1
|
DeRatt LG, Zhang Z, Pietsch C, Cisar JS, Zhang X, Wang W, Tanner A, Matico R, Shaffer P, Jacoby E, Kazmi F, Shukla N, Bush TL, Patrick A, Philippar U, Attar R, Edwards JP, Kuduk SD. Discovery of JNJ-74856665: A Novel Isoquinolinone DHODH Inhibitor for the Treatment of AML. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38889244 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a heterogeneous disease of the blood and bone marrow, is characterized by the inability of myeloblasts to differentiate into mature cell types. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an enzyme well-known in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway and preclinical findings demonstrated that DHODH is a metabolic vulnerability in AML as inhibitors can induce differentiation across multiple AML subtypes. As a result of virtual screening and structure-based drug design approaches, a novel series of isoquinolinone DHODH inhibitors was identified. Further lead optimization afforded JNJ-74856665 as an orally bioavailable, potent, and selective DHODH inhibitor with favorable physicochemical properties selected for clinical development in patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey G DeRatt
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Zhuming Zhang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Christine Pietsch
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Justin S Cisar
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Weixue Wang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Alexandra Tanner
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Rosalie Matico
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Paul Shaffer
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Faraz Kazmi
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Neetu Shukla
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Tammy L Bush
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Aaron Patrick
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Ulrike Philippar
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Attar
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - James P Edwards
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Scott D Kuduk
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lü Z, Dai X, Xu J, Liu Z, Guo Y, Gao Z, Meng F. Medicinal chemistry strategies toward broad-spectrum antiviral agents to prevent next pandemics. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116442. [PMID: 38685143 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116442] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The pandemic and tremendous impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 alert us, despite great achievements in prevention and control of infectious diseases, we still lack universal and powerful antiviral strategies to rapidly respond to the potential threat of serious infectious disease. Various highly contagious and pathogenic viruses, as well as other unknown viruses may appear or reappear in human society at any time, causing a catastrophic epidemic. Developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs with high security and efficiency is of great significance for timely meeting public health emergency and protecting the lives and health of the people. Hence, in this review, we summarized diverse broad-spectrum antiviral targets and corresponding agents from a medicinal chemistry prospective, compared the pharmacological advantages and disadvantages of different targets, listed representative agents, showed their structures, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics characteristics, and conducted a critical discussion on their development potential, in the hope of providing up-to-date guidance for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals and perspectives for applications of antiviral therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zirui Lü
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Xiandong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Jianjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Zhenming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Zhenhua Gao
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Fanhua Meng
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Elgamal OA, Fobare S, Vibhute S, Mehmood A, Vroom DC, Johnson ML, Stearns B, Lerma JR, Truxall J, Stahl E, Carmichael B, Orwick SJ, Mims AS, Curran E, Santhanam R, Tridandapani S, Phelps MA, Xie Z, Coss CC, Baker SD, Patrick J, Ezzell JK, Rai J, Pan J, Rai SN, Stillwell C, Wunderlich M, Abdulrahim M, Goodwin TE, Hilinski G, Bennett CE, Hertlein E, Byrd JC. Pyrimidine depletion enhances targeted and immune therapy combinations in acute myeloid leukemia. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e173646. [PMID: 38646934 PMCID: PMC11141866 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173646] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal disease characterized by the accumulation of undifferentiated myeloblasts, and agents that promote differentiation have been effective in this disease but are not curative. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors (DHODHi) have the ability to promote AML differentiation and target aberrant malignant myelopoiesis. We introduce HOSU-53, a DHODHi with significant monotherapy activity, which is further enhanced when combined with other standard-of-care therapeutics. We further discovered that DHODHi modulated surface expression of CD38 and CD47, prompting the evaluation of HOSU-53 combined with anti-CD38 and anti-CD47 therapies, where we identified a compelling curative potential in an aggressive AML model with CD47 targeting. Finally, we explored using plasma dihydroorotate (DHO) levels to monitor HOSU-53 safety and found that the level of DHO accumulation could predict HOSU-53 intolerability, suggesting the clinical use of plasma DHO to determine safe DHODHi doses. Collectively, our data support the clinical translation of HOSU-53 in AML, particularly to augment immune therapies. Potent DHODHi to date have been limited by their therapeutic index; however, we introduce pharmacodynamic monitoring to predict tolerability while preserving antitumor activity. We additionally suggest that DHODHi is effective at lower doses with select immune therapies, widening the therapeutic index.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ola A. Elgamal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Sydney Fobare
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Sandip Vibhute
- Medicinal Chemistry Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Abeera Mehmood
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Dennis C. Vroom
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Mariah L. Johnson
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Blaise Stearns
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James R. Lerma
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jean Truxall
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Emily Stahl
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Bridget Carmichael
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Shelley J. Orwick
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Alice S. Mims
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - Emily Curran
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ramasamy Santhanam
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | | | | | - Zhiliang Xie
- College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center; and
| | - Christopher C. Coss
- Drug Development Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Patrick
- Drug Development Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Janel K. Ezzell
- Drug Development Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jayesh Rai
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine
- Cancer Data Science Center, College of Medicine; and
- Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jianmin Pan
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine
- Cancer Data Science Center, College of Medicine; and
- Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shesh N. Rai
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine
- Cancer Data Science Center, College of Medicine; and
- Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Cody Stillwell
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Mark Wunderlich
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Gerard Hilinski
- Drug Development Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chad E. Bennett
- Medicinal Chemistry Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Drug Development Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Erin Hertlein
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
| | - John C. Byrd
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
- College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center; and
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He Y, Zhou J, Gao H, Liu C, Zhan P, Liu X. Broad-spectrum antiviral strategy: Host-targeting antivirals against emerging and re-emerging viruses. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116069. [PMID: 38160620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116069] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Viral infections are amongst the most prevalent diseases that pose a significant threat to human health. Targeting viral proteins or host factors represents two primary strategies for the development of antiviral drugs. In contrast to virus-targeting antivirals (VTAs), host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) offer advantages in terms of overcoming drug resistance and effectively combating a wide range of viruses, including newly emerging ones. Therefore, targeting host factors emerges as an extremely promising strategy with the potential to address critical challenges faced by VTAs. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the discovery and development of HTAs, leading to the approval of maraviroc, a chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonist used for the treatment of HIV-1 infected individuals, with several other potential treatments in various stages of development for different viral infections. This review systematically summarizes advancements made in medicinal chemistry regarding various host targets and classifies them into four distinct catagories based on their involvement in the viral life cycle: virus attachment and entry, biosynthesis, nuclear import and export, and viral release.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong He
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Jiahui Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Huizhan Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Chuanfeng Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gehlot P, Vyas VK. A Patent Review of Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (hDHODH) Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents and their Other Therapeutic Applications (1999-2022). Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2024; 19:280-297. [PMID: 37070439 DOI: 10.2174/1574892818666230417094939] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Highly proliferating cells, such as cancer cells, are in high demand of pyrimidine nucleotides for their proliferation, accomplished by de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. The human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH) enzyme plays a vital role in the rate-limiting step of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. As a recognised therapeutic target, hDHODH plays a significant role in cancer and other illness. In the past two decades, small molecules as inhibitors hDHODH enzyme have drawn much attention as anticancer agents, and their role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS). In this patent review, we have compiled patented hDHODH inhibitors published between 1999 and 2022 and discussed the development of hDHODH inhibitors as anticancer agents. Therapeutic potential of small molecules as hDHODH inhibitors for the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, is very well recognised. Human DHODH inhibitors can rapidly cause intracellular uridine monophosphate (UMP) depletion to produce starvation of pyrimidine bases. Normal cells can better endure a brief period of starvation without the side effects of conventional cytotoxic medication and resume synthesis of nucleic acid and other cellular functions after inhibition of de novo pathway using an alternative salvage pathway. Highly proliferative cells such as cancer cells do not endure starvation because they are in high demand of nucleotides for cell differentiation, which is fulfilled by de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. In addition, hDHODH inhibitors produce their desired activity at lower doses rather than a cytotoxic dose of other anticancer agents. Thus, inhibition of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis will create new prospects for the development of novel targeted anticancer agents, which ongoing preclinical and clinical experiments define. Our work brings together a comprehensive patent review of the role of hDHODH in cancer, as well as various patents related to the hDHODH inhibitors and their anticancer and other therapeutic potential. This compiled work on patented DHODH inhibitors will guide researchers in pursuing the most promising drug discovery strategies against the hDHODH enzyme as anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pinky Gehlot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, 382481, Gujrat, India
| | - Vivek K Vyas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, 382481, Gujrat, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ma H, Cui J, Liu Z, Fang W, Lu S, Cao S, Zhang Y, Chen JA, Lu L, Xie Q, Wang Y, Huang Y, Li K, Tong H, Huang J, Lu W. Blockade of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis triggers autophagic degradation of oncoprotein FLT3-ITD in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2023; 42:3331-3343. [PMID: 37752234 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02848-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The internal tandem duplication of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3-ITD) is one of the most frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Limited and transient clinical benefit of FLT3 kinase inhibitors (FLT3i) emphasizes the need for alternative therapeutic options for this subset of myeloid malignancies. Herein, we showed that FLT3-ITD mutant (FLT3-ITD+) AML cells were susceptible toward inhibitors of DHODH, a rate-limiting enzyme of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Genetic and pharmacological blockade of DHODH triggered downregulation of FLT3-ITD protein, subsequently suppressed activation of downstream ERK and STAT5, and promoted cell death of FLT3-ITD+ AML cells. Mechanistically, DHODH blockade triggered autophagy-mediated FLT3-ITD degradation via inactivating mTOR, a potent autophagy repressor. Notably, blockade of DHODH synergized with an FDA-approved FLT3i quizartinib in significantly impairing the growth of FLT3-ITD+ AML cells and improving tumor-bearing mice survival. We further demonstrated that DHODH blockade exhibited profound anti-proliferation effect on quizartinib-resistant cells in vitro and in vivo. In summary, this study demonstrates that the induction of degradation of FLT3-ITD protein by DHODH blockade may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for AML patients harboring FLT3-ITD mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ma
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayan Cui
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Zehui Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqing Fang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Sisi Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuying Cao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-An Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixue Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- NMPA Key Laboratory of Rapid Drug Inspection Technology, Guangdong Institute for Drug Control, 510663, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kongfei Li
- Department of Hematology, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, 315000, Ningbo, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Hematopoietic Malignancy, Zhejiang University, 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Tong
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Hematopoietic Malignancy, Zhejiang University, 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weiqiang Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multidimensional Information Processing, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Barbosa K, Deshpande AJ. Therapeutic targeting of leukemia stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1204895. [PMID: 37601659 PMCID: PMC10437214 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1204895] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the distinguishing properties of hematopoietic stem cells is their ability to self-renew. Since self-renewal is important for the continuous replenishment of the hematopoietic stem cell pool, this property is often hijacked in blood cancers. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is believed to be arranged in a hierarchy, with self-renewing leukemia stem cells (LSCs) giving rise to the bulk tumor. Some of the earliest characterizations of LSCs were made in seminal studies that assessed the ability of prospectively isolated candidate AML stem cells to repopulate the entire heterogeneity of the tumor in mice. Further studies indicated that LSCs may be responsible for chemotherapy resistance and therefore act as a reservoir for secondary disease and leukemia relapse. In recent years, a number of studies have helped illuminate the complexity of clonality in bone marrow pathologies, including leukemias. Many features distinguishing LSCs from normal hematopoietic stem cells have been identified, and these studies have opened up diverse avenues for targeting LSCs, with an impact on the clinical management of AML patients. This review will discuss the role of self-renewal in AML and its implications, distinguishing characteristics between normal and leukemia stem cells, and opportunities for therapeutic targeting of AML LSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Barbosa
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Aniruddha J. Deshpande
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Šimoničová K, Janotka L, Kavcova H, Sulova Z, Messingerova L, Breier A. Resistance of Leukemia Cells to 5-Azacytidine: Different Responses to the Same Induction Protocol. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15113063. [PMID: 37297025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113063] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Three AML cell variants (M/A, M/A* from MOLM-13 and S/A from SKM-1) were established for resistance by the same protocol using 5-azacytidine (AZA) as a selection agent. These AZA-resistant variants differ in their responses to other cytosine nucleoside analogs, including 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC), as well as in some molecular features. Differences in global DNA methylation, protein levels of DNA methyltransferases, and phosphorylation of histone H2AX were observed in response to AZA and DAC treatment in these cell variants. This could be due to changes in the expression of uridine-cytidine kinases 1 and 2 (UCK1 and UCK2) demonstrated in our cell variants. In the M/A variant that retained sensitivity to DAC, we detected a homozygous point mutation in UCK2 resulting in an amino acid substitution (L220R) that is likely responsible for AZA resistance. Cells administered AZA treatment can switch to de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, which could be blocked by inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase by teriflunomide (TFN). This is shown by the synergistic effect of AZA and TFN in those variants that were cross-resistant to DAC and did not have a mutation in UCK2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristína Šimoničová
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubos Janotka
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Hnevotinska 3, 77515 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Kavcova
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zdena Sulova
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Messingerova
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Albert Breier
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Morton TL, Laskin OL, Kaushik D, Lee L, Ma J, Kristensen A, O'Keefe K, Golden L, Klein M, Kong R. A pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction study between rosuvastatin and emvododstat, a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) DHODH (dihydroorotate dehydrogenase) inhibitor. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01076. [PMID: 36938928 PMCID: PMC10026081 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1076] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A therapeutic agent that targets both viral replication and the hyper-reactive immune response would offer a highly desirable treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) management. Emvododstat (PTC299) was found to be a potent inhibitor of immunomodulatory and inflammation-related processes by the inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) to reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication. DHODH is the rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis pathway. This drug interaction study was performed to determine whether emvododstat was an inhibitor of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) transporters in humans. Potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between emvododstat and a BCRP transporter substrate (rosuvastatin) were investigated by measuring plasma rosuvastatin concentrations before and after emvododstat administration. There was no apparent difference in rosuvastatin plasma exposure. The geometric means of maximum plasma rosuvastatin concentrations (Cmax ) were 4369 (rosuvastatin) and 5141 pg/mL (rosuvastatin + emvododstat) at 4 h postdose. Geometric mean rosuvastatin area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last measurable plasma concentration was 45 616 and 48 975 h·pg/mL when administered alone and after 7 days of b.i.d. emvododstat dosing, respectively. Geometric least squares mean ratios for Cmax and AUC were approximately equal to 1. Overall, administration of multiple doses of 100 mg emvododstat b.i.d. for 7 days in combination with a single dose of rosuvastatin was safe and well tolerated. Emvododstat can be safely administered with other BCRP substrate drugs. Hence, pharmacokinetic DDI mediated via BCRP inhibition is not expected when emvododstat and BCRP substrates are coadministered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lucy Lee
- PTC TherapeuticsSouth PlainfieldNew JerseyUSA
| | - Jiyuan Ma
- PTC TherapeuticsSouth PlainfieldNew JerseyUSA
| | | | | | - Lee Golden
- PTC TherapeuticsSouth PlainfieldNew JerseyUSA
| | | | - Ronald Kong
- PTC TherapeuticsSouth PlainfieldNew JerseyUSA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mishra SK, Millman SE, Zhang L. Metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia: mechanistic insights and therapeutic targets. Blood 2023; 141:1119-1135. [PMID: 36548959 PMCID: PMC10375271 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022018092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring and cellular reprogramming are trademarks of neoplastic initiation and progression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Metabolic alteration in leukemic cells is often genotype specific, with associated changes in epigenetic and functional factors resulting in the downstream upregulation or facilitation of oncogenic pathways. Targeting abnormal or disease-sustaining metabolic activities in AML provides a wide range of therapeutic opportunities, ideally with enhanced therapeutic windows and robust clinical efficacy. This review highlights the dysregulation of amino acid, nucleotide, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism in AML; explores the role of key vitamins and enzymes that regulate these processes; and provides an overview of metabolism-directed therapies currently in use or development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott E. Millman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Lingbo Zhang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Watanabe M, Kosaka H, Sugawara M, Maemoto M, Ono Y, Uemori T, Shizu R, Yoshinari K. Screening for DAX1/EWS-FLI1 functional inhibitors identified dihydroorotate dehydrogenase as a therapeutic target for Ewing's sarcoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:9802-9814. [PMID: 36825574 PMCID: PMC10166890 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5741] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE EWS-FLI1 is the most common oncogenic fusion protein in Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs). DAX1, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is up-regulated by EWS-FLI1 and plays a key role in the transformed phenotype of ESFTs. METHODS To discover a functional inhibitor of DAX1 and EWS-FLI1, we screened small-molecular inhibitors using a DAX1 reporter assay system. RESULTS K-234 and its derivatives, which were dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors, showed inhibitory effects in the reporter assay. K-234 inhibited the growth of Ewing's sarcoma with various fusion types, and K-234 derivatives altered the expression of EWS-FLI1-regulated genes. The DAX1 expression had no effect on the growth inhibitory effect of the K-234 derivatives, while DHODH overexpression or uridine treatment attenuated their inhibitory effects, suggesting that inhibition by K-234 derivatives occurs through DHODH inhibition. An in vivo study showed that a K-234 derivative clearly inhibited tumor growth in an Ewing's sarcoma xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSION Taken together, the present results suggest that DHODH inhibitors can inhibit the function of DAX1/EWS-FLI1 in ESFTs and might be a therapeutic agent with potent anti-tumor activity for Ewing's sarcoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Watanabe
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Kosaka
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masamori Sugawara
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Michihiro Maemoto
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yoko Ono
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uemori
- Research and Development Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ryota Shizu
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kouichi Yoshinari
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pauly I, Kumar Singh A, Kumar A, Singh Y, Thareja S, Kamal MA, Verma A, Kumar P. Current Insights and Molecular Docking Studies of the Drugs under Clinical Trial as RdRp Inhibitors in COVID-19 Treatment. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 28:3677-3705. [PMID: 36345244 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666221107123841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Study Background & Objective: After the influenza pandemic (1918), COVID-19 was declared a Vth pandemic by the WHO in 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA-enveloped single-stranded virus. Based on the structure and life cycle, Protease (3CLpro), RdRp, ACE2, IL-6, and TMPRSS2 are the major targets for drug development against COVID-19. Pre-existing several drugs (FDA-approved) are used to inhibit the above targets in different diseases. In coronavirus treatment, these drugs are also in different clinical trial stages. Remdesivir (RdRp inhibitor) is the only FDA-approved medicine for coronavirus treatment. In the present study, by using the drug repurposing strategy, 70 preexisting clinical or under clinical trial molecules were used in scrutiny for RdRp inhibitor potent molecules in coronavirus treatment being surveyed via docking studies. Molecular simulation studies further confirmed the binding mechanism and stability of the most potent compounds. MATERIAL AND METHODS Docking studies were performed using the Maestro 12.9 module of Schrodinger software over 70 molecules with RdRp as the target and remdesivir as the standard drug and further confirmed by simulation studies. RESULTS The docking studies showed that many HIV protease inhibitors demonstrated remarkable binding interactions with the target RdRp. Protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir are effective. Along with these, AT-527, ledipasvir, bicalutamide, and cobicistat showed improved docking scores. RMSD and RMSF were further analyzed for potent ledipasvir and ritonavir by simulation studies and were identified as potential candidates for corona disease. CONCLUSION The drug repurposing approach provides a new avenue in COVID-19 treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irine Pauly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Ankit Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Adarsh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Yogesh Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Suresh Thareja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Mohammad A Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jaddah, Saudi Arabia.,Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW 2770, Australia.,Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Australia
| | - Amita Verma
- Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, 211007, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
SAR studies toward discovery of emvododstat (PTC299), a potent dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114826. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
14
|
Ma J, Ye Q, Northcutt V, Babiak J, Kong R. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of 14C-Emvododstat following a single oral dose in rats and dogs. Xenobiotica 2022; 52:1031-1040. [PMID: 36700425 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2023.2171925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Emvododstat is a potent inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and is now in clinical development for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and COVID-19.Following an oral dose administration in Long-Evans rats, 14C-emvododstat-derived radioactivity was widely distributed throughout the body, with the highest distribution in the endocrine, fatty, and secretory tissues and the lowest in central nervous system.Following a single oral dose of 14C-emvododstat in rats, 54.7% of the dose was recovered in faeces while less than 0.4% of dose was recovered in urine 7 days post-dose. Emvododstat was the dominant radioactive component in plasma and faeces.Following a single oral dose of 14C-emvododstat in dogs, 75.2% of the dose was recovered in faeces while 0.5% of dose was recovered in urine 8 days post-dose. Emvododstat was the dominant radioactive component in faeces, while emvododstat and its two metabolites (O-desmethyl emvododstat and emvododstat amide bond hydrolysis product) were the major circulating radioactivity in dog plasma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Ma
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc, South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Qing Ye
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc, South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - John Babiak
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc, South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ronald Kong
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc, South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sainas S, Giorgis M, Circosta P, Poli G, Alberti M, Passoni A, Gaidano V, Pippione AC, Vitale N, Bonanni D, Rolando B, Cignetti A, Ramondetti C, Lanno A, Ferraris DM, Canepa B, Buccinnà B, Piccinini M, Rizzi M, Saglio G, Al-Karadaghi S, Boschi D, Miggiano R, Tuccinardi T, Lolli ML. Targeting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Using Potent Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors Based on the 2-Hydroxypyrazolo[1,5- a]pyridine Scaffold: SAR of the Aryloxyaryl Moiety. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12701-12724. [PMID: 36162075 PMCID: PMC9574863 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors have been associated with acute myelogenous leukemia as well as studied as potent host targeting antivirals. Starting from MEDS433 (IC50 1.2 nM), we kept improving the structure-activity relationship of this class of compounds characterized by 2-hydroxypyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine scaffold. Using an in silico/crystallography supported design, we identified compound 4 (IC50 7.2 nM), characterized by the presence of a decorated aryloxyaryl moiety that replaced the biphenyl scaffold, with potent inhibition and pro-differentiating abilities on AML THP1 cells (EC50 74 nM), superior to those of brequinar (EC50 249 nM) and boosted when in combination with dipyridamole. Finally, compound 4 has an extremely low cytotoxicity on non-AML cells as well as MEDS433; it has shown a significant antileukemic activity in vivo in a xenograft mouse model of AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Sainas
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Marta Giorgis
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Paola Circosta
- Department
of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University
of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, Turin 10043, Italy
- Molecular
Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Giulio Poli
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Marta Alberti
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Piemonte Orientale, Via
G. Bovio 6, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Alice Passoni
- Laboratory
of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Valentina Gaidano
- Division
of Hematology and Cell Therapy, AO Ordine
Mauriziano, Largo Filippo
Turati, 62, Turin 10128, Italy
| | - Agnese C. Pippione
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Vitale
- Department
of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Davide Bonanni
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
- Life
Science Department, University of Modena, Via Università 4, Modena 41121, Italy
| | - Barbara Rolando
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cignetti
- Division
of Hematology and Cell Therapy, AO Ordine
Mauriziano, Largo Filippo
Turati, 62, Turin 10128, Italy
| | - Cristina Ramondetti
- Department
of Oncology, University of Turin, Via Michelangelo 27/B, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Alessia Lanno
- Laboratory
of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Davide M. Ferraris
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Piemonte Orientale, Via
G. Bovio 6, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Barbara Canepa
- GEM FORLAB, Via Ing.
Comotto 36, Caluso, Turin, 10014, Italy
| | - Barbara Buccinnà
- Department
of Oncology, University of Turin, Via Michelangelo 27/B, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Marco Piccinini
- Department
of Oncology, University of Turin, Via Michelangelo 27/B, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Menico Rizzi
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Piemonte Orientale, Via
G. Bovio 6, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Saglio
- Department
of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University
of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, Turin 10043, Italy
- Division
of Hematology and Cell Therapy, AO Ordine
Mauriziano, Largo Filippo
Turati, 62, Turin 10128, Italy
| | - Salam Al-Karadaghi
- Department
of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Naturvetarvägen
14, Box 124, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Donatella Boschi
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Riccardo Miggiano
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Piemonte Orientale, Via
G. Bovio 6, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Tiziano Tuccinardi
- Molecular
Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Marco L. Lolli
- Department
of Drug Science and Technology, University
of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, Turin 10125, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li C, Zhou Y, Xu J, Zhou X, Liu S, Huang Z, Qiu Z, Zeng T, Gou K, Tao L, Zhong X, Yang X, Zhou Y, Su N, Chen Q, Zhao Y, Luo Y. Discovery of potent human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors based on a benzophenone scaffold. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114737. [PMID: 36115209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114737] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Blocking the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine by inhibiting human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH) is an effective way to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells and activated lymphocytes. Herein, eighteen teriflunomide derivatives and four ASLAN003 derivatives were designed and synthesized as novel hDHODH inhibitors based on a benzophenone scaffold. The optimal compound 7d showed a potent hDHODH inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 10.9 nM, and displayed promising antiproliferative activities against multiple human cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.1-0.8 μM. Supplementation of exogenous uridine rescued the cell viability of 7d-treated Raji and HCT116 cells. Meanwhile, 7d significantly induced cell cycle S-phase arrest in Raji and HCT116 cells. Furthermore, 7d exhibited favorable safety profiles in mice and displayed effective antitumor activities with tumor growth inhibition (TGI) rates of 58.3% and 42.1% at an oral dosage of 30 mg/kg in Raji and HCT116 cells xenograft models, respectively. Taken together, these findings provide a promising hDHODH inhibitor 7d with potential activities against some tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chungen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Song Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zongkai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiqiang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ting Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Kun Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xi Zhong
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Na Su
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Youfu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Inhibitors of Nucleotide Biosynthesis as Candidates for a Wide Spectrum of Antiviral Chemotherapy. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081631. [PMID: 36014049 PMCID: PMC9413629 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging viruses have been a challenge in public health in recent decades. Host-targeted antivirals (HTA) directed at cellular molecules or pathways involved in virus multiplication represent an interesting strategy to combat viruses presently lacking effective chemotherapy. HTA could provide a wide range of agents with inhibitory activity against current and future viruses that share similar host requirements and reduce the possible selection of antiviral-resistant variants. Nucleotide metabolism is one of the more exploited host metabolic pathways as a potential antiviral target for several human viruses. This review focuses on the antiviral properties of the inhibitors of pyrimidine and purine nucleotide biosynthesis, with an emphasis on the rate-limiting enzymes dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for which there are old and new drugs active against a broad spectrum of pathogenic viruses.
Collapse
|
18
|
Eriksen‐Gjerstad M, Tveit Karlsen I, Fandalyuk Z, Benjaminsen S, Baran‐Marszak F, Papp B, Locke F, Ladds M, Pastor‐Fernández A, Gelebart P, Mc Cormack E. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition acts synergistically with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to induce apoptosis of mantle cell lymphoma cells. EJHAEM 2022; 3:913-918. [PMID: 36051066 PMCID: PMC9422018 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a non‐Hodgkin lymphoma that remains incurable with the treatment options available today. In the present study, we have identified the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an essential enzyme for the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine‐based nucleotides, to be overexpressed in MCL in comparison to healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In vitro inhibition of the DHODH activity using a newly developed DHODH inhibitor, namely (R)‐HZ05, can induce MCL cell death in the nanomolar range independently than the P53 status of the investigated cell lines. Moreover, the combination of (R)‐HZ05 with tyrosine kinase inhibitor shows the synergistic activity on cell death. Pre‐clinical investigation on the efficacy of (R)‐HZ05 shows that it can be prolonged animal lifespan similar to ibrutinib. (R)‐HZ05 use in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitor demonstrated a superior efficacy on tumor burden reduction and survival than either drug alone. We have demonstrated that the depletion of the pyrimidine nucleotide pool, using DHODH inhibitor, represents a new therapeutic strategy that may benefit MCL patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Bela Papp
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR U976 Institut de Recherche Saint‐Louis Hôpital Saint‐Louis, Université de Paris; CEA DRF‐Institut Francois Jacob Department of Hemato‐Immunology Research Hôpital Saint‐Louis Paris France
| | - Frederick Locke
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Moffit Cancer Centre Tampa USA
| | - Marcus Ladds
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- SciLifeLab Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Andrés Pastor‐Fernández
- Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- SciLifeLab Department of Microbiology Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Pascal Gelebart
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Emmet Mc Cormack
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- Department of Quality and Development Hospital Pharmacies Enterprise in Western Norway Bergen Norway
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO Bergen Norway
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
A novel series of teriflunomide derivatives as orally active inhibitors of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114489. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
20
|
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition reveals metabolic vulnerability in chronic myeloid leukemia. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:576. [PMID: 35773274 PMCID: PMC9247109 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05028-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The development of different generations of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has led to the high overall survival of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. However, there are CML patients who show resistance to TKI therapy and are prone to progress to more advanced phases of the disease. So, implementing an alternative approach for targeting TKIs insensitive cells would be of the essence. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway that is located in the inner membrane of mitochondria. Here, we found that CML cells are vulnerable to DHODH inhibition mediated by Meds433, a new and potent DHODH inhibitor recently developed by our group. Meds433 significantly activates the apoptotic pathway and leads to the reduction of amino acids and induction of huge metabolic stress in CML CD34+ cells. Altogether, our study shows that DHODH inhibition is a promising approach for targeting CML stem/progenitor cells and may help more patients discontinue the therapy.
Collapse
|
21
|
Yang X, Li C, Gou K, Liu X, Zhou Y, Zou J, Chen Q, Luo Y, Zhao Y. A novel and potent dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor suppresses the proliferation of colorectal cancer by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage. MEDCOMM – ONCOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/mog2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant‐Sourced Drug, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Chungen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Kun Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Xiaocong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Yue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Jiao Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Youfu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant‐Sourced Drug, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital West China Medical Chengdu Sichuan China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
So J, Lewis AC, Smith LK, Stanley K, Franich R, Yoannidis D, Pijpers L, Dominguez P, Hogg SJ, Vervoort SJ, Brown FC, Johnstone RW, McDonald G, Ulanet DB, Murtie J, Gruber E, Kats LM. Inhibition of pyrimidine biosynthesis targets protein translation in acute myeloid leukemia. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15203. [PMID: 35514210 PMCID: PMC9260210 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) catalyzes one of the rate‐limiting steps in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, a pathway that provides essential metabolic precursors for nucleic acids, glycoproteins, and phospholipids. DHODH inhibitors (DHODHi) are clinically used for autoimmune diseases and are emerging as a novel class of anticancer agents, especially in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) where pyrimidine starvation was recently shown to reverse the characteristic differentiation block in AML cells. Herein, we show that DHODH blockade rapidly shuts down protein translation in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and has potent and selective activity against multiple AML subtypes. Moreover, we find that ablation of CDK5, a gene that is recurrently deleted in AML and related disorders, increases the sensitivity of AML cells to DHODHi. Our studies provide important molecular insights and identify a potential biomarker for an emerging strategy to target AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joan So
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | | | - Lorey K Smith
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Kym Stanley
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Rheana Franich
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - David Yoannidis
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Lizzy Pijpers
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Pilar Dominguez
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Simon J Hogg
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephin J Vervoort
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Fiona C Brown
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | | | | | | | - Emily Gruber
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Lev M Kats
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zheng Y, Li S, Song K, Ye J, Li W, Zhong Y, Feng Z, Liang S, Cai Z, Xu K. A Broad Antiviral Strategy: Inhibitors of Human DHODH Pave the Way for Host-Targeting Antivirals against Emerging and Re-Emerging Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050928. [PMID: 35632670 PMCID: PMC9146014 DOI: 10.3390/v14050928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
New strategies to rapidly develop broad-spectrum antiviral therapies are urgently required for emerging and re-emerging viruses. Host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) that target the universal host factors necessary for viral replication are the most promising approach, with broad-spectrum, foresighted function, and low resistance. We and others recently identified that host dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is one of the universal host factors essential for the replication of many acute-infectious viruses. DHODH is a rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing the fourth step in de novo pyrimidine synthesis. Therefore, it has also been developed as a therapeutic target for many diseases relying on cellular pyrimidine resources, such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, and viral or bacterial infections. Significantly, the successful use of DHODH inhibitors (DHODHi) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection further supports the application prospects. This review focuses on the advantages of HTAs and the antiviral effects of DHODHi with clinical applications. The multiple functions of DHODHi in inhibiting viral replication, stimulating ISGs expression, and suppressing cytokine storms make DHODHi a potent strategy against viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Shiliang Li
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (S.L.); (Z.F.)
| | - Kun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Jiajie Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Wenkang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Yifan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Ziyan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (S.L.); (Z.F.)
| | - Simeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zeng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
- Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory at Center for Animal Experiments, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (Y.Z.); (K.S.); (J.Y.); (W.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.L.); (Z.C.)
- Institute for Vaccine Research, Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory at Center for Animal Experiments, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-27-68756997; Fax: +86-27-68754592
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Branstrom A, Cao L, Furia B, Trotta C, Santaguida M, Graci JD, Colacino JM, Ray B, Li W, Sheedy J, Mollin A, Yeh S, Kong R, Sheridan R, Baird JD, O'Keefe K, Spiegel R, Goodwin E, Keating S, Weetall M. Emvododstat, a Potent Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor, Is Effective in Preclinical Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:832816. [PMID: 35223511 PMCID: PMC8864546 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.832816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking the pyrimidine nucleotide de novo synthesis pathway by inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) results in the cell cycle arrest and/or differentiation of rapidly proliferating cells including activated lymphocytes, cancer cells, or virally infected cells. Emvododstat (PTC299) is an orally bioavailable small molecule that inhibits DHODH. We evaluated the potential for emvododstat to inhibit the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using several in vitro and in vivo models of the disease. Broad potent activity was demonstrated against multiple AML cell lines, AML blasts cultured ex vivo from patient blood samples, and AML tumor models including patient-derived xenograft models. Emvododstat induced differentiation, cytotoxicity, or both in primary AML patient blasts cultured ex vivo with 8 of 10 samples showing sensitivity. AML cells with diverse driver mutations were sensitive, suggesting the potential of emvododstat for broad therapeutic application. AML cell lines that are not sensitive to emvododstat are likely to be more reliant on the salvage pathway than on de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. Pharmacokinetic experiments in rhesus monkeys demonstrated that emvododstat levels rose rapidly after oral administration, peaking about 2 hours post-dosing. This was associated with an increase in the levels of dihydroorotate (DHO), the substrate for DHODH, within 2 hours of dosing indicating that DHODH inhibition is rapid. DHO levels declined as drug levels declined, consistent with the reversibility of DHODH inhibition by emvododstat. These preclinical findings provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of emvododstat in an ongoing Phase 1 study of patients with relapsed/refractory acute leukemias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Branstrom
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Liangxian Cao
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Bansri Furia
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Jason D Graci
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Joseph M Colacino
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Balmiki Ray
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Wencheng Li
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Josephine Sheedy
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Anna Mollin
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Shirley Yeh
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Ronald Kong
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | | | - John D Baird
- Clinical, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Kylie O'Keefe
- Commercial, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Robert Spiegel
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Elizabeth Goodwin
- Scientific Writing, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Suzanne Keating
- Scientific Writing, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| | - Marla Weetall
- Research, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, NJ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
New Insights into the Interaction of Class II Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenases with Ubiquinone in Lipid Bilayers as a Function of Lipid Composition. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052437. [PMID: 35269583 PMCID: PMC8910288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The fourth enzymatic reaction in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, the oxidation of dihydroorotate to orotate, is catalyzed by dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). Enzymes belonging to the DHODH Class II are membrane-bound proteins that use ubiquinones as their electron acceptors. We have designed this study to understand the interaction of an N-terminally truncated human DHODH (HsΔ29DHODH) and the DHODH from Escherichia coli (EcDHODH) with ubiquinone (Q10) in supported lipid membranes using neutron reflectometry (NR). NR has allowed us to determine in situ, under solution conditions, how the enzymes bind to lipid membranes and to unambiguously resolve the location of Q10. Q10 is exclusively located at the center of all of the lipid bilayers investigated, and upon binding, both of the DHODHs penetrate into the hydrophobic region of the outer lipid leaflet towards the Q10. We therefore show that the interaction between the soluble enzymes and the membrane-embedded Q10 is mediated by enzyme penetration. We can also show that EcDHODH binds more efficiently to the surface of simple bilayers consisting of 1-palmitoyl, 2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine, and tetraoleoyl cardiolipin than HsΔ29DHODH, but does not penetrate into the lipids to the same degree. Our results also highlight the importance of Q10, as well as lipid composition, on enzyme binding.
Collapse
|
26
|
Orozco Rodriguez JM, Wacklin-Knecht H, Knecht W. Protein-lipid interactions of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and three mutants associated with Miller syndrome. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 41:1337-1358. [PMID: 35184687 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2022.2039393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) catalyzes the fourth step of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway and uses ubiquinone Q10, a lipophilic molecule located in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), as its co-substrate. DHODH is anchored to the IMM by a single transmembrane helix located at its N-terminus. Nevertheless, how DHODH function is determined by its surrounding membrane environment and protein-lipid interactions, as well as the mechanism by which ubiquinone Q10 accesses the active site of DHODH from within the membrane are still largely unknown. Here, we describe the interaction between wild-type DHODH and three DHODH mutants associated with Miller syndrome and lipids using enzymatic assays, thermal stability assays and Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Our results provide evidence indicating that the N-terminal part of human DHODH is not only a structural element for mitochondrial import and location of DHODH, but also influences enzymatic activity and utilization of ubiquinone Q10 and ubiquinone analogues in in vitro assays. They also support the role of tetraoleoyl cardiolipin as a lipid interacting with DHODH. Additionally, the results from QCM-D show that the Miller syndrome mutants studied differ in their interactions with supported lipid bilayers compared to wild-type DHODH. These altered interactions add another dimension to the effects of mutations found in Miller syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the protein-lipid interactions of DHODH variants associated with Miller syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanna Wacklin-Knecht
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,European Spallation Source ERIC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Knecht
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhang L, Zhang J, Wang J, Ren C, Tang P, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Recent advances of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors for cancer therapy: Current development and future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 232:114176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
28
|
Orozco Rodriguez JM, Krupinska E, Wacklin-Knecht H, Knecht W. Protein production, kinetic and biophysical characterization of three human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase mutants associated with Miller syndrome. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 41:1318-1336. [PMID: 35094635 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2021.2023749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Miller syndrome is a rare Mendelian disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). Human DHODH, a Class II DHODH, is an integral protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) catalyzing the fourth step of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Here we present a summary of the state of knowledge regarding Miller syndrome in the absence of any current review on the topic. We then describe the production and characterization of three distinct DHODH missense mutations (G19E, E52G, R135C) associated with Miller syndrome by means of enzyme kinetics and biophysical techniques. These human DHODH mutants were produced both in E. coli and in insect cells using the baculovirus expression vector system. We can show that the effects of these mutations differ from each other and the wild-type enzyme with respect to decreased enzymatic activity, decreased protein stability and probably disturbance of the correct import into the IMM. In addition, our results show that the N-terminus of human DHODH is not only a structural element necessary for correct mitochondrial import and location of DHODH on the outer side of the IMM, but also influences thermal stability, enzymatic activity and affects the kinetic parameters.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15257770.2021.2023749 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewa Krupinska
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hanna Wacklin-Knecht
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,European Spallation Source ERIC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Knecht
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li C, Yang X, Luo Y, Liu H, Zhong X, Zhou X, Zeng T, Tao L, Zhou Y, Gou K, Yang X, Liu X, Chen Q, Zhao Y, Luo Y. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Series of Teriflunomide Derivatives as Potent Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors for Malignancy Treatment. J Med Chem 2021; 64:18175-18192. [PMID: 34905371 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH), as the fourth and rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway, is regarded as an attractive target for malignancy therapy. In the present study, a novel series of teriflunomide derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as hDHODH inhibitors. 13t was the optimal compound with promising enzymatic activity (IC50 = 16.0 nM), potent antiproliferative activity against human lymphoma Raji cells (IC50 = 7.7 nM), and excellent aqueous solubility (20.1 mg/mL). Mechanistically, 13t directly inhibited hDHODH and induced cell cycle S-phase arrest in Raji cells. The acute toxicity assay indicated a favorable safety profile of 13t. Notably, 13t displayed significant tumor growth inhibition activity with a tumor growth inhibition (TGI) rate of 81.4% at 30 mg/kg in a Raji xenograft model. Together, 13t is a promising inhibitor of hDHODH and a preclinical candidate for antitumor therapy, especially for lymphoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chungen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xi Zhong
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ting Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kun Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaocong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Youfu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ma J, Kaushik D, Yeh S, Northcutt V, Babiak J, Risher N, Weetall M, Moon YC, Welch EM, Molony L, O'Keefe K, Kong R. In Vitro Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Interaction Potentials of Emvododstat, a DHODH Inhibitor. Xenobiotica 2021; 52:152-164. [PMID: 34846990 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2021.2010287] [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] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Emvododstat was identified as a potent inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and is now in clinical development for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and COVID-19. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and drug interaction potentials of emvododstat.Emvododstat showed high binding to plasma protein with minimal distribution into blood cells in mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human whole blood.O-Demethylation followed by glucuronidation appeared to be the major metabolic pathway in rat, dog, monkey, and human hepatocytes. CYP2C8, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 were involved in O-desmethyl emvododstat metabolite formation. Both emvododstat and O-desmethyl emvododstat inhibited CYP2D6 activity and induced CYP expression to different extents in vitro.Emvododstat and O-desmethyl emvododstat inhibited BCRP transporter activity but did not inhibit bile salt transporters and other efflux or uptake transporters. Neither emvododstat nor O-desmethyl emvododstat was a substrate for common efflux or uptake transporters investigated.Emvododstat is bioavailable in mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys following a single oral dose. The absorption was generally slow with the mean plasma Tmax ranging from 2 to 5 h; plasma exposure of O-desmethyl emvododstat was lower in rodents, but relatively higher in dogs and monkeys.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Ma
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Diksha Kaushik
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shirley Yeh
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - John Babiak
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nicole Risher
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Ellen M Welch
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lachlan Molony
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kylie O'Keefe
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ronald Kong
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Jernigan F, Branstrom A, Baird JD, Cao L, Dali M, Furia B, Kim MJ, O'Keefe K, Kong R, Laskin OL, Colacino JM, Pykett M, Mollin A, Sheedy J, Dumble M, Moon YC, Sheridan R, Mühlethaler T, Spiegel RJ, Prota AE, Steinmetz MO, Weetall M. Preclinical and Early Clinical Development of PTC596, a Novel Small-Molecule Tubulin-Binding Agent. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1846-1857. [PMID: 34315764 PMCID: PMC9398121 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PTC596 is an investigational small-molecule tubulin-binding agent. Unlike other tubulin-binding agents, PTC596 is orally bioavailable and is not a P-glycoprotein substrate. So as to characterize PTC596 to position the molecule for optimal clinical development, the interactions of PTC596 with tubulin using crystallography, its spectrum of preclinical in vitro anticancer activity, and its pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship were investigated for efficacy in multiple preclinical mouse models of leiomyosarcomas and glioblastoma. Using X-ray crystallography, it was determined that PTC596 binds to the colchicine site of tubulin with unique key interactions. PTC596 exhibited broad-spectrum anticancer activity. PTC596 showed efficacy as monotherapy and additive or synergistic efficacy in combinations in mouse models of leiomyosarcomas and glioblastoma. PTC596 demonstrated efficacy in an orthotopic model of glioblastoma under conditions where temozolomide was inactive. In a first-in-human phase I clinical trial in patients with cancer, PTC596 monotherapy drug exposures were compared with those predicted to be efficacious based on mouse models. PTC596 is currently being tested in combination with dacarbazine in a clinical trial in adults with leiomyosarcoma and in combination with radiation in a clinical trial in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John D. Baird
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Liangxian Cao
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Mandar Dali
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Bansri Furia
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Min Jung Kim
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Kylie O'Keefe
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Ronald Kong
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | | | | | - Mark Pykett
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | - Anna Mollin
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrea E. Prota
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Michel O. Steinmetz
- University of Basel, Biozentrum, Basel, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc., South Plainfield, New Jersey.,Corresponding Author: Marla Weetall, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. 100 Corporate Court, South Plainfield, NJ 07080. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Gong M, Yang Y, Huang Y, Gan T, Wu Y, Gao H, Li Q, Nie J, Huang W, Wang Y, Zhang R, Zhong J, Deng F, Rao Y, Ding Q. Novel quinolone derivatives targeting human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase suppress Ebola virus infection in vitro. Antiviral Res 2021; 194:105161. [PMID: 34391783 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) has emerged as a significant public health concern since the 2013-2016 outbreak in West Africa. Currently, no effective antiviral treatments have been approved for clinical use. Compound 1 RYL-634 is a quinolone-derived compound that can inhibit dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway and it exhibited antiviral activity against multiple RNA virus infection. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a panel of newly developed compounds based on RYL-634 against EBOV infection. Our data showed that RYL-634 as well as its derivatives are effective against EBOV transcription- and replication-competent virus-like particle (trVLP) infection and authentic EBOV infection in vitro at low nanomolar IC50 values and relatively high CC50. Of note, the new derivative RYL-687 had the lowest IC50 at approximately 7 nM and was almost 6 times more potent than remdesivir (GS-5734). Exogenous addition of different metabolites in the pyrimidine de novo synthesis pathway confirmed DHODH as the target of RYL-687. These data provide evidence that such quinolone-derived compounds are promising therapeutic candidates against EBOV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Gong
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yiqing Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan, 43007, China
| | - Tianyu Gan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yue Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Hongying Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Jianhui Nie
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Weijin Huang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of BasicMedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China; Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Rao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Qiang Ding
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Karakitsou E, Foguet C, Contreras Mostazo MG, Kurrle N, Schnütgen F, Michaelis M, Cinatl J, Marin S, Cascante M. Genome-scale integration of transcriptome and metabolome unveils squalene synthase and dihydrofolate reductase as targets against AML cells resistant to chemotherapy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4059-4066. [PMID: 34377370 PMCID: PMC8326745 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, such as Doxorubicin (DOX) and cytarabine (AraC), is one of the greatest challenges to the successful treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Such acquisition is often underlined by a metabolic reprogramming that can provide a therapeutic opportunity, as it can lead to the emergence of vulnerabilities and dependencies to be exploited as targets against the resistant cells. In this regard, genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) have emerged as powerful tools to integrate multiple layers of data to build cancer-specific models and identify putative metabolic vulnerabilities. Here, we use genome-scale metabolic modelling to reconstruct a GSMM of the THP1 AML cell line and two derivative cell lines, one with acquired resistance to AraC and the second with acquired resistance to DOX. We also explore how, adding to the transcriptomic layer, the metabolomic layer enhances the selectivity of the resulting condition specific reconstructions. The resulting models enabled us to identify and experimentally validate that drug-resistant THP1 cells are sensitive to the FDA-approved antifolate methotrexate. Moreover, we discovered and validated that the resistant cell lines could be selectively targeted by inhibiting squalene synthase, providing a new and promising strategy to directly inhibit cholesterol synthesis in AML drug resistant cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Effrosyni Karakitsou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carles Foguet
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Metabolomics Node at Spanish National Bioinformatics Institute (INB-ISCIII-ES-ELIXIR), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam G. Contreras Mostazo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nina Kurrle
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Schnütgen
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Silvia Marin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Metabolomics Node at Spanish National Bioinformatics Institute (INB-ISCIII-ES-ELIXIR), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Cascante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER of Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Metabolomics Node at Spanish National Bioinformatics Institute (INB-ISCIII-ES-ELIXIR), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838) After Single and Multiple Ascending Oral Doses in Healthy Male Subjects. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2021; 45:557-573. [PMID: 32361977 PMCID: PMC7511286 DOI: 10.1007/s13318-020-00623-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective Vidofludimus is a potent and selective inhibitor of human mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). The clinical efficacy and safety profile of vidofludimus has been analyzed in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In previous sudies, hematuria at higher doses occurred in close temporal relationship to vidofludimus administration and appeared to be dose related. The present report describes the results from two phase 1 studies conducted in healthy male subjects to investigate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics after single and multiple ascending (SAD and MAD) oral doses of IMU-838 (vidofludimus calcium, tablets containing a specific polymorph). The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of IMU-838 was also assessed in the SAD study. Methods In the SAD study, 12 subjects received single doses of IMU-838 under fasting (10–40 mg) or fed (10 mg) condition in an open-label, partial parallel group design. In the MAD study, 52 subjects received multiple doses of IMU-838 (30–50 mg) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group design. Results IMU-838 showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics after single and multiple oral dosing in both SAD and MAD studies. IMU-838 was well absorbed after single daily doses. Food did not impact the pharmacokinetics of IMU-838. The accumulation factor for multiple daily dosing was approximately 2. Steady-state concentrations were reached within about 6–8 days for 30–50 mg groups. The geometric mean plasma half-life of IMU-838 at steady state was approximately 30 h, which supports its use for once-daily dosing regimen. Single and multiple oral doses of IMU-838 were safe and well tolerated. Conclusion Overall, oral IMU-838 was generally well tolerated in SAD and MAD studies in healthy subjects over a wide dose range of 10–50 mg. IMU-838 was well absorbed after single daily doses. IMU-838 showed dose proportional pharmacokinetics after single and multiple oral dosing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13318-020-00623-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
35
|
Wang W, Cui J, Ma H, Lu W, Huang J. Targeting Pyrimidine Metabolism in the Era of Precision Cancer Medicine. Front Oncol 2021; 11:684961. [PMID: 34123854 PMCID: PMC8194085 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.684961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring is considered as a primary feature of cancer. Malignant cells reprogram metabolism pathway in response to various intrinsic and extrinsic drawback to fuel cell survival and growth. Among the complex metabolic pathways, pyrimidine biosynthesis is conserved in all living organism and is necessary to maintain cellular fundamental function (i.e. DNA and RNA biosynthesis). A wealth of evidence has demonstrated that dysfunction of pyrimidine metabolism is closely related to cancer progression and numerous drugs targeting pyrimidine metabolism have been approved for multiple types of cancer. However, the non-negligible side effects and limited efficacy warrants a better strategy for negating pyrimidine metabolism in cancer. In recent years, increased studies have evidenced the interplay of oncogenic signaling and pyrimidine synthesis in tumorigenesis. Here, we review the recent conceptual advances on pyrimidine metabolism, especially dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), in the framework of precision oncology medicine and prospect how this would guide the development of new drug precisely targeting the pyrimidine metabolism in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqiang Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
DHODH inhibition synergizes with DNA-demethylating agents in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes. Blood Adv 2021; 5:438-450. [PMID: 33496740 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) catalyzes a rate-limiting step in de novo pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. DHODH inhibition has recently been recognized as a potential new approach for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by inducing differentiation. We investigated the efficacy of PTC299, a novel DHODH inhibitor, for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). PTC299 inhibited the proliferation of MDS cell lines, and this was rescued by exogenous uridine, which bypasses de novo pyrimidine synthesis. In contrast to AML cells, PTC299 was inefficient at inhibiting growth and inducing the differentiation of MDS cells, but synergized with hypomethylating agents, such as decitabine, to inhibit the growth of MDS cells. This synergistic effect was confirmed in primary MDS samples. As a single agent, PTC299 prolonged the survival of mice in xenograft models using MDS cell lines, and was more potent in combination with decitabine. Mechanistically, a treatment with PTC299 induced intra-S-phase arrest followed by apoptotic cell death. Of interest, PTC299 enhanced the incorporation of decitabine, an analog of cytidine, into DNA by inhibiting pyrimidine production, thereby enhancing the cytotoxic effects of decitabine. RNA-seq data revealed the marked downregulation of MYC target gene sets with PTC299 exposure. Transfection of MDS cell lines with MYC largely attenuated the growth inhibitory effects of PTC299, suggesting MYC as one of the major targets of PTC299. Our results indicate that the DHODH inhibitor PTC299 suppresses the growth of MDS cells and acts in a synergistic manner with decitabine. This combination therapy may be a new therapeutic option for the treatment of MDS.
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhou Y, Tao L, Zhou X, Zuo Z, Gong J, Liu X, Zhou Y, Liu C, Sang N, Liu H, Zou J, Gou K, Yang X, Zhao Y. DHODH and cancer: promising prospects to be explored. Cancer Metab 2021; 9:22. [PMID: 33971967 PMCID: PMC8107416 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-021-00250-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a flavin-dependent mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the fourth step in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. It is originally a target for the treatment of the non-neoplastic diseases involving in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, and is re-emerging as a validated therapeutic target for cancer therapy. In this review, we mainly unravel the biological function of DHODH in tumor progression, including its crucial role in de novo pyrimidine synthesis and mitochondrial respiratory chain in cancer cells. Moreover, various DHODH inhibitors developing in the past decades are also been displayed, and the specific mechanism between DHODH and its additional effects are illustrated. Collectively, we detailly discuss the association between DHODH and tumors in recent years here, and believe it will provide significant evidences and potential strategies for utilizing DHODH as a potential target in preclinical and clinical cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zeping Zuo
- The Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaocong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chunqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Na Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Huan Liu
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiao Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Kun Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaowei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Panina SB, Pei J, Kirienko NV. Mitochondrial metabolism as a target for acute myeloid leukemia treatment. Cancer Metab 2021; 9:17. [PMID: 33883040 PMCID: PMC8058979 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-021-00253-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are a group of aggressive hematologic malignancies resulting from acquired genetic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells that affect patients of all ages. Despite decades of research, standard chemotherapy still remains ineffective for some AML subtypes and is often inappropriate for older patients or those with comorbidities. Recently, a number of studies have identified unique mitochondrial alterations that lead to metabolic vulnerabilities in AML cells that may present viable treatment targets. These include mtDNA, dependency on oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial metabolism, and pro-survival signaling, as well as reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, some mitochondria-targeting chemotherapeutics and their combinations with other compounds have been FDA-approved for AML treatment. Here, we review recent studies that illuminate the effects of drugs and synergistic drug combinations that target diverse biomolecules and metabolic pathways related to mitochondria and their promise in experimental studies, clinical trials, and existing chemotherapeutic regimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jingqi Pei
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Rawat V, Malvi P, Della Manna D, Yang ES, Bugide S, Zhang X, Gupta R, Wajapeyee N. PSPH promotes melanoma growth and metastasis by metabolic deregulation-mediated transcriptional activation of NR4A1. Oncogene 2021; 40:2448-2462. [PMID: 33674745 PMCID: PMC8026604 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01683-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic deregulation, a hallmark of cancer, fuels cancer cell growth and metastasis. Here, we show that phosphoserine phosphatase (PSPH), an enzyme of the serine metabolism pathway, is upregulated in patient-derived melanoma samples. PSPH knockdown using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) blocks melanoma tumor growth and metastasis in both cell culture and mice. To elucidate the mechanism underlying PSPH action, we evaluated PSPH shRNA-expressing melanoma cells using global metabolomics and targeted mRNA expression profiling. Metabolomics analysis showed an increase in 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) levels in PSPH knockdown cells. 2-HG inhibits the TET family of DNA demethylases and the Jumonji family of histone demethylases (KDM and JMJD), which is known to impact gene expression. Consistent with these data, PSPH knockdown in melanoma cells showed reduced DNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and increased histone H3K4me3 modifications. 2-HG treatment also inhibited melanoma growth. The nCounter PanCancer Pathways Panel-based mRNA expression profiling revealed attenuation of a number of cancer-promoting pathways upon PSPH knockdown. In particular, PSPH was necessary for nuclear receptor NR4A1 expression. Ectopic NR4A1 expression partly rescued the growth of melanoma cells expressing PSPH shRNA. Collectively, these results link PSPH to the facilitation of melanoma growth and metastasis through suppression of 2-HG and thus activation of pro-oncogenic gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Rawat
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Parmanand Malvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Deborah Della Manna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Eddy S. Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Suresh Bugide
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Xuchen Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Narendra Wajapeyee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America,Corresponding Author: Narendra Wajapeyee, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Gaidano V, Houshmand M, Vitale N, Carrà G, Morotti A, Tenace V, Rapelli S, Sainas S, Pippione AC, Giorgis M, Boschi D, Lolli ML, Cilloni D, Cignetti A, Saglio G, Circosta P. The Synergism between DHODH Inhibitors and Dipyridamole Leads to Metabolic Lethality in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1003. [PMID: 33670894 PMCID: PMC7957697 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a key enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, whose inhibition can induce differentiation and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). DHODH inhibitors had shown promising in vitro and in vivo activity on solid tumors, but their effectiveness was not confirmed in clinical trials, probably because cancer cells exploited the pyrimidine salvage pathway to survive. Here, we investigated the antileukemic activity of MEDS433, the DHODH inhibitor developed by our group, against AML. Learning from previous failures, we mimicked human conditions (performing experiments in the presence of physiological uridine plasma levels) and looked for synergic combinations to boost apoptosis, including classical antileukemic drugs and dipyridamole, a blocker of the pyrimidine salvage pathway. MEDS433 induced apoptosis in multiple AML cell lines, not only as a consequence of differentiation, but also directly. Its combination with antileukemic agents further increased the apoptotic rate, but when experiments were performed in the presence of physiological uridine concentrations, results were less impressive. Conversely, the combination of MEDS433 with dipyridamole induced metabolic lethality and differentiation in all AML cell lines; this extraordinary synergism was confirmed on AML primary cells with different genetic backgrounds and was unaffected by physiological uridine concentrations, predicting in human activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gaidano
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
- Division of Hematology, A.O. SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Mohammad Houshmand
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Vitale
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanna Carrà
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Morotti
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
| | - Valerio Tenace
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA;
| | - Stefania Rapelli
- Department of Life Sciences and System Biology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Stefano Sainas
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.S.); (A.C.P.); (M.G.); (D.B.); (M.L.L.)
| | - Agnese Chiara Pippione
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.S.); (A.C.P.); (M.G.); (D.B.); (M.L.L.)
| | - Marta Giorgis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.S.); (A.C.P.); (M.G.); (D.B.); (M.L.L.)
| | - Donatella Boschi
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.S.); (A.C.P.); (M.G.); (D.B.); (M.L.L.)
| | - Marco Lucio Lolli
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.S.); (A.C.P.); (M.G.); (D.B.); (M.L.L.)
| | - Daniela Cilloni
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
- University Division of Hematology and Cell Therapy, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano, University of Turin, 10128 Turin, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Cignetti
- University Division of Hematology and Cell Therapy, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano, University of Turin, 10128 Turin, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Saglio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
- University Division of Hematology and Cell Therapy, A.O. Ordine Mauriziano, University of Turin, 10128 Turin, Italy;
| | - Paola Circosta
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, 10043 Turin, Italy; (M.H.); (G.C.); (A.M.); (D.C.); (G.S.); (P.C.)
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Luban J, Sattler RA, Mühlberger E, Graci JD, Cao L, Weetall M, Trotta C, Colacino JM, Bavari S, Strambio-De-Castillia C, Suder EL, Wang Y, Soloveva V, Cintron-Lue K, Naryshkin NA, Pykett M, Welch EM, O'Keefe K, Kong R, Goodwin E, Jacobson A, Paessler S, Peltz SW. The DHODH inhibitor PTC299 arrests SARS-CoV-2 replication and suppresses induction of inflammatory cytokines. Virus Res 2021; 292:198246. [PMID: 33249060 PMCID: PMC7690341 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created an urgent need for therapeutics that inhibit the SARS-COV-2 virus and suppress the fulminant inflammation characteristic of advanced illness. Here, we describe the anti-COVID-19 potential of PTC299, an orally bioavailable compound that is a potent inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), the rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis pathway. In tissue culture, PTC299 manifests robust, dose-dependent, and DHODH-dependent inhibition of SARS-COV-2 replication (EC50 range, 2.0-31.6 nM) with a selectivity index >3,800. PTC299 also blocked replication of other RNA viruses, including Ebola virus. Consistent with known DHODH requirements for immunomodulatory cytokine production, PTC299 inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A (also called IL-17), IL-17 F, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tissue culture models. The combination of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, cytokine inhibitory activity, and previously established favorable pharmacokinetic and human safety profiles render PTC299 a promising therapeutic for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Luban
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA; Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rachel A Sattler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Elke Mühlberger
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Jason D Graci
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | - Liangxian Cao
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | - Marla Weetall
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | | | | | - Sina Bavari
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | | | - Ellen L Suder
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Yetao Wang
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Veronica Soloveva
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | | | | | - Mark Pykett
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | - Ellen M Welch
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | - Kylie O'Keefe
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | - Ronald Kong
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA
| | | | - Allan Jacobson
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Stuart W Peltz
- PTC Therapeutics, Inc. South Plainfield, NJ, 07080, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Madan V, Koeffler HP. Differentiation therapy of myeloid leukemia: four decades of development. Haematologica 2021; 106:26-38. [PMID: 33054125 PMCID: PMC7776344 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.262121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by arrested differentiation, and agents that overcome this block are therapeutically useful, as shown by the efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, the early promise of differentiation therapy did not translate into clinical benefit for other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia, in which cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens remained the standard of care. Recent advances, including insights from sequencing of acute myeloid leukemia genomes, have led to the development of targeted therapies, comprising agents that induce differentiation of leukemic cells in preclinical models and clinical trials, thus rejuvenating interest in differentiation therapy. These agents act on various cellular processes including dysregulated metabolic programs, signaling pathways, epigenetic machinery and the cell cycle. In particular, inhibitors of mutant IDH1/2 and FLT3 have shown clinical benefit, leading to approval by regulatory bodies of their use. Besides the focus on recently approved differentiation therapies, this review also provides an overview of differentiation- inducing agents being tested in clinical trials or investigated in preclinical research. Combinatorial strategies are currently being tested for several agents (inhibitors of KDM1A, DOT1L, BET proteins, histone deacetylases), which were not effective in clinical studies as single agents, despite encouraging anti-leukemic activity observed in preclinical models. Overall, recently approved drugs and new investigational agents being developed highlight the merits of differentiation therapy; and ongoing studies promise further advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Madan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore.
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS), National University Hospital.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shafer RW. A SARS-CoV-2 antiviral therapy score card. Glob Health Med 2020; 2:346-349. [PMID: 33409413 PMCID: PMC7780285 DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2020.01082] [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: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed an unprecedented effort to identify efficacious treatments for persons infected with SARS-CoV-2. As of September 2020, more than 750 completed, ongoing, or planned clinical trials of drugs intended to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication have been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov or WHO International Clinical Trials Platform websites. Most of the treatments studied in these trials are repurposed licensed or investigational drugs targeting viral proteins or cellular pathways required for virus replication. The use of repurposed compounds is understandable because with the exception of monoclonal antibodies, it will be several months before novel SARS-CoV-2-specific drugs will be available for human testing. This editorial describes those compounds that I believe should be prioritized for clinical testing: i) viral RNA polymerase inhibitors including GS-441524, its prodrug remdesivir, and EIDD-2801; ii) entry inhibitors including monoclonal antibodies, ACE2 molecular decoys, and peptide fusion inhibitors; iii) parenteral and inhalational preparations of interferon β and λ; and iv) inhibitors of host transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), endosomal trafficking, and pyrimidine synthesis. As SARS-CoV-2 is pandemic and as its most severe consequences result from a dysregulated immunological response to infection, the ideal therapies should be inexpensive and should be able to be administered to non-hospitalized persons at the time of their initial diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Shafer
- Address correspondence to:Robert W. Shafer, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, 1000 Welch Rd Ste 202, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Huchting J. Targeting viral genome synthesis as broad-spectrum approach against RNA virus infections. Antivir Chem Chemother 2020; 28:2040206620976786. [PMID: 33297724 PMCID: PMC7734526 DOI: 10.1177/2040206620976786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic spillover, i.e. pathogen transmission from animal to human, has repeatedly introduced RNA viruses into the human population. In some cases, where these viruses were then efficiently transmitted between humans, they caused large disease outbreaks such as the 1918 flu pandemic or, more recently, outbreaks of Ebola and Coronavirus disease. These examples demonstrate that RNA viruses pose an immense burden on individual and public health with outbreaks threatening the economy and social cohesion within and across borders. And while emerging RNA viruses are introduced more frequently as human activities increasingly disrupt wild-life eco-systems, therapeutic or preventative medicines satisfying the “one drug-multiple bugs”-aim are unavailable. As one central aspect of preparedness efforts, this review digs into the development of broadly acting antivirals via targeting viral genome synthesis with host- or virus-directed drugs centering around nucleotides, the genomes’ universal building blocks. Following the first strategy, selected examples of host de novo nucleotide synthesis inhibitors are presented that ultimately interfere with viral nucleic acid synthesis, with ribavirin being the most prominent and widely used example. For directly targeting the viral polymerase, nucleoside and nucleotide analogues (NNAs) have long been at the core of antiviral drug development and this review illustrates different molecular strategies by which NNAs inhibit viral infection. Highlighting well-known as well as recent, clinically promising compounds, structural features and mechanistic details that may confer broad-spectrum activity are discussed. The final part addresses limitations of NNAs for clinical development such as low efficacy or mitochondrial toxicity and illustrates strategies to overcome these.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Huchting
- Chemistry Department, Institute for Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Dembitz V, Lalic H, Kodvanj I, Tomic B, Batinic J, Dubravcic K, Batinic D, Bedalov A, Visnjic D. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside induces differentiation in a subset of primary acute myeloid leukemia blasts. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:1090. [PMID: 33176741 PMCID: PMC7657321 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07533-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-based treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is the most successful pharmacological treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recent development of inhibitors of mutated isocitrate dehydrogenase and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) has revived interest in differentiation therapy of non-APL AML. Our previous studies demonstrated that 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAr) induced differentiation of monocytic cell lines by activating the ATR/Chk1 via pyrimidine depletion. In the present study, the effects of AICAr on the viability and differentiation of primary AML blasts isolated from bone marrow of patients with non-APL AML were tested and compared with the effects of DHODH inhibitor brequinar and ATRA. Methods Bone marrow samples were obtained from 35 patients and leukemia blasts were cultured ex vivo. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and AML cell differentiation was determined by flow cytometry and morphological analyses. RNA sequencing and partial data analysis were conducted using ClusterProfiler package. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 6.0. Results AICAr is capable of triggering differentiation in samples of bone marrow blasts cultured ex vivo that were resistant to ATRA. AICAr-induced differentiation correlates with proliferation and sensitivity to DHODH inhibition. RNA-seq data obtained in primary AML blasts confirmed that AICAr treatment induced downregulation of pyrimidine metabolism pathways together with an upregulation of gene set involved in hematopoietic cell lineage. Conclusion AICAr induces differentiation in a subset of primary non-APL AML blasts, and these effects correlate with sensitivity to a well-known, potent DHODH inhibitor. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12885-020-07533-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Dembitz
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Lalic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Kodvanj
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Barbara Tomic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Batinic
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Klara Dubravcic
- Department of Laboratory Immunology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Drago Batinic
- Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Laboratory Immunology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonio Bedalov
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dora Visnjic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia. .,Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Nair R, Salinas-Illarena A, Baldauf HM. New strategies to treat AML: novel insights into AML survival pathways and combination therapies. Leukemia 2020; 35:299-311. [PMID: 33122849 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01069-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The effective treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is very challenging. Due to the immense heterogeneity of this disease, treating it using a "one size fits all" approach is ineffective and only benefits a subset of patients. Instead, there is a shift towards more personalized treatment based on the patients' genomic signature. This shift has facilitated the increased revelation of novel insights into pathways that lead to the survival and propagation of AML cells. These AML survival pathways are involved in drug resistance, evasion of the immune system, reprogramming metabolism, and impairing differentiation. In addition, based on the reports of enhanced clinical efficiencies when combining drugs or treatments, deeper investigation into possible pathways, which can be targeted together to increase treatment response in a wider group of patients, is warranted. In this review, not only is a comprehensive summary of targets involved in these pathways provided, but also insights into the potential of targeting these molecules in combination therapy will be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Nair
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Alejandro Salinas-Illarena
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hanna-Mari Baldauf
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
McDonald G, Chubukov V, Coco J, Truskowski K, Narayanaswamy R, Choe S, Steadman M, Artin E, Padyana AK, Jin L, Ronseaux S, Locuson C, Fan ZP, Erdmann T, Mann A, Hayes S, Fletcher M, Nellore K, Rao SS, Subramanya H, Reddy KS, Panigrahi SK, Antony T, Gopinath S, Sui Z, Nagaraja N, Dang L, Lenz G, Hurov J, Biller SA, Murtie J, Marks KM, Ulanet DB. Selective Vulnerability to Pyrimidine Starvation in Hematologic Malignancies Revealed by AG-636, a Novel Clinical-Stage Inhibitor of Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:2502-2515. [PMID: 33082276 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Agents targeting metabolic pathways form the backbone of standard oncology treatments, though a better understanding of differential metabolic dependencies could instruct more rationale-based therapeutic approaches. We performed a chemical biology screen that revealed a strong enrichment in sensitivity to a novel dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor, AG-636, in cancer cell lines of hematologic versus solid tumor origin. Differential AG-636 activity translated to the in vivo setting, with complete tumor regression observed in a lymphoma model. Dissection of the relationship between uridine availability and response to AG-636 revealed a divergent ability of lymphoma and solid tumor cell lines to survive and grow in the setting of depleted extracellular uridine and DHODH inhibition. Metabolic characterization paired with unbiased functional genomic and proteomic screens pointed to adaptive mechanisms to cope with nucleotide stress as contributing to response to AG-636. These findings support targeting of DHODH in lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies and suggest combination strategies aimed at interfering with DNA-damage response pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Coco
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Sung Choe
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Mya Steadman
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Erin Artin
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Lei Jin
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Zi-Peng Fan
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Tabea Erdmann
- Department of Medicine A for Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Alan Mann
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Mark Fletcher
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Antony
- Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd., Bangalore, India
| | | | - Zhihua Sui
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Lenny Dang
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A for Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Josh Murtie
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin M Marks
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Tzou PL, Tao K, Nouhin J, Rhee SY, Hu BD, Pai S, Parkin N, Shafer RW. Coronavirus Antiviral Research Database (CoV-RDB): An Online Database Designed to Facilitate Comparisons between Candidate Anti-Coronavirus Compounds. Viruses 2020; 12:E1006. [PMID: 32916958 PMCID: PMC7551675 DOI: 10.3390/v12091006] [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: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To prioritize the development of antiviral compounds, it is necessary to compare their relative preclinical activity and clinical efficacy. METHODS We reviewed in vitro, animal model, and clinical studies of candidate anti-coronavirus compounds and placed extracted data in an online relational database. RESULTS As of August 2020, the Coronavirus Antiviral Research Database (CoV-RDB; covdb.stanford.edu) contained over 2800 cell culture, entry assay, and biochemical experiments, 259 animal model studies, and 73 clinical studies from over 400 published papers. SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV account for 85% of the data. Approximately 75% of experiments involved compounds with known or likely mechanisms of action, including monoclonal antibodies and receptor binding inhibitors (21%), viral protease inhibitors (17%), miscellaneous host-acting inhibitors (10%), polymerase inhibitors (9%), interferons (7%), fusion inhibitors (5%), and host protease inhibitors (5%). Of 975 compounds with known or likely mechanism, 135 (14%) are licensed in the U.S. for other indications, 197 (20%) are licensed outside the U.S. or are in human trials, and 595 (61%) are pre-clinical investigational compounds. CONCLUSION CoV-RDB facilitates comparisons between different candidate antiviral compounds, thereby helping scientists, clinical investigators, public health officials, and funding agencies prioritize the most promising compounds and repurposed drugs for further development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip L. Tzou
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (K.T.); (J.N.); (S.-Y.R.)
| | - Kaiming Tao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (K.T.); (J.N.); (S.-Y.R.)
| | - Janin Nouhin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (K.T.); (J.N.); (S.-Y.R.)
| | - Soo-Yon Rhee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (K.T.); (J.N.); (S.-Y.R.)
| | - Benjamin D. Hu
- Undergraduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Shruti Pai
- Undergraduate Studies, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Neil Parkin
- Data First Consulting Inc., Sebastopol, CA 95472, USA;
| | - Robert W. Shafer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (K.T.); (J.N.); (S.-Y.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Zhou J, Quah JY, Ng Y, Chooi JY, Toh SHM, Lin B, Tan TZ, Hosoi H, Osato M, Seet Q, Ooi AL, Lindmark B, McHale M, Chng WJ. ASLAN003, a potent dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor for differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 2020; 105:2286-2297. [PMID: 33054053 PMCID: PMC7556493 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.230482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation therapies achieve remarkable success in acute promyelocytic leukemia, a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. However, excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia, clinical benefits of differentiation therapies are negligible in acute myeloid leukemia except for mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase catalyses the fourth step of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. ASLAN003 is a highly potent dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor that induces differentiation, as well as reduces cell proliferation and viability, of acute myeloid leukemia cell lines and primary acute myeloid leukemia blasts including in chemo-resistant cells. Apoptotic pathways are triggered by ASLAN003, and it also significantly inhibits protein synthesis and activates AP-1 transcription, contributing to its differentiation promoting capacity. Finally, ASLAN003 substantially reduces leukemic burden and prolongs survival in acute myeloid leukemia xenograft mice and acute myeloid leukemia patient-derived xenograft models. Notably, the drug has no evident effect on normal hematopoietic cells and exhibits excellent safety profiles in mice, even after a prolonged period of administration. Our results, therefore, suggest that ASLAN003 is an agent targeting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase with potential in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. ASLAN003 is currently being evaluated in phase 2a clinical trial in acute myeloid leukemia patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianbiao Zhou
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | | | - Yvonne Ng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Jing-Yuan Chooi
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | | | - Baohong Lin
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, NUHS
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Hiroki Hosoi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Motomi Osato
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | - Wee-Joo Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, NUHS
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Saxena K, Konopleva M. An expert overview of emerging therapies for acute myeloid leukemia: novel small molecules targeting apoptosis, p53, transcriptional regulation and metabolism. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:973-988. [PMID: 32746655 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1804856] [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] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy of clonal myeloid precursor cells. Curative therapy has classically involved the use of intensive induction chemotherapy followed by consolidation with additional chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. For many patients, such an approach is prohibitive because of high treatment-related toxicities. Advancements in the molecular understanding of AML have led to the introduction of new targeted therapies that are changing the treatment landscape for AML. AREAS COVERED We review emerging small molecule inhibitors that have shown preclinical efficacy for the treatment of AML. The compounds discussed affect apoptosis, p53-mediated interactions, transcriptional regulation, and cellular metabolism. We performed a literature search of PubMed and primarily included relevant sources published from 2000 to the present, though earlier sources are also referenced. EXPERT OPINION Most clinical trials for AML currently employ novel targeted therapies that demonstrate promising activity in preclinical models. We anticipate that new small molecule inhibitors will continue to enter the clinical realm and alter the treatment paradigm for AML. In a field where clinical advancement was comparatively slow for many years, it appears that we are now starting to see the rapid growth borne out of the deepening molecular understanding of AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kapil Saxena
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|