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Rosales-López A, López-Castillo GN, Sandoval-Ramírez J, Terán JL, Carrasco-Carballo A. Correlation between Molecular Docking and the Stabilizing Interaction of HOMO-LUMO: Spirostans in CHK1 and CHK2, an In Silico Cancer Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8588. [PMID: 39201276 PMCID: PMC11354435 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168588] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinases 1 and 2 (CHK1 and CHK2) are enzymes that are involved in the control of DNA damage. At the present time, these enzymes are some of the most important targets in the fight against cancer since their inhibition produces cytotoxic effects in carcinogenic cells. This paper proposes the use of spirostans (Sp), natural compounds, as possible inhibitors of the enzymes CHK1 and CHK2 from an in silico analysis of a database of 155 molecules (S5). Bioinformatics studies of molecular docking were able to discriminate between 13 possible CHK1 inhibitors, 13 CHK2 inhibitors and 1 dual inhibitor for both enzymes. The administration, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMETx) studies allowed a prediction of the distribution and metabolism of the potential inhibitors in the body, as well as determining the excretion routes and the appropriate administration route. The best inhibition candidates were discriminated by comparing the enzyme-substrate interactions from 2D diagrams and molecular docking. Specific inhibition candidates were obtained, in addition to studying the dual inhibitor candidate and observing their stability in dynamic molecular studies. In addition, Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO-LUMO) interactions were analyzed to study the stability of interactions between the selected enzymes and spirostans resulting in the predominant gaps from HOMOCHKs to LUMOSp (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital of CHKs-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital of spirostan). In brief, this study presents the selection inhibitors of CHK1 and CHK2 as a potential treatment for cancer using a combination of molecular docking and dynamics, ADMETx predictons, and HOMO-LUMO calculation for selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rosales-López
- Laboratorio de Elucidación y Síntesis en Química Orgánica, Instituto de Ciencias, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.R.-L.); (G.N.L.-C.); (J.S.-R.)
| | - Guiee N. López-Castillo
- Laboratorio de Elucidación y Síntesis en Química Orgánica, Instituto de Ciencias, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.R.-L.); (G.N.L.-C.); (J.S.-R.)
- Laboratorio de Modificación y Síntesis en Productos Naturales, FCQ, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico
| | - Jesús Sandoval-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Elucidación y Síntesis en Química Orgánica, Instituto de Ciencias, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.R.-L.); (G.N.L.-C.); (J.S.-R.)
- Laboratorio de Modificación y Síntesis en Productos Naturales, FCQ, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico
| | - Joel L. Terán
- Centro de Química, Instituto de Ciencias, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico
| | - Alan Carrasco-Carballo
- Laboratorio de Elucidación y Síntesis en Química Orgánica, Instituto de Ciencias, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.R.-L.); (G.N.L.-C.); (J.S.-R.)
- Centro de Química, Instituto de Ciencias, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico
- CONAHCYT, LESQO, ICUAP, BUAP, Puebla 72570, Mexico
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2
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Tan J, Sun X, Zhao H, Guan H, Gao S, Zhou P. Double-strand DNA break repair: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e388. [PMID: 37808268 PMCID: PMC10556206 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-strand break (DSB), a significant DNA damage brought on by ionizing radiation, acts as an initiating signal in tumor radiotherapy, causing cancer cells death. The two primary pathways for DNA DSB repair in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), which cooperate and compete with one another to achieve effective repair. The DSB repair mechanism depends on numerous regulatory variables. DSB recognition and the recruitment of DNA repair components, for instance, depend on the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex and the Ku70/80 heterodimer/DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK) complex, whose control is crucial in determining the DSB repair pathway choice and efficiency of HR and NHEJ. In-depth elucidation on the DSB repair pathway's molecular mechanisms has greatly facilitated for creation of repair proteins or pathways-specific inhibitors to advance precise cancer therapy and boost the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. The architectures, roles, molecular processes, and inhibitors of significant target proteins in the DSB repair pathways are reviewed in this article. The strategy and application in cancer therapy are also discussed based on the advancement of inhibitors targeted DSB damage response and repair proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Tan
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xingyao Sun
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hongling Zhao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Ping‐Kun Zhou
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
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3
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Nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with 4,5-dichloro-isothiazole-3-carboxylic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline: synthesis, crystal structures and cytotoxicity. TRANSIT METAL CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11243-021-00490-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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4
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Yu P, Zhu X, Zhu JL, Han YB, Zhang H, Zhou X, Yang L, Xia YZ, Zhang C, Kong LY. The Chk2-PKM2 axis promotes metabolic control of vasculogenic mimicry formation in p53-mutated triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:5262-5274. [PMID: 34244606 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01933-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation, which participates in the process of neovascularization, is highly activated in p53-mutated triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we show that Chk2 is negatively correlated with VM formation in p53-mutated TNBC. Its activation by DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatin, etoposide, and DPT reduces VM formation. Mechanistically, the Chk2-PKM2 axis plays an important role in the inhibition of VM formation at the level of metabolic regulation. Chk2 promotes the Chk2-PKM2 interaction through the Chk2 SCD (SQ/TQ cluster domain) and the PKM2 C domain. Furthermore, Chk2 promotes the nuclear export of PKM2 by phosphorylating PKM2 at Ser100. P-PKM2 S100 reduces VM formation by decreasing glucose flux, and the PKM2 S100A mutation abolishes the inhibition of glucose flux and VM formation induced by Chk2 activation. Overall, this study proposes a novel strategy of VM suppression through Chk2 induction, which prevents PKM2-mediated glucose flux in p53-mutated TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiong Zhu
- Medical and Chemical Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Le Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Bao Han
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan-Zheng Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ling-Yi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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5
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Checker R, Patwardhan RS, Jayakumar S, Maurya DK, Bandekar M, Sharma D, Sandur SK. Chemical and biological basis for development of novel radioprotective drugs for cancer therapy. Free Radic Res 2021; 55:595-625. [PMID: 34181503 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2021.1876854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) causes chemical changes in biological systems through direct interaction with the macromolecules or by causing radiolysis of water. This property of IR is harnessed in the clinic for radiotherapy in almost 50% of cancers patients. Despite the advent of stereotactic radiotherapy instruments and other advancements in shielding techniques, the inadvertent deposition of radiation dose in the surrounding normal tissue can cause late effects of radiation injury in normal tissues. Radioprotectors, which are chemical or biological agents, can reduce or mitigate these toxic side-effects of radiotherapy in cancer patients and also during radiation accidents. The desired characteristics of an ideal radioprotector include low chemical toxicity, high risk to benefit ratio and specific protection of normal cells against the harmful effects of radiation without compromising the cytotoxic effects of IR on cancer cells. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the major contributors of IR mediated toxicity, plethora of studies have highlighted the potential role of antioxidants to protect against IR induced damage. However, owing to the lack of any clinically approved radioprotector against whole body radiation, researchers have shifted the focus toward finding alternate targets that could be exploited for the development of novel agents. The present review provides a comprehensive insight in to the different strategies, encompassing prime molecular targets, which have been employed to develop radiation protectors/countermeasures. It is anticipated that understanding such factors will lead to the development of novel strategies for increasing the outcome of radiotherapy by minimizing normal tissue toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Checker
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Raghavendra S Patwardhan
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Sundarraj Jayakumar
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Maurya
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Mayuri Bandekar
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Santosh K Sandur
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, India
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6
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Xu D, Li C. Regulation of the SIAH2-HIF-1 Axis by Protein Kinases and Its Implication in Cancer Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:646687. [PMID: 33842469 PMCID: PMC8027324 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.646687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular response to hypoxia is a key biological process that facilitates adaptation of cells to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). This process is critical for cancer cells to adapt to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment resulting from rapid tumor growth. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor and a master regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia. The activity of HIF-1 is dictated primarily by its alpha subunit (HIF-1α), whose level and/or activity are largely regulated by an oxygen-dependent and ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated process. Prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase Von Hippel-Lindau factor (VHL) catalyze hydroxylation and subsequent ubiquitin-dependent degradation of HIF-1α by the proteasome. Seven in Absentia Homolog 2 (SIAH2), a RING finger-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase, stabilizes HIF-1α by targeting PHDs for ubiquitin-mediated degradation by the proteasome. This SIAH2-HIF-1 signaling axis is important for maintaining the level of HIF-1α under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. A number of protein kinases have been shown to phosphorylate SIAH2, thereby regulating its stability, activity, or substrate binding. In this review, we will discuss the regulation of the SIAH2-HIF-1 axis via phosphorylation of SIAH2 by these kinases and the potential implication of this regulation in cancer biology and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dazhong Xu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Cen Li
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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7
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Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) pathway prevents high level endogenous and environmental DNA damage being replicated and passed on to the next generation of cells via an orchestrated and integrated network of cell cycle checkpoint signalling and DNA repair pathways. Depending on the type of damage, and where in the cell cycle it occurs different pathways are involved, with the ATM-CHK2-p53 pathway controlling the G1 checkpoint or ATR-CHK1-Wee1 pathway controlling the S and G2/M checkpoints. Loss of G1 checkpoint control is common in cancer through TP53, ATM mutations, Rb loss or cyclin E overexpression, providing a stronger rationale for targeting the S/G2 checkpoints. This review will focus on the ATM-CHK2-p53-p21 pathway and the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway and ongoing efforts to target these pathways for patient benefit.
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8
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De Oliveira Silva A, McQuade J, Szostak M. Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Reactivity of Isothiazoles. Adv Synth Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201900072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - James McQuade
- Department of Chemistry Rutgers University 73 Warren Street Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Michal Szostak
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Auxiliary Chemistry and Technology for Chemical Industry Ministry of Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an 710021 People's Republic of China
- Department of Chemistry Rutgers University 73 Warren Street Newark NJ 07102 USA
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9
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Galal SA, Khattab M, Shouman SA, Ramadan R, Kandil OM, Kandil OM, Tabll A, El Abd YS, El-Shenawy R, Attia YM, El-Rashedy AA, El Diwani HI. Part III: Novel checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) inhibitors; design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrimidine-benzimidazole conjugates. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 146:687-708. [PMID: 29407991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently a dramatic development of the cancer drug discovery has been shown in the field of targeted cancer therapy. Checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) inhibitors offer a promising approach to enhance the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy. Accordingly, in this study many pyrimidine-benzimidazole conjugates were designed and twelve feasible derivatives were selected to be synthesized to investigate their activity against Chk2 and subjected to study their antitumor activity alone and in combination with the genotoxic anticancer drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin on breast carcinoma, (ER+) cell line (MCF-7). The results indicated that the studied compounds inhibited Chk2 activity with high potency (IC50 = 5.56 nM - 46.20 nM). The studied candidates exhibited remarkable antitumor activity against MCF-7 (IG50 = 6.6 μM - 24.9 μM). Compounds 10a-c, 14 and 15 significantly potentiated the activity of the studied genotoxic drugs, whereas, compounds 9b and 20-23 antagonized their activity. Moreover, the combination of compound 10b with cisplatin revealed the best apoptotic effect as well as combination of compound 10b with doxorubicin led to complete arrest of the cell cycle at S phase where more than 40% of cells are in the S phase with no cells at G2/M. Structure-activity relationship was discussed on the basis of molecular modeling study using Molecular modeling Environment program (MOE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadia A Galal
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Muhammad Khattab
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Samia A Shouman
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Raghda Ramadan
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Omaima M Kandil
- Department of Animal Reproduction & Artificial Insemination, Division, of Veterinary Research, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Omnia M Kandil
- Department of Parasitology, Animal Disease, Division, of Veterinary, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Tabll
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasmine S El Abd
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reem El-Shenawy
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasmin M Attia
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A El-Rashedy
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Hoda I El Diwani
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
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10
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Galal SA, Khairat SHM, Ali HI, Shouman SA, Attia YM, Ali MM, Mahmoud AE, Abdel-Halim AH, Fyiad AA, Tabll A, El-Shenawy R, El Abd YS, Ramdan R, El Diwani HI. Part II: New candidates of pyrazole-benzimidazole conjugates as checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 144:859-873. [PMID: 29316526 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) inhibitors for the treatment of cancer has been an ongoing and attractive objective in drug discovery. In this study, twenty-one feasible pyrazole-benzimidazole conjugates were synthesized to study their effect against Chk2 activity using Checkpoint Kinase Assay. The antitumor activity of these compounds was investigated using SRB assay. A potentiation effect of the synthesized Chk2 inhibitors was also investigated using the genotoxic anticancer drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin on breast carcinoma, (ER+) cell line (MCF-7). In vivo Chk2 and antitumor activities of 8d as a single-agent, and in combination with doxorubicin, were evaluated in breast cancer bearing animals induced by N-methylnitrosourea. The effect of 8d alone and in combination with doxorubicin was also studied on cell-cycle phases of MCF-7 cells using flow cytometry analysis. The results revealed their potencies as Chk2 inhibitors with IC50 ranges from 9.95 to 65.07 nM. Generally the effect of cisplatin or doxorubicin was potentiated by the effect of most of the compounds that were studied. The in vivo results indicated that the combination of 8d and doxorubicin inhibited checkpoint kinase activity more than either doxorubicin or 8d alone. There was a positive correlation between checkpoint kinase inhibition and the improvement observed in histopathological features. Single dose treatment with doxorubicin or 8d produced S phase cell cycle arrest whereas their combination created cell cycle arrest at G2/M from 8% in case of doxorubicin to 51% in combination. Gold molecular modelling studies displayed a high correlation to the biological results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadia A Galal
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Sarah H M Khairat
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Hamed I Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy Kingsville, TX 78363, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samia A Shouman
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Yasmin M Attia
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh M Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer E Mahmoud
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer H Abdel-Halim
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal A Fyiad
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Tabll
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reem El-Shenawy
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasmine S El Abd
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raghda Ramdan
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Physiology Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hoda I El Diwani
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
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11
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Zhao X, Guo X, Xing L, Yue W, Yin H, He M, Wang J, Yang J, Chen J. HBV infection potentiates resistance to S-phase arrest-inducing chemotherapeutics by inhibiting CHK2 pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:61. [PMID: 29352124 PMCID: PMC5833392 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0097-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A considerable number of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is correlated with their poor outcomes. However, the role of HBV infection in DLBCL treatment failure remains poorly understood. Here, our data demonstrated that HBV infection was closely associated with poorer clinical prognosis independent of its hepatic dysfunction in germinal center B-cell type (GCB type) DLBCL patients. Interestingly, we found that DLBCL cells expressing hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX) did not exhibit enhanced cell growth but did show reduced sensitivity to methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine (Ara-C), which induced S-phase arrest. Mechanism studies showed that HBX specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2, a key DNA damage response protein). CHK2 depletion similarly conferred resistance to the S-phase arrest-inducing chemotherapeutics, consistent with HBX overexpression in DLBCL cells. Moreover, overexpression of wild-type CHK2 rather than its unphosphorylated mutant (T68A) significantly restored the reduced chemosensitivity in HBX-expressing cells, suggesting that HBV infection conferred resistance to chemotherapeutics that induced S-phase arrest by specifically inhibiting the activation of CHK2 response signaling in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Hematology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xudong Guo
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Regenerative Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Libo Xing
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqin Yue
- Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haisen Yin
- Department of Hematology, Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Miaoxia He
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianmin Yang
- Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Galal SA, Abdelsamie AS, Shouman SA, Attia YM, Ali HI, Tabll A, El-Shenawy R, El Abd YS, Ali MM, Mahmoud AE, Abdel-Halim AH, Fyiad AA, Girgis AS, El-Diwani HI. Part I: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazole-benzimidazole conjugates as checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) inhibitors with studying their activities alone and in combination with genotoxic drugs. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 134:392-405. [PMID: 28433679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.03.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Activated checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) is a tumor suppressor as one of the main enzymes that affect the cell cycle. 2-Biarylbenzimidazoles are potent selective class of Chk2 inhibitors; the structure-based design was applied to synthesize a new series of this class with replacing the lateral aryl group by substituted pyrazoles. Ten pyrazole-benzimidazole conjugates from the best fifty candidates according to docking programs have been subjected to chemical synthesis in this study. The activities of the conjugates 5-14 as checkpoint kinase inhibitors and as antitumor alone and in combination with genotoxic drugs were evaluated. The effect of compounds 7 and 12 on cell-cycle phases was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis. Antitumor activity of compounds 7 and 12 as single-agents and in combinations with doxorubicin was assessed in breast cancer bearing animals induced by MNU. The Results indicated that compounds 5-14 inhibited Chk2 activity with high potency (IC50 52.8 nM-5.5 nM). The cytotoxicity of both cisplatin and doxorubicin were significantly potentiated by the most of the conjugates against MCF-7 cell lines. Compounds 7 and 12 and their combinations with doxorubicin induced the cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, compound 7 exhibited marked higher antitumor activity as a single agent in animals than it's combination with doxorubicin or doxorubicin alone. The combination of compound 12 with doxorubicin was greatly effective on animal than their single-dose treatment. In conclusion, pyrazole-benzimidazole conjugates are highly active Chk2 inhibitors that have anticancer activity and potentiate activity of genotoxic anticancer therapies and deserve further evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadia A Galal
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed S Abdelsamie
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Samia A Shouman
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Yasmin M Attia
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Hamed I Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy Kingsville, TX 78363, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Tabll
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reem El-Shenawy
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasmine S El Abd
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Division of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh M Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer E Mahmoud
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abeer H Abdel-Halim
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal A Fyiad
- Department of Biochemistry, Division of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Adel S Girgis
- Pesticide Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 12622, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hoda I El-Diwani
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
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13
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Ronco C, Martin AR, Demange L, Benhida R. ATM, ATR, CHK1, CHK2 and WEE1 inhibitors in cancer and cancer stem cells. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016; 8:295-319. [PMID: 30108746 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00439c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA inevitably undergoes a high number of damages throughout the cell cycle. To preserve the integrity of the genome, cells have developed a complex enzymatic machinery aimed at sensing and repairing DNA lesions, pausing the cell cycle to provide more time to repair, or induce apoptosis if damages are too severe. This so-called DNA-damage response (DDR) is yet considered as a major source of resistance to DNA-damaging treatments in oncology. Recently, it has been hypothesized that cancer stem cells (CSC), a sub-population of cancer cells particularly resistant and with tumour-initiating ability, allow tumour re-growth and cancer relapse. Therefore, DDR appears as a relevant target to sensitize cancer cells and cancer stem cells to classical radio- and chemotherapies as well as to overcome resistances. Moreover, the concept of synthetic lethality could be particularly efficiently exploited in DDR. Five kinases play pivotal roles in the DDR: ATM, ATR, CHK1, CHK2 and WEE1. Herein, we review the drugs targeting these proteins and the inhibitors used in the specific case of CSC. We also suggest molecules that may be of interest for preclinical and clinical researchers studying checkpoint inhibition to sensitize cancer and cancer stem cells to DNA-damaging treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Ronco
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS , Institut de Chimie de Nice , UMR7272 - Parc Valrose , 06108 Nice Cedex 2 , France . ; ; Tel: +33 4 92076143
| | - Anthony R Martin
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS , Institut de Chimie de Nice , UMR7272 - Parc Valrose , 06108 Nice Cedex 2 , France . ; ; Tel: +33 4 92076143
| | - Luc Demange
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS , Institut de Chimie de Nice , UMR7272 - Parc Valrose , 06108 Nice Cedex 2 , France . ; ; Tel: +33 4 92076143.,Université Paris Descartes , Sorbonne Paris Cité , UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques , 4 avenue de l'Observatoire , Paris Fr-75006 , France.,Université Paris Descartes , Sorbonne Paris Cité , UFR Biomédicale des Saints Pères , 45 rue des Saints Pères , France
| | - Rachid Benhida
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS , Institut de Chimie de Nice , UMR7272 - Parc Valrose , 06108 Nice Cedex 2 , France . ; ; Tel: +33 4 92076143
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14
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Osborne JD, Matthews TP, McHardy T, Proisy N, Cheung KMJ, Lainchbury M, Brown N, Walton MI, Eve PD, Boxall KJ, Hayes A, Henley AT, Valenti MR, De Haven Brandon AK, Box G, Jamin Y, Robinson SP, Westwood IM, van Montfort RLM, Leonard PM, Lamers MBAC, Reader JC, Aherne GW, Raynaud FI, Eccles SA, Garrett MD, Collins I. Multiparameter Lead Optimization to Give an Oral Checkpoint Kinase 1 (CHK1) Inhibitor Clinical Candidate: (R)-5-((4-((Morpholin-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)amino)pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (CCT245737). J Med Chem 2016; 59:5221-37. [PMID: 27167172 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiparameter optimization of a series of 5-((4-aminopyridin-2-yl)amino)pyrazine-2-carbonitriles resulted in the identification of a potent and selective oral CHK1 preclinical development candidate with in vivo efficacy as a potentiator of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damaging chemotherapy and as a single agent. Cellular mechanism of action assays were used to give an integrated assessment of compound selectivity during optimization resulting in a highly CHK1 selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive inhibitor. A single substituent vector directed away from the CHK1 kinase active site was unexpectedly found to drive the selective cellular efficacy of the compounds. Both CHK1 potency and off-target human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) ion channel inhibition were dependent on lipophilicity and basicity in this series. Optimization of CHK1 cellular potency and in vivo pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) properties gave a compound with low predicted doses and exposures in humans which mitigated the residual weak in vitro hERG inhibition.
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15
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Magni M, Ruscica V, Restelli M, Fontanella E, Buscemi G, Zannini L. CCAR2/DBC1 is required for Chk2-dependent KAP1 phosphorylation and repair of DNA damage. Oncotarget 2016; 6:17817-31. [PMID: 26158765 PMCID: PMC4627348 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle and apoptosis regulator 2 (CCAR2, formerly known as DBC1) is a nuclear protein largely involved in DNA damage response, apoptosis, metabolism, chromatin structure and transcription regulation. Upon DNA lesions, CCAR2 is phosphorylated by the apical kinases ATM/ATR and this phosphorylation enhances CCAR2 binding to SIRT1, leading to SIRT1 inhibition, p53 acetylation and p53-dependent apoptosis. Recently, we found that also the checkpoint kinase Chk2 and the proteasome activator REGγ are required for efficient CCAR2-mediated inhibition of SIRT1 and induction of p53-dependent apoptosis. Here, we report that CCAR2 is required for the repair of heterochromatic DNA lesions, as cells knock-out for CCAR2 retain, at late time-points after genotoxic treatment, abnormal levels of DNA damage-associated nuclear foci, whose timely resolution is reinstated by HP1β depletion. Conversely, repair of DNA damages in euchromatin are not affected by CCAR2 absence. We also report that the impairment in heterochromatic DNA repair is caused by defective Chk2 activation, detectable in CCAR2 ablated cells, which finally impacts on the phosphorylation of the Chk2 substrate KAP1 that is required for the induction of heterochromatin relaxation and DNA repair. These studies further extend and confirm the role of CCAR2 in the DNA damage response and DNA repair and illustrate a new mechanism of Chk2 activity regulation. Moreover, the involvement of CCAR2 in the repair of heterochromatic DNA breaks suggests a new role for this protein in the maintenance of chromosomal stability, which is necessary to prevent cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Magni
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ruscica
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Current address: Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Michela Restelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Fontanella
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Buscemi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Zannini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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16
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Gavande NS, VanderVere-Carozza PS, Hinshaw HD, Jalal SI, Sears CR, Pawelczak KS, Turchi JJ. DNA repair targeted therapy: The past or future of cancer treatment? Pharmacol Ther 2016; 160:65-83. [PMID: 26896565 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The repair of DNA damage is a complex process that relies on particular pathways to remedy specific types of damage to DNA. The range of insults to DNA includes small, modest changes in structure including mismatched bases and simple methylation events to oxidized bases, intra- and interstrand DNA crosslinks, DNA double strand breaks and protein-DNA adducts. Pathways required for the repair of these lesions include mismatch repair, base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, and the homology directed repair/Fanconi anemia pathway. Each of these pathways contributes to genetic stability, and mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in these pathways have been demonstrated to promote genetic instability and cancer. In fact, it has been suggested that all cancers display defects in DNA repair. It has also been demonstrated that the ability of cancer cells to repair therapeutically induced DNA damage impacts therapeutic efficacy. This has led to targeting DNA repair pathways and proteins to develop anti-cancer agents that will increase sensitivity to traditional chemotherapeutics. While initial studies languished and were plagued by a lack of specificity and a defined mechanism of action, more recent approaches to exploit synthetic lethal interaction and develop high affinity chemical inhibitors have proven considerably more effective. In this review we will highlight recent advances and discuss previous failures in targeting DNA repair to pave the way for future DNA repair targeted agents and their use in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navnath S Gavande
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | | | - Hilary D Hinshaw
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Shadia I Jalal
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Catherine R Sears
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | | | - John J Turchi
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; NERx Biosciences, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
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17
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DNA Damage Signalling and Repair Inhibitors: The Long-Sought-After Achilles' Heel of Cancer. Biomolecules 2015; 5:3204-59. [PMID: 26610585 PMCID: PMC4693276 DOI: 10.3390/biom5043204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were the two only approaches exploiting DNA repair processes to fight against cancer. Nowadays, cancer therapeutics can be a major challenge when it comes to seeking personalized targeted medicine that is both effective and selective to the malignancy. Over the last decade, the discovery of new targeted therapies against DNA damage signalling and repair has offered the possibility of therapeutic improvements in oncology. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of DNA damage signalling and repair inhibitors, their molecular and cellular effects, and future therapeutic use.
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18
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Manic G, Obrist F, Sistigu A, Vitale I. Trial Watch: Targeting ATM-CHK2 and ATR-CHK1 pathways for anticancer therapy. Mol Cell Oncol 2015; 2:e1012976. [PMID: 27308506 PMCID: PMC4905354 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2015.1012976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The ataxia telangiectasia mutated serine/threonine kinase (ATM)/checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2, best known as CHK2) and the ATM and Rad3-related serine/threonine kinase (ATR)/CHEK1 (best known as CHK1) cascades are the 2 major signaling pathways driving the DNA damage response (DDR), a network of processes crucial for the preservation of genomic stability that act as a barrier against tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Mutations and/or deletions of ATM and/or CHK2 are frequently found in tumors and predispose to cancer development. In contrast, the ATR-CHK1 pathway is often upregulated in neoplasms and is believed to promote tumor growth, although some evidence indicates that ATR and CHK1 may also behave as haploinsufficient oncosuppressors, at least in a specific genetic background. Inactivation of the ATM-CHK2 and ATR-CHK1 pathways efficiently sensitizes malignant cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, ATR and CHK1 inhibitors selectively kill tumor cells that present high levels of replication stress, have a deficiency in p53 (or other DDR players), or upregulate the ATR-CHK1 module. Despite promising preclinical results, the clinical activity of ATM, ATR, CHK1, and CHK2 inhibitors, alone or in combination with other therapeutics, has not yet been fully demonstrated. In this Trial Watch, we give an overview of the roles of the ATM-CHK2 and ATR-CHK1 pathways in cancer initiation and progression, and summarize the results of clinical studies aimed at assessing the safety and therapeutic profile of regimens based on inhibitors of ATR and CHK1, the only 2 classes of compounds that have so far entered clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florine Obrist
- Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM, UMRS1138; Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labelisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus; Villejuif, France
| | | | - Ilio Vitale
- Regina Elena National Cancer Institute; Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “TorVergata”; Rome, Italy
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19
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Bais MV, Ozdener GB, Sonenshein GE, Trackman PC. Effects of tumor-suppressor lysyl oxidase propeptide on prostate cancer xenograft growth and its direct interactions with DNA repair pathways. Oncogene 2015; 34:1928-37. [PMID: 24882580 PMCID: PMC4254378 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a multifunctional protein required for normal collagen and elastin biosynthesis and maturation. In addition, LOX has complex roles in cancer in which the lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOX-PP) domain of secreted pro-LOX has tumor-suppressor activity, while the active enzyme promotes metastasis. In prostate cancer cell lines, recombinant LOX-PP (rLOX-PP) inhibits the growth of PC3 cells in vitro by mechanisms that were not characterized, while in DU145 cells rLOX-PP targeted fibroblast growth factor signaling. Because rLOX-PP can enhance effects of a genotoxic chemotherapeutic on breast cancer cell apoptosis, we reasoned that rLOX-PP could target DNA repair pathways typically elevated in cancer. Here we demonstrate for the first time that rLOX-PP inhibits prostate xenograft growth in vivo and that activating phosphorylations of the key DNA repair molecules ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) are inhibited by rLOX-PP expression in vivo. In addition, in vitro studies showed that rLOX-PP inhibits radiation-induced activating phosphorylations of ATM and CHK2 and that exogenously added rLOX-PP protein can localize to the nucleus in both DU145 and PC3 cells. rLOX-PP pull-down studies resulted in detection of a protein complex with the nuclear DNA repair regulator MRE11 in both cell lines, and rLOX-PP localized to radiation-induced nuclear DNA repair foci. Finally, rLOX-PP was shown to sensitize both DU145 and PC3 cells to radiation-induced cell death determined in colony-formation assays. These data provide evidence that rLOX-PP has a nuclear mechanism of action in which it directly interacts with DNA repair proteins to sensitize prostate cancer cells to the effects of ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish V. Bais
- Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Gokhan Baris Ozdener
- Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Gail E. Sonenshein
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Boston, MA 02111
| | - Philip C. Trackman
- Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston, MA 02118
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20
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Magni M, Ruscica V, Buscemi G, Kim JE, Nachimuthu BT, Fontanella E, Delia D, Zannini L. Chk2 and REGγ-dependent DBC1 regulation in DNA damage induced apoptosis. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:13150-60. [PMID: 25361978 PMCID: PMC4245943 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human DBC1 (Deleted in Breast Cancer 1; KIAA1967; CCAR2) is a protein implicated in the regulation of apoptosis, transcription and histone modifications. Upon DNA damage, DBC1 is phosphorylated by ATM/ATR on Thr454 and this modification increases its inhibitory interaction with SIRT1, leading to p53 acetylation and p53-dependent apoptosis. Here, we report that the inhibition of SIRT1 by DBC1 in the DNA damage response (DDR) also depends on Chk2, the transducer kinase that is activated by ATM upon DNA lesions and contributes to the spreading of DNA damage signal. Indeed we found that inactivation of Chk2 reduces DBC1-SIRT1 binding, thus preventing p53 acetylation and DBC1-induced apoptosis. These events are mediated by Chk2 phosphorylation of the 11S proteasome activator REGγ on Ser247, which increases REGγ-DBC1 interaction and SIRT1 inhibition. Overall our results clarify the mechanisms underlying the DBC1-dependent SIRT1 inhibition and link, for the first time, Chk2 and REGγ to the ATM-DBC1-SIRT1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Magni
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ruscica
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Buscemi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ja-Eun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Enrico Fontanella
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Delia
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Zannini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
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21
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Biss M, Xiao W. Selective tumor killing based on specific DNA-damage response deficiencies. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 13:239-46. [DOI: 10.4161/cbt.18921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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22
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Lee JM, Lee MS, Koh D, Lee YH, Lim Y, Shin SY. A new synthetic 2'-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxy-5',6'-naphthochalcone induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by disrupting the microtubular network of human colon cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2014; 354:348-54. [PMID: 25193463 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Revised: 08/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Methoxylated chalcones exert antitumor activities. In the present study, we characterized the cytotoxicity of methylated chalcone derivatives against human colon cancer cells. We synthesized a group of methoxychalcones and explored the molecular mechanisms underlying inhibition of tumor growth by these materials. A new synthetic methoxychalcone, 2'-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxy-5',6'-naphthochalcone (named HMNC-74), most effectively inhibited the clonogenicity of SW620 colon cancer cells. Mechanistically, HMNC-74 triggered cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, followed by an increase in apoptotic cell death. Our results indicate that the cytotoxicity of the novel compound HMNC-74 involves the disruption of microtubular networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Min Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Cancer and Metabolism Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi So Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Cancer and Metabolism Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongsoo Koh
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Dongduk Women's University, Seoul 136-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Han Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Cancer and Metabolism Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoongho Lim
- Division of Bioscience and Biotechnology, BMIC, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soon Young Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Cancer and Metabolism Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) supports sensitivity to platinum-based treatment in high grade serous ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2014; 133:591-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.03.557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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24
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Kalogirou AS, Christoforou IC, Ioannidou HA, Manos MJ, Koutentis PA. Ring transformation of (4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-ylidene)acetonitriles to 3-haloisothiazole-5-carbonitriles. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra47261b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Improved conditions for the ring transformation of 1,2,3-dithiazoles into isothiazole-5-carbonitriles are presented together with mechanistic rationale.
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25
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Kleiman LB, Krebs AM, Kim SY, Hong TS, Haigis KM. Comparative analysis of radiosensitizers for K-RAS mutant rectal cancers. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82982. [PMID: 24349411 PMCID: PMC3861465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 40% of rectal cancers harbor activating K-RAS mutations, and these mutations are associated with poor clinical response to chemoradiotherapy. We aimed to identify small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) that synergize with ionizing radiation (IR) ("radiosensitizers") that could be incorporated into current treatment strategies for locally advanced rectal cancers (LARCs) expressing mutant K-RAS. We first optimized a high-throughput assay for measuring individual and combined effects of SMIs and IR that produces similar results to the gold standard colony formation assay. Using this screening platform and K-RAS mutant rectal cancer cell lines, we tested SMIs targeting diverse signaling pathways for radiosensitizing activity and then evaluated our top hits in follow-up experiments. The two most potent radiosensitizers were the Chk1/2 inhibitor AZD7762 and the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235. The chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which is used to treat LARC, synergized with AZD7762 and enhanced radiosensitization by AZD7762. This study is the first to compare different SMIs in combination with IR for the treatment of K-RAS mutant rectal cancer, and our findings suggest that Chk1/2 inhibitors should be evaluated in new clinical trials for LARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B. Kleiman
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Angela M. Krebs
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephen Y. Kim
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Theodore S. Hong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kevin M. Haigis
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Gutiérrez-González A, Belda-Iniesta C, Bargiela-Iparraguirre J, Dominguez G, García Alfonso P, Perona R, Sanchez-Perez I. Targeting Chk2 improves gastric cancer chemotherapy by impairing DNA damage repair. Apoptosis 2013; 18:347-60. [PMID: 23271172 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-012-0794-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Our results demonstrate that the addition of cisplatin after paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest was more effective than individual treatment on gastric adenocarcinoma cells (MKN45). However, the treatment did not induce benefits in cells derived from lymph node metastasis (ST2957). Time-lapse microscopy revealed that cell death was caused by mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis induction, as the use of the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk decreased cell death. We propose that the molecular mechanism mediating this cell fate is a slippage suffered by these cells, given that our Western blot (WB) analysis revealed premature cyclin B degradation. This resulted in the cell exiting from mitosis without undergoing DNA damage repair, as demonstrated by the strong phosphorylation of H2AX. A comet assay indicated that DNA repair was impaired, and Western blotting showed that the Chk2 protein was degraded after sequential treatment (paclitaxel-cisplatin). Based on these results, the modulation of cell death during mitosis may be an effective strategy for gastric cancer therapy.
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27
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Raleigh DR, Haas-Kogan DA. Molecular targets and mechanisms of radiosensitization using DNA damage response pathways. Future Oncol 2013; 9:219-33. [PMID: 23414472 DOI: 10.2217/fon.12.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular reaction to genomic instability includes a network of signal transduction pathways collectively referred to as the DNA damage response (DDR). Activated by a variety of DNA lesions, the DDR orchestrates cell cycle arrest and DNA repair, and initiates apoptosis in instances where damage cannot be repaired. As such, disruption of the DDR increases the prevalence of DNA damage secondary to incomplete repair, and in doing so, enhances radiation-induced cytotoxicity. This article describes the molecular agents and their targets within DDR pathways that sensitize cells to radiation. Moreover, it reviews the therapeutic implications of these compounds, provides an overview of relevant clinical trials and offers a viewpoint on the evolution of the field in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Raleigh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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28
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Duong HQ, Hong YB, Kim JS, Lee HS, Yi YW, Kim YJ, Wang A, Zhao W, Cho CH, Seong YS, Bae I. Inhibition of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) enhances sensitivity of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells to gemcitabine. J Cell Mol Med 2013; 17:1261-70. [PMID: 23855452 PMCID: PMC4159025 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 05/26/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) plays pivotal function as an effector of cell cycle checkpoint arrest following DNA damage. Recently, we found that co-treatment of NSC109555 (a potent and selective CHK2 inhibitor) potentiated the cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine (GEM) in pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 cells. Here, we further examined whether NSC109555 could enhance the antitumour effect of GEM in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. In this study, the combination treatment of NSC109555 plus GEM demonstrated strong synergistic antitumour effect in four pancreatic cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2, CFPAC-1, Panc-1 and BxPC-3). In addition, the GEM/NSC109555 combination significantly increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), accompanied by induction of apoptotic cell death. Inhibition of ROS generation by N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) significantly reversed the effect of GEM/NSC109555 in apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, genetic knockdown of CHK2 by siRNA enhanced GEM-induced apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that inhibition of CHK2 would be a beneficial therapeutic approach for pancreatic cancer therapy in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Quan Duong
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA; WCU (World Class University) Research Center of Nanobiomedical Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
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29
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Gadhikar MA, Sciuto MR, Alves MVO, Pickering CR, Osman AA, Neskey DM, Zhao M, Fitzgerald AL, Myers JN, Frederick MJ. Chk1/2 inhibition overcomes the cisplatin resistance of head and neck cancer cells secondary to the loss of functional p53. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:1860-73. [PMID: 23839309 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite the use of multimodality therapy using cisplatin to treat patients with advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), there is an unacceptably high rate of treatment failure. TP53 is the most commonly mutated gene in HNSCC, and the impact of p53 mutation on response to cisplatin treatment is poorly understood. Here, we show unambiguously that wild-type TP53 (wtp53) is associated with sensitivity of HNSCC cells to cisplatin treatment, whereas mutation or loss of TP53 is associated with cisplatin resistance. We also show that senescence is the major cellular response to cisplatin in wtp53 HNSCC cells and that cisplatin resistance in p53-null or -mutant TP53 cells is due to their lack of senescence. Given the dependence on checkpoint kinase (Chk)1/2 kinases to mediate the DNA damage response in p53-deficient cells, there is potential to exploit this to therapeutic advantage through targeted inhibition of the Chk1/2 kinases. Treatment of p53-deficient HNSCC cells with the Chk inhibitor AZD7762 sensitizes them to cisplatin through induction of mitotic cell death. This is the first report showing the ability of a Chk kinase inhibitor to sensitize TP53-deficient HNSCC to cisplatin in a synthetic lethal manner, which has significance given the frequency of TP53 mutations in this disease and because cisplatin has become part of standard therapy for aggressive HNSCC tumors. These preclinical data provide evidence that a personalized approach to the treatment of HNSCC based on Chk inhibition in p53-mutant tumors may be feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur A Gadhikar
- Corresponding Authors: Mitchell J. Frederick, Department of Head & Neck Surgery, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1445, Houston, TX 77030.
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30
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Silva-Santisteban MC, Westwood IM, Boxall K, Brown N, Peacock S, McAndrew C, Barrie E, Richards M, Mirza A, Oliver AW, Burke R, Hoelder S, Jones K, Aherne GW, Blagg J, Collins I, Garrett MD, van Montfort RLM. Fragment-based screening maps inhibitor interactions in the ATP-binding site of checkpoint kinase 2. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65689. [PMID: 23776527 PMCID: PMC3680490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) is an important serine/threonine kinase in the cellular response to DNA damage. A fragment-based screening campaign using a combination of a high-concentration AlphaScreen™ kinase assay and a biophysical thermal shift assay, followed by X-ray crystallography, identified a number of chemically different ligand-efficient CHK2 hinge-binding scaffolds that have not been exploited in known CHK2 inhibitors. In addition, it showed that the use of these orthogonal techniques allowed efficient discrimination between genuine hit matter and false positives from each individual assay technology. Furthermore, the CHK2 crystal structures with a quinoxaline-based fragment and its follow-up compound highlight a hydrophobic area above the hinge region not previously explored in rational CHK2 inhibitor design, but which might be exploited to enhance both potency and selectivity of CHK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Cris Silva-Santisteban
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isaac M. Westwood
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathy Boxall
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Brown
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Peacock
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Craig McAndrew
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Barrie
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Meirion Richards
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Amin Mirza
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Antony W. Oliver
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary Burke
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Swen Hoelder
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Jones
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - G. Wynne Aherne
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Blagg
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Collins
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle D. Garrett
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Rob L. M. van Montfort
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom
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31
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Matthews TP, Jones AM, Collins I. Structure-based design, discovery and development of checkpoint kinase inhibitors as potential anticancer therapies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:621-40. [PMID: 23594139 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.788496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Checkpoint kinase (CHK) inhibitors offer the promise of enhancing the effectiveness of widely prescribed cancer chemotherapies and radiotherapy by inhibiting the DNA damage response, as well as the potential for single agent efficacy. AREAS COVERED This article surveys structural insights into the checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2 that have been exploited to enhance the selectivity and potency of small molecule inhibitors. Furthermore, the authors review the use of mechanistic cellular assays to guide the optimisation of inhibitors. Finally, the authors discuss the status of the current clinical candidates and emerging new clinical contexts for CHK1 and CHK2 inhibitors, including the prospects for single agent efficacy. EXPERT OPINION Protein-bound water molecules play key roles in structural features that can be targeted to gain high selectivity for either enzyme. The results of early phase clinical trials of checkpoint inhibitors have been mixed, but significant progress has been made in testing the combination of CHK1 inhibitors with genotoxic chemotherapy. Second-generation CHK1 inhibitors are likely to benefit from increased selectivity and oral bioavailability. While the optimum therapeutic context for CHK2 inhibition remains unclear, the emergence of single agent preclinical efficacy for CHK1 inhibitors in specific tumour types exhibiting constitutive replication stress represents exciting progress in exploring the therapeutic potential of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Matthews
- Institute of Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, London SM2 5NG, UK
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32
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Maugeri-Saccà M, Bartucci M, De Maria R. Checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors for potentiating systemic anticancer therapy. Cancer Treat Rev 2012. [PMID: 23207059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a key component of the DNA damage response, a molecular network deputed to maintain genome integrity. Nevertheless, cancer cells aberrantly exploit these circuits to overcome chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity. Chk1 inhibitors have been developed as a chemopotentiating strategy and different molecular mechanisms underlying the synergism with chemotherapeutics have been uncovered. The monotherapy with Chk1 inhibitors seems to be endowed with antitumor activity against cancer cells characterized by specific defects in the DNA damage machinery or characterized by elevated levels of oncogene-induced replication stress. In this biological framework Chk1 neutralization represents a synthetic lethality-based therapeutic approach. Moreover, a dual targeting of the DNA damage machinery has been proposed envisioning the association of Chk1 abrogation with poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors. The spectrum of antitumor properties of Chk1 antagonists is completed by the activity against cancer stem cells, the prominent tumorigenic population that is equipped to survive stressful conditions through multiple and interconnected mechanisms. Although the clinical development of the first generation of Chk1 antagonists was hindered by off-target effects and an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile, a new wave of early clinical trials with more selective compounds are currently being carried out. To this end, the identification of predictive biomarkers and an in-depth characterization of molecular circuits governed by Chk1 are issues that need to be addressed for sharpening the therapeutic potential of Chk1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maugeri-Saccà
- Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi, n. 53, 00144 Rome, Italy.
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33
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Matijssen C, Silva-Santisteban MC, Westwood IM, Siddique S, Choi V, Sheldrake P, van Montfort RL, Blagg J. Benzimidazole inhibitors of the protein kinase CHK2: clarification of the binding mode by flexible side chain docking and protein-ligand crystallography. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:6630-9. [PMID: 23058106 PMCID: PMC3778940 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2012] [Revised: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Two closely related binding modes have previously been proposed for the ATP-competitive benzimidazole class of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) inhibitors; however, neither binding mode is entirely consistent with the reported SAR. Unconstrained rigid docking of benzimidazole ligands into representative CHK2 protein crystal structures reveals an alternative binding mode involving a water-mediated interaction with the hinge region; docking which incorporates protein side chain flexibility for selected residues in the ATP binding site resulted in a refinement of the water-mediated hinge binding mode that is consistent with observed SAR. The flexible docking results are in good agreement with the crystal structures of four exemplar benzimidazole ligands bound to CHK2 which unambiguously confirmed the binding mode of these inhibitors, including the water-mediated interaction with the hinge region, and which is significantly different from binding modes previously postulated in the literature.
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Key Words
- adp, adenosine diphosphate
- atm, ataxia telangiectasia mutated
- atp, adenosine triphosphate
- chk2, checkpoint kinase 2
- gold, genetic optimisation for ligand docking
- gst, glutathione s-transferase
- kd, kinase domain
- moe, molecular operating environment
- parp, poly adp-ribose polymerase
- pdb, protein data bank
- plif, protein ligand interaction fingerprints
- sar, structure activity relationship
- sift, structural interaction fingerprints
- kinase
- chk2
- flexible docking
- crystallography
- inhibitor
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis Matijssen
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
| | - M. Cris Silva-Santisteban
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
- Division of Structural Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Isaac M. Westwood
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
- Division of Structural Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Samerene Siddique
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Vanessa Choi
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
- Division of Structural Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Peter Sheldrake
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Rob L.M. van Montfort
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
- Division of Structural Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Chelsea, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Julian Blagg
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK
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34
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Furgason JM, Bahassi EM. Targeting DNA repair mechanisms in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 137:298-308. [PMID: 23107892 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Preservation of genomic integrity is an essential process for cell homeostasis. DNA-damage response (DDR) promotes faithful transmission of genomes in dividing cells by reversing the extrinsic and intrinsic DNA damage, and is required for cell survival during replication. Radiation and genotoxic drugs have been widely used in the clinic for years to treat cancer but DNA repair mechanisms are often associated with chemo- and radio-resistance. To increase the efficacy of these treatments, inhibitors of the major components of the DDR such as ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), ATR (ATM and Rad3-related), DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit), Chk1 (checkpoint protein 1) and Chk2 (checkpoint protein 2) have been used to confer radio- and/or chemosensitivity upon cancer cells. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and the discovery that tumors are frequently repair-deficient provide a therapeutic opportunity to selectively target this deficiency. Genetic mutations in the DNA repair genes constitute not only the initiating event of the cancer cell but also its weakness since the mutated gene is often needed by the cancer cell to maintain its own survival. This weakness has been exploited to specifically kill the tumor cells while sparing the normal ones, a concept known as 'synthetic lethality'. Recent efforts in the design of cancer therapies are directed towards exploiting synthetic lethal interactions with cancer-associated mutations in the DDR. In this review, we will discuss the latest concepts in targeting DNA repair mechanisms in cancer and the novel and promising compounds currently in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Furgason
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Cincinnati, 3125 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0508, United States
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35
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Ashwell S. Strategies towards more effective anticancer therapies: targeting DNA damage response pathways. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2012; 3:103-15. [PMID: 22111536 DOI: 10.1586/ecp.09.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has seen a tremendous increase in the understanding of the cellular mechanisms that underlie the detection and repair of DNA damage. This gave rise to the hypothesis that inhibition of DNA repair may result in increased efficacy of existing therapies and, more recently, to the idea that some tumor cells may carry additional defects that make them hypersensitive to DNA repair inhibitors as single agents. In order to minimize the potential to cause lesions in normal tissue, strategies have been directed to specific targets or pathways where selectivity for tumor over normal tissue is possible, thus to date most emphasis has been placed on a relatively small number of targets such as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and the checkpoint kinases. Both of these approaches have yielded small molecule inhibitors that are currently in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Ashwell
- AstraZeneca R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
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36
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Tang Y, Hamed HA, Poklepovic A, Dai Y, Grant S, Dent P. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 modulates the lethality of CHK1 inhibitors in mammary tumors. Mol Pharmacol 2012; 82:322-32. [PMID: 22596349 DOI: 10.1124/mol.112.078907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The present studies sought to define whether checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitors and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitors interact in vitro and in vivo to kill breast cancer cells. PARP1 and CHK1 inhibitors interacted to kill estrogen receptor (ER)+, ER+ fulvestrant-resistant, HER2+, or triple-negative mammary carcinoma cells in a manner that was not apparently affected by phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 functional status. Expression of dominant-negative CHK1 enhanced and overexpression of wild-type CHK1 suppressed the toxicity of PARP1 inhibitors in a dose-dependent fashion. Knockdown of PARP1 enhanced the lethality of CHK1 inhibitors in a dose-dependent fashion. PARP1 and CHK1 inhibitors interacted in vivo both to suppress the growth of large established tumors and to suppress the growth of smaller developing tumors; the combination enhanced animal survival. PARP1 and CHK1 inhibitors profoundly radiosensitized cells in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the combination of PARP1 and CHK1 inhibitors has antitumor activity in vivo against multiple mammary tumor types and that translation of this approach could prove to be a useful anticancer therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Tang
- Massey Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College St., Richmond, VA 23298-0035, USA
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37
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Tang Y, Dai Y, Grant S, Dent P. Enhancing CHK1 inhibitor lethality in glioblastoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2012; 13:379-88. [PMID: 22313687 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.19240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The present studies were initiated to determine whether inhibitors of MEK1/2 or SRC signaling, respectively, enhance CHK1 inhibitor lethality in primary human glioblastoma cells. Multiple MEK1/2 inhibitors (CI-1040 (PD184352); AZD6244 (ARRY-142886)) interacted with multiple CHK1 inhibitors (UCN-01, AZD7762) to kill multiple primary human glioma cell isolates that have a diverse set of genetic alterations typically found in the disease. Inhibition of SRC family proteins also enhanced CHK1 inhibitor lethality. Combined treatment of glioma cells with (MEK1/2 + CHK1) inhibitors enhanced radiosensitivity. Combined (MEK1/2 + CHK1) inhibitor treatment led to dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and S6 ribosomal protein, whereas the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was increased. MEK1/2 + CHK1 inhibitor-stimulated cell death was associated with the cleavage of pro-caspases 3 and 7 as well as the caspase substrate (PARP). We also observed activation of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 effector proteins BAK and BAX and reduced levels of pro-survival BCL-2 family protein BCL-XL. Overexpression of BCL-XL alleviated but did not completely abolish MEK1/2 + CHK1 inhibitor cytotoxicity in GBM cells. These findings argue that multiple inhibitors of the SRC-MEK pathway have the potential to interact with multiple CHK1 inhibitors to kill glioma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond, VA, USA
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38
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Ma CX, Cai S, Li S, Ryan CE, Guo Z, Schaiff WT, Lin L, Hoog J, Goiffon RJ, Prat A, Aft RL, Ellis MJ, Piwnica-Worms H. Targeting Chk1 in p53-deficient triple-negative breast cancer is therapeutically beneficial in human-in-mouse tumor models. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:1541-52. [PMID: 22446188 DOI: 10.1172/jci58765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) - defined by lack of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression as well as lack of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification - have a poor prognosis. There is a need for targeted therapies to treat this condition. TNBCs frequently harbor mutations in TP53, resulting in loss of the G1 checkpoint and reliance on checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) to arrest cells in response to DNA damage. Previous studies have shown that inhibition of Chk1 in a p53-deficient background results in apoptosis [corrected] in response to DNA damage. We therefore tested whether inhibition of Chk1 could potentiate the cytotoxicity of the DNA damaging agent irinotecan in TNBC using xenotransplant tumor models. Tumor specimens from patients with TNBC were engrafted into humanized mammary fat pads of immunodeficient mice to create 3 independent human-in-mouse TNBC lines: 1 WT (WU-BC3) and 2 mutant for TP53 (WU-BC4 and WU-BC5). These lines were tested for their response to irinotecan and a Chk1 inhibitor (either UCN-01 or AZD7762), either as single agents or in combination. The combination therapy induced checkpoint bypass and apoptosis in WU-BC4 and WU-BC5, but not WU-BC3, tumors. Moreover, combination therapy inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival of mice bearing the WU-BC4 line, but not the WU-BC3 line. In addition, knockdown of p53 sensitized WU-BC3 tumors to the combination therapy. These results demonstrate that p53 is a major determinant of how TNBCs respond to therapies that combine DNA damage with Chk1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia X Ma
- Section of Breast Oncology, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1093, USA
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39
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Nguyen TNT, Saleem RSZ, Luderer MJ, Hovde S, Henry RW, Tepe JJ. Radioprotection by hymenialdisine-derived checkpoint kinase 2 inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2012; 7:172-84. [PMID: 22004065 DOI: 10.1021/cb200320c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation activates the ataxia telangiectasia mutated pathway, resulting in apoptosis or DNA repair. The serine/threonine checkpoint kinase (Chk2) is an important transducer of this DNA damage signaling pathway and mediates the ultimate fate of the cell. Chk2 is an advantageous target for the development of adjuvant drugs for cancer therapy, because inhibition of Chk2 allows normal cells to enter cell cycle arrest and DNA repair, whereas many tumors bypass cell cycle checkpoints. Chk2 inhibitors may thus have a radioprotective effect on normal cells. We report herein a class of natural product derived Chk2 inhibitors, exemplified by indoloazepine 1, that elicit a strong ATM-dependent Chk2-mediated radioprotection effect in normal cells and p53 wt cells, but not p53 mutant cells (>50% of all cancers). This study represents the first example of a radioprotective effect in human cells other than T-cells and implicates a functional ATM pathway as a requirement for IR-induced radioprotection by this class of Chk2 inhibitors. Several of the hymenialdisine-derived analogues inhibit Chk2 at nanomolar concentrations, inhibit autophosphorylation of Chk2 at Ser516 in cells, and increase the survival of normal cells following ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu N. T. Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Rahman S. Z. Saleem
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Micah J. Luderer
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Stacy Hovde
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - R. William Henry
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jetze J. Tepe
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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40
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Saleem RSZ, Lansdell TA, Tepe JJ. Synthesis and evaluation of debromohymenialdisine-derived Chk2 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:1475-81. [PMID: 22285028 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.12.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Revised: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Natural products have been the subject of interest for drug discovery and as tools for understanding the underlying cellular pathways in various diseases. We present herein the synthesis and evaluation of new analogs of the marine sponge metabolite, debromohymenialdisine, as checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) inhibitors. We illustrate herein that slight modifications to the natural product scaffold can induce strong selectivity for Chk2 over Chk1. These Chk2 inhibitors can serve as drug templates or molecular tools to gain insight in Chk2 mediated radioprotection.
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41
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Abstract
Reactivation of the p53 tumor-suppressor protein by small molecules like Nutlin-3 and RITA (reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis) is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. The molecular mechanisms involved in the responses to RITA remain enigmatic. Several groups reported the induction of a p53-dependent DNA damage response. Furthermore, the existence of a p53-dependent S-phase checkpoint has been suggested, involving the checkpoint kinase Chk1. We have recently shown synergistic induction of apoptosis by RITA in combination with Nutlin-3, and we observed concomitant Chk2 phosphorylation. Therefore, we investigated whether Chk2 contributes to the cellular responses to RITA. Strikingly, the induction of apoptosis seemed entirely Chk2 dependent. Transcriptional activity of p53 in response to RITA required the presence of Chk2. A partial rescue of apoptosis observed in Noxa knockdown cells emphasized the relevance of p53 transcriptional activity for RITA-induced apoptosis. In addition, we observed an early p53- and Chk2-dependent block of DNA replication upon RITA treatment. Replicating cells seemed more prone to entering RITA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the RITA-induced DNA damage response, which was not a secondary effect of apoptosis induction, was strongly attenuated in cells lacking p53 or Chk2. In conclusion, we identified Chk2 as an essential mediator of the cellular responses to RITA.
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42
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Gupta M, Gupta S, Dureja H, Madan AK. Superaugmented Eccentric Distance Sum Connectivity Indices: Novel Highly Discriminating Topological Descriptors for QSAR/QSPR. Chem Biol Drug Des 2011; 79:38-52. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2011.01264.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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43
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Lountos GT, Jobson AG, Tropea JE, Self CR, Zhang G, Pommier Y, Shoemaker RH, Waugh DS. X-ray structures of checkpoint kinase 2 in complex with inhibitors that target its gatekeeper-dependent hydrophobic pocket. FEBS Lett 2011; 585:3245-9. [PMID: 21907711 PMCID: PMC3195894 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) is an attractive molecular target for the development of small molecule inhibitors to treat cancer. Here, we report the rational design of Chk2 inhibitors that target the gatekeeper-dependent hydrophobic pocket located behind the adenine-binding region of the ATP-binding site. These compounds exhibit IC(50) values in the low nanomolar range and are highly selective for Chk2 over Chk1. X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structures of the inhibitors in complex with the catalytic kinase domain of Chk2 to verify their modes of binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- George T. Lountos
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Andrew G. Jobson
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joseph E. Tropea
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | | | - Guangtao Zhang
- Provid Pharmaceuticals, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852, USA
| | - Yves Pommier
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert H. Shoemaker
- Screening Technologies Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - David S. Waugh
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
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44
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Höglund A, Strömvall K, Li Y, Forshell LP, Nilsson JA. Chk2 deficiency in Myc overexpressing lymphoma cells elicits a synergistic lethal response in combination with PARP inhibition. Cell Cycle 2011; 10:3598-607. [PMID: 22030621 DOI: 10.4161/cc.10.20.17887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myc is a transcription factor frequently found deregulated in human cancer. The Myc-mediated cellular transformation process is associated with fast proliferative cells and inherent genomic instability, giving rise to malignant, invasive neoplasms with poor prognosis for survival. Transcription-independent functions of Myc include stimulation of replication. Excessive Myc expression stimulates a replication-associated DNA damage response that signals via the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-related protein kinases (PIKKs) ATM and ATR. These, in turn, activate the DNA damage transducers Chk1 and Chk2. Here, we show that Myc can stimulate Chek2 transcript indirectly in vitro as well as in B cells of λ-Myc transgenic mice or in the intestine of Apc (Min) mice. However, Chk2 is dispensable for Myc's ability to transform cells in vitro and for the survival of established lymphoma cells from λ-Myc transgenic mice. Chk2 deficiency induces polyploidy and slow growth, but the cells are viable and protected against DNA damage. Furthermore, inhibition of both Chk1/Chk2 with AZD7762 induces cell death and significantly delays disease progression of transplanted lymphoma cells in vivo. DNA damage recruits PARP family members to sites of DNA breaks that, in turn, facilitate the induction of DNA repair. Strikingly, combining Chk2 and PARP inhibition elicits a synergistic lethal response in the context of Myc overexpression. Our data indicates that only certain types of chemotherapy would give rise to a synergistic lethal response in combination with specific Chk2 inhibitors, which will be important if Chk2 inhibitors enter the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Höglund
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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45
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Lountos GT, Jobson AG, Tropea JE, Self CR, Zhang G, Pommier Y, Shoemaker RH, Waugh DS. Structural characterization of inhibitor complexes with checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2), a drug target for cancer therapy. J Struct Biol 2011; 176:292-301. [PMID: 21963792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2011.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chk2 (checkpoint kinase 2) is a serine/threonine kinase that participates in a series of signaling networks responsible for maintaining genomic integrity and responding to DNA damage. The development of selective Chk2 inhibitors has recently attracted much interest as a means of sensitizing cancer cells to current DNA-damaging agents used in the treatment of cancer. Additionally, selective Chk2 inhibitors may reduce p53-mediated apoptosis in normal tissues, thereby helping to mitigate adverse side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Thus far, relatively few selective inhibitors of Chk2 have been described and none have yet progressed into clinical trials. Here, we report crystal structures of the catalytic domain of Chk2 in complex with a novel series of potent and selective small molecule inhibitors. These compounds exhibit nanomolar potencies and are selective for Chk2 over Chk1. The structures reported here elucidate the binding modes of these inhibitors to Chk2 and provide information that can be exploited for the structure-assisted design of novel chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- George T Lountos
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
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46
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Dent P, Tang Y, Yacoub A, Dai Y, Fisher PB, Grant S. CHK1 inhibitors in combination chemotherapy: thinking beyond the cell cycle. Mol Interv 2011; 11:133-40. [PMID: 21540473 DOI: 10.1124/mi.11.2.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cellular sensing of DNA damage, along with concomitant cell cycle arrest, is mediated by a great many proteins and enzymes. One focus of pharmaceutical development has been the inhibition of DNA damage signaling, and checkpoint kinases (Chks) in particular, as a means to sensitize proliferating tumor cells to chemotherapies that damage DNA. 7-Hydroxystaurosporine, or UCN-01, is a clinically relevant and well-studied kinase activity inhibitor that exerts chemosensitizing effects by inhibition of Chk1, and a multitude of Chk1 inhibitors have entered development. Clinical development of UCN-01 has overcome many initial obstacles, but the drug has nevertheless failed to show a high level of clinical activity when combined with chemotherapeutic agents. One very likely reason for the lack of clinical efficacy of Chk1 inhibitors may be that the inhibition of Chk1 causes the compensatory activation of ATM and ERK1/2 pathways. Indeed, inhibition of many enzyme activities, not necessarily components of cell cycle regulation, may block Chk1 inhibitor-induced ERK1/2 activation and enhance the toxicity of Chk1 inhibitors. This review examines the rationally hypothesized actions of Chk1 inhibitors as cell cycle modulatory drugs as well as the impact of Chk1 inhibition upon other cell survival signaling pathways. An understanding of Chk1 inhibition in multiple signaling contexts will be essential to the therapeutic development of Chk1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dent
- Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, 401 College Street, Richmond, VA 23298-0035, USA.
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47
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Lainchbury M, Collins I. Checkpoint kinase inhibitors: a patent review (2009 - 2010). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2011; 21:1191-210. [PMID: 21599421 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2011.586632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cells that suffer DNA damage activate the checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2, which signal to initiate repair processes, limit cell-cycle progression and prevent cell replication, until the damaged DNA is repaired. Due to their potential application as novel anticancer therapies, inhibitors of CHK1 and CHK2 have become the focus of numerous drug discovery projects. AREAS COVERED This patent review examines the chemical structures and biological activities of recently reported CHK1 and CHK2 inhibitors. The chemical abstract and patent databases SciFinder and esp@cenet were used to locate patent applications that were published between September 2008 and December 2010, claiming chemical structures for use as CHK1 or CHK2 inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION This is an exciting time for checkpoint kinase inhibitors, with several currently in Phase I or II clinical trials. Many of the CHK1 inhibitors contained within this patent review have shown preclinical efficacy in combination with DNA-damaging chemotherapies. CHK1 inhibitors have recently been demonstrated to be efficacious as single agents in preclinical models of tumors with constitutive activation of CHK1 or high intrinsic DNA damage due to replication stress. The level of newly published patent applications covering CHK1 and CHK2 inhibitors remains high and a diverse range of scaffolds has been claimed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lainchbury
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Haddow Laboratories, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
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48
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Anticancer therapy with checkpoint inhibitors: what, where and when? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2011; 32:308-16. [PMID: 21458083 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2011.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Research into inhibitors of the protein kinases controlling the cellular response to DNA damage has reached an exciting stage, particularly for the checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2. Selective inhibitors are now being tested in clinical trials in cancer patients. In this review, we highlight recent data from cellular and in vivo preclinical models that provide insight into the clinical contexts for checkpoint kinase inhibition (e.g. the timing of treatment and what type of inhibitor would be most appropriate). Although it has been shown that CHK1 inhibition potentiates the efficacy of various DNA-damaging therapies, the context for selective CHK2 inhibition is not yet as well defined. Distinct effects of selective CHK1 or CHK2 inhibition are observed when combined with DNA-damaging agents. It has also been shown that both CHK1 and CHK2 inhibitors potentiate the effects of other molecular targeted therapeutics [e.g. poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors]. We also consider the single-agent activity of checkpoint kinase inhibitors for tumours with defined genetic backgrounds.
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49
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Anderson VE, Walton MI, Eve PD, Boxall KJ, Antoni L, Caldwell JJ, Aherne W, Pearl LH, Oliver AW, Collins I, Garrett MD. CCT241533 is a potent and selective inhibitor of CHK2 that potentiates the cytotoxicity of PARP inhibitors. Cancer Res 2011; 71:463-72. [PMID: 21239475 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CHK2 is a checkpoint kinase involved in the ATM-mediated response to double-strand DNA breaks. Its potential as a drug target is still unclear, but inhibitors of CHK2 may increase the efficacy of genotoxic cancer therapies in a p53 mutant background by eliminating one of the checkpoints or DNA repair pathways contributing to cellular resistance. We report here the identification and characterization of a novel CHK2 kinase inhibitor, CCT241533. X-ray crystallography confirmed that CCT241533 bound to CHK2 in the ATP pocket. This compound inhibits CHK2 with an IC(50) of 3 nmol/L and shows minimal cross-reactivity against a panel of kinases at 1 μmol/L. CCT241533 blocked CHK2 activity in human tumor cell lines in response to DNA damage, as shown by inhibition of CHK2 autophosphorylation at S516, band shift mobility changes, and HDMX degradation. CCT241533 did not potentiate the cytotoxicity of a selection of genotoxic agents in several cell lines. However, this compound significantly potentiates the cytotoxicity of two structurally distinct PARP inhibitors. Clear induction of the pS516 CHK2 signal was seen with a PARP inhibitor alone, and this activation was abolished by CCT241533, implying that the potentiation of PARP inhibitor cell killing by CCT241533 was due to inhibition of CHK2. Consequently, our findings imply that CHK2 inhibitors may exert therapeutic activity in combination with PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Anderson
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
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50
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Caldwell JJ, Welsh EJ, Matijssen C, Anderson VE, Antoni L, Boxall K, Urban F, Hayes A, Raynaud FI, Rigoreau LJM, Raynham T, Aherne GW, Pearl LH, Oliver AW, Garrett MD, Collins I. Structure-based design of potent and selective 2-(quinazolin-2-yl)phenol inhibitors of checkpoint kinase 2. J Med Chem 2010; 54:580-90. [PMID: 21186793 DOI: 10.1021/jm101150b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based design was applied to the optimization of a series of 2-(quinazolin-2-yl)phenols to generate potent and selective ATP-competitive inhibitors of the DNA damage response signaling enzyme checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2). Structure-activity relationships for multiple substituent positions were optimized separately and in combination leading to the 2-(quinazolin-2-yl)phenol 46 (IC(50) 3 nM) with good selectivity for CHK2 against CHK1 and a wider panel of kinases and with promising in vitro ADMET properties. Off-target activity at hERG ion channels shown by the core scaffold was successfully reduced by the addition of peripheral polar substitution. In addition to showing mechanistic inhibition of CHK2 in HT29 human colon cancer cells, a concentration dependent radioprotective effect in mouse thymocytes was demonstrated for the potent inhibitor 46 (CCT241533).
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Caldwell
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK.
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