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Kaya B, Gholam Azad M, Suleymanoglu M, Harmer JR, Wijesinghe TP, Richardson V, Zhao X, Bernhardt PV, Dharmasivam M, Richardson DR. Isosteric Replacement of Sulfur to Selenium in a Thiosemicarbazone: Promotion of Zn(II) Complex Dissociation and Transmetalation to Augment Anticancer Efficacy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:12155-12183. [PMID: 38967641 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00884] [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: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
We implemented isosteric replacement of sulfur to selenium in a novel thiosemicarbazone (PPTP4c4mT) to create a selenosemicarbazone (PPTP4c4mSe) that demonstrates potentiated anticancer efficacy and selectivity. Their design specifically incorporated cyclohexyl and styryl moieties to sterically inhibit the approach of their Fe(III) complexes to the oxy-myoglobin heme plane. Importantly, in contrast to the Fe(III) complexes of the clinically trialed thiosemicarbazones Triapine, COTI-2, and DpC, the Fe(III) complexes of PPTP4c4mT and PPTP4c4mSe did not induce detrimental oxy-myoglobin oxidation. Furthermore, PPTP4c4mSe demonstrated more potent antiproliferative activity than the homologous thiosemicarbazone, PPTP4c4mT, with their selectivity being superior or similar, respectively, to the clinically trialed thiosemicarbazone, COTI-2. An advantageous property of the selenosemicarbazone Zn(II) complexes relative to their thiosemicarbazone analogues was their greater transmetalation to Cu(II) complexes in lysosomes. This latter effect probably promoted their antiproliferative activity. Both ligands down-regulated multiple key receptors that display inter-receptor cooperation that leads to aggressive and resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Busra Kaya
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Mahan Gholam Azad
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Mediha Suleymanoglu
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Fatih, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Jeffrey R Harmer
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Tharushi P Wijesinghe
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Vera Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Xiao Zhao
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Paul V Bernhardt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Mahendiran Dharmasivam
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Des R Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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Abd El-Aziz YS, Toit-Thompson TD, McKay MJ, Molloy MP, Stoner S, McDowell B, Moon E, Sioson L, Sheen A, Chou A, Gill AJ, Jansson PJ, Sahni S. Novel combinatorial autophagy inhibition therapy for triple negative breast cancers. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 973:176568. [PMID: 38604544 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176568] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis among breast cancer subtypes. It is characterized by lack of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors, and thus, have limited therapeutic options. Autophagy has been found to be correlated with poor prognosis and aggressive behaviour in TNBC. This study aimed to target autophagy in TNBC via a novel approach to inhibit TNBC progression. METHODS Immunoblotting and confocal microscopy were carried out to examine the effect of tumor microenvironmental stressors on autophagy. Cellular proliferation and migration assays were used to test the effect of different autophagy inhibitors and standard chemotherapy alone or in combination. In vivo xenograft mouse model was utilized to assess the effect of autophagy inhibitors alone or in combination with Paclitaxel. High resolution mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis was performed to explore the mechanisms behind chemoresistance in TNBC. Lastly, immunohistochemistry was done to assess the correlation between autophagy related proteins and clinical characteristics in TNBC tissue specimens. RESULTS Metabolic stressors were found to induce autophagy in TNBC cell lines. Autophagy initiation inhibitors, SAR405 and MRT68921, showed marked synergy in their anti-proliferative activity in both chemosensitive and chemoresistant TNBC cell models. Paradoxically, positive expression of autophagosome marker LC3 was shown to be associated with better overall survival of TNBC patients. CONCLUSION In this study, a novel combination between different autophagy inhibitors was identified which inhibited tumor cell proliferation in both chemosensitive and chemoresistant TNBC cells and could result in development of a novel treatment modality against TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yomna S Abd El-Aziz
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Taymin du Toit-Thompson
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew J McKay
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark P Molloy
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Shihani Stoner
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Betty McDowell
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Moon
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Loretta Sioson
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Sheen
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Chou
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patric J Jansson
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; Cancer Drug Resistance & Stem Cell Program, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia.
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Alajroush DR, Smith CB, Anderson BF, Oyeyemi IT, Beebe SJ, Holder AA. A Comparison of In Vitro Studies between Cobalt(III) and Copper(II) Complexes with Thiosemicarbazone Ligands to Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Inorganica Chim Acta 2024; 562:121898. [PMID: 38282819 PMCID: PMC10810091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ica.2023.121898] [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] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Metal complexes have gained significant attention as potential anti-cancer agents. The anti-cancer activity of [Co(phen)2(MeATSC)](NO3)3•1.5H2O•C2H5OH 1 (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and MeATSC = 9-anthraldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) and [Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl•0.25C2H5OH 2 (where acetylethTSC = (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide) was investigated by analyzing DNA cleavage activity. The cytotoxic effect was analyzed using CCK-8 viability assay. The activities of caspase 3/7, 9, and 1, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial function were further analyzed to study the cell death mechanisms. Complex 2 induced a significant increase in nicked DNA. The IC50 values of complex 1 were 17.59 μM and 61.26 μM in cancer and non-cancer cells, respectively. The IC50 values of complex 2 were 5.63 and 12.19 μM for cancer and non-cancer cells, respectively. Complex 1 induced an increase in ROS levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activated caspases 3/7, 9, and 1, which indicated the induction of intrinsic apoptotic pathway and pyroptosis. Complex 2 induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase, ROS generation, and caspase 3/7 activation. Thus, complex 1 induced cell death in the breast cancer cell line via activation of oxidative stress which induced apoptosis and pyroptosis while complex 2 induced cell cycle arrest through the induction of DNA cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duaa R. Alajroush
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University 4501 Elkhorn Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A
| | - Chloe B. Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University 4501 Elkhorn Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A
| | - Brittney F. Anderson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Virgin Islands, 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802, U.S.A
| | - Ifeoluwa T. Oyeyemi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University 4501 Elkhorn Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Nigeria
| | - Stephen J. Beebe
- Frank Reidy Research center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, 4211 Monarch Way, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA, 23508, U.S.A
| | - Alvin A. Holder
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University 4501 Elkhorn Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A
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Abd El-Aziz YS, McKay MJ, Molloy MP, McDowell B, Moon E, Sioson L, Sheen A, Chou A, Gill AJ, Jansson PJ, Sahni S. Inhibition of autophagy initiation: A novel strategy for oral squamous cell carcinomas. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119627. [PMID: 37963518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common forms of oral cancer and is known to have poor prognostic outcomes. Autophagy is known to be associated with aggressive tumor biology of OSCC. Hence, this study aimed to develop a novel therapeutic strategy against OSCC by targeting the autophagic pathway. METHODS Immunoblotting, and confocal microscopy were used to examine the effect of tumor microenvironmental stressors on the autophagy activity. Cellular proliferation and migration assays were performed to assess the anti-cancer activity of standard chemotherapy and autophagy initiation inhibitors, either alone or in combination. High resolution mass-spectrometry based proteomic analysis was utilized to understand the mechanisms behind chemoresistance in OSCC models. Finally, immunohistochemistry was performed to determine associations between autophagy markers and clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS Tumor microenvironmental stressors were shown to induce autophagy activity in OSCC cell lines. Novel combinations of chemotherapy and autophagy inhibitors as well as different classes of autophagy inhibitors were identified. Combination of MRT68921 and SAR405 demonstrated marked synergy in their anti-proliferative activity and also showed synergy with chemotherapy in chemoresistant OSCC cell models. Autophagy was identified as one of the key pathways involved in mediating chemoresistance in OSCC. Furthermore, TGM2 was identified as a key upstream regulator of chemoresistance in OSCC models. Finally, positive staining for autophagosome marker LC3 was shown to be associated with low histological grade OSCC. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study identified a combination of novel autophagy inhibitors which can potently inhibit proliferation of both chemosensitive as well as chemoresistant OSCC cells and could be developed as a novel therapy against advanced OSCC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yomna S Abd El-Aziz
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Matthew J McKay
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark P Molloy
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Betty McDowell
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Moon
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Loretta Sioson
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amy Sheen
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Chou
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Patric J Jansson
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia; Cancer Drug Resistance & Stem Cell Program, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Australia.
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Fahim SA, ElZohairy YA, Moustafa RI. Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, in combination with tamoxifen exerts synergistic effect in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells via hTERT inhibition. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1844. [PMID: 38246945 PMCID: PMC10800350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51977-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) is one of the most successful treatments for breast cancer; however, TAM resistance continues to be a significant barrier. TAM resistance has been reported to be associated with increased expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). This enzyme shares structural similarity with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme of RNA viruses, suggesting that RdRp inhibitors may also inhibit hTERT. Favipiravir (FAV) is an antiviral drug that inhibits RdRp of RNA viruses. Thus, we propose that FAV may also elicit an antitumor effect by suppressing hTERT. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FAV and TAM on TAM-resistant breast cancer (TAMR-1). The cell viabilities were determined. The levels of CDK1/ hTERT, in addition to regulators of hTERT-targeted signaling pathways were measured. Apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle distribution were also determined. Our data revealed that the combination of TAM and FAV suppressed cell proliferation synergistically (CI < 1) and resulted in a significant change in cell migration and apoptosis. Indeed, this was associated with reduced levels of hTERT and CDK1 and shift in the cell cycle distribution. Our findings suggest that the TAM/FAV combination exhibits synergistic effects against TAMR-1 human breast cancer cells by targeting hTERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Fahim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, 6th of October, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Yehia A ElZohairy
- School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rehab I Moustafa
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
- Microbiology Department, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
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6
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Dharmasivam M, Kaya B, Wijesinghe TP, Richardson V, Harmer JR, Gonzalvez MA, Lewis W, Azad MG, Bernhardt PV, Richardson DR. Differential transmetallation of complexes of the anti-cancer thiosemicarbazone, Dp4e4mT: effects on anti-proliferative efficacy, redox activity, oxy-myoglobin and oxy-hemoglobin oxidation. Chem Sci 2024; 15:974-990. [PMID: 38239703 PMCID: PMC10793205 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05723b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The di-2-pyridylthiosemicarbazone (DpT) analogs demonstrate potent and selective anti-proliferative activity against human tumors. The current investigation reports the synthesis and chemical and biological characterization of the Fe(iii), Co(iii), Ni(ii), Cu(ii), Zn(ii), Ga(iii), and Pd(ii) complexes of the promising second generation DpT analog, di-2-pyridylketone-4-ethyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp4e4mT). These studies demonstrate that the Dp4e4mT Co(iii), Ni(ii), and Pd(ii) complexes display distinct biological activity versus those with Cu(ii), Zn(ii), and Ga(iii) regarding anti-proliferative efficacy against cancer cells and a detrimental off-target effect involving oxidation of oxy-myoglobin (oxy-Mb) and oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb). With regards to anti-proliferative activity, the Zn(ii) and Ga(iii) Dp4e4mT complexes demonstrate facile transmetallation with Cu(ii), resulting in efficacy against tumor cells that is strikingly similar to the Dp4e4mT Cu(ii) complex (IC50: 0.003-0.006 μM and 72 h). Relative to the Zn(ii) and Ga(iii) Dp4e4mT complexes, the Dp4e4mT Ni(ii) complex demonstrates kinetically slow transmetallation with Cu(ii) and intermediate anti-proliferative effects (IC50: 0.018-0.076 μM after 72 h). In contrast, the Co(iii) and Pd(ii) complexes demonstrate poor anti-proliferative activity (IC50: 0.262-1.570 μM after 72 h), probably due to a lack of transmetallation with Cu(ii). The poor efficacy of the Dp4e4mT Co(iii), Ni(ii), and Pd(ii) complexes to transmetallate with Fe(iii) markedly suppresses the oxidation of oxy-Mb and oxy-Hb. In contrast, the 2 : 1 Dp4e4mT: Cu(ii), Zn(ii), and Ga(iii) complexes demonstrate facile reactions with Fe(iii), leading to the redox active Dp4e4mT Fe(iii) complex and oxy-Mb and oxy-Hb oxidation. This study demonstrates the key role of differential transmetallation of Dp4e4mT complexes that has therapeutic ramifications for their use as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahendiran Dharmasivam
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan Brisbane Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Busra Kaya
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan Brisbane Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Tharushi P Wijesinghe
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan Brisbane Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Vera Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan Brisbane Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Harmer
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Miguel A Gonzalvez
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - William Lewis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Mahan Gholam Azad
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan Brisbane Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Paul V Bernhardt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Des R Richardson
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan Brisbane Queensland 4111 Australia
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Nagoya 466-8550 Japan
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Xu Z, Wang X, Sun W, Xu F, Kou H, Hu W, Zhang Y, Jiang Q, Tang J, Xu Y. RelB-activated GPX4 inhibits ferroptosis and confers tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. Redox Biol 2023; 68:102952. [PMID: 37944384 PMCID: PMC10641764 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) resistance remains a major obstacle in the treatment of advanced breast cancer (BCa). In addition to the competitive inhibition of the estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathway, damping of mitochondrial function by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) is critical for enhancing TAM pharmacodynamics. Here, we showed that RelB contributes to TAM resistance by inhibiting TAM-provoked ferroptosis. TAM-induced ROS level promoted ferroptosis in TAM-sensitive cells, but the effect was alleviated in TAM-resistant cells with high constitutive levels of RelB. Mechanistically, RelB inhibited ferroptosis by transcriptional upregulating glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Consequently, elevating RelB and GPX4 in sensitive cells increased TAM resistance, and conversely, depriving RelB and GPX4 in resistant cells decreased TAM resistance. Furthermore, suppression of RelB transcriptional activation resensitized TAM-resistant cells by enhancing ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. The inactivation of GPX4 in TAM-resistant cells consistently resensitized TAM by increasing ferroptosis-mediated cell death. Together, this study uncovered that inhibition of ferroptosis contributes to TAM resistance of BCa via RelB-upregulated GPX4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xiumei Wang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longman Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Wenbo Sun
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longman Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Fan Xu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting Avenue, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hengyuan Kou
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longman Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Weizi Hu
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longman Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting Avenue, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qin Jiang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Jinhai Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 138 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longman Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China; Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting Avenue, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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8
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Shehadeh-Tout F, Milioli HH, Roslan S, Jansson PJ, Dharmasivam M, Graham D, Anderson R, Wijesinghe T, Azad MG, Richardson DR, Kovacevic Z. Innovative Thiosemicarbazones that Induce Multi-Modal Mechanisms to Down-Regulate Estrogen-, Progesterone-, Androgen- and Prolactin-Receptors in Breast Cancer. Pharmacol Res 2023:106806. [PMID: 37244387 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) is a key driver of breast cancer (BC) and the ER-antagonist, tamoxifen, is a central pillar of BC treatment. However, cross-talk between ER-α, other hormone and growth factor receptors enables development of de novo resistance to tamoxifen. Herein, we mechanistically dissect the activity of a new class of anti-cancer agents that inhibit multiple growth factor receptors and down-stream signaling for the treatment of ER-positive BC. Using RNA sequencing and comprehensive protein expression analysis, we examined the activity of di-2-pyridylketone-4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT) and di-2-pyridylketone-4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC), on the expression and activation of hormone and growth factor receptors, co-factors, and key resistance pathways in ER-α-positive BC. DpC differentially regulated 106 estrogen-response genes, and this was linked to decreased mRNA levels of 4 central hormone receptors involved in BC pathogenesis, namely ER, progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), and prolactin receptor (PRL-R). Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that due to DpC and Dp44mT binding metal ions, these agents caused a pronounced decrease in ER-α, AR, PR, and PRL-R protein expression. DpC and Dp44mT also inhibited activation and down-stream signaling of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family receptors, and expression of co-factors that promote ER-α transcriptional activity, including SRC3, NF-κB p65, and SP1. In vivo, DpC was highly tolerable and effectively inhibited ER-α-positive BC growth. Through bespoke, non-hormonal, multi-modal mechanisms, Dp44mT and DpC decrease the expression of PR, AR, PRL-R, and tyrosine kinases that act with ER-α to promote BC, constituting an innovative therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten Shehadeh-Tout
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Heloisa H Milioli
- Connie Johnson Breast Cancer Research Laboratory, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, NSW 2010 Australia
| | - Suraya Roslan
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg Vic 3084, Australia
| | - Patric J Jansson
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Mahendiran Dharmasivam
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dinny Graham
- Breast Cancer Group, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research and Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia
| | - Robin Anderson
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg Vic 3084, Australia; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tharushi Wijesinghe
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mahan Gholam Azad
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, 4111, Queensland, Australia
| | - Des R Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, 4111, Queensland, Australia; Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Zaklina Kovacevic
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of NSW, NSW 2052 Australia.
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9
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Zhao X, Richardson DR. The role of the NDRG1 in the pathogenesis and treatment of breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188871. [PMID: 36841367 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in women. This disease is heterogeneous, with clinical subtypes being estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) positive, having human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, or being triple-negative for ER-α, progesterone receptor, and HER2 (TNBC). The ER-α positive and HER2 overexpressing tumors can be treated with agents targeting these proteins, including tamoxifen and pertuzumab, respectively. Despite these treatments, resistance and metastasis are problematic, while TNBC is challenging to treat due to the lack of suitable targets. Many studies examining BC and other tumors indicate a role for N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) as a metastasis suppressor. The ability of NDRG1 to inhibit metastasis is due, in part, to the inhibition of the initial step in metastasis, namely the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Paradoxically, there are also reports of NDRG1 playing a pro-oncogenic role in BC pathogenesis. The oncogenic effects of NDRG1 in BC have been reported to relate to lipid metabolism or the mTOR signaling pathway. The molecular mechanism(s) of how NDRG1 regulates the activity of multiple signaling pathways remains unclear. Therapeutic strategies that up-regulate NDRG1 have been developed and include agents of the di-2-pyridylketone thiosemicarbazone class. These compounds target oncogenic drivers in BC cells, suppressing the expression of multiple key hormone receptors including ER-α, progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, and prolactin receptor, and can also overcome tamoxifen resistance. Considering the varying role of NDRG1 in BC pathogenesis, further studies are required to examine what subset of BC patients would benefit from pharmacopeia that up-regulate NDRG1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhao
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Des R Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia; Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
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10
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Jiang M, Zhang J, Xu S, Li Y, Li W, Liang H, Yang F. Designing a multitarget In(III) compound to overcome the resistance of lung cancer cells to cisplatin. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:269-280. [PMID: 36519582 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt03374g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Designing novel anticancer non-platinum metal agents is fully challenging. Herein, a series of little-known indium (In) 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone compounds as potential anticancer agents were designed, synthesized, and characterized. The hydrogen atoms at the N-4 position with the alkyl of the In compounds significantly increased cellular uptake and cytotoxicity. In(III) compounds showed significantly higher cytotoxicity toward cisplatin-resistant cell lines than cisplatin. More importantly, C4 greatly inhibited A549DDP tumor growth in a vaccinated mouse model. C4 exerted cytotoxic effects via a multitarget mechanism. First, it activated p53 and blocked the cell cycle at the S phase, which then led to weak expression levels of cyclin and related kinases and upregulation of the expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. C4 also depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential and regulated the expression of the Bcl-2 family, which then released cyt-c and activated caspase-3/8/9 to execute apoptotic pathways. Then, it inhibited telomerase through the inhibition of the expression of the c-Myc regulator gene and expression of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase. Furthermore, C4 showed excellent antimetastatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Juzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Shihang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Yanping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Wenjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Feng Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources/Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China), Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University Guilin, Guangxi, China.
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11
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Emam SM, Bondock S, Aldaloa AA. Schiff Base Coordination Compounds Including Thiosemicarbazide Derivative and 4-Benzoyl-1, 3-Diphenyl-5-Pyrazolone: Synthesis, Structural Spectral Characterization and Biological Activity. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2022.100725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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12
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Bai XG, Zheng Y, Qi J. Advances in thiosemicarbazone metal complexes as anti-lung cancer agents. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1018951. [PMID: 36238553 PMCID: PMC9551402 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1018951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The great success of cisplatin as a chemotherapeutic agent considerably increased research efforts in inorganic biochemistry to identify more metallic drugs having the potential of treating lung cancer. Metal coordination centres, which exhibit a wide range of coordination numbers and geometries, various oxidised and reduced states and the inherent ligand properties offer pharmaceutical chemists a plethora of drug structures. Owing to the presence of C=N and C=S bonds in a thiosemicarbazone Schiff base, N and S atoms in its hybrid orbital has lone pair of electrons, which can generate metal complexes with different stabilities with most metal elements under certain conditions. Such ligands and complexes play key roles in the treatment of anti-lung cancer. Research regarding metallic anti-lung cancer has advanced considerably, but there remain several challenges. In this review, we discuss the potential of thiosemicarbazone Schiff base complexes as anti-lung cancer drugs, their anti-cancer activities and the most likely action mechanisms involving the recent families of copper, nickel, platinum, ruthenium and other complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jinxu Qi
- *Correspondence: Yunyun Zheng, ; Jinxu Qi,
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13
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Krchniakova M, Paukovcekova S, Chlapek P, Neradil J, Skoda J, Veselska R. Thiosemicarbazones and selected tyrosine kinase inhibitors synergize in pediatric solid tumors: NDRG1 upregulation and impaired prosurvival signaling in neuroblastoma cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:976955. [PMID: 36160437 PMCID: PMC9490180 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.976955] [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: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are frequently used in combined therapy to enhance treatment efficacy and overcome drug resistance. The present study analyzed the effects of three inhibitors, sunitinib, gefitinib, and lapatinib, combined with iron-chelating agents, di-2-pyridylketone-4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT) or di-2-pyridylketone-4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC). Simultaneous administration of the drugs consistently resulted in synergistic and/or additive activities against the cell lines derived from the most frequent types of pediatric solid tumors. The results of a detailed analysis of cell signaling in the neuroblastoma cell lines revealed that TKIs inhibited the phosphorylation of the corresponding receptor tyrosine kinases, and thiosemicarbazones downregulated the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, leading to a strong induction of apoptosis. Marked upregulation of the metastasis suppressor N-myc downstream regulated gene-1 (NDRG1), which is known to be activated and upregulated by thiosemicarbazones in adult cancers, was also detected in thiosemicarbazone-treated neuroblastoma cells. Importantly, these effects were more pronounced in the cells treated with drug combinations, especially with the combinations of lapatinib with thiosemicarbazones. Therefore, these results provide a rationale for novel strategies combining iron-chelating agents with TKIs in therapy of pediatric solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Krchniakova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Silvia Paukovcekova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jakub Neradil
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Skoda
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jan Skoda, ; Renata Veselska,
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jan Skoda, ; Renata Veselska,
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14
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KAYA B. An Iron(III)-S-methylthiosemicarbazone Complex: Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, and Antioxidant Potency Measured by CUPRAC and DPPH Methods. JOURNAL OF THE TURKISH CHEMICAL SOCIETY, SECTION A: CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.18596/jotcsa.1058398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
An iron(III) complex, [Fe(L1)Cl].H2O, was synthesized by template condensation reaction of 1,1,1-Trifluoroacetylacetone-S-methylthiosemicarbazone hydrogen iodide (L) and 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in the presence of iron(III) ions. The complex was characterized by IR, ESI MS and X-ray diffraction techniques. Free radical scavenging (FRS) ability and antioxidant capacity of the S-methylthiosemicarbazone and the iron(III) complex were evaluated through DPPH and CUPRAC methods, respectively. The complex exerted better than the S-methylthiosemicarbazone in both TEAC and FRS% values. In addition, iron(III) complex was found to be 3.1 times more antioxidant than the reference ascorbic acid according to the CUPRAC method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Büşra KAYA
- İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ
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15
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Xu YS, Chigan JZ, Li JQ, Ding HH, Sun LY, Liu L, Hu Z, Yang KW. Hydroxamate and thiosemicarbazone: Two highly promising scaffolds for the development of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. Bioorg Chem 2022; 124:105799. [PMID: 35462235 PMCID: PMC9014651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The emerging COVID-19 pandemic generated by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has severely threatened human health. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is promising target for antiviral drugs, which plays a vital role for viral duplication. Development of the inhibitor against Mpro is an ideal strategy to combat COVID-19. In this work, twenty-three hydroxamates 1a-i and thiosemicarbazones 2a-n were identified by FRET screening to be the potent inhibitors of Mpro, which exhibited more than 94% (except 1c) and more than 69% inhibition, and an IC50 value in the range of 0.12-31.51 and 2.43-34.22 μM, respectively. 1a and 2b were found to be the most effective inhibitors in the hydroxamates and thiosemicarbazones, with an IC50 of 0.12 and 2.43 μM, respectively. Enzyme kinetics, jump dilution and thermal shift assays revealed that 2b is a competitive inhibitor of Mpro, while 1a is a time-dependently inhibitor; 2b reversibly but 1a irreversibly bound to the target; the binding of 2b increased but 1a decreased stability of the target, and DTT assays indicate that 1a is the promiscuous cysteine protease inhibitor. Cytotoxicity assays showed that 1a has low, but 2b has certain cytotoxicity on the mouse fibroblast cells (L929). Docking studies revealed that the benzyloxycarbonyl carbon of 1a formed thioester with Cys145, while the phenolic hydroxyl oxygen of 2b formed H-bonds with Cys145 and Asn142. This work provided two promising scaffolds for the development of Mpro inhibitors to combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Sui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Jia-Zhu Chigan
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Jia-Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Huan-Huan Ding
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Le-Yun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Lu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Zhenxin Hu
- Suzhou Genevide Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Ke-Wu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China.
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16
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Iron chelates in the anticancer therapy. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-021-02001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIron plays a significant role in the metabolism of cancer cells. In comparison with normal cells, neoplastic ones exhibit enhanced vulnerability to iron. Ferric ions target tumor via the ferroptotic death pathway—a process involving the iron-mediated lipid oxidation. Ferric ion occurs in complex forms in the physiological conditions. Apart from iron, ligands are the other factors to affect the biological activity of the iron complexes. In recent decades the role of iron chelates in targeting the growth of the tumor was extensively examined. The ligand may possess a standalone activity to restrict cancer’s growth. However, a wrong choice of the ligand might lead to the enhanced cancer cell’s growth in in vitro studies. The paper aims to review the role of iron complex compounds in the anticancer therapy both in the experimental and clinical applications. The anticancer properties of the iron complex rely both on the stability constant of the complex and the ligand composition. When the stability constant is high, the properties of the drug are unique. However, when the stability constant remains low, both components—ferric ions and ligands, act separately on the cells. In the paper we show how the difference in complex stability implies the action of ligand and ferric ions in the cancer cell. Iron complexation strategy is an interesting attempt to transport the anticancer Fe2+/3+ ions throughout the cell membrane and release it when the pH of the microenvironment changes. Last part of the paper summarizes the results of clinical trials and in vitro studies of novel iron chelates such as: PRLX 93,936, Ferumoxytol, Talactoferrin, DPC, Triapine, VLX600, Tachypyridine, Ciclopiroxamine, Thiosemicarbazone, Deferoxamine and Deferasirox.
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17
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Hua H, Zhang H, Chen J, Wang J, Liu J, Jiang Y. Targeting Akt in cancer for precision therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:128. [PMID: 34419139 PMCID: PMC8379749 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers-guided precision therapeutics has revolutionized the clinical development and administration of molecular-targeted anticancer agents. Tailored precision cancer therapy exhibits better response rate compared to unselective treatment. Protein kinases have critical roles in cell signaling, metabolism, proliferation, survival and migration. Aberrant activation of protein kinases is critical for tumor growth and progression. Hence, protein kinases are key targets for molecular targeted cancer therapy. The serine/threonine kinase Akt is frequently activated in various types of cancer. Activation of Akt promotes tumor progression and drug resistance. Since the first Akt inhibitor was reported in 2000, many Akt inhibitors have been developed and evaluated in either early or late stage of clinical trials, which take advantage of liquid biopsy and genomic or molecular profiling to realize personalized cancer therapy. Two inhibitors, capivasertib and ipatasertib, are being tested in phase III clinical trials for cancer therapy. Here, we highlight recent progress of Akt signaling pathway, review the up-to-date data from clinical studies of Akt inhibitors and discuss the potential biomarkers that may help personalized treatment of cancer with Akt inhibitors. In addition, we also discuss how Akt may confer the vulnerability of cancer cells to some kinds of anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jingzhu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jieya Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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18
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Novel Thiosemicarbazones Sensitize Pediatric Solid Tumor Cell-Types to Conventional Chemotherapeutics through Multiple Molecular Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123781. [PMID: 33334021 PMCID: PMC7765366 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Combination of chemotherapeutics for the treatment of childhood cancer can lead to the use of lower cytotoxic drug doses and better therapeutic tolerability (i.e., lower side effects) for patients. We discovered novel molecular targets of two lead thiosemicarbazone agents of the di-2-pyridylketone thiosemicarbazone class. These molecular targets include: cyclooxygenase, the DNA repair protein, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, mismatch repair proteins, and topoisomerase 2α. This research also identifies promising synergistic interactions of these thiosemicarbazones particularly with the standard chemotherapeutic, celecoxib. Abstract Combining low-dose chemotherapies is a strategy for designing less toxic and more potent childhood cancer treatments. We examined the effects of combining the novel thiosemicarbazones, di-2-pyridylketone 4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC), or its analog, di-2-pyridylketone-4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT), with the standard chemotherapies, celecoxib (CX), etoposide (ETO), or temozolomide (TMZ). These combinations were analyzed for synergism to inhibit proliferation of three pediatric tumor cell-types, namely osteosarcoma (Saos-2), medulloblastoma (Daoy) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y). In terms of mechanistic dissection, this study discovered novel thiosemicarbazone targets not previously identified and which are important for considering possible drug combinations. In this case, DpC and Dp44mT caused: (1) up-regulation of a major protein target of CX, namely cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); (2) down-regulation of the DNA repair protein, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which is known to affect TMZ resistance; (3) down-regulation of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, MSH2 and MSH6, in Daoy and SH-SY5Y cells; and (4) down-regulation in all three cell-types of the MMR repair protein, MLH1, and also topoisomerase 2α (Topo2α), the latter of which is an ETO target. While thiosemicarbazones up-regulate the metastasis suppressor, NDRG1, in adult cancers, it is demonstrated herein for the first time that they induce NDRG1 in all three pediatric tumor cell-types, validating its role as a potential target. In fact, siRNA studies indicated that NDRG1 was responsible for MGMT down-regulation that may prevent TMZ resistance. Examining the effects of combining thiosemicarbazones with CX, ETO, or TMZ, the most promising synergism was obtained using CX. Of interest, a positive relationship was observed between NDRG1 expression of the cell-type and the synergistic activity observed in the combination of thiosemicarbazones and CX. These studies identify novel thiosemicarbazone targets relevant to childhood cancer combination chemotherapy.
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19
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Yao J, Deng K, Huang J, Zeng R, Zuo J. Progress in the Understanding of the Mechanism of Tamoxifen Resistance in Breast Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:592912. [PMID: 33362547 PMCID: PMC7758911 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.592912] [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: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen is a drug commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, especially for postmenopausal patients. However, its efficacy is limited by the development of drug resistance. Downregulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is an important mechanism of tamoxifen resistance. In recent years, with progress in research into the protective autophagy of drug-resistant cells and cell cycle regulators, major breakthroughs have been made in research on tamoxifen resistance. For a better understanding of the mechanism of tamoxifen resistance, protective autophagy, cell cycle regulators, and some transcription factors and enzymes regulating the expression of the estrogen receptor are summarized in this review. In addition, recent progress in reducing resistance to tamoxifen is reviewed. Finally, we discuss the possible research directions into tamoxifen resistance in the future to provide assistance for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Yao
- Nanhua Hospital Affiliated to University of South China, Hengyang, China.,The Third Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Kun Deng
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jialu Huang
- Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ruimin Zeng
- Nanhua Hospital Affiliated to University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jianhong Zuo
- Nanhua Hospital Affiliated to University of South China, Hengyang, China.,Transformation Research Lab, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.,The Third Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
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20
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Maqbool SN, Lim SC, Park KC, Hanif R, Richardson DR, Jansson PJ, Kovacevic Z. Overcoming tamoxifen resistance in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer using the novel thiosemicarbazone anti-cancer agent, DpC. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2365-2380. [PMID: 31975484 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women worldwide, with resistance to current therapeutic strategies, including tamoxifen, causing major clinical challenges and leading to more aggressive and metastatic disease. To address this, novel strategies that can inhibit the mechanisms responsible for tamoxifen resistance need to be assessed. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We examined the effect of the novel, clinically-trialled, thiosemicarbazone anti-cancer agent, DpC, and its potential as a combination therapy with the clinically used estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, tamoxifen, using both tamoxifen-resistant and -sensitive, human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) in 2D and 3D cell-culture. Synergy was assessed using the Chou-Talalay method. The molecular and anti-proliferative effects of these agents and their combination was examined via Western blot, immunofluorescence and colony formation assays. KEY RESULTS Combinations of tamoxifen with DpC were highly synergistic, leading to potent inhibition of cell proliferation, colony formation, and ER-α transcriptional activity. The combination also more efficiently reduced major molecular drivers of proliferation of tamoxifen-resistant cells, including c-Myc, cyclin D1, and p-AKT, while up-regulating the cell cycle inhibitor, p27, and inhibiting oncogenic phosphorylation of ER-α at Ser167. Assessing these effects using 3D cell culture further confirmed the greater effects of DpC combined with tamoxifen in reducing ER-α expression, and that of the proliferation marker, Ki-67, in both tamoxifen-sensitive and -resistant MCF-7 spheroids. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These studies demonstrate that the synergistic combination of DpC with tamoxifen could be a promising new therapeutic strategy to overcome tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundus N Maqbool
- Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Atta-ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Syer C Lim
- Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kyung Chan Park
- Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rumeza Hanif
- Atta-ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Des R Richardson
- Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patric J Jansson
- Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Zaklina Kovacevic
- Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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