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Mao L, Deng G, Li M, Lu SH, Jiang W, Yu X. Antitumour effects of artesunate via cell cycle checkpoint controls in human oesophageal squamous carcinoma cells. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:293. [PMID: 38773551 PMCID: PMC11110347 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01882-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Artesunate (ART), an effective antimalarial semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin, exhibits antitumour properties, but the mechanism(s) involved remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the antitumour effects of ART on human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines. Treatment of ESCC cell lines with ART resulted in the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induced DNA damage, reduced cell proliferation and inhibited clonogenicity via G1-S cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis in vitro. The administration of ART to nude mice with ESCC cell xenografts inhibited tumour formation in vivo. However, the cytotoxicity of ART strongly differed among the ESCC cell lines tested. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that although the expression of large numbers of genes in ESCC cell lines was affected by ART treatment, these genes could be functionally clustered into pathways involved in regulating cell cycle progression, DNA metabolism and apoptosis. We revealed that p53 and Cdk4/6-p16-Rb cell cycle checkpoint controls were critical determinants required for mediating ART cytotoxicity in ESCC cell lines. Specifically, KYSE30 cells with p53Mut/p16Mut were the most sensitive to ART, KYSE150 and KYSE180 cells with p53Mut/p16Nor exhibited intermediate responses to ART, and Eca109 cells with p53Nor/p16Nor exhibited the most resistance to ATR. Consistently, perturbation of p53 expression using RNA interference (RNAi) and/or Cdk4/6 activity using the inhibitor palbociclib altered ART cytotoxicity in KYSE30 cells. Given that the p53 and Cdk4/6-cyclin D1-p16-Rb genes are commonly mutated in ESCC, our results potentially shed new light on neoadjuvant chemotherapy strategies for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Mao
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Guodong Deng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Mengfan Li
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shih-Hsin Lu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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Terragno M, Vetrova A, Semenov O, Sayan AE, Kriajevska M, Tulchinsky E. Mesenchymal-epithelial transition and AXL inhibitor TP-0903 sensitise triple-negative breast cancer cells to the antimalarial compound, artesunate. Sci Rep 2024; 14:425. [PMID: 38172210 PMCID: PMC10764797 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50710-3] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a difficult-to-treat, aggressive cancer type. TNBC is often associated with the cellular program of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that confers drug resistance and metastasis. EMT and reverse mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) programs are regulated by several signaling pathways which converge on a group of transcription factors, EMT- TFs. Therapy approaches could rely on the EMT reversal to sensitise mesenchymal tumours to compounds effective against epithelial cancers. Here, we show that the antimalarial ROS-generating compound artesunate (ART) exhibits higher cytotoxicity in epithelial than mesenchymal breast cancer cell lines. Ectopic expression of EMT-TF ZEB1 in epithelial or ZEB1 depletion in mesenchymal cells, respectively, reduced or increased ART-generated ROS levels, DNA damage and apoptotic cell death. In epithelial cells, ZEB1 enhanced expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase 8 (GPX8) implicated in ROS scavenging. Although SOD2 or GPX8 levels were unaffected in mesenchymal cells in response to ZEB1 depletion, stable ZEB1 knockdown enhanced total ROS. Receptor tyrosine kinase AXL maintains a mesenchymal phenotype and is overexpressed in TNBC. The clinically-relevant AXL inhibitor TP-0903 induced MET and synergised with ART to generate ROS, DNA damage and apoptosis in TNBC cells. TP-0903 reduced the expression of GPX8 and SOD2. Thus, TP-0903 and ZEB1 knockdown sensitised TNBC cells to ART, likely via different pathways. Synergistic interactions between TP-0903 and ART indicate that combination approaches involving these compounds can have therapeutic prospects for TNBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Terragno
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
| | - Anastassiya Vetrova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Oleg Semenov
- Regulation of Gene Expression Laboratory, Institute of Cytology RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - A Emre Sayan
- Cancer Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Marina Kriajevska
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Eugene Tulchinsky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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3
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Wimmer B, Friedrich A, Poeltner K, Edobor G, Mosshammer C, Temaj G, Rathner A, Karl T, Krauss J, von Hagen J, Gerner C, Breitenbach M, Hintner H, Bauer JW, Breitenbach-Koller H. En Route to Targeted Ribosome Editing to Replenish Skin Anchor Protein LAMB3 in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. JID INNOVATIONS 2024; 4:100240. [PMID: 38282649 PMCID: PMC10810840 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2023.100240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe junctional epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genetic, postpartum lethal skin disease, predominantly caused by nonsense/premature termination codon (PTC) sequence variants in LAMB3 gene. LAMB3 encodes LAMB3, the β subunit of epidermal-dermal skin anchor laminin 332. Most translational reads of a PTC mRNA deliver truncated, nonfunctional proteins, whereas an endogenous PTC readthrough mechanism produces full-length protein at minimal and insufficient levels. Conventional translational readthrough-inducing drugs amplify endogenous PTC readthrough; however, translational readthrough-inducing drugs are either proteotoxic or nonselective. Ribosome editing is a more selective and less toxic strategy. This technique identified ribosomal protein L35/uL29 (ie, RpL35) and RpL35-ligands repurposable drugs artesunate and atazanavir as molecular tools to increase production levels of full-length LAMB3. To evaluate ligand activity in living cells, we monitored artesunate and atazanavir treatment by dual luciferase reporter assays. Production levels of full-length LAMB3 increased up to 200% upon artesunate treatment, up to 150% upon atazanavir treatment, and up to 170% upon combinatorial treatment of RpL35 ligands at reduced drug dosage, with an unrelated PTC reporter being nonresponsive. Proof of bioactivity of RpL35 ligands in selective increase of full-length LAMB3 provides the basis for an alternative, targeted therapeutic route to replenish LAMB3 in severe junctional epidermolysis bullosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Wimmer
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andreas Friedrich
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katharina Poeltner
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Genevieve Edobor
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Claudia Mosshammer
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Adriana Rathner
- Institute of Biochemistry, Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Thomas Karl
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jan Krauss
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- SKM-IP PartGmbB, Munich, Germany
| | - Joerg von Hagen
- Merck KGaA, Gernsheim, Germany
- ryon-Greentech Accelerator, Gernsheim, Germany
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolome Facility, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Breitenbach
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Helmut Hintner
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann W. Bauer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Strik H, Efferth T, Kaina B. Artesunate in glioblastoma therapy: Case reports and review of clinical studies. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 123:155274. [PMID: 38142662 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artesunate, a derivative of the active ingredient artemisinin from Artemisia annua L. used for centuries in the traditional Chinese medicine, is being applied as front-line drug in malaria treatment. As it is cytotoxic for cancer cells, trials are ongoing to include this drug as supplement in cancer therapy. In glioblastoma cells, artesunate was shown to induce oxidative stress, DNA base damage and double-strand breaks (DSBs), apoptosis, and necroptosis. It also inhibits DNA repair functions and bears senolytic activity. Compared to ionizing radiation, DNA damages accumulate over the whole exposure period, which makes the agent unique in its genotoxic profile. Artesunate has been used in adjuvant therapy of various cancers. PURPOSE As artesunate has been used in adjuvant therapy of different types of cancer and clinical trials are lacking in brain cancer, we investigated its activity in glioma patients with focus on possible side effects. STUDY DESIGN Between 2014 and 2020, twelve patients were treated with artesunate for relapsing glioma and analyzed retrospectively: 8 males and 4 females, median age 45 years. HISTOLOGY 4 glioblastomas WHO grade 4, 5 astrocytomas WHO grade 3, 3 oligodendrogliomas grade 2 or 3. All patients were pretreated with radiation and temozolomide-based chemotherapy. Artesunate 100 mg was applied twice daily p.o. combined with dose-dense temozolomide alone (100 mg/m2 day 1-5/7, 10 patients) or with temozolomide (50 mg/m2 day 1-5/7) plus lomustine (CCNU, 40 mg day 6/7). Blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), liver enzymes, and renal parameters were monitored weekly. RESULTS Apart from one transient grade 3 hematological toxicity, artesunate was well tolerated. No liver toxicity was observed. While 8 patients with late stage of the disease had a median survival of 5 months after initiation of artesunate treatment, 4 patients with treatment for remission maintenance showed a median survival of 46 months. We also review clinical trials that have been performed in other cancers where artesunate was included in the treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS Artesunate administered at a dose of 2 × 100 mg/day was without harmful side effects, even if combined with alkylating agents used in glioma therapy. Thus, the phytochemical, which is also utilized as food supplement, is an interesting, well tolerated supportive agent useful for long-term maintenance treatment. Being itself cytotoxic on glioblastoma cells and enhancing the cytotoxicity of temozolomide as well as in view of its senolytic activity, artesunate has clearly a potential to enhance the efficacy of malignant brain cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herwig Strik
- Department of Neurology, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bernd Kaina
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
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Jung EJ, Kim HJ, Shin SC, Kim GS, Jung JM, Hong SC, Kim CW, Lee WS. Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols Enhance the Anticancer Effect of β-Lapachone in Oxaliplatin-Resistant HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17505. [PMID: 38139333 PMCID: PMC10743427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417505] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the anticancer activity of β-lapachone (β-Lap) could be improved by different types of bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to elucidate how the anticancer effect of β-Lap is regulated by polyphenols extracted from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in parental HCT116 and oxaliplatin-resistant (OxPt-R) HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. Here, we show that the anticancer effect of β-Lap is more enhanced by pKAL in HCT116-OxPt-R cells than in HCT116 cells via a CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and phase-contrast microscopy analysis of hematoxylin-stained cells. This phenomenon was associated with the suppression of OxPt-R-related upregulated proteins including p53 and β-catenin, the downregulation of cell survival proteins including TERT, CD44, and EGFR, and the upregulation of cleaved HSP90, γ-H2AX, and LC3B-I/II. A bioinformatics analysis of 21 proteins regulated by combined treatment of pKAL and β-Lap in HCT116-OxPt-R cells showed that the enhanced anticancer effect of β-Lap by pKAL was related to the inhibition of negative regulation of apoptotic process and the induction of DNA damage through TERT, CD44, and EGFR-mediated multiple signaling networks. Our results suggest that the combination of pKAL and β-Lap could be used as a new therapy with low toxicity to overcome the OxPt-R that occurred in various OxPt-containing cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Joo Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, 15 Jinju-daero 816 Beon-gil, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hye Jung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Chul Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea;
| | - Gon Sup Kim
- Research Institute of Life Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jin-Myung Jung
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea;
| | - Soon Chan Hong
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea;
| | - Choong Won Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea;
| | - Won Sup Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, 15 Jinju-daero 816 Beon-gil, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea;
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Jochims F, Strohm R, von Montfort C, Wenzel CK, Klahm N, Kondadi AK, Stahl W, Reichert AS, Brenneisen P. The Antimalarial Drug Artesunate Mediates Selective Cytotoxicity by Upregulating HO-1 in Melanoma Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2393. [PMID: 37760834 PMCID: PMC10525565 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite great efforts to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat melanoma, the prognosis remains rather poor. Artesunate (ART) is an antimalarial drug displaying anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. In this in vitro study, we investigated the selectivity of ART on melanoma cells. Furthermore, we aimed to further elucidate the mechanism of the drug with a focus on the role of iron, the induction of oxidative stress and the implication of the enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). ART treatment decreased the cell viability of A375 melanoma cells while it did not affect the viability of normal human dermal fibroblasts, used as a model for normal (healthy) cells. ART's toxicity was shown to be dependent on intracellular iron and the drug induced high levels of oxidative stress as well as upregulation of HO-1. Melanoma cells deficient in HO-1 or treated with a HO-1 inhibitor were less sensitive towards ART. Taken together, our study demonstrates that ART induces oxidative stress resulting in the upregulation of HO-1 in melanoma cells, which subsequently triggers the effect of ART's own toxicity. This new finding that HO-1 is involved in ART-mediated toxicity may open up new perspectives in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Jochims
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (R.S.); (C.-K.W.); (N.K.); (A.K.K.); (W.S.); (A.S.R.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter Brenneisen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (R.S.); (C.-K.W.); (N.K.); (A.K.K.); (W.S.); (A.S.R.)
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Barman M, Dandasena D, Suresh A, Bhandari V, Kamble S, Singh S, Subudhi M, Sharma P. Artemisinin derivatives induce oxidative stress leading to DNA damage and caspase-mediated apoptosis in Theileria annulata-transformed cells. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:78. [PMID: 37069625 PMCID: PMC10111749 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine theileriosis caused by the eukaryotic parasite Theileria annulata is an economically important tick-borne disease. If it is not treated promptly, this lymphoproliferative disease has a significant fatality rate. Buparvaquone (BPQ) is the only chemotherapy-based treatment available right now. However, with the emergence of BPQ resistance on the rise and no backup therapy available, it is critical to identify imperative drugs and new targets against Theileria parasites. METHODS Artemisinin and its derivatives artesunate (ARS), artemether (ARM), or dihydroartemisinin (DHART) are the primary defence line against malaria parasites. This study has analysed artemisinin and its derivatives for their anti-Theilerial activity and mechanism of action. RESULTS ARS and DHART showed potent activity against the Theileria-infected cells. BPQ in combination with ARS or DHART showed a synergistic effect. The compounds act specifically on the parasitised cells and have minimal cytotoxicity against the uninfected host cells. Treatment with ARS or DHART induces ROS-mediated oxidative DNA damage leading to cell death. Further blocking intracellular ROS by its scavengers antagonised the anti-parasitic activity of the compounds. Increased ROS production induces oxidative stress and DNA damage causing p53 activation followed by caspase-dependent apoptosis in the Theileria-infected cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings give unique insights into the previously unknown molecular pathways underpinning the anti-Theilerial action of artemisinin derivatives, which may aid in formulating new therapies against this deadly parasite. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debabrata Dandasena
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, India
| | - Akash Suresh
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Vasundhra Bhandari
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Sonam Kamble
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, India
| | - Sakshi Singh
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, India
| | | | - Paresh Sharma
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India.
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Elbadawi M, Boulos JC, Dawood M, Zhou M, Gul W, ElSohly MA, Klauck SM, Efferth T. The Novel Artemisinin Dimer Isoniazide ELI-XXIII-98-2 Induces c-MYC Inhibition, DNA Damage, and Autophagy in Leukemia Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041107. [PMID: 37111592 PMCID: PMC10144546 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The proto-oncogenic transcription factor c-MYC plays a pivotal role in the development of tumorigenesis, cellular proliferation, and the control of cell death. Its expression is frequently altered in many cancer types, including hematological malignancies such as leukemia. The dimer isoniazide ELI-XXIII-98-2 is a derivative of the natural product artemisinin, with two artemisinin molecules and an isoniazide moiety as a linker in between them. In this study, we aimed to study the anticancer activity and the molecular mechanisms of this dimer molecule in drug-sensitive CCRF-CEM leukemia cells and their corresponding multidrug-resistant CEM/ADR5000 sub-line. The growth inhibitory activity was studied using the resazurin assay. To reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth inhibitory activity, we performed in silico molecular docking, followed by several in vitro approaches such as the MYC reporter assay, microscale thermophoresis, microarray analyses, immunoblotting, qPCR, and comet assay. The artemisinin dimer isoniazide showed a potent growth inhibitory activity in CCRF-CEM but a 12-fold cross-resistance in multidrug-resistant CEM/ADR5000 cells. The molecular docking of artemisinin dimer isoniazide with c-MYC revealed a good binding (lowest binding energy of −9.84 ± 0.3 kcal/mol) and a predicted inhibition constant (pKi) of 66.46 ± 29.5 nM, which was confirmed by microscale thermophoresis and MYC reporter cell assays. Furthermore, c-MYC expression was downregulated by this compound in microarray hybridization and Western blotting analyses. Finally, the artemisinin dimer isoniazide modulated the expression of autophagy markers (LC3B and p62) and the DNA damage marker pH2AX, indicating the stimulation of both autophagy and DNA damage, respectively. Additionally, DNA double-strand breaks were observed in the alkaline comet assay. DNA damage, apoptosis, and autophagy induction could be attributed to the inhibition of c-MYC by ELI-XXIII-98-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elbadawi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University-Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Joelle C. Boulos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University-Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Mona Dawood
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University-Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum 12702, Sudan
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University-Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Waseem Gul
- ElSohly Laboratories, Inc., 5 Industrial Park Drive, Oxford, MS 38655, USA
| | - Mahmoud A. ElSohly
- ElSohly Laboratories, Inc., 5 Industrial Park Drive, Oxford, MS 38655, USA
| | - Sabine M. Klauck
- Division of Cancer Genome Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University-Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Yang T, Zhang S, Yuan H, Wang Y, Cai L, Chen H, Wang X, Song D, Wang X, Guo Z, Wang X. Platinum-Based TREM2 Inhibitor Suppresses Tumors by Remodeling the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202213337. [PMID: 36259513 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) is a key pro-tumorigenic marker of tumor-infiltrating macrophages, showing potent immunosuppressive activity in tumor microenvironment. A platinum(IV) complex OPA derived from oxaliplatin (OP) and artesunate (ART) exhibited direct cytotoxicity against human colon cancer cells and immunomodulatory activity to inhibit TREM2 on macrophages in vitro and vivo. Furthermore, OPA deterred the tumor growth in mouse models bearing MC38 colorectal tumor by reducing the number of CD206+ and CX3 CR1+ immunosuppressive macrophages; it also promoted the expansion and infiltration of immunostimulatory dendritic, cytotoxic T, and natural killer cells. OPA is the first small-molecular TREM2 inhibitor capable of relieving immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enhancing chemical anticancer efficiency of a platinum drug, thus showing typical characteristics of a chemoimmunotherapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shuren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Hao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Linxiang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Hanhua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Dongfan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Functional Molecules, State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, P. R. China
| | - Zijian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.,Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
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10
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A Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Manifests Synergistic Interaction with Artesunate by Suppressing DNA Repair Activity. SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sci4040041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Artesunate (ART), a plant based semi-synthetic antimalarial drug, is emerging as a new class of effective cancer chemotherapeutics. However, the dosage of ART required to have an anti-cancer effect on cancer cells is greater than that needed to exterminate malarial parasites. The goal of this study was to develop an effective combination therapy to reduce the dose-dependent side effects of ART both in vitro and in vivo. In our study, 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC), exhibited significant synergistic induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in combination with ART. The IC50 of ART decreased significantly from 55.56 ± 5.21 µM to 24.71 ± 3.44 µM in MCF-7 cells. ART treatment increased cellular oxidative stress, and the resulting generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused extensive DNA damage in the cell. The extent of ROS production and cell cycle arrest were further enhanced by 4-PB treatment. In further investigation, we found that 4-PB attenuated mRNA expression of crucial DNA damage response (DDR) elements of the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, consequently enhancing the DNA damaging effect of ART. Furthermore, the combination therapy resulted in improvement in the life expectancy of the treated mice and a prominent reduction in tumour volume without interfering with the normal biochemical, haematological and histological parameters of the mice. Overall, our study revealed a novel combination therapy in which 4-PB potentiated the cytotoxicity of ART synergistically and provided a promising combination drug for effective cancer therapy.
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11
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Nandi S, Ahmed S, Saxena AK. Exploring the Role of Antioxidants to Combat Oxidative Stress in Malaria Parasites. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:2029-2044. [PMID: 35382719 DOI: 10.2174/1568026622666220405121643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria, a global challenge, is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species. Approximately 229 million cases of malaria were reported in 2019. Major incidences occur in various continents, including African and Eastern Mediterranean Continents and South-East Asia. INTRODUCTION Despite the overall decline in global incidence from 2010 to 2018, the rate of decline has been almost constant since 2014. The morbidity and mortality have been accelerated due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by oxidative stress generated by the parasite responsible for the destruction of host metabolism and cell nutrients. METHODS The excessive release of free radicals is associated with the infection in the animal or human body by the parasites. This may be related to a reduction in nutrients required for the generation of antioxidants and the destruction of cells by parasite activity. Therefore, an intensive literature search has been carried out to find the natural antioxidants used to neutralize the free radicals generated during malarial infection. RESULTS The natural antioxidants may be useful as an adjuvant treatment along with the antimalarial chemotherapeutics to reduce the death rate and enhance the success rate of malaria treatment. CONCLUSION In this manuscript, an attempt has been made to provide significant insight into the antioxidant activities of herbal extracts against malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisir Nandi
- Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kashipur, 244713, India
| | - Sarfaraz Ahmed
- Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kashipur, 244713, India
| | - Anil Kumar Saxena
- Global Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kashipur, 244713, India
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12
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Beltzig L, Christmann M, Kaina B. Abrogation of Cellular Senescence Induced by Temozolomide in Glioblastoma Cells: Search for Senolytics. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162588. [PMID: 36010664 PMCID: PMC9406955 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A first-line therapeutic for high-grade glioma, notably glioblastoma (GBM), is the DNA methylating drug temozolomide (TMZ). Previously, we showed that TMZ induces not only apoptosis and autophagy, but also cellular senescence (CSEN). We presented the hypothesis that GBM cells may escape from CSEN, giving rise to recurrent tumors. Furthermore, the inflammatory phenotype associated with CSEN may attenuate chemotherapy and drive tumor progression. Therefore, treatments that specifically target senescent cells, i.e., senolytic drugs, may lead to a better outcome of GBM therapy by preventing recurrences and tumor inflammation. Here, we tested Bcl-2 targeting drugs including ABT-737, ABT-263 (navitoclax), several natural substances such as artesunate, fisetin and curcumin as well as lomustine (CCNU) and ionizing radiation (IR) for their senolytic capacity in GBM cells. Additionally, several proteins involved in the DNA damage response (DDR), ATM, ATR, Chk1/2, p53, p21, NF-kB, Rad51, PARP, IAPs and autophagy, a pathway involved in CSEN induction, were tested for their impact in maintaining CSEN. Treatment of GBM cells with a low dose of TMZ for 8-10 days resulted in >80% CSEN, confirming CSEN to be the major trait induced by TMZ. To identify senolytics, we treated the senescent population with the compounds of interest and found that ABT-737, navitoclax, chloroquine, ATMi, ATRi, BV-6, PX-866 and the natural compounds fisetin and artesunate exhibit senolytic activity, inducing death in senescent cells more efficiently than in proliferating cells. Curcumin showed the opposite effect. No specific effect on CSEN cells was observed by inhibition of Chk1/Chk2, p21, NF-kB, Rad51 and PARP. We conclude that these factors neither play a critical role in maintaining TMZ-induced CSEN nor can their inhibitors be considered as senolytics. Since IR and CCNU did not exhibit senolytic activity, radio- and chemotherapy with alkylating drugs is not designed to eliminate TMZ-induced senescent cancer cells.
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13
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Ismail M, Yang W, Li Y, Chai T, Zhang D, Du Q, Muhammad P, Hanif S, Zheng M, Shi B. Targeted liposomes for combined delivery of artesunate and temozolomide to resistant glioblastoma. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121608. [PMID: 35690021 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The effective treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) is a great challenge because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the growing resistance to single-agent therapeutics. Targeted combined co-delivery of drugs could circumvent these challenges; however, the absence of more effective combination drug delivery strategies presents a potent barrier. Here, a unique combination ApoE-functionalized liposomal nanoplatform based on artesunate-phosphatidylcholine (ARTPC) encapsulated with temozolomide (ApoE-ARTPC@TMZ) was presented that can successfully co-deliver dual therapeutic agents to TMZ-resistant U251-TR GBM in vivo. Examination in vitro showed ART-mediated inhibition of DNA repair through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade, which also improved GBM sensitivity to TMZ, resulting in enhanced synergistic DNA damage and induction of apoptosis. In assessing BBB permeation, the targeted liposomes were able to effectively traverse the BBB through low-density lipoprotein family receptors (LDLRs)-mediated transcytosis and achieved deep intracranial tumor penetration. More importantly, the targeted combination liposomes resulted in a significant decrease of U251-TR glioma burden in vivo that, in concert, substantially improved the survival of mice. Additionally, by lowering the effective dosage of TMZ, the combination liposomes reduced systemic TMZ-induced toxicity, highlighting the preclinical potential of this novel integrative strategy to deliver combination therapies to brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ismail
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Wen Yang
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Tianran Chai
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Dongya Zhang
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Qiuli Du
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Pir Muhammad
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Sumaira Hanif
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Meng Zheng
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
| | - Bingyang Shi
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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14
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Maksoud S. The DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Glioma: Molecular Players and Therapeutic Strategies. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5326-5365. [PMID: 35696013 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02915-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most frequent type of tumor in the central nervous system, which exhibit properties that make their treatment difficult, such as cellular infiltration, heterogeneity, and the presence of stem-like cells responsible for tumor recurrence. The response of this type of tumor to chemoradiotherapy is poor, possibly due to a higher repair activity of the genetic material, among other causes. The DNA double-strand breaks are an important type of lesion to the genetic material, which have the potential to trigger processes of cell death or cause gene aberrations that could promote tumorigenesis. This review describes how the different cellular elements regulate the formation of DNA double-strand breaks and their repair in gliomas, discussing the therapeutic potential of the induction of this type of lesion and the suppression of its repair as a control mechanism of brain tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semer Maksoud
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Neurology, Neuro-Oncology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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15
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Aengenvoort J, Sekeres M, Proksch P, Fritz G. Targeting Mechanisms of the DNA Damage Response (DDR) and DNA Repair by Natural Compounds to Improve cAT-Triggered Tumor Cell Death. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27113567. [PMID: 35684504 PMCID: PMC9182506 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we identified secalonic acid F (SA), 5-epi-nakijiquinone Q (NQ) and 5-epi-ilimaquinone (IQ) as natural compounds (NC) affecting mechanisms of the DNA damage response (DDR). Here, we further characterized their effects on DDR, DNA repair and cytotoxicity if used in mono- and co-treatment with conventional anticancer therapeutics (cAT) (cisplatin (Cis), doxorubicin (Doxo)) in vitro. All three NC influence the phosphorylation level of selected DDR-related factors (i.e., pCHK1, pKAP1, pP53, pRPA32) in mono- and/or co-treatment. Both SA and NQ attenuate the Cis- and Doxo-induced G2/M-phase arrest and effectively stimulate caspase-mediated apoptosis. Notably, SA impacts DNA repair as reflected by enhanced steady-state levels of Cis-(1,2-GpG)-DNA adducts and Doxo-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Moreover, SA decreased the mRNA and protein expression of the homologous recombination (HR)-related DSB repair factors RAD51 and BRCA1. Both SA and NQ promote Cis- and Doxo-induced cytotoxicity in an additive to synergistic manner (CI ≤ 1.0). Summarizing, we conclude that SA promotes cAT-driven caspase-dependent cell death by interfering with DSB repair and DDR-related checkpoint control mechanisms. Hence, SA is considered as the most promising lead compound to evaluate its therapeutic window in forthcoming pre-clinical in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Aengenvoort
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (J.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Marlena Sekeres
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (J.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Peter Proksch
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Gerhard Fritz
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (J.A.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-211-8113022
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16
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Anwar S, DasGupta D, Azum N, Alfaifi SY, Asiri AM, Alhumaydhi FA, Alsagaby SA, Sharaf SE, Shahwan M, Hassan MI. Inhibition of PDK3 by artemisinin, a repurposed antimalarial drug in cancer therapy. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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Singhal S, Maheshwari P, Krishnamurthy PT, Patil VM. Drug Repurposing Strategies for Non-Cancer to Cancer Therapeutics. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022; 22:2726-2756. [PMID: 35301945 DOI: 10.2174/1871520622666220317140557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Global efforts invested for the prevention and treatment of cancer need to be repositioned to develop safe, effective, and economic anticancer therapeutics by adopting rational approaches of drug discovery. Drug repurposing is one of the established approaches to reposition old, clinically approved off patent noncancer drugs with known targets into newer indications. The literature review suggests key role of drug repurposing in the development of drugs intended for cancer as well as noncancer therapeutics. A wide category of noncancer drugs namely, drugs acting on CNS, anthelmintics, cardiovascular drugs, antimalarial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs have come out with interesting outcomes during preclinical and clinical phases. In the present article a comprehensive overview of the current scenario of drug repurposing for the treatment of cancer has been focused. The details of some successful studies along with examples have been included followed by associated challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Singhal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, India
| | - Priyal Maheshwari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, India
| | | | - Vaishali M Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad, India
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18
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The Potential Mechanisms by which Artemisinin and Its Derivatives Induce Ferroptosis in the Treatment of Cancer. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:1458143. [PMID: 35028002 PMCID: PMC8752222 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1458143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) is a bioactive molecule derived from the Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua (Asteraceae). ART and artemisinin derivatives (ARTs) have been effectively used for antimalaria treatment. The structure of ART is composed of a sesquiterpene lactone, including a peroxide internal bridge that is essential for its activity. In addition to their well-known antimalarial effects, ARTs have been shown recently to resist a wide range of tumors. The antineoplastic mechanisms of ART mainly include cell cycle inhibition, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, DNA damage, and ferroptosis. In particular, ferroptosis is a novel nonapoptotic type of programmed cell death. However, the antitumor mechanisms of ARTs by regulating ferroptosis remain unclear. Through this review, we focus on the potential antitumor function of ARTs by acting on ferroptosis, including the regulation of iron metabolism, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). This article systematically reviews the recent progress in ferroptosis research and provides a basis for ARTs as an anticancer drug in clinical practice.
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19
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Sweet Wormwood and Tortoise Shell Decoction (Thanh Hao Miet Giap Thang) Induces DNA Damage, S-Phase Arrest, and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via ATR-CHK1 Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2358290. [PMID: 35287310 PMCID: PMC8917953 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2358290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Sweet wormwood and tortoise shell decoction, Thanh Hao Miet Giap Thang (THMGT) in Vietnamese, a traditional formula composed of five ingredients, is used in complementary care in Vietnam for patients who underwent conventional cancer treatment. To expand the clinical use and explore novel functions of THMGT, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of THMGT in terms of antiproliferative activity and selective cytotoxicity toward human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Methods Cytotoxicity of THMGT against human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and primary fibroblasts from a heathy donor were studied using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Flow cytometry analysis, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were also performed to elucidate underlying mechanisms of THMGT action. Results The SRB assay on treated MCF-7 cells and primary fibroblasts from a heathy donor indicated selective cytotoxicity of THMGT with a selective index of 3.92. Annexin V/PI staining and flow cytometric analysis on stained MCF-7 cells showed that the THMGT-treated cells were arrested at the S phase and subsequently underwent apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed an upregulation of γ-H2AX, increased protein levels of phosphorylated CHK1, TP53, and phosphorylated TP53 in a time-dependent manner, and a downregulated expression of ATR and MDM2. Conclusion These results suggested DNA damaging effect and ATR-CHK1-mediated cell cycle arrest of THMGT on MCF-7 cells resulting in apoptosis induction.
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Ma Z, Woon CYN, Liu CG, Cheng JT, You M, Sethi G, Wong ALA, Ho PCL, Zhang D, Ong P, Wang L, Goh BC. Repurposing Artemisinin and its Derivatives as Anticancer Drugs: A Chance or Challenge? Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:828856. [PMID: 35035355 PMCID: PMC8758560 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.828856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has become a global health problem, accounting for one out of six deaths. Despite the recent advances in cancer therapy, there is still an ever-growing need for readily accessible new therapies. The process of drug discovery and development is arduous and takes many years, and while it is ongoing, the time for the current lead compounds to reach clinical trial phase is very long. Drug repurposing has recently gained significant attention as it expedites the process of discovering new entities for anticancer therapy. One such potential candidate is the antimalarial drug, artemisinin that has shown anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. In this review, major molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effect of artemisinin and its derivatives are summarised. Furthermore, major mechanisms of action and some key signaling pathways of this group of compounds have been reviewed to explore potential targets that contribute to the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Despite its established profile in malaria treatment, pharmacokinetic properties, anticancer potency, and current formulations that hinder the clinical translation of artemisinin as an anticancer agent, have been discussed. Finally, potential solutions or new strategies are identified to overcome the bottlenecks in repurposing artemisinin-type compounds as anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowu Ma
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Clariis Yi-Ning Woon
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chen-Guang Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jun-Ting Cheng
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Mingliang You
- Hangzhou Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea Li-Ann Wong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul Chi-Lui Ho
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daping Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Peishi Ong
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lingzhi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon-Cher Goh
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
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21
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Chen X, Ren X, Gao X. Peptide or
Protein‐Protected
Metal Nanoclusters for Therapeutic Application. CHINESE J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202100523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Environment and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology Beijing 100124 China
| | - Xiaojun Ren
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Environment and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology Beijing 100124 China
| | - Xueyun Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Environment and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology Beijing 100124 China
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22
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Song Q, Peng S, Che F, Zhu X. Artesunate induces ferroptosis via modulation of p38 and ERK signaling pathway in glioblastoma cells. J Pharmacol Sci 2022; 148:300-306. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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23
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Farmanpour-Kalalagh K, Beyraghdar Kashkooli A, Babaei A, Rezaei A, van der Krol AR. Artemisinins in Combating Viral Infections Like SARS-CoV-2, Inflammation and Cancers and Options to Meet Increased Global Demand. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:780257. [PMID: 35197994 PMCID: PMC8859114 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.780257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial studies indicate positive effects of artemisinin or Artemisia spp. extracts to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 related symptoms and WHO-supervised clinical studies on the potential of artemisinins to combat COVID-19 are now in progress. However, implementing multiple potential new uses of artemisinins will require effective solutions to boost production, either by enhancing synthesis in A. annua itself or through biotechnological engineering in alternative biosynthesis platforms. Because of this renewed interest in artemisinin and its derivatives, here we review its modes of action, its potential application in different diseases including COVID-19, its biosynthesis and future options to boost production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Farmanpour-Kalalagh
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Arman Beyraghdar Kashkooli,
| | - Alireza Babaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Rezaei
- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Vasquez M, Zuniga M, Rodriguez A. Oxidative Stress and Pathogenesis in Malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:768182. [PMID: 34917519 PMCID: PMC8669614 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.768182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a highly inflammatory and oxidative disease. The production of reactive oxygen species by host phagocytes is an essential component of the host response to Plasmodium infection. Moreover, host oxidative enzymes, such as xanthine oxidase, are upregulated in malaria patients. Although increased production of reactive oxygen species contributes to the clearance of the parasite, excessive amounts of these free radicals can mediate inflammation and cause extensive damage to host cells and tissues, probably contributing to severe pathologies. Plasmodium has a variety of antioxidant enzymes that allow it to survive amidst this oxidative onslaught. However, parasitic degradation of hemoglobin within the infected red blood cell generates free heme, which is released at the end of the replication cycle, further aggravating the oxidative burden on the host and possibly contributing to the severity of life-threatening malarial complications. Additionally, the highly inflammatory response to malaria contributes to exacerbate the oxidative response. In this review, we discuss host and parasite-derived sources of oxidative stress that may promote severe disease in P. falciparum infection. Therapeutics that restore and maintain oxidative balance in malaria patients may be useful in preventing lethal complications of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Yang X, Zheng Y, Liu L, Huang J, Wang F, Zhang J. Progress on the study of the anticancer effects of artesunate. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:750. [PMID: 34539854 PMCID: PMC8436334 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artesunate (ART) is a derivative of artemisinin that is extracted from the wormwood plant Artemisia annua. ART is an antimalarial drug that has been shown to be safe and effective for clinical use. In addition to its antimalarial properties, ART has been attracting attention over recent years due to its reported inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Therefore, ART has a wider range of potential clinical applications than first hypothesized. The aim of the present review was to summarize the latest research progress on the possible anticancer effects of ART, in order to lay a theoretical foundation for the further development of ART as a therapeutic option for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Yudong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Lian Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Jiangrong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Fei Wang
- Center of Experiment and Training, Hubei College of Chinese Medicine, Jingzhou, Hubei 434020, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, The School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
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Goyal M, Singh BK, Simantov K, Kaufman Y, Eshar S, Dzikowski R. An SR protein is essential for activating DNA repair in malaria parasites. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:271848. [PMID: 34291805 PMCID: PMC8435287 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of human malaria, replicates within the erythrocytes of its host, where it encounters numerous pressures that cause extensive DNA damage, which must be repaired efficiently to ensure parasite survival. Malaria parasites, which have lost the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks, have evolved unique mechanisms that enable them to robustly maintain genome integrity under such harsh conditions. However, the nature of these adaptations is unknown. We show that a highly conserved RNA splicing factor, P. falciparum (Pf)SR1, plays an unexpected and crucial role in DNA repair in malaria parasites. Using an inducible and reversible system to manipulate PfSR1 expression, we demonstrate that this protein is recruited to foci of DNA damage. Although loss of PfSR1 does not impair parasite viability, the protein is essential for their recovery from DNA-damaging agents or exposure to artemisinin, the first-line antimalarial drug, demonstrating its necessity for DNA repair. These findings provide key insights into the evolution of DNA repair pathways in malaria parasites as well as the ability of the parasite to recover from antimalarial treatment. Summary: There is an unexpected role for the alternative splicing factor PfSR1 in activating the DNA damage response in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Goyal
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Brajesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Karina Simantov
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yotam Kaufman
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Shiri Eshar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ron Dzikowski
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Beltzig L, Frumkina A, Schwarzenbach C, Kaina B. Cytotoxic, Genotoxic and Senolytic Potential of Native and Micellar Curcumin. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13072385. [PMID: 34371895 PMCID: PMC8308652 DOI: 10.3390/nu13072385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Curcumin, a natural polyphenol and the principal bioactive compound in Curcuma longa, was reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-rheumatic activity. Curcumin is not only considered for preventive, but also for therapeutic, purposes in cancer therapy, which requires a killing effect on cancer cells. A drawback, however, is the low bioavailability of curcumin due to its insolubility in water. To circumvent this limitation, curcumin was administered in different water-soluble formulations, including liposomes or embedded into nanoscaled micelles. The high uptake rate of micellar curcumin makes it attractive also for cancer therapeutic strategies. Native curcumin solubilised in organic solvent was previously shown to be cytotoxic and bears a genotoxic potential. Corresponding studies with micellar curcumin are lacking. METHODS We compared the cytotoxic and genotoxic activity of native curcumin solubilised in ethanol (Cur-E) with curcumin embedded in micells (Cur-M). We measured cell death by MTT assays, apoptosis, necrosis by flow cytometry, senolysis by MTT and C12FDG and genotoxicity by FPG-alkaline and neutral singe-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). RESULTS Using a variety of primary and established cell lines, we show that Cur-E and Cur-M reduce the viability in all cell types in the same dose range. Cur-E and Cur-M induced dose-dependently apoptosis, but did not exhibit senolytic activity. In the cytotoxic dose range, Cur-E and Cur-M were positive in the alkaline and the neutral comet assay. Genotoxic effects vanished upon removal of curcumin, indicating efficient and complete repair of DNA damage. For inducing cell death, which was measured 48 h after the onset of treatment, permanent exposure was required while 60 min pulse-treatment was ineffective. In all assays, Cur-E and Cur-M were equally active, and the concentration above which significant cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were observed was 10 µM. Micelles not containing curcumin were completely inactive. CONCLUSIONS The data show that micellar curcumin has the same cytotoxicity and genotoxicity profile as native curcumin. The effective concentration on different cell lines, including primary cells, was far above the curcumin concentration that can be achieved systemically in vivo, which leads us to conclude that native curcumin and curcumin administered as food supplement in a micellar formulation at the ADI level are not cytotoxic/genotoxic, indicating a wide margin of safety.
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Bader S, Wilmers J, Pelzer M, Jendrossek V, Rudner J. Activation of anti-oxidant Keap1/Nrf2 pathway modulates efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-based monotherapy and combinatory therapy with ionizing radiation. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 168:44-54. [PMID: 33775773 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of radiotherapy depends not only on DNA damage but also on ROS production, both induced by ionizing radiation. Massive ROS production can induce cell death or activate protective pathways such as Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, which regulates intracellular cysteine availability through upregulation of SLC7A11, a subunit of xCT transporter, and subsequently glutathione synthesis, thus improving antioxidative defense. The anti-malaria drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) shows anti-neoplastic potential. Previous publications suggested that DHA increased ROS production. We intended to enhance oxidative stress with DHA to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. Therefore, we first analyzed the oxidative response to DHA in HCT116 colorectal and NCI-H460 lung adenocarcinoma cells. In response to DHA, we detected lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, which resulted in mitochondrial damage and eventually in iron-dependent cell death. Concurrently, DHA activated Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in HCT116 cells, leading to increased SLC7A11 expression and glutathione level. In Keap1-mutant NCI-H460 cells, Nrf2 was constantly activated and responsible for high SLC7A11 and glutathione levels. Pancancer analysis revealed that lung cancer is the tumor entity with the most frequent Keap1 alterations. Although NCI-H460 cells reacted more refractory to DHA-induced cell death than HCT116 cells, eradication of clonogenic cells by DHA was more efficient in both cell lines when Keap1/Nrf2 pathway was inhibited. When applied simultaneously, radiotherapy and DHA more efficiently eradicated clonogenic cells than either therapy alone, but treatment schedule can mitigate the combinatory effect in HCT116 cells. In summary, DHA improved efficacy of radiotherapy, but treatment schedule must be considered with care especially in Keap1-wildtype cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Bader
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julia Wilmers
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Pelzer
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Verena Jendrossek
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Justine Rudner
- Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Ellis T, Eze E, Raimi-Abraham BT. Malaria and Cancer: a critical review on the established associations and new perspectives. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:33. [PMID: 33985540 PMCID: PMC8117320 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cancer and malaria both have high incidence rates and are leading causes of mortality worldwide, especially in low and middle-income countries with reduced access to the quality healthcare. The objective of this critical review was to summarize key associations and new perspectives between the two diseases as is reported in existing literature. Methods A critical review of research articles published between 1st January 2000 – 1st July 2020 which yielded 1753 articles. These articles were screened based on a precise inclusion criteria. Eighty-nine eligible articles were identified and further evaluated. Results Many articles reported anti-cancer activities of anti-malarial medicines, including Artemisinin and its derivatives. Other articles investigated the use of chemotherapy in areas burdened by malaria, treatment complications that malaria may cause for cancer patients as well as ways to circumvent cancer related drug resistance. Potential novel targets for cancer treatment, were identified namely oncofoetal chondroitin sulphate and haem, as well as the use of circumsporozoite proteins. A number of articles also discussed Burkitt lymphoma or febrile neutropenia. Conclusions Overall, excluding for Burkitt lymphoma, the relationship between cancer and malaria requires further extensive research in order to define association. There great potential promising new novel anti-cancer therapies using anti-malarial drugs. Graphical abstract Created using BioRender![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby Ellis
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Elvis Eze
- Malaria no More UK, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5RR, UK
| | - Bahijja Tolulope Raimi-Abraham
- King's College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Waterloo Campus, Franklin Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
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Hill KS, McDowell A, McCorkle JR, Schuler E, Ellingson SR, Plattner R, Kolesar JM. KEAP1 Is Required for Artesunate Anticancer Activity in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081885. [PMID: 33920029 PMCID: PMC8070990 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Artesunate is the most common treatment for malaria throughout the world. Artesunate has anticancer activity likely through the induction of reactive oxygen species, the same mechanism of action utilized in Plasmodium falciparum infections. Components of the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway, which regulates cellular response to oxidative stress, are mutated in approximately 30% of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC); therefore, we tested the hypothesis that KEAP1 is required for artesunate sensitivity in NSCLC. Dose response assays identified A549 cells, which have a G333C-inactivating mutation in KEAP1, as resistant to artesunate, with an IC50 of 23.6 µM, while H1299 and H1563 cells were sensitive to artesunate, with a 10-fold lower IC50. Knockdown of KEAP1 through siRNA caused increased resistance to artesunate in H1299 cells. Alternatively, the pharmacological inhibition of NRF2, which is activated downstream of KEAP1 loss, by ML385 partially restored sensitivity of A549 cells to artesunate, and the combination of artesunate and ML385 was synergistic in both A549 and H1299 cells. These findings demonstrate that KEAP1 is required for the anticancer activity of artesunate and support the further development of NRF2 inhibitors to target patients with mutations in the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen S. Hill
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (K.S.H.); (J.R.M.)
| | - Anthony McDowell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - J. Robert McCorkle
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (K.S.H.); (J.R.M.)
| | - Erin Schuler
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40508, USA;
| | - Sally R. Ellingson
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA;
| | - Rina Plattner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40508, USA;
| | - Jill M. Kolesar
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (K.S.H.); (J.R.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40508, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(859)-323-4978
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Li Z, Zhu YT, Xiang M, Qiu JL, Luo SQ, Lin F. Enhanced lysosomal function is critical for paclitaxel resistance in cancer cells: reversed by artesunate. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:624-632. [PMID: 32704040 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0445-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism underlying the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug varies with different cancer cells. Recent evidence shows that lysosomal function is associated with drug resistance of cancer cells. Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, displays broad antitumor activity and direct cytotoxicity on various tumor cells. Our previous study shows that artesunate increases autophagosome accumulation, while significantly decreases autolysosome number in cancer cells, suggesting that artesunate might impair the lysosomal function. In this study, we investigated the effects of artesunate on lysosomal function and its relationship with chemotherapeutic drug resistance in cancer cells. We found that the lysosomal function was significantly enhanced in two drug-resistant (A549/TAX and A549/DDP) cells. Furthermore, we showed that the enhanced lysosomal function by overexpression of transcription factor EB (TFEB) significantly increased MCF-7 cells resistance to doxorubicin (DOX), whereas the decreased lysosomal function by TFEB-knockdown or lysosome inhibitor chloroquine increased MCF-7 cells sensitivity to DOX. Treatment of A549/TAX cells with artesunate (2.5-50 μM) dose-dependently inhibited lysosomal function and the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, we demonstrated that artesunate exerted more potent inhibition on the resistant (A549/TAX and MCF-7/ADR) cells with higher activity of lysosomal function. Our results suggest that artesunate or other inhibitors of lysosomal function would be potential in the treatment of cancer cells with drug resistance caused by the enhanced lysosomal function.
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McDowell A, Hill KS, McCorkle JR, Gorski J, Zhang Y, Salahudeen AA, Ueland F, Kolesar JM. Preclinical Evaluation of Artesunate as an Antineoplastic Agent in Ovarian Cancer Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11030395. [PMID: 33652561 PMCID: PMC7996621 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy despite current first-line treatment with a platinum and taxane doublet. Artesunate has broad antineoplastic properties but has not been investigated in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for ovarian cancer treatment. Methods: Standard cell culture technique with commercially available ovarian cancer cell lines were utilized in cell viability, DNA damage, and cell cycle progression assays to qualify and quantify artesunate treatment effects. Additionally, the sequence of administering artesunate in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin was determined. The activity of artesunate was also assessed in 3D organoid models of primary ovarian cancer and RNAseq analysis was utilized to identify genes and the associated genetic pathways that were differentially regulated in artesunate resistant organoid models compared to organoids that were sensitive to artesunate. Results: Artesunate treatment reduces cell viability in 2D and 3D ovarian cancer cell models. Clinically relevant concentrations of artesunate induce G1 arrest, but do not induce DNA damage. Pathways related to cell cycle progression, specifically G1/S transition, are upregulated in ovarian organoid models that are innately more resistant to artesunate compared to more sensitive models. Depending on the sequence of administration, the addition of artesunate to carboplatin and paclitaxel improves their effectiveness. Conclusions: Artesunate has preclinical activity in ovarian cancer that merits further investigation to treat ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony McDowell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (A.M.J.); (J.G.); (F.U.)
| | - Kristen S. Hill
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (K.S.H.); (J.R.M.)
| | - Joseph Robert McCorkle
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (K.S.H.); (J.R.M.)
| | - Justin Gorski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (A.M.J.); (J.G.); (F.U.)
| | - Yilin Zhang
- Tempus Labs, 600 W Chicago Ave. Ste 510, Chicago, IL 60654, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Ameen A. Salahudeen
- Tempus Labs, 600 W Chicago Ave. Ste 510, Chicago, IL 60654, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Fred Ueland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (A.M.J.); (J.G.); (F.U.)
| | - Jill M. Kolesar
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (K.S.H.); (J.R.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Correspondence:
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Mina PR, Kumar S, Agarwal K, Kumar R, Pal A, Tandon S, Yadav SK, Yadav S, Darokar MP. 4-chloro eugenol interacts synergistically with artesunate against drug resistant P. falciparum inducing oxidative stress. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111311. [PMID: 33524782 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
4-chloro eugenol (4CE), a semisynthetic analog of phytomolecule eugenol exhibited potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 in the range of 1.5-5 μM against sensitive as well as drug resistant strain of P. falciparum. This analog also showed synergy with a clinically used antimalarial drug artesunate and was able to curtail the IC50 of artesunate up to 4-5 folds. Although, 4CE did not show any effect on heme polymerization, the most common drug target in the malaria parasite, it could increase the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) alone as well as in combination with artesunate. Further, 4CE induced oxidative stress was observed to affect the macromolecules in terms of DNA damage, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation. At the physiological level, cellular organelles like mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were observed to be get affected by 4CE in terms of membrane depolarization and calcium ion leakage respectively. These observations could be validated by expression analysis of oxidative stress responsive genes and proteins. Further, in in vivo assay, 4CE showed significant chemo-suppression of parasitemia as well as an increase in mean survival time in the murine malaria model. Interestingly, in combination with artesunate, 4CE showed higher chemo-suppression as well as enhanced mean survival time at a much lower concentrations of both the partners as compared to an individual dose of artesunate and 4CE. A combination of 4CE and artesunate was also observed to attenuate cerebral malaria pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Rani Mina
- Bioprospectionand Product Development Division, CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar
- Bioprospectionand Product Development Division, CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Karishma Agarwal
- Phytochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Ravi Kumar
- Bioprospectionand Product Development Division, CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Anirban Pal
- Bioprospectionand Product Development Division, CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Sudeep Tandon
- Phytochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Yadav
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India
| | - Sanjay Yadav
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India
| | - Mahendra P Darokar
- Bioprospectionand Product Development Division, CSIR- Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India.
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Yin X, Liu Y, Qin J, Wu Y, Huang J, Zhao Q, Dang T, Tian Y, Yu P, Huang X. Artesunate Suppresses the Proliferation and Development of Estrogen Receptor-α-Positive Endometrial Cancer in HAND2-Dependent Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:606969. [PMID: 33511117 PMCID: PMC7835542 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.606969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common leading cause of cancer-related death in women, which is associated with the increased level of estrogen in the body. Artesunate (ART), an active compound derived from Artemisia annua L., exerted antitumor properties in several cancer types. However, the role of artesunate and the molecular basis on EC remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of artesunate. Our results identified that estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) was a key factor for the type I EC (ER-α-positive), which might suppress the downstream LKB1/AMPK/mTOR pathway. Besides, we found ART significantly inhibited tumor proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies identified that ART led to tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by downregulating the ER-α expression and activating the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR pathway. In addition, we found ART could increase the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2 (HAND2) in the ER-α-positive EC cells, which could interact with ER-α. Through the gain-and loss-function experiments, we showed that over expression of HAND2 repressed the proliferation and migration of ER-α-positive EC cells via inhibition of ER-α expression. HAND2 knockdown increased ER-α expression and alleviated the antitumor effect of ART in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our study first showed that ART could be an effective antitumor agent through modulating ER-α-mediated LKB1/AMPK/mTOR pathway in the HAND2 dependent manner. Our findings provide an effective therapeutic agent for ER-α-positive EC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghua Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiarui Qin
- Department of Urology, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yixuan Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiayan Huang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Dang
- Department of Urology, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yacui Tian
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ping Yu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiyue Huang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou, China
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Zhao F, Vakhrusheva O, Markowitsch SD, Slade KS, Tsaur I, Cinatl J, Michaelis M, Efferth T, Haferkamp A, Juengel E. Artesunate Impairs Growth in Cisplatin-Resistant Bladder Cancer Cells by Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy Induction. Cells 2020; 9:E2643. [PMID: 33316936 PMCID: PMC7763932 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin, which induces DNA damage, is standard chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer (BCa). However, efficacy is limited due to resistance development. Since artesunate (ART), a derivative of artemisinin originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor activity, and to inhibit DNA damage repair, the impact of artesunate on cisplatin-resistant BCa was evaluated. Cisplatin-sensitive (parental) and cisplatin-resistant BCa cells, RT4, RT112, T24, and TCCSup, were treated with ART (1-100 µM). Cell growth, proliferation, and cell cycle phases were investigated, as were apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, metabolic activity, and protein expression. Exposure to ART induced a time- and dose-dependent significant inhibition of tumor cell growth and proliferation of parental and cisplatin-resistant BCa cells. This inhibition was accompanied by a G0/G1 phase arrest and modulation of cell cycle regulating proteins. ART induced apoptos is by enhancing DNA damage, especially in the resistant cells. ART did not induce ferroptosis, but led to a disturbance of mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. This impairment correlated with autophagy accompanied by a decrease in LC3B-I and an increase in LC3B-II. Since ART significantly inhibits proliferative and metabolic aspects of cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant BCa cells, it may hold potential in treating advanced and therapy-resistant BCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuguang Zhao
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Olesya Vakhrusheva
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Sascha D. Markowitsch
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Kimberly S. Slade
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Igor Tsaur
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe-University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Martin Michaelis
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK;
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Axel Haferkamp
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Eva Juengel
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (F.Z.); (O.V.); (S.D.M.); (K.S.S.); (I.T.); (A.H.)
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Jung EJ, Lee WS, Paramanantham A, Kim HJ, Shin SC, Kim GS, Jung JM, Ryu CH, Hong SC, Chung KH, Kim CW. p53 Enhances Artemisia annua L. Polyphenols-Induced Cell Death Through Upregulation of p53-Dependent Targets and Cleavage of PARP1 and Lamin A/C in HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239315. [PMID: 33297377 PMCID: PMC7730414 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived natural polyphenols exhibit anticancer activity without showing any noticeable toxicities to normal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of p53 on the anticancer effect of polyphenols isolated from Korean Artemisia annua L. (pKAL) in HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells. We confirmed that pKAL induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, propidium iodide (PI) uptake, nuclear structure change, and acidic vesicles in a p53-independent manner in p53-null HCT116 cells through fluorescence microscopy analysis of DCF/PI-, DAPI-, and AO-stained cells. The pKAL-induced anticancer effects were found to be significantly higher in p53-wild HCT116 cells than in p53-null by hematoxylin staining, CCK-8 assay, Western blot, and flow cytometric analysis of annexin V/PI-stained cells. In addition, expression of ectopic p53 in p53-null cells was upregulated by pKAL in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, increasing pKAL-induced cell death. Moreover, Western bot analysis revealed that pKAL-induced cell death was associated with upregulation of p53-dependent targets such as p21, Bax and DR5 and cleavage of PARP1 and lamin A/C in p53-wild HCT116 cells, but not in p53-null. Taken together, these results indicate that p53 plays an important role in enhancing the anticancer effects of pKAL by upregulating p53 downstream targets and inducing intracellular cell death processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Joo Jung
- Departments of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea; (E.J.J.); (C.W.K.)
| | - Won Sup Lee
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-55-750-8733; Fax: +82-55-758-9122
| | - Anjugam Paramanantham
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea;
- Research Institute of Life Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea;
| | - Hye Jung Kim
- Departments of Pharmacology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea;
| | - Sung Chul Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea;
| | - Gon Sup Kim
- Research Institute of Life Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea;
| | - Jin-Myung Jung
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea;
| | - Chung Ho Ryu
- Department of Food Technology, Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea;
| | - Soon Chan Hong
- Departments of Surgery, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea;
| | - Ky Hyun Chung
- Departments of Urology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea;
| | - Choong Won Kim
- Departments of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea; (E.J.J.); (C.W.K.)
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Zhou Y, Li X, Chen K, Ba Q, Zhang X, Li J, Wang J, Wang H, Liu H. Structural optimization and biological evaluation for novel artemisinin derivatives against liver and ovarian cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 211:113000. [PMID: 33261896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of artemisinin (ARS) and its derivatives have been reported for their potential therapeutic value of human cancer. However, their therapeutic potencies are limited owing to their poor pharmacokinetic profiles. Our previous studies showed that a lead compound ARS4 originated from incorporating the pharmacophore of the approved chemotherapeutic agent melphalan into the basic skeleton of artemisinin with a succinic linker exhibited an excellent toxicity to human ovarian cancer cells and low cytotoxicity to normal cells. The mechanism studies demonstrated that it inhibited the growth and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and resulted in S-phase arrest, apoptosis and inhibition of migration. Meanwhile, it exhibited excellent antitumor activities in animal models. Herein, further structure optimization for this lead compound ARS4 was performed and nineteen novel derivatives were designed and synthesized. Among them, compounds 10-12, 15, 16, 18 and 19 demonstrated powerful cytotoxic effects against human liver cancer and ovarian cancer cell lines, with their IC50s below 0.86 μM against Hep3B and A2780 cell lines, which are superior to that of ARS4. Four compounds (11, 15, 16 and 18) were selected to further evaluate their antitumor activities in in vitro and in vivo ovarian and liver cancer models, the results indicated that compound 18 exhibited the best therapeutic effect, not only effectively inhibited the growth of 7404 xenograft and Huh7 xenograft, but also presented a good dose-dependent inhibition toward the growth of A2780 xenograft. Overall, based on these positive results, these novel chemical structures may provide a new inspiration for the discovery of novel antitumor agents originated from artemisinin scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Number 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, PR China
| | - Kerong Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Qian Ba
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, PR China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jingquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, PR China
| | - Jinfang Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Number 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, PR China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Number 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China.
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38
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Augustin Y, Staines HM, Krishna S. Artemisinins as a novel anti-cancer therapy: Targeting a global cancer pandemic through drug repurposing. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 216:107706. [PMID: 33075360 PMCID: PMC7564301 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinins are a unique class of antimalarial drugs with significant potential for drug repurposing for a wide range of diseases including cancer. Cancer is a leading cause of death globally and the majority of cancer related deaths occur in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) where conventional treatment options are often limited by financial cost. Drug repurposing can significantly shorten new therapeutic discovery pathways, ensuring greater accessibility and affordability globally. Artemisinins have an excellent safety and tolerability profile as well as being affordable for deployment in Low and Middle Class Income Countries at around USD1 per daily dose. Robust, well designed clinical trials of artemisinin drug repurposing are indicated for a variety of different cancers and treatment settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Augustin
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry M Staines
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjeev Krishna
- Institute of Infection & Immunity, St George's University of London, United Kingdom.
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Dinić J, Efferth T, García-Sosa AT, Grahovac J, Padrón JM, Pajeva I, Rizzolio F, Saponara S, Spengler G, Tsakovska I. Repurposing old drugs to fight multidrug resistant cancers. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 52:100713. [PMID: 32615525 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Overcoming multidrug resistance represents a major challenge for cancer treatment. In the search for new chemotherapeutics to treat malignant diseases, drug repurposing gained a tremendous interest during the past years. Repositioning candidates have often emerged through several stages of clinical drug development, and may even be marketed, thus attracting the attention and interest of pharmaceutical companies as well as regulatory agencies. Typically, drug repositioning has been serendipitous, using undesired side effects of small molecule drugs to exploit new disease indications. As bioinformatics gain increasing popularity as an integral component of drug discovery, more rational approaches are needed. Herein, we show some practical examples of in silico approaches such as pharmacophore modelling, as well as pharmacophore- and docking-based virtual screening for a fast and cost-effective repurposing of small molecule drugs against multidrug resistant cancers. We provide a timely and comprehensive overview of compounds with considerable potential to be repositioned for cancer therapeutics. These drugs are from diverse chemotherapeutic classes. We emphasize the scope and limitations of anthelmintics, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, antihypertensives, psychopharmaceuticals and antidiabetics that have shown extensive immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and antimetastatic potential. These drugs, either used alone or in combination with existing anticancer chemotherapeutics, represent strong candidates to prevent or overcome drug resistance. We particularly focus on outcomes and future perspectives of drug repositioning for the treatment of multidrug resistant tumors and discuss current possibilities and limitations of preclinical and clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Dinić
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Jelena Grahovac
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - José M Padrón
- BioLab, Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, E-38071 La Laguna, Spain.
| | - Ilza Pajeva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 105, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 301724 Venezia-Mestre, Italy; Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Simona Saponara
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriella Spengler
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Dóm tér 10, Hungary
| | - Ivanka Tsakovska
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 105, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Proteome activity landscapes of tumor cell lines determine drug responses. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3639. [PMID: 32686665 PMCID: PMC7371697 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17336-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrated analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes and drug responses of cancer cell lines (CCLs) is an emerging approach to uncover molecular mechanisms of drug action. We extend this paradigm to measuring proteome activity landscapes by acquiring and integrating quantitative data for 10,000 proteins and 55,000 phosphorylation sites (p-sites) from 125 CCLs. These data are used to contextualize proteins and p-sites and predict drug sensitivity. For example, we find that Progesterone Receptor (PGR) phosphorylation is associated with sensitivity to drugs modulating estrogen signaling such as Raloxifene. We also demonstrate that Adenylate kinase isoenzyme 1 (AK1) inactivates antimetabolites like Cytarabine. Consequently, high AK1 levels correlate with poor survival of Cytarabine-treated acute myeloid leukemia patients, qualifying AK1 as a patient stratification marker and possibly as a drug target. We provide an interactive web application termed ATLANTiC (http://atlantic.proteomics.wzw.tum.de), which enables the community to explore the thousands of novel functional associations generated by this work.
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Kumar MS, Yadav TT, Khair RR, Peters GJ, Yergeri MC. Combination Therapies of Artemisinin and its Derivatives as a Viable Approach for Future Cancer Treatment. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:3323-3338. [PMID: 31475891 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190902155957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many anticancer drugs have been developed for clinical usage till now, but the major problem is the development of drug-resistance over a period of time in the treatment of cancer. Anticancer drugs produce huge adverse effects, ultimately leading to death of the patient. Researchers have been focusing on the development of novel molecules with higher efficacy and lower toxicity; the anti-malarial drug artemisinin and its derivatives have exhibited cytotoxic effects. METHODS We have done extensive literature search for artemisinin for its new role as anti-cancer agent for future treatment. Last two decades papers were referred for deep understanding to strengthen its role. RESULT Literature shows changes at 9, 10 position in the artemisinin structure produces anticancer activity. Artemisinin shows anticancer activity in leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Artemisinin and its derivatives have been studied as combination therapy with several synthetic compounds, RNA interfaces, recombinant proteins and antibodies etc., for synergizing the effect of these drugs. They produce an anticancer effect by causing cell cycle arrest, regulating signaling in apoptosis, angiogenesis and cytotoxicity activity on the steroid receptors. Many novel formulations of artemisinin are being developed in the form of carbon nanotubes, polymer-coated drug particles, etc., for delivering artemisinin, since it has poor water/ oil solubility and is chemically unstable. CONCLUSION We have summarize the combination therapies of artemisinin and its derivatives with other anticancer drugs and also focussed on recent developments of different drug delivery systems in the last 10 years. Various reports and clinical trials of artemisinin type drugs indicated selective cytotoxicity along with minimal toxicity thus projecting them as promising anti-cancer agents in future cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maushmi S Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Vile Parle west, Mumbai-400056, India
| | - Tanuja T Yadav
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Vile Parle west, Mumbai-400056, India
| | - Rohan R Khair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Vile Parle west, Mumbai-400056, India
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mayur C Yergeri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Vile Parle west, Mumbai-400056, India
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D’Amico S, Krasnowska EK, Manni I, Toietta G, Baldari S, Piaggio G, Ranalli M, Gambacurta A, Vernieri C, Di Giacinto F, Bernassola F, de Braud F, Lucibello M. DHA Affects Microtubule Dynamics Through Reduction of Phospho-TCTP Levels and Enhances the Antiproliferative Effect of T-DM1 in Trastuzumab-Resistant HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Cells 2020; 9:E1260. [PMID: 32438775 PMCID: PMC7290969 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody-drug conjugated to the microtubule-targeting agent emtansine (DM1). T-DM1 is an effective agent in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer whose disease has progressed on the first-line trastuzumab containing chemotherapy. However, both primary and acquired tumour resistance limit its efficacy. Increased levels of the phosphorylated form of Translationally Controlled Tumour Protein (phospho-TCTP) have been shown to be associated with a poor clinical response to trastuzumab therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer. Here we show that phospho-TCTP is essential for correct mitosis in human mammary epithelial cells. Reduction of phospho-TCTP levels by dihydroartemisinin (DHA) causes mitotic aberration and increases microtubule density in the trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells HCC1954 and HCC1569. Combinatorial studies show that T-DM1 when combined with DHA is more effective in killing breast cells compared to the effect induced by any single agent. In an orthotopic breast cancer xenograft model (HCC1954), the growth of the tumour cells resumes after having achieved a complete response to T-DM1 treatment. Conversely, DHA and T-DM1 treatment induces a severe and irreversible cytotoxic effect, even after treatment interruption, thus, improving the long-term efficacy of T-DM1. These results suggest that DHA increases the effect of T-DM1 as poison for microtubules and supports the clinical development of the combination of DHA and T-DM1 for the treatment of aggressive HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia D’Amico
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT-CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.D.); (E.K.K.)
| | - Ewa Krystyna Krasnowska
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT-CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.D.); (E.K.K.)
| | - Isabella Manni
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (I.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriele Toietta
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (G.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Silvia Baldari
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (G.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (I.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Marco Ranalli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (A.G.); (F.B.)
| | - Alessandra Gambacurta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (A.G.); (F.B.)
| | - Claudio Vernieri
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (F.d.B.)
- IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Giacinto
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Francesca Bernassola
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (A.G.); (F.B.)
| | - Filippo de Braud
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (F.d.B.)
- Oncology and Hemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Lucibello
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT-CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.D.); (E.K.K.)
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43
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Helm JS, Rudel RA. Adverse outcome pathways for ionizing radiation and breast cancer involve direct and indirect DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, genomic instability, and interaction with hormonal regulation of the breast. Arch Toxicol 2020. [PMID: 32399610 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02752-z)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about established breast carcinogens can support improved and modernized toxicological testing methods by identifying key mechanistic events. Ionizing radiation (IR) increases the risk of breast cancer, especially for women and for exposure at younger ages, and evidence overall supports a linear dose-response relationship. We used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework to outline and evaluate the evidence linking ionizing radiation with breast cancer from molecular initiating events to the adverse outcome through intermediate key events, creating a qualitative AOP. We identified key events based on review articles, searched PubMed for recent literature on key events and IR, and identified additional papers using references. We manually curated publications and evaluated data quality. Ionizing radiation directly and indirectly causes DNA damage and increases production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). RONS lead to DNA damage and epigenetic changes leading to mutations and genomic instability (GI). Proliferation amplifies the effects of DNA damage and mutations leading to the AO of breast cancer. Separately, RONS and DNA damage also increase inflammation. Inflammation contributes to direct and indirect effects (effects in cells not directly reached by IR) via positive feedback to RONS and DNA damage, and separately increases proliferation and breast cancer through pro-carcinogenic effects on cells and tissue. For example, gene expression changes alter inflammatory mediators, resulting in improved survival and growth of cancer cells and a more hospitable tissue environment. All of these events overlap at multiple points with events characteristic of "background" induction of breast carcinogenesis, including hormone-responsive proliferation, oxidative activity, and DNA damage. These overlaps make the breast particularly susceptible to ionizing radiation and reinforce that these biological activities are important characteristics of carcinogens. Agents that increase these biological processes should be considered potential breast carcinogens, and predictive methods are needed to identify chemicals that increase these processes. Techniques are available to measure RONS, DNA damage and mutation, cell proliferation, and some inflammatory proteins or processes. Improved assays are needed to measure GI and chronic inflammation, as well as the interaction with hormonally driven development and proliferation. Several methods measure diverse epigenetic changes, but it is not clear which changes are relevant to breast cancer. In addition, most toxicological assays are not conducted in mammary tissue, and so it is a priority to evaluate if results from other tissues are generalizable to breast, or to conduct assays in breast tissue. Developing and applying these assays to identify exposures of concern will facilitate efforts to reduce subsequent breast cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Helm
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, MA, 02460, USA
| | - Ruthann A Rudel
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, MA, 02460, USA.
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Helm JS, Rudel RA. Adverse outcome pathways for ionizing radiation and breast cancer involve direct and indirect DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, genomic instability, and interaction with hormonal regulation of the breast. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:1511-1549. [PMID: 32399610 PMCID: PMC7261741 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02752-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge about established breast carcinogens can support improved and modernized toxicological testing methods by identifying key mechanistic events. Ionizing radiation (IR) increases the risk of breast cancer, especially for women and for exposure at younger ages, and evidence overall supports a linear dose-response relationship. We used the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework to outline and evaluate the evidence linking ionizing radiation with breast cancer from molecular initiating events to the adverse outcome through intermediate key events, creating a qualitative AOP. We identified key events based on review articles, searched PubMed for recent literature on key events and IR, and identified additional papers using references. We manually curated publications and evaluated data quality. Ionizing radiation directly and indirectly causes DNA damage and increases production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). RONS lead to DNA damage and epigenetic changes leading to mutations and genomic instability (GI). Proliferation amplifies the effects of DNA damage and mutations leading to the AO of breast cancer. Separately, RONS and DNA damage also increase inflammation. Inflammation contributes to direct and indirect effects (effects in cells not directly reached by IR) via positive feedback to RONS and DNA damage, and separately increases proliferation and breast cancer through pro-carcinogenic effects on cells and tissue. For example, gene expression changes alter inflammatory mediators, resulting in improved survival and growth of cancer cells and a more hospitable tissue environment. All of these events overlap at multiple points with events characteristic of "background" induction of breast carcinogenesis, including hormone-responsive proliferation, oxidative activity, and DNA damage. These overlaps make the breast particularly susceptible to ionizing radiation and reinforce that these biological activities are important characteristics of carcinogens. Agents that increase these biological processes should be considered potential breast carcinogens, and predictive methods are needed to identify chemicals that increase these processes. Techniques are available to measure RONS, DNA damage and mutation, cell proliferation, and some inflammatory proteins or processes. Improved assays are needed to measure GI and chronic inflammation, as well as the interaction with hormonally driven development and proliferation. Several methods measure diverse epigenetic changes, but it is not clear which changes are relevant to breast cancer. In addition, most toxicological assays are not conducted in mammary tissue, and so it is a priority to evaluate if results from other tissues are generalizable to breast, or to conduct assays in breast tissue. Developing and applying these assays to identify exposures of concern will facilitate efforts to reduce subsequent breast cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Helm
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, MA, 02460, USA
| | - Ruthann A Rudel
- Silent Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, MA, 02460, USA.
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Xiao R, Ding C, Zhu H, Liu X, Gao J, Liu Q, Lu D, Zhang N, Zhang A, Zhou H. Suppression of asparagine synthetase enhances the antitumor potency of ART and artemalogue SOMCL-14-221 in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 475:22-33. [PMID: 32014457 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Artemisinin (ART) and SOMCL-14-221 (221), a spirobicyclic analogue of ART, have been reported to inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells with unclear underlying mechanism. In the present study, we validated that both ART and 221 inhibited the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells and the growth of A549 xenograft tumors without appreciable toxicity. The proteomic data revealed proteins upregulated in ART and 221 groups were involved in "response to endoplasmic reticulum stress" and "amino acid metabolism". Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) was identified as a key node protein in these processes. Interestingly, knockdown of ASNS improved the antitumor potency of ART and 221 in vitro and in vivo, and treatments with ART and 221 disordered the amino acid metabolism of A549 cells. Moreover, ART and 221 activated ER stress, and inhibition of ER stress abolished the anti-proliferative effects of ART and 221. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ART and 221 suppress tumor growth by triggering ER stress, and the inhibition of ASNS enhances the antitumor activity of ART and 221, which provides new strategy for drug combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongwen Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dayun Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Naixia Zhang
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Hu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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46
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van Stuijvenberg J, Proksch P, Fritz G. Targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) by natural compounds. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115279. [PMID: 31980363 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Natural compounds (NC) are an important source of anticancer drugs. The genomic DNA of tumor cells is a major target of conventional anticancer therapeutics (cAT). DNA damage elicits a complex stress response programme termed DNA damage response (DDR), with the PI3-like kinase ATM and ATR being the key regulators. Since the DDR coordinates mechanisms of DNA repair and apoptosis, hence regulating the balance between death and survival, it is an attractive target of novel anticancer strategies. The aim of the study was to identify natural compounds derived from endophytic fungi, lichens, marine sponges or plants that interfere with mechanisms of the DDR. To this end, the cytotoxic and DDR modulating potency of 296 natural compounds, used alone or in combination with the cAT cisplatin (Cis) and doxorubicin (Doxo) was investigated by fluorescence-based analysis of the ATM/ATR-catalyzed S139 phosphorylation of histone 2AX (γH2AX), a surrogate marker of DNA damage-triggered DDR. After initial screening, a total of ten natural compounds were identified that were toxic in pancreatic carcinoma cells and activated the DDR on their own and/or promoted the DDR if used in combination with cAT. Their mode of action was shown to be independent of drug transport mechanisms. Based on their chemical structures, DDR modulatory activity and published data we suggest the marine NC 5-epi-nakijiquinone Q and 5-epi-ilimaquinone as well as the fungal compound secalonic acid F as most promising NC-based drug candidates for future synthesis of DDR-modulating chemical derivatives and their preclinical in vitro and in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana van Stuijvenberg
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Proksch
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gerhard Fritz
- Institute of Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Taleghani A, Emami SA, Tayarani-Najaran Z. Artemisia: a promising plant for the treatment of cancer. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Chen GQ, Benthani FA, Wu J, Liang D, Bian ZX, Jiang X. Artemisinin compounds sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis by regulating iron homeostasis. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:242-254. [PMID: 31114026 PMCID: PMC7205875 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The antimalarial drug artemisinin and its derivatives have been explored as potential anticancer agents, but their underlying mechanisms are controversial. In this study, we found that artemisinin compounds can sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Mechanistically, dihydroartemisinin (DAT) can induce lysosomal degradation of ferritin in an autophagy-independent manner, increasing the cellular free iron level and causing cells to become more sensitive to ferroptosis. Further, by associating with cellular free iron and thus stimulating the binding of iron-regulatory proteins (IRPs) with mRNA molecules containing iron-responsive element (IRE) sequences, DAT impinges on IRP/IRE-controlled iron homeostasis to further increase cellular free iron. Importantly, in both in vitro and a mouse xenograft model in which ferroptosis was triggered in cancer cells by the inducible knockout of GPX4, we found that DAT can augment GPX4 inhibition-induced ferroptosis in a cohort of cancer cells that are otherwise highly resistant to ferroptosis. Collectively, artemisinin compounds can sensitize cells to ferroptosis by regulating cellular iron homeostasis. Our findings can be exploited clinically to enhance the effect of future ferroptosis-inducing cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Fahad A Benthani
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jiao Wu
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, 10065, USA
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Deguang Liang
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Zhao-Xiang Bian
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, 10065, USA.
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Wei S, Liu L, Chen Z, Yin W, Liu Y, Ouyang Q, Zeng F, Nie Y, Chen T. Artesunate inhibits the mevalonate pathway and promotes glioma cell senescence. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 24:276-284. [PMID: 31746143 PMCID: PMC6933330 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is a common brain malignancy for which new drug development is urgently needed because of radiotherapy and drug resistance. Recent studies have demonstrated that artemisinin (ARS) compounds can display antiglioma activity, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Using cell lines and mouse models, we investigated the effects of the most soluble ARS analogue artesunate (ART) on glioma cell growth, migration, distant seeding and senescence and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Artemisinin effectively inhibited glioma cell growth, migration and distant seeding. Further investigation of the mechanisms showed that ART can influence glioma cell metabolism by affecting the nuclear localization of SREBP2 (sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 2) and the expression of its target gene HMGCR (3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase), the rate‐limiting enzyme of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Moreover, ART affected the interaction between SREBP2 and P53 and restored the expression of P21 in cells expressing wild‐type P53, thus playing a key role in cell senescence induction. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the new therapeutic potential of ART in glioma cells and showed the novel anticancer mechanisms of ARS compounds of regulating MVA metabolism and cell senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shupei Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Liu
- People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, China
| | - Zhiyu Chen
- Clinical Research Lab Center, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Wenli Yin
- People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, China
| | - Yingzi Liu
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Feiyue Zeng
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yingjie Nie
- Clinical Research Lab Center, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Tao Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Research Lab Center, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
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50
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Design and synthesis of novel artemisinin derivatives with potent activities against colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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