1
|
Ghosh A, Himaja A, Biswas S, Kulkarni O, Ghosh B. Advances in the Delivery and Development of Epigenetic Therapeutics for the Treatment of Cancer. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5981-6009. [PMID: 37899551 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00610] [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] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression at the transcriptional level is altered by epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone methylation, and acetylation, which can upregulate, downregulate, or entirely silence genes. Pathological dysregulation of epigenetic processes can result in the development of cancer, neurological problems, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. It is of promising therapeutic interest to find medications that target these epigenetic alterations. Despite the enormous amount of work that has been done in this area, very few molecules have been approved for clinical purposes. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in epigenetic therapeutics for cancer, with a specific focus on emerging delivery and development strategies. Various delivery systems, including pro-drugs, conjugated molecules, nanoparticles (NPs), and liposomes, as well as remedial strategies such as combination therapies, and epigenetic editing, are being investigated to improve the efficacy and specificity of epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs). Furthermore, the challenges associated with available epi-drugs and the limitations of their translation into clinics have been discussed. Target selection, isoform selectivity, physiochemical properties of synthesized molecules, drug screening, and scalability of epi-drugs from preclinical to clinical fields are the major shortcomings that are addressed. This Review discusses novel strategies for the identification of new biomarkers, exploration of the medicinal chemistry of epigenetic modifiers, optimization of the dosage regimen, and design of proper clinical trials that will lead to better utilization of epigenetic modifiers over conventional therapies. The integration of these approaches holds great potential for improving the efficacy and precision of epigenetic treatments, ultimately benefiting cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aparajita Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Ambati Himaja
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Swati Biswas
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Onkar Kulkarni
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muthumanickam S, Ramachandran B, Boomi P, Jeyakanthan J, Prabu HG, Jegatheswaran S, Premkumar K. Combination of bendamustine-azacitidine against Syk target of breast cancer: an in silico study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:13950-13962. [PMID: 37098715 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2203259] [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: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most serious and second leading cause of death in women worldwide. When breast cancer is diagnosed and treated early, the chance of long-term survival is up to 90%. On the other hand, 90% of BC patient deaths are due to metastasis and a lack of effective early diagnosis. The existing conventional chemotherapy provides negative feedback due to transportation barriers towards the action sites, multidrug resistance, poor bio-availability, non-specific delivery and systemic side effects on the healthy tissue. Syk protein Kinase has been reported in BC, as a tumor modulator, providing a pro-survival signal and also by restricting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhancing cell-cell interactions and inhibiting migration. In the present study, we explored the possibility of targeting BC by attenuating Syk protein Kinase. Hence, we have conjugated the hydrophobic Bendamustine (BEN) and hydrophilic Azacitidine (AZA) anticancer drugs to evaluate their efficacy against BC. The native drugs (BEN and AZA) and designed drug-drug conjugate (BEN-AZA) were docked with Syk protein. Then, the docked complex was performed for Binding Free Energy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Furthermore, DFT and ADME properties were carried out. The results revealed that the designed drug-drug conjugate has a better docking score, ΔGbind and admirable stability throughout the simulation when compared with native drugs. In DFT and ADME analyses, the designed drug-drug conjugate has shown good stereo electronic features and pharmaceutical relevant parameters than that of native drugs. The overall results suggested that the designed drug-drug conjugate may be a suitable candidate for BC treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pandi Boomi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Halliah Gurumallesh Prabu
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Kumpati Premkumar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao G, Wang Q, Li S, Wang X. Resistance to Hypomethylating Agents in Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia From Clinical Data and Molecular Mechanism. Front Oncol 2021; 11:706030. [PMID: 34650913 PMCID: PMC8505973 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.706030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleoside analogs decitabine (5-AZA-dC) and azacitidine (5-AZA) have been developed as targeted therapies to reverse DNA methylation in different cancer types, and they significantly improve the survival of patients who are not suitable for traditional intensive chemotherapies or other treatment regimens. However, approximately 50% of patients have a response to hypomethylating agents (HMAs), and many patients have no response originally or in the process of treatment. Even though new combination regimens have been tested to overcome the resistance to 5-AZA-dC or 5-AZA, only a small proportion of patients benefited from these strategies, and the outcome was very poor. However, the mechanisms of the resistance remain unknown. Some studies only partially described management after failure and the mechanisms of resistance. Herein, we will review the clinical and molecular signatures of the HMA response, alternative treatment after failure, and the causes of resistance in hematological malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiaoqin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wnuk M, Slipek P, Dziedzic M, Lewinska A. The Roles of Host 5-Methylcytosine RNA Methyltransferases during Viral Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8176. [PMID: 33142933 PMCID: PMC7663479 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic 5-methylcytosine RNA methyltransferases catalyze the transfer of a methyl group to the fifth carbon of a cytosine base in RNA sequences to produce 5-methylcytosine (m5C). m5C RNA methyltransferases play a crucial role in the maintenance of functionality and stability of RNA. Viruses have developed a number of strategies to suppress host innate immunity and ensure efficient transcription and translation for the replication of new virions. One such viral strategy is to use host m5C RNA methyltransferases to modify viral RNA and thus to affect antiviral host responses. Here, we summarize the latest findings concerning the roles of m5C RNA methyltransferases, namely, NOL1/NOP2/SUN domain (NSUN) proteins and DNA methyltransferase 2/tRNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT2/TRDMT1) during viral infections. Moreover, the use of m5C RNA methyltransferase inhibitors as an antiviral therapy is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Wnuk
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland; (P.S.); (M.D.)
| | | | | | - Anna Lewinska
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland; (P.S.); (M.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nucleosidic DNA demethylating epigenetic drugs – A comprehensive review from discovery to clinic. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 188:45-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
6
|
Zare M, Bastami M, Solali S, Alivand MR. Aberrant miRNA promoter methylation and EMT‐involving miRNAs in breast cancer metastasis: Diagnosis and therapeutic implications. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:3729-3744. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare
- Department of BiologyPayame Noor UniversityTehranIran
| | - Milad Bastami
- Drug Applied Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Department of Medical GeneticsFaculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Saeed Solali
- Department of HematologyFaculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Immunology Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alivand
- Drug Applied Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Department of Medical GeneticsFaculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
- Stem Cell Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Clouser CL, Bonnac L, Mansky LM, Patterson SE. Characterization of permeability, stability and anti-HIV-1 activity of decitabine and gemcitabine divalerate prodrugs. Antivir Chem Chemother 2014; 23:223-30. [PMID: 23994876 DOI: 10.3851/imp2682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 25 drugs have been approved for the treatment of HIV-1 replication. All but one of these drugs is delivered as an oral medication. Previous studies have demonstrated that two drugs, decitabine and gemcitabine, have potent anti-HIV-1 activities and can work together in synergy to reduce HIV-1 infectivity via lethal mutagenesis. For their current indications, decitabine and gemcitabine are delivered intravenously. METHODS As an initial step towards the clinical translation of these drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, we synthesized decitabine and gemcitabine prodrugs in order to increase drug permeability, which has generally been shown to correlate with increased bioavailability in vivo. In the present study we investigated the permeability, stability and anti-HIV-1 activity of decitabine and gemcitabine prodrugs and selected the divalerate esters of each as candidates for further investigation. RESULTS Our results provide the first demonstration of divalerate prodrugs of decitabine and gemcitabine that are readily permeable, stable and possess anti-HIV-1 activity. CONCLUSIONS These observations predict improved oral availability of decitabine and gemcitabine, and warrant further study of their ability to reduce HIV-1 infectivity in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Clouser
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
el Bahhaj F, Dekker FJ, Martinet N, Bertrand P. Delivery of epidrugs. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:1337-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
9
|
Popovic R, Shah MY, Licht JD. Epigenetic therapy of hematological malignancies: where are we now? Ther Adv Hematol 2013; 4:81-91. [PMID: 23610616 DOI: 10.1177/2040620712466864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing amount of evidence points towards alterations in epigenetic machinery as a leading cause in disease initiation and progression. Like genetic alterations, misregulation of the epigenetic regulators can lead to abnormal gene expression. However, unlike genetic events, the epigenetic machinery may be targeted pharmacologically, potentially resulting in the reversal of a particular epigenetic state. The success of DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors represents a proof of concept for the use of therapies intended to target the epigenome in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficacy of these agents have not been completely elucidated. Recently, a large number of studies sequencing cancer cell genomes identified recurring mutations of epigenetic regulators, providing new insights into the molecular underpinnings of cancer. Consequently, the efforts to identify specific epigenetic inhibitors have been expanded in order to target particular subsets of patients. This review will summarize the progress made using the currently available epigenetic therapies and discuss some of the more recently identified targets whose inhibition may present potential avenues for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Relja Popovic
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
The use of low dose hypomethylating agents for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has had made a significant impact. In the past, therapies for these diseases were limited and patients who elected to receive treatment were subject to highly toxic, inpatient chemotherapeutics, which were often ineffective. In the era of hypomethylating agents (azacitidine and decitabine), a patient with high grade MDS or AML with multilineage dysplasia can be offered the alternative of outpatient, relatively low-toxicity therapy. Despite the fact that CR (CR) rates to such agents remain relatively low at 15-20%, a much larger percentage of patients will have clinically significant improvements in hemoglobin, platelet, and neutrophil counts while maintaining good outpatient quality of life. As our clinical experience with azanucleotides expands, questions regarding patient selection, optimal dosing strategy, latency to best response and optimal duration of therapy following disease progression remain, but there is no question that for some patients these agents offer, for a time, an almost miraculous clinical benefit. Ongoing clinical trials in combination and in sequence with conventional therapeutics, with other epigenetically active agents, or in conjunction with bone marrow transplantation continue to provide promise for optimization of these agents for patients with myeloid disease. Although the mechanism(s) responsible for the proven efficacy of these agents remain a matter of some controversy, activity is thought to stem from induction of DNA hypomethylation, direct DNA damage, or possibly even immune modulation; there is no question that they have become a permanent part of the armamentarium against myeloid neoplasms.
Collapse
|
11
|
Scholz B, Marschalek R. Epigenetics and blood disorders. Br J Haematol 2012; 158:307-22. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2012.09193.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Scholz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/DCAL; Biocentre; Goethe-University; Frankfurt/Main; Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/DCAL; Biocentre; Goethe-University; Frankfurt/Main; Germany
| |
Collapse
|