15, 44-102, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Justyna Czapla
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej Street 15, 44-102, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Jarosz-Biej
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej Street 15, 44-102, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Kyle Czerwinski
- University of Manitoba, Faculty of Science. 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Tomasz Cichoń
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej Street 15, 44-102, Gliwice, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
A 2-step synthesis of Combretastatin A-4 and derivatives as potent tubulin assembly inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115684. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|