2-Phenyl-5-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazole, a benzimidazole derivative, inhibits growth of human prostate cancer cells by affecting tubulin and c-Jun N-terminal kinase

Novel Fluorescent Benzimidazole-Hydrazone-Loaded Micellar Carriers for Controlled Release: Impact on Cell Toxicity, Nuclear and Microtubule Alterations in Breast Cancer Cells

Fluorescent micellar carriers with controlled release of a novel anticancer drug were developed to enable intracellular imaging and cancer treatment simultaneously. The nanosized fluorescent micellar systems were embedded with a novel anticancer drug via the self-assembling behavior of well-defined block copolymers based on amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PAA-b-PnBA) copolymer obtained by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and hydrophobic anticancer benzimidazole-hydrazone drug (BzH). Through this method, well-defined nanosized fluorescent micelles were obtained consisting of a hydrophilic PAA shell and a hydrophobic PnBA core embedded with the BzH drug due to the hydrophobic interactions, thus reaching very high encapsulation efficiency. The size, morphology, and fluorescent properties of blank and drug-loaded micelles were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescent spectroscopy, respectively. Additionally, after 72 h of incubation, drug-loaded micelles released 3.25 μM of BzH, which was spectrophotometrically determined. The BzH drug-loaded micelles were found to exhibit enhanced antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB-231 cells, with long-lasting effects on microtubule organization, with apoptotic alterations and preferential localization in the perinuclear space of cancer cells. In contrast, the antitumor effect of BzH alone or incorporated in micelles on non-cancerous cells MCF-10A was relatively weak.

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, QSAR analysis and molecular modelling of new thiazol-benzimidazoles as EGFR inhibitors

Heterocyclic rings such as thiazole and benzimidazole are considered as privileged structures, since they constitute several FDA-approved drugs for cancer treatment. In this work, a new set of 2-(2-(substituted) hydrazinyl)-4-(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) thiazoles 4a-q were designed as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and synthesized using concise synthetic methods. The new target compounds have been evaluated in vitro for their suppression activity against EGFR TK. Compounds 4n, 4h, 4i, 4a and 4d exhibited significant potency in comparison with erlotinib which served as a reference drug (IC50, 71.67-152.59 nM; IC50 erlotinib, 152.59 nM). Furthermore, MTT assay revealed that compounds 4j, 4a, 4f, 4h, 4n produced the most promising cytotoxic potency against the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) (IC50; 5.96-11.91 µM; IC50 erlotinib; 4.15 µM). Compound 4a showed promising activity as EGFR TK inhibitor as well as anti-breast cancer agent. In addition, 4a induced apoptotic effect and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase preventing the mitotic cycle in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, 4a upregulated the oncogenic parameters; caspase-3, p53, Bax/Bcl-2 as well as it inhibited the level of PARP-1 enzyme. QSAR study was carried out for the new derivatives and it revealed the goodness of the models. Furthermore, molecular docking studies represented the binding modes of the promising compounds in the active pocket of EGFR.

Design and Synthesis of 2-(5-Phenylindol-3-yl)benzimidazole Derivatives with Antiproliferative Effects towards Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Activation of ROS-Mediated Mitochondria Dysfunction

Benzimidazole derivatives are widely studied because of their broad-spectrum biological activity, such as antitumor properties and excellent fluorescence performance. Herein, two types of 2-(5-phenylindol-3-yl)benzimidazole derivatives (1 a-1 h and 2 a-2 e) were rationally designed and synthesized. When these compounds were investigated in vitro anti-screening assays, we found that all of them possessed antitumor effect, in particular compound 1 b, which showed an outstanding antiproliferative effect on MDA-MB-231 cells (IC₅₀ ≈2.6 μm). A study of the drug action mechanisms in cells showed that the antitumor activity of the compounds is proportional to their lipophilicity and cellular uptake; the tested compounds all entered the lysosome of MDA-MB-231 cells and caused changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and then caused mitochondrial damage. Apparent differences in the ROS levels for each compound suggest that the lethality of these compounds towards MDA-MB-231 cells is closely related to the ROS levels. Taken together, this study not only provides a theoretical basis for 2-(5-phenylindol-3-yl)benzimidazole anticarcinogens but also offers new thinking on the rational design of next-generation antitumor benzimidazole derivatives.

Synthesis of stable benzimidazole derivatives bearing pyrazole as anticancer and EGFR receptor inhibitors

A new series of benzimidazole linked pyrazole derivatives were synthesized by cyclocondensation reaction through one-pot multicomponent reaction in absolute ethanol. All the synthesized compounds were tested for their in vitro anticancer activities on five human cancer cell lines including MCF-7, HaCaT, MDA-MB231, A549 and HepG2. EGFR receptor inhibitory activities were carried out for all the compounds. Majority of the compounds showed potent antiproliferative activity against the tested cancer cell lines. Compound 5a showed the most effective activity against the lungs cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 2.2 µM) and EGFR binding (IC₅₀ = 0.97 µM) affinity as compared to other members of the series. Compound 5a inhibited growth of A549 cancer cells by inducing a strong G₂/M phase arrest. In addition, same compound inhibited growth of A549 cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. In molecular docking studies compound 5a was bound to the active pocket of the EGFR (PDB 1M17) with five key hydrogen bonds and two π-π interaction with binding energies ΔG = -34.581 Kcal/mol.

Targeting of tubulin polymerization and induction of mitotic blockage by Methyl 2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate (MBIC) in human cervical cancer HeLa cell

Background

Microtubule Targeting Agents (MTAs) including paclitaxel, colchicine and vinca alkaloids are widely used in the treatment of various cancers. As with most chemotherapeutic agents, adverse effects and drug resistance are commonly associated with the clinical use of these agents. Methyl 2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate (MBIC), a benzimidazole derivative displays greater toxicity against various cancer compared to normal human cell lines. The present study, focused on the cytotoxic effects of MBIC against HeLa cervical cancer cells and possible actions on the microtubule assembly.

Methods

Apoptosis detection and cell-cycle assays were performed to determine the type of cell death and the phase of cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells. Tubulin polymerization assay and live-cell imaging were performed to visualize effects on the microtubule assembly in the presence of MBIC. Mitotic kinases and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. In addition, the synergistic effect of MBIC with low doses of selected chemotherapeutic actions were examined against the cancer cells.

Results

Results from the present study showed that following treatment with MBIC, the HeLa cells went into mitotic arrest comprising of multi-nucleation and unsegregated chromosomes with a prolonged G₂-M phase. In addition, the HeLa cells showed signs of mitochondrial-dependant apoptotic features such as the release of cytochrome c and activation of caspases. MBIC markedly interferes with tubulin polymerization. Western blotting results indicated that MBIC affects mitotic regulatory machinery by up-regulating BubR1, Cyclin B1, CDK1 and down-regulation of Aurora B. In addition, MBIC displayed synergistic effect when given in combination with colchicine, nocodazole, paclitaxel and doxorubicin.

Conclusion

Taken together, our study demonstrated the distinctive microtubule destabilizing effects of MBIC against cervical cancer cells in vitro. Besides that, MBIC exhibited synergistic effects with low doses of selected anticancer drugs and thus, may potentially reduce the toxicity and drug resistance to these agents.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-016-0332-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Derivatives containing both coumarin and benzimidazole potently induce caspase-dependent apoptosis of cancer cells through inhibition of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling

Coumarins are a large family of compounds derived from a wide range of plants, fungi, and bacteria, and coumarin derivatives can have extremely variable structures and consequently diverse biological properties including antitumor activity. Compounds that bear a benzimidazole moiety are known to possess antitumor activity and a variety of other biological activities. High-throughput screening of a compound library identified a coumarin-containing and a benzimidazole-containing compound [#32, 7-(diethylamino)-3-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one] that has potent anticancer activity. Evaluation of 17 additional analogs further identified three compounds with anticancer activity in 14 different human cancer cell lines. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting and western blotting analyses suggested that these compounds can induce caspase-dependent apoptosis. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analyses of 26 cancer-related genes revealed that seven genes (NPPB, ATF3, DDIT4, CDH10, TSPAN14, TXNIP, and AXL) were significantly upregulated and nine genes (PAGE4, LRP8, SNCAIP, IGFBP5, SLCO2A1, CLDN2, ESRRG, D2HGDH, and PDGFRA) were significantly downregulated. The most upregulated gene is natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB) or brain natriuretic peptide, which is increased by 7-, 27-, and 197-fold at 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The second most upregulated gene is ATF3, which is increased by 23-fold at the 48 h timepoint. PAGE4 and IGFBP5 are the two most downregulated genes, with a 17-fold reduction in both genes. The expression of several genes (DDIT4, PDGFRA, LRP8, IGFBP5) and western blotting data on key signaling proteins indicate that compound #32 significantly inhibits the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, an intracellular signaling pathway critical in cell proliferation and apoptosis.

New benzimidazole acridine derivative induces human colon cancer cell apoptosis in vitro via the ROS-JNK signaling pathway

AIM

To investigate the mechanisms underlying anticancer action of the benzimidazole acridine derivative N-{(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methyl}-2-butylacridin-9-amine(8m) against human colon cancer cells in vitro.

METHODS

Human colon cancer cell lines SW480 and HCT116 were incubated in the presence of 8m, and then the cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured. The expression of apoptotic/signaling genes and proteins was detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane depolarization were visualized with fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

8m dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation of SW480 and HCT116 cells with IC50 values of 6.77 and 3.33 μmol/L, respectively. 8m induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells, accompanied by down-regulation of Bcl-2, up-regulation of death receptor-5 (DR5), truncation of Bid, cleavage of PARP, and activation of caspases (including caspase-8 and caspase-9 as well as the downstream caspases-3 and caspase-7). Moreover, 8m selectively activated JNK and p38 without affecting ERK in HCT116 cells. Knockout of JNK1, but not p38, attenuated 8m-induced apoptosis. In addition, 8m induced ROS production and mitochondrial membrane depolarization in HCT116 cells. Pretreatment with the antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine or glutathione attenuated 8m-induced apoptosis and JNK activation in HCT116 cells.

CONCLUSION

The new benzimidazole acridine derivative, 8m exerts anticancer activity against human colon cancer cells in vitro by inducing both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways via the ROS-JNK1 pathway.

Repurposing of phentolamine as a potential anticancer agent against human castration-resistant prostate cancer: A central role on microtubule stabilization and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway

BACKGROUND

Drug repurposing of phentolamine, an α-adrenoceptor antagonist, as an anticancer agent has been studied in human castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODS

Cell proliferation was examined by sulforhodamine B and CFSE staining assays. Cell cycle progression and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were detected by flow cytometric analysis. Protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Effect on tubulin/microtubule was determined using confocal immunofluorescence microscopic examination, microtubule assembly detection, tubulin turbidity assay, and binding assay. Several assessments were used to characterize apoptotic signaling pathways and combinatory effect.

RESULTS

Phentolamine induced anti-proliferative effect in PC-3 and DU-145, two CRPC cell lines, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpressing cells. This effect was not significantly reduced in paclitaxel-resistant cells. Rhodamine 123 efflux assay showed that phentolamine was not a P-gp substrate. Phentolamine induced mitotic arrest of the cell cycle and formation of hyperdiploid cells, followed by an increase of apoptosis. Mitotic arrest was confirmed by cyclin B1 up-regulation, Cdk1 activation, and a dramatic increase of mitotic protein phosphorylation. Both in vitro and cellular identification demonstrated that phentolamine, similar to paclitaxel, induced tubulin polymerization and formation of multiple nuclei. Besides, it did not compete with paclitaxel binding on tubulin. Phentolamine induced the phosphorylation and degradation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, two anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, and the loss of ΔΨm indicating the induction of mitochondrial damage. It ultimately induced the activation of caspase-9, -8, and -3 and apoptotic cell death. Moreover, combination treatment with phentolamine and paclitaxel caused a synergistic apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that phentolamine is a potential anticancer agent. In contrast to a wide variety of microtubule disrupting agents, phentolamine induces microtubule assembly, leading to mitotic arrest of the cell cycle which "in turn" induces subsequent mitochondrial damage and activation of related apoptotic signaling pathways in CRPC cells. Furthermore, combination between phentolamine and paclitaxel induces a synergistic apoptotic cell death. Phentolamine has a simple chemical structure and is not a P-gp substrate. Optimization of phentolamine structure may also be a potential approach for further development.

Discovery of a potent microtubule-targeting agent: Synthesis and biological evaluation of water-soluble amino acid prodrug of combretastatin A-4 derivatives

Amino acid prodrugs are known to be very useful for improving the aqueous solubility of sparingly water soluble drugs (Drug Discovery Today 2013, 18, 93). Therefore, we synthesized eleven novel combretastatin A-4 amino acid derivatives and evaluated their anti-tumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Among them, compound 15 (valine attached to compound 3, which was shown to be a potent tubulin polymerization inhibitor in our previous study) exhibited high efficacy in tumor-bearing mice, and pharmacokinetic analysis in rats indicated that compound 15 was an effective prodrug as well. Besides, compound 15 significantly inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro and in vivo by binding to the colchicine binding site. In addition, compound 15 induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and triggered apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. In conclusion, our study showed that compound 15 could have significant anti-tumor activity as a novel microtubule polymerization disrupting agent with improved aqueous solubility.

KUD773, a phenylthiazole derivative, displays anticancer activity in human hormone-refractory prostate cancers through inhibition of tubulin polymerization and anti-Aurora A activity

BACKGROUND

Hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), which is resistant to hormone therapy, is a major obstacle in clinical treatment. An approach to inhibit HRPC growth and ultimately to kill cancers is highly demanded.

RESULTS

KUD773 induced the anti-proliferative effect and subsequent apoptosis in PC-3 and DU-145 (two HRPC cell lines); whereas, it showed less active in normal prostate cells. Further examination showed that KUD773 inhibited tubulin polymerization and induced an increase of mitotic phosphoproteins and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) phosphorylation, indicating a mitotic arrest of the cell cycle through an anti-tubulin action. The kinase assay demonstrated that KUD773 inhibited Aurora A activity. KUD773 induced an increase of Cdk1 phosphorylation at Thr(161) (a stimulatory phosphorylation site) and a decrease of phosphorylation at Tyr(15) (an inhibitory phosphorylation site), suggesting the activation of Cdk1. The data were substantiated by an up-regulation of cyclin B1 (a Cdk1 partner). Furthermore, KUD773 induced the phosphorylation and subsequent down-regulation of Bcl-2 and activation of caspase cascades.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that KUD773 induces apoptotic signaling in a sequential manner. It inhibits tubulin polymerization associated with an anti-Aurora A activity, leading to Cdk1 activation and mitotic arrest of the cell cycle that in turn induces Bcl-2 degradation and a subsequent caspase activation in HRPCs.

Comprehensive Review in Current Developments of Benzimidazole-Based Medicinal Chemistry

The properties of benzimidazole and its derivatives have been studied over more than one hundred years. Benzimidazole derivatives are useful intermediates/subunits for the development of molecules of pharmaceutical or biological interest. Substituted benzimidazole derivatives have found applications in diverse therapeutic areas such as antiulcer, anticancer agents, and anthelmintic species to name just a few. This work systematically gives a comprehensive review in current developments of benzimidazole-based compounds in the whole range of medicinal chemistry as anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic agents, anti-HIV, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antidiabetic, antileishmanial, antihistaminic, antimalarial agents, and other medicinal agents. This review will further be helpful for the researcher on the basis of substitution pattern around the nucleus with an aim to help medicinal chemists for developing an SAR on benzimidazole drugs/compounds.

Proteomic analysis of SP600125-controlled TrkA-dependent targets in SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells: inhibition of TrkA activity by SP600125

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is well known to play an important role in cell death signaling of the p75 neurotrophin receptor. However, little has been studied about a role of JNK in the signaling pathways of the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) neurotrophin receptor. In this study, we investigated JNK inhibitor SP600125-controlled TrkA-dependent targets by proteomic analysis to better understand an involvement of JNK in TrkA-mediated signaling pathways. PDQuest image analysis and protein identification results showed that hnRNP C1/C2, α-tubulin, β-tubulin homolog, actin homolog, and eIF-5A-1 protein spots were upregulated by ectopic expression of TrkA, whereas α-enolase, peroxiredoxin-6, PROS-27, HSP70, PP1-gamma, and PDH E1-alpha were downregulated by TrkA, and these TrkA-dependent upregulation and downregulation were significantly suppressed by SP600125. Notably, TrkA largely affected certain PTM(s) but not total protein amounts of the SP600125-controlled TrkA-dependent targets. Moreover, SP600125 strongly suppressed TrkA-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation signaling pathways as well as JNK signaling, indicating that SP600125 could function as a TrkA inhibitor. Taken together, our results suggest that TrkA could play an important role in the cytoskeleton, cell death, cellular processing, and glucose metabolism through activation or inactivation of the SP600125-controlled TrkA-dependent targets.

Benzimidazole derivative, BMT-1, induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells via a mitochondrial-mediated pathway involving H+/K+-ATPase inhibition

2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-indazol-3-ol (BMT-1), a bicyclic compound, belongs to the benzimidazole group and consists of the fusion of benzene and imidazole. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of BMT-1 on the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells and identify whether BMT-1 induces apoptosis in MM cells. Our results showed a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the proliferation of MM cells treated with BMT-1. Further studies revealed that the antiproliferative effects of BMT-1 were caused by induction of apoptosis with activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in MM cells. In addition, BMT-1 induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential resulting in the activation of caspase-8 and -9. Furthermore, the MM cells treated with BMT-1 showed a more acidic intracellular pH (pHi) as indicated by a lower FL1/FL2 ratio caused by inhibition of H+/K+-ATPase. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that a decrease in pHi, caused by H+/K+-ATPase inhibition induced by BMT-1, triggered the dysfunction of the mitochondria resulting in the apoptosis of MM cells. Therefore, BMT-1 may be used as a lead compound for the design and development of new agents with which to treat MM and other forms of cancer.

MAP Kinases and Prostate Cancer

The three major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38, JNK, and ERK are signal transducers involved in a broad range of cell functions including survival, apoptosis, and cell differentiation. Whereas JNK and p38 have been generally linked to cell death and tumor suppression, ERK plays a prominent role in cell survival and tumor promotion, in response to a broad range of stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, ultraviolet radiation, hypoxia, or pharmacological compounds. However, there is a growing body of evidence supporting that JNK and p38 also contribute to the development of a number of malignances. In this paper we focus on the involvement of the MAPK pathways in prostate cancer, including the less-known ERK5 pathway, as pro- or antitumor mediators, through their effects on apoptosis, survival, metastatic potential, and androgen-independent growth.

Protopine, a novel microtubule-stabilizing agent, causes mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death in human hormone-refractory prostate cancer cell lines

In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of protopine on human hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) cells. Protopine exhibited an anti-proliferative effect by induction of tubulin polymerization and mitotic arrest, which ultimately led to apoptotic cell death. The data suggest that protopine increased the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1)/cyclin B1 complex and that contributed to cell apoptosis by modulating mitochondria-mediated signaling pathways, such as Bcl-2 phosphorylation and Mcl-1 down-regulation. In conclusion, the data suggest that protopine is a novel microtubule stabilizer with anticancer activity in HRPC cells through apoptotic pathway by modulating Cdk1 activity and Bcl-2 family of proteins.

FPipTB, a benzimidazole derivative, induces chondrosarcoma cell apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1

Chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary bone tumor and it responds poorly to both chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of a new benzimidazole derivative, 2-(furanyl)-5-(piperidinyl)- (3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl) benzimidazole (FPipTB) in human chondrosarcoma cells. FPipTB-induced apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma cell lines (JJ012 and SW1353) but not in primary chondrocytes. Furthermore, it triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which was characterized by changes in cytosolic calcium levels. Treatment of chondrosarcoma cells with FPipTB was associated with increased intracellular levels of ASK1, p38, p53, and Bax, followed by release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of caspases. It is also known that ER stress activates apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), which mediates activation of JNK and p38 pathways. We also found that FPipTB-induced p38 and p53 phosphorylation and upregulated Bax expression. To study the mechanism of Bax upregulation, we determined that Bax promoter activity was increased in FPipTB-treated cells, leading to an increase in intracellular levels of Bax. In addition, cell treated with Ca(2+) chelator or p38 inhibitor showed reduced transcriptional activity. The results further suggest that FPipTB triggered ER stress, as indicated by changes in cytosolic calcium levels and activated the ASK1-MKK3/6-p38-p53-Bax pathway, causing chondrosarcoma cell death. Importantly, animal studies revealed a dramatic 40% reduction in tumor volume after 21 d of treatment. Thus, FPipTB may be a novel anticancer agent for the treatment of chondrosarcoma.

The novel benzimidazole derivative, MPTB, induces cell apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma cells

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant primary bone tumor that responds poorly to both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This study is the first to investigate the anti-cancer effects of the new benzimidazole derivative (5-methyl-2(pyridine-3-yl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)benzimidazole; MPTB) in human chondrosarcoma cells. MPTB-induced cell apoptosis in two human chondrosarcoma cell lines, JJ012 and SW1353 but not in primary chondrocytes. MPTB-induced upregulation of Bax and Bak and dysfunction of mitochondria in chondrosarcoma. MPTB triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as indicated by changes in cytosol calcium levels, and increased glucose-regulated protein (GRP) expression. MPTB also increased calpain expression. Transfection of cells with GRP78 or calpain siRNA reduced MPTB-mediated cell apoptosis in JJ012 cells. Importantly, animal studies have revealed a dramatic 44% reduction in tumor volume after 21 d of treatment. This study demonstrates novel anti-cancer activity of MPTB against human chondrosarcoma cells and in murine tumor models.