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Calzetta L, Page C, Matera MG, Cazzola M, Rogliani P. Drug-Drug Interactions and Synergy: From Pharmacological Models to Clinical Application. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:1159-1220. [PMID: 39009470 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.124.000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This review explores the concept of synergy in pharmacology, emphasizing its importance in optimizing treatment outcomes through the combination of drugs with different mechanisms of action. Synergy, defined as an effect greater than the expected additive effect elicited by individual agents according to specific predictive models, offers a promising approach to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse events. The historical evolution of synergy research, from ancient civilizations to modern pharmacology, highlights the ongoing quest to understand and harness synergistic interactions. Key concepts, such as concentration-response curves, additive effects, and predictive models, are discussed in detail, emphasizing the need for accurate assessment methods throughout translational drug development. Although various mathematical models exist for synergy analysis, selecting the appropriate model and software tools remains a challenge, necessitating careful consideration of experimental design and data interpretation. Furthermore, this review addresses practical considerations in synergy assessment, including preclinical and clinical approaches, mechanism of action, and statistical analysis. Optimizing synergy requires attention to concentration/dose ratios, target site localization, and timing of drug administration, ensuring that the benefits of combination therapy detected bench-side are translatable into clinical practice. Overall, the review advocates for a systematic approach to synergy assessment, incorporating robust statistical analysis, effective and simplified predictive models, and collaborative efforts across pivotal sectors, such as academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory agencies. By overcoming critical challenges and maximizing therapeutic potential, effective synergy assessment in drug development holds promise for advancing patient care. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Combining drugs with different mechanisms of action for synergistic interactions optimizes treatment efficacy and safety. Accurate interpretation of synergy requires the identification of the expected additive effect. Despite innovative models to predict the additive effect, consensus in drug-drug interactions research is lacking, hindering the bench-to-bedside development of combination therapies. Collaboration among science, industry, and regulation is crucial for advancing combination therapy development, ensuring rigorous application of predictive models in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigino Calzetta
- Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (L.C.); Pulmonary Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, United Kingdom (C.P.); Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy (M.G.-M.); and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy (M.C., P.R.)
| | - Clive Page
- Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (L.C.); Pulmonary Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, United Kingdom (C.P.); Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy (M.G.-M.); and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy (M.C., P.R.)
| | - Maria Gabriella Matera
- Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (L.C.); Pulmonary Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, United Kingdom (C.P.); Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy (M.G.-M.); and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy (M.C., P.R.)
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (L.C.); Pulmonary Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, United Kingdom (C.P.); Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy (M.G.-M.); and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy (M.C., P.R.)
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (L.C.); Pulmonary Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, United Kingdom (C.P.); Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy (M.G.-M.); and Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy (M.C., P.R.)
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2
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Dar MI, Gulya A, Abass S, Dev K, Parveen R, Ahmad S, Qureshi MI. Hallmarks of diabetes mellitus and insights into the therapeutic potential of synergy-based combinations of phytochemicals in reducing oxidative stress-induced diabetic complications. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-15. [PMID: 39290074 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2402461] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious health issue and is still one of the major causes of mortality around the globe. Natural products have progressively integrated into modern, advanced medical practices. Phytoconstituents from some medicinal plants have demonstrated therapeutic activity in treating different metabolic disorders and have been used to treat DM and its severe complications. The present review provides details of the major anti-diabetic targets identified in the literature and also provides comprehensive information regarding the therapeutic role of a synergy-based combination of phytoconstituents that functions by controlling specific molecular pathways synchronously by inhibiting certain key regulators involved in the development and progression of DM. The review also implicated the role of oxidative stress in diabetic complications and presented scientific validations of phytochemicals and their synergy-based combination using in vitro and or in vivo approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Irfan Dar
- Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Centre of Excellence in Unani Medicine (Pharmacognosy & Pharmacology), and Bioactive Natural Product Laboratory, New Delhi, India
| | - Anu Gulya
- All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India
| | - Sageer Abass
- School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Centre of Excellence in Unani Medicine (Pharmacognosy & Pharmacology), and Bioactive Natural Product Laboratory, New Delhi, India
- School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Kapil Dev
- Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Rabea Parveen
- School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Sayeed Ahmad
- School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Centre of Excellence in Unani Medicine (Pharmacognosy & Pharmacology), and Bioactive Natural Product Laboratory, New Delhi, India
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3
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Patel D, Dickson AL, Zickuhr GM, Um IH, Read OJ, Czekster CM, Mullen P, Harrison DJ, Bré J. Defining the mode of action of cisplatin combined with NUC-1031, a phosphoramidate modification of gemcitabine. Transl Oncol 2024; 50:102114. [PMID: 39299019 PMCID: PMC11426158 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102114] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The combination of gemcitabine with platinum agents is a widely used chemotherapy regimen for a number of tumour types. Gemcitabine plus cisplatin remains the current therapeutic choice for biliary tract cancer. Gemcitabine is associated with multiple cellular drug resistance mechanisms and other limitations and has thereforelined in use. NUC-1031 (Acelarin) is a phosphorylated form of gemcitabine, protected by the addition of a phosphoramidate moiety, developed to circumvent the key limitations and generate high levels of the cytotoxic metabolite, dFdCTP. The rationale for combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is determined by in vitro cytotoxicity. This, however, does not offer an explanation of how these drugs lead to cell death. In this study we investigate the mechanism of action for NUC-1031 combined with cisplatin as a rationale for treatment. NUC-1031 is metabolised to dFdCTP, detectable up to 72 h post-treatment and incorporated into DNA, to stall the cell cycle and cause DNA damage in biliary tract and ovarian cancer cell lines. In combination with cisplatin, DNA damage was increased and occurred earlier compared to monotherapy. The damage associated with NUC-1031 may be potentiated by a second mechanism, via binding the RRM1 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and perturbing the nucleotide pools; however, this may be mitigated by increased RRM1 expression. The implication of this was investigated in case studies from a Phase I clinical trial to observe whether baseline RRM1 expression in tumour tissue at time of diagnosis correlates with patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillum Patel
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK.
| | - Alison L Dickson
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK; NuCana plc, 3 Lochside Way, Edinburgh EH12 9DT, UK
| | - Greice M Zickuhr
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK
| | - In Hwa Um
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK
| | - Oliver J Read
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK; NuCana plc, 3 Lochside Way, Edinburgh EH12 9DT, UK
| | - Clarissa M Czekster
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK
| | - Peter Mullen
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK
| | - David J Harrison
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK; NuCana plc, 3 Lochside Way, Edinburgh EH12 9DT, UK
| | - Jennifer Bré
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK; NuCana plc, 3 Lochside Way, Edinburgh EH12 9DT, UK
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4
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Hao T, Tsang YP, Yin M, Mao Q, Unadkat JD. Dysregulation of Human Hepatic Drug Transporters by Proinflammatory Cytokines. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 391:82-90. [PMID: 39103232 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.002019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Proinflammatory cytokines, elevated during inflammation caused by infection and/or autoimmune disorders, result in reduced clearance of drugs eliminated primarily by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). However, the effect of cytokines on hepatic drug transporter expression or activity has not been well-studied. Here, using plated human hepatocytes (PHHs; n = 3 lots), we investigated the effect of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), on the mRNA expression and activity of hepatic drug transporters. PHHs were incubated for 72 hours at their pathophysiologically relevant plasma concentrations, both individually (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 ng/ml) or as a cocktail (i.e., when each was combined at 0.1 or 1 ng/ml). Following cytokine cocktail exposure (1 ng/ml), significant downregulation of mRNA expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), OATP1B3, sodium/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1, multidrug resistance proteins (MRP) 2, 3, and 4 was observed. While the mRNA expression of organic anion transporter (OAT) 2 and organic cation transporter (OCT) 1 was downregulated in two lots, it was upregulated in one lot. In agreement (mostly), the 1 ng/ml cytokine cocktail reduced OATP1B1/3, OATP2B1, OAT2, OCT1, and NTCP activity by 75%, 44%, 82%, 47%, and 80%, respectively. Interestingly, upregulation of OAT2 and OCT1 mRNA in one donor did not translate into the same directional change in activity. Although significant interlot variability was observed, in general, the above effects, using individual cytokines, could be attributed to IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: To date, this is the first comprehensive study to investigate the effect of four major proinflammatory cytokines, both individually and as a cocktail, on the mRNA expression and activity of human hepatic drug transporters. The data obtained can be used in the future to predict transporter-mediated drug clearance changes during inflammation through physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianran Hao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Yik Pui Tsang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Mengyue Yin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Qingcheng Mao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jashvant D Unadkat
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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5
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Benn KW, Yuan PH, Chong HK, Stylii SS, Luwor RB, French CR. hERG channel agonist NS1643 strongly inhibits invasive astrocytoma cell line SMA-560. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309438. [PMID: 39240809 PMCID: PMC11379238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are highly malignant brain tumours that remain refractory to treatment. Treatment is typically surgical intervention followed by concomitant temozolomide and radiotherapy; however patient prognosis remains poor. Voltage gated ion channels have emerged as novel targets in cancer therapy and inhibition of a potassium selective subtype (hERG, Kv11.1) has demonstrated antitumour activity. Unfortunately blockade of hERG has been limited by cardiotoxicity, however hERG channel agonists have produced similar chemotherapeutic benefit without significant side effects. In this study, electrophysiological recordings suggest the presence of hERG channels in the anaplastic astrocytoma cell line SMA-560, and treatment with the hERG channel agonist NS1643, resulted in a significant reduction in the proliferation of SMA-560 cells. In addition, NS1643 treatment also resulted in a reduction of the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and SMA-560 cell migration. When combined with temozolomide, an additive impact was observed, suggesting that NS1643 may be a suitable adjuvant to temozolomide and limit the invasiveness of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran W Benn
- Neural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick H Yuan
- Neural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harvey K Chong
- Neural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stanley S Stylii
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rodney B Luwor
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher R French
- Neural Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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6
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Villalba JJ, Ramsey RD, Athanasiadou S. Review: Herbivory and the power of phytochemical diversity on animal health. Animal 2024:101287. [PMID: 39271413 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101287] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant secondary compounds (PSCs) were thought to be waste products of plant metabolism when first identified in the mid-1800 s. Since then, many different roles have been recognized for these chemicals. With regard to their function as defense, PSCs can negatively impact different cellular and metabolic processes in the herbivore, causing illness and reductions in feed intake. This penalty on fitness also applies to other trophic levels, like the microorganisms and parasites that infect herbivores and thus, PSCs at certain doses may function as medicines. In turn, herbivores evolved learning mechanisms to cope with the constant variability in their environment and physiological needs. Under this context, foraging can be viewed as the quest for substances in the external environment that provide homeostatic utility to the animal. For instance, herbivores increase preference for PSC-containing feeds that negatively impact infectious agents (i.e., therapeutic self-medication). Given that some classes of PSCs like polyphenols present antioxidant, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory and prebiotic properties, chronic and sustained consumption of these chemicals results in robust animals that are tolerant to disease (i.e., prophylactic self-medication). Foraging plasticity in terms of the quality and quantity of nutrients ingested in the absence and during sickness may also influence immunocompetence, resistance and resilience to infection, and thus can be interpreted as another form of medication. Finally, self-medicative behaviors can be transmitted through social learning. We suggest that foraging studies will benefit from exploring self-medicative behaviors in chemically diverse plant communities, in particular when considering the vast diversity of PSC structures (more than 200 000) observed in nature. We then lay out a framework for enhancing the medicinal effects of PSCs on grazing herbivores. We propose landscape interventions through the establishment of resource patches or "islands" with a diversity of PSC-containing forages (e.g., legumes, herbs, shrubs) in monotonous rangelands or pasturelands, viewed as a "sea" of low-diversity vegetation devoid of functional biochemicals. Strategies aimed at enhancing the diversity of plant communities lead to heterogeneity in chemical, structural and functional landscape traits that offer options to foragers, and thus allow for balanced diets that maintain and restore health. Beyond animal health, such heterogeneity promotes a broad array of ecosystem services that significantly improve landscape resilience to environmental disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5230, USA.
| | - R D Ramsey
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5230, USA
| | - S Athanasiadou
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College, Easter Bush, Roslin Institute, EH25 9RG Midlothian, UK
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7
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Miller ZA, Muthuswami S, Mueller A, Ma RZ, Sywanycz SM, Naik A, Huang L, Brody RM, Diab A, Carey RM, Lee RJ. GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 induces apoptosis and enhances anti-cancer effects of bitter receptor agonists in head and neck squamous carcinoma cells. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:339. [PMID: 39060287 PMCID: PMC11282258 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02106-z] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are cancers that arise in the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. The five-year patient survival rate is ~50%. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy and is associated with lasting effects even when successful in irradicating the disease. New molecular targets and therapies must be identified to improve outcomes for HNSCC patients. We recently identified bitter taste receptors (taste family 2 receptors, or T2Rs) as a novel candidate family of receptors that activate apoptosis in HNSCC cells through mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and depolarization. We hypothesized that targeting another component of tumor cell metabolism, namely glycolysis, may increase the efficacy of T2R-directed therapies. GLUT1 (SLC2A1) is a facilitated-diffusion glucose transporter expressed by many cancer cells to fuel their increased rates of glycolysis. GLUT1 is already being investigated as a possible cancer target, but studies in HNSCCs are limited. Examination of immortalized HNSCC cells, patient samples, and The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed high expression of GLUT1 and upregulation in some patient tumor samples. HNSCC cells and tumor tissue express GLUT1 on the plasma membrane and within the cytoplasm (perinuclear, likely co-localized with the Golgi apparatus). We investigated the effects of a recently developed small molecule inhibitor of GLUT1, BAY-876. This compound decreased HNSCC glucose uptake, viability, and metabolism and induced apoptosis. Moreover, BAY-876 had enhanced effects on apoptosis when combined at low concentrations with T2R bitter taste receptor agonists. Notably, BAY-876 also decreased TNFα-induced IL-8 production, indicating an additional mechanism of possible tumor-suppressive effects. Our study demonstrates that targeting GLUT1 via BAY-876 to kill HNSCC cells, particularly in combination with T2R agonists, is a potential novel treatment strategy worth exploring further in future translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey A Miller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sahil Muthuswami
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Arielle Mueller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ray Z Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sarah M Sywanycz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Anusha Naik
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lily Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Brody
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ahmed Diab
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ryan M Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Robert J Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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8
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Graham K, Lienau P, Bader B, Prechtl S, Naujoks J, Lesche R, Weiske J, Kuehnlenz J, Brzezinka K, Potze L, Zanconato F, Nicke B, Montebaur A, Bone W, Golfier S, Kaulfuss S, Kopitz C, Pilari S, Steuber H, Hayat S, Kamburov A, Steffen A, Schlicker A, Buchgraber P, Braeuer N, Font NA, Heinrich T, Kuhnke L, Nowak-Reppel K, Stresemann C, Steigemann P, Walter AO, Blotta S, Ocker M, Lakner A, von Nussbaum F, Mumberg D, Eis K, Piccolo S, Lange M. Discovery of YAP1/TAZ pathway inhibitors through phenotypic screening with potent anti-tumor activity via blockade of Rho-GTPase signaling. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1247-1263.e16. [PMID: 38537632 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.02.013] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
This study describes the identification and target deconvolution of small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic Yes-associated protein (YAP1)/TAZ activity with potent anti-tumor activity in vivo. A high-throughput screen (HTS) of 3.8 million compounds was conducted using a cellular YAP1/TAZ reporter assay. Target deconvolution studies identified the geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I) complex as the direct target of YAP1/TAZ pathway inhibitors. The small molecule inhibitors block the activation of Rho-GTPases, leading to subsequent inactivation of YAP1/TAZ and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Multi-parameter optimization resulted in BAY-593, an in vivo probe with favorable PK properties, which demonstrated anti-tumor activity and blockade of YAP1/TAZ signaling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Graham
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Lienau
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin Bader
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Prechtl
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Naujoks
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Lesche
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joerg Weiske
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Kuehnlenz
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Brzezinka
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisette Potze
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Zanconato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Barbara Nicke
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Montebaur
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bone
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Golfier
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kaulfuss
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Charlotte Kopitz
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Pilari
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Steuber
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sikander Hayat
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Atanas Kamburov
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Steffen
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlicker
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Buchgraber
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nico Braeuer
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nuria Aiguabella Font
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Heinrich
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lara Kuhnke
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Nowak-Reppel
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carlo Stresemann
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Steigemann
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette O Walter
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Simona Blotta
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Ocker
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ashley Lakner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franz von Nussbaum
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Mumberg
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Knut Eis
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefano Piccolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy; IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Martin Lange
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; Nuvisan ICB GmbH, Muellerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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9
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de Pellegars-Malhortie A, Picque Lasorsa L, Mazard T, Granier F, Prévostel C. Why Is Wnt/β-Catenin Not Yet Targeted in Routine Cancer Care? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:949. [PMID: 39065798 PMCID: PMC11279613 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070949] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, the still limited number of therapeutic options is an obstacle towards increasing the cancer cure rate. In recent years, many efforts were put forth to develop therapeutics that selectively target different components of the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These include small molecule inhibitors, antibodies, and more recently, gene-based approaches. Although some of them showed promising outcomes in clinical trials, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is still not targeted in routine clinical practice for cancer management. As for most anticancer treatments, a critical limitation to the use of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is their therapeutic index, i.e., the difficulty of combining effective anticancer activity with acceptable toxicity. Protecting healthy tissues from the effects of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is a major issue due to the vital role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of clinical trials on Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors, examine their anti-tumor activity and associated adverse events, and explore strategies under development to improve the benefit/risk profile of this therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auriane de Pellegars-Malhortie
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Laurence Picque Lasorsa
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Thibault Mazard
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
- Medical Oncology Department, ICM, University of Montpellier, CEDEX 5, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Corinne Prévostel
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
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10
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Islas-Cortez M, Ríos C, Manzanares J, Díaz-Ruiz A, Pérez-Pastén-Borja R. Isobolographic Analysis of the Cytoprotective Effect of Dapsone and Cannabidiol Alone or Combination upon Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation Model in SH-SY5Y Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:705. [PMID: 38929144 PMCID: PMC11200396 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060705] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress and apoptosis cell death are critical secondary damage mechanisms that lead to losing neighboring healthy tissue after cerebral ischemia. This study aims to characterize the type of interaction between dapsone (DDS) and cannabidiol (CBD) and its cytoprotective effect in an in vitro model of oxygen and glucose deprivation for 6 h followed by 24 h of reoxygenation (OGD/R), using the SH-SY5Y cell line. For the combined concentrations, an isobolographic study was designed to determine the optimal concentration-response combinations. Cell viability was evaluated by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and 3-[4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Also, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were analyzed as oxidative stress markers. Finally, caspase-3 activity was evaluated as a marker cell death by apoptosis. The results showed a decrease in cell viability, an increase in oxidant stress, and the activity of caspase-3 by the effect of OGD/R. Meanwhile, both DDS and CBD demonstrated antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and cytoprotective effects in a concentration-response manner. The isobolographic study indicated that the concentration of 2.5 µM of DDS plus 0.05 µM of CBD presented a synergistic effect so that in treatment, cell death due to OGD/R decreased. The findings indicate that DDS-CBD combined treatment may be a helpful therapy in cerebral ischemia with reperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Islas-Cortez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Molecular, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico;
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
| | - Camilo Ríos
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico;
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-CSIC, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain;
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientadas a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Araceli Díaz-Ruiz
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Pérez-Pastén-Borja
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Molecular, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico;
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11
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Kawai K, Rahman MT, Nowicki R, Kolodgie FD, Sakamoto A, Kawakami R, Konishi T, Virmani R, Labhasetwar V, Finn AV. Efficacy and Safety of Dual Paclitaxel and Sirolimus Nanoparticle-Coated Balloon. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:774-789. [PMID: 39070273 PMCID: PMC11282887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
We evaluated a novel dual active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) drug-coated balloon (DCB), which consists of a coating of nanoparticles encapsulating low-dose paclitaxel (PTX) in combination with sirolimus in a synergistic ratio. Compared to the PTX DCB, the dual API DCB demonstrated similar inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro but at a significantly lower total drug dose (over 13 times lower than sirolimus nanoparticles). Animal experiments demonstrated that the dual API DCB is more effective in inhibiting intimal cell proliferation with insignificant downstream embolic effects and myocardial damage compared to the PTX DCB. These findings indicate that dual API DCBs have a high potential to demonstrate improved clinical outcomes and a greater safety profile than the PTX DCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kawai
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Mohammed Tanjimur Rahman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ryan Nowicki
- Advanced NanoTherapies, Inc, Los Gatos, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vinod Labhasetwar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Aloke V. Finn
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
- University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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12
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Naik VV, Desai VH, Noronha S. Synergistic anxiolytic efficacy exploring the combined effects of diazepam and zinc chloride in wistar albino rats. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2024; 74:220-226. [PMID: 38729181 DOI: 10.1055/a-2308-9192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Combinations of medications are frequently employed when their effects are similar. Beyond aiding in the reduction of medication dosages, this approach may yield additional positive outcomes. Studies have shown that zinc can mitigate anxiety-related behavior in laboratory animals. This study aimed to investigate the potential stabilizing effects of zinc chloride and diazepam in Wistar albino rats.Five groups, each comprising six animals. Test groups included two combinations of zinc chloride and diazepam, each with two different doses of diazepam (1 and 2 mg/kg) and 10 mg/kg of zinc chloride. Four established anxiety models-the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), the hole board, the light and dark box, and the mirror chamber-were employed to assess the anxiolytic effects. The combination of zinc chloride and diazepam proved to be more effective than the individual doses of zinc chloride and diazepam, indicating enhanced anxiolytic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwani V Naik
- Department of Pharmacology, Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa University, Panjim, Goa, India
| | - Vedita Hegde Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa University, Panjim, Goa, India
| | - Sam Noronha
- Department of Pharmacology, Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa University, Panjim, Goa, India
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13
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Ndu CC, Abotsi WKM, Mante PK. Investigation of Herb-Drug Interactions between Xylopia aethiopica, Its Principal Constituent Xylopic Acid, and Antidepressants. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2024; 2024:9923801. [PMID: 38826835 PMCID: PMC11144068 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9923801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Depression affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide and is implicated in up to 60% of suicides. Only about 60-70% of patients respond to antidepressant therapy. One of the factors causing patients to not attain therapeutic goals is herb-drug interactions. Objective To investigate any potential herb-drug interaction that might exist between Xylopia aethiopica extract (XAE) or xylopic acid (XA) and selected conventional antidepressants (imipramine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine) in mice. Methods Dried, powdered fruits of Xylopia aethiopica were cold macerated in 70% ethanol to obtain XAE. XA was isolated by cold macerating dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica in petroleum ether, crystallising impure XA with ethyl acetate, and purifying XA crystals with 96% ethanol. Pharmacodynamic interaction was assessed via isobolographic analysis of tail suspension tests of the agents individually and in their respective combinations. Pharmacokinetic interaction was assessed by monitoring the effect of coadministrations on the plasma concentration of antidepressants and xylopic acid via HPLC analysis. Results XAE and XA in mice showed significant antidepressant-like activity in the tail suspension test. With interaction indices less than one, synergism of antidepressant effect was observed in the Xylopia aethiopica extract/fluoxetine (γXAE/FL = 0.502), Xylopia aethiopica extract/imipramine (γXAE/IP = 0.322), Xylopia aethiopica extract/venlafaxine (γXAE/VL = 0.601), xylopic acid/imipramine (γXA/IP = 0.556), xylopic acid/venlafaxine (γXA/VL = 0.451), and xylopic acid/fluoxetine (γXA/FL = 0.298) combinations, which may be potentially due to elevation of serotonergic neurotransmission via varying mechanisms. The AUC of imipramine (AUCIP = 1966 ± 58.98 µg/ml.h) was significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced by Xylopia aethiopica extract (AUCIP = 1228 ± 67.40 µg/ml.h) and xylopic acid (AUCIP = 1250 ± 55.95 µg/ml.h), while the AUC of xylopic acid (AUCXA = 968.10 ± 61.22 µg/ml.h) was significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced by venlafaxine (AUCXA = 285.90 ± 51.92 µg/ml.h) and fluoxetine (AUCXA = 510.60 ± 44.74 µg/ml.h), possibly due to the effect of interfering agents on gastric emptying hence reducing oral absorption. Conclusion Xylopia aethiopica extract and xylopic acid interacted synergistically with imipramine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine and reduced the systemic circulation of imipramine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian C. Ndu
- Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Wonder K. M. Abotsi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Priscilla K. Mante
- Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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14
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De Carli A, Kapelyukh Y, Kursawe J, Chaplain MAJ, Wolf CR, Hamis S. Simulating BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK signalling dynamics in response to vertical inhibition treatment strategies. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:51. [PMID: 38750040 PMCID: PMC11096323 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00379-9] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In vertical inhibition treatment strategies, multiple components of an intracellular pathway are simultaneously inhibited. Vertical inhibition of the BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK signalling pathway is a standard of care for treating BRAFV600E-mutated melanoma where two targeted cancer drugs, a BRAFV600E-inhibitor, and a MEK inhibitor, are administered in combination. Targeted therapies have been linked to early onsets of drug resistance, and thus treatment strategies of higher complexities and lower doses have been proposed as alternatives to current clinical strategies. However, finding optimal complex, low-dose treatment strategies is a challenge, as it is possible to design more treatment strategies than are feasibly testable in experimental settings. To quantitatively address this challenge, we develop a mathematical model of BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK signalling dynamics in response to combinations of the BRAFV600E-inhibitor dabrafenib (DBF), the MEK inhibitor trametinib (TMT), and the ERK-inhibitor SCH772984 (SCH). From a model of the BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK pathway, and a set of molecular-level drug-protein interactions, we extract a system of chemical reactions that is parameterised by in vitro data and converted to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the law of mass action. The ODEs are solved numerically to produce simulations of how pathway-component concentrations change over time in response to different treatment strategies, i.e., inhibitor combinations and doses. The model can thus be used to limit the search space for effective treatment strategies that target the BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK pathway and warrant further experimental investigation. The results demonstrate that DBF and DBF-TMT-SCH therapies show marked sensitivity to BRAFV600E concentrations in silico, whilst TMT and SCH monotherapies do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice De Carli
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - Yury Kapelyukh
- School of Medicine, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Jochen Kursawe
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - Mark A J Chaplain
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
| | - C Roland Wolf
- School of Medicine, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Sara Hamis
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK.
- Tampere Institute for Advanced Study, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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15
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Gil-Gomez A, Rest JS. Wiring Between Close Nodes in Molecular Networks Evolves More Quickly Than Between Distant Nodes. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae098. [PMID: 38768245 PMCID: PMC11136681 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae098] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
As species diverge, a wide range of evolutionary processes lead to changes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and metabolic networks. The rate at which molecular networks evolve is an important question in evolutionary biology. Previous empirical work has focused on interactomes from model organisms to calculate rewiring rates, but this is limited by the relatively small number of species and sparse nature of network data across species. We present a proxy for variation in network topology: variation in drug-drug interactions (DDIs), obtained by studying drug combinations (DCs) across taxa. Here, we propose the rate at which DDIs change across species as an estimate of the rate at which the underlying molecular network changes as species diverge. We computed the evolutionary rates of DDIs using previously published data from a high-throughput study in gram-negative bacteria. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we found that DDIs diverge rapidly over short evolutionary time periods, but that divergence saturates over longer time periods. In parallel, we mapped drugs with known targets in PPI and cofunctional networks. We found that the targets of synergistic DDIs are closer in these networks than other types of DCs and that synergistic interactions have a higher evolutionary rate, meaning that nodes that are closer evolve at a faster rate. Future studies of network evolution may use DC data to gain larger-scale perspectives on the details of network evolution within and between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gil-Gomez
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, 650 Life Sciences, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4254, USA
| | - Joshua S Rest
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, 650 Life Sciences, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4254, USA
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16
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Nunn KP, Velazquez AA, Bebawy JF, Ma K, Sinedino BE, Goel A, Pereira SM. Perioperative Methadone for Spine Surgery: A Scoping Review. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2024:00008506-990000000-00106. [PMID: 38624227 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Complex spine surgery is associated with significant acute postoperative pain. Methadone possesses pharmacological properties that make it an attractive analgesic modality for major surgeries. This scoping review aimed to summarize the evidence for the perioperative use of methadone in adults undergoing complex spine surgery. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). A search was performed using MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and Joanna Briggs between January 1946 and April 2023. The initial search identified 317 citations, of which 12 met the criteria for inclusion in the review. There was significant heterogeneity in the doses, routes of administration, and timing of perioperative methadone administration in the included studies. On the basis of the available literature, methadone has been associated with reduced postoperative pain scores and reduced postoperative opioid consumption. Though safety concerns have been raised by observational studies, these have not been confirmed by prospective randomized studies. Further research is required to explore optimal methadone dosing regimens, the potential synergistic relationships between methadone and other pharmacological adjuncts, as well as the potential long-term antinociceptive benefits of perioperative methadone administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran P Nunn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ahida A Velazquez
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John F Bebawy
- Anesthesiology & Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Kan Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bruno Erick Sinedino
- Discipline of Anesthesiology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Akash Goel
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sergio M Pereira
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Adarvez-Feresin CW, Ortiz JE, Piñeiro MD, Parravicini O, Enriz RD, Garro AD, Feresin GE. Inhibitory effect of galantamine and donepezil combination against cholinesterase: An in silico and in vitro study. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300581. [PMID: 38229212 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the in silico and in vitro inhibitory effect of the combined use of galantamine (GAL) and donepezil (DON) against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes. In silico and in vitro cholinesterase analysis were carried out for GAL and DON alone and combined. Molecular modeling studies were carried out (docking analysis, molecular dynamics simulation, and quantum theory of atoms in molecules). Cholinesterase's inhibitory activities by modified Ellman's method and the drug combination effect using the Chou-Talalay method were assayed. GAL/DON combination showed the co-occupancy of the ligands in both enzymes through in silico studies. Regarding in vitro BuChE inhibition analyses, three of five combinations showed an interaction between GAL and DON at the threshold of additive affect (0.9 < CI < 1.1), with a tendency toward a synergistic effect for higher concentrations. This is the first report showing the efficacy of the GAL/DON combinations inhibiting BuChE, showing the importance of analyzing the behavior of different ligands when co-occupancy into the active site is possible. These combinations might be a possible therapy to improved efficacy, reduced doses, minor side effects, and high levels of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic space for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila W Adarvez-Feresin
- IMIBIO-SL CONICET, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Javier E Ortiz
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Mauricio D Piñeiro
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Oscar Parravicini
- IMIBIO-SL CONICET, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Ricardo D Enriz
- IMIBIO-SL CONICET, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Adriana D Garro
- IMIBIO-SL CONICET, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Gabriela E Feresin
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
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18
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Devinsky O, Jones NA, Cunningham MO, Jayasekera BAP, Devore S, Whalley BJ. Cannabinoid treatments in epilepsy and seizure disorders. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:591-649. [PMID: 37882730 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00049.2021] [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: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis has been used to treat convulsions and other disorders since ancient times. In the last few decades, preclinical animal studies and clinical investigations have established the role of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating epilepsy and seizures and support potential therapeutic benefits for cannabinoids in other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Here, we comprehensively review the role of cannabinoids in epilepsy. We briefly review the diverse physiological processes mediating the central nervous system response to cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol, and terpenes. Next, we characterize the anti- and proconvulsive effects of cannabinoids from animal studies of acute seizures and chronic epileptogenesis. We then review the clinical literature on using cannabinoids to treat epilepsy, including anecdotal evidence and case studies as well as the more recent randomized controlled clinical trials that led to US Food and Drug Administration approval of CBD for some types of epilepsy. Overall, we seek to evaluate our current understanding of cannabinoids in epilepsy and focus future research on unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
| | | | - Mark O Cunningham
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - B Ashan P Jayasekera
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sasha Devore
- Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States
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19
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Strumberger CD, D'Epagnier EJ, Nguyen KH, Rogers JD, Meyer MP, Malhotra Y, Hinman JE, Jansen EL, Minervini V. Antinociceptive and adverse effects of morphine:ketamine mixtures in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2024; 35:122-131. [PMID: 38451024 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Prescription opioids are the gold standard for treating moderate to severe pain despite their well-documented adverse effects. Of all prescription medications, opioids are abused most widely, and fatal overdoses have reached epidemic levels. One strategy for improving the margin of safety of opioids is combining them with non-opioid drugs to decrease the opioid dose needed for pain relief, thereby reducing adverse effects that occur with larger doses. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine has been used safely as an analgesic but only under a very limited range of conditions. The current studies characterized the antinociceptive, behavioral suppressant, and gastrointestinal effects of morphine and ketamine alone and in mixtures to determine their interaction in 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8 per assay). Given alone, both morphine and ketamine produced antinociception, decreased responding for food, and reduced gastrointestinal transit (i.e. produced constipation). The effects of morphine:ketamine mixtures generally were additive, except for the antinociceptive effects of 1:1 mixtures for which the difference in slope (i.e. non-parallel shift) between the observed and predicted effects suggested synergy at smaller doses and additivity at larger doses. The potency of morphine to produce constipation was not enhanced by administration of morphine:ketamine mixtures with antinociceptive effects. The nature of the interaction between morphine and ketamine for adverse effects such as dependence, withdrawal, abuse, or respiratory depression remains unknown but also might be related to the ratio of each drug in mixtures. It will be important to identify conditions that produce the largest potential therapeutic window in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor D Strumberger
- Department of Psychological Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Roche-Lima A, Rosado-Quiñones AM, Feliu-Maldonado RA, Figueroa-Gispert MDM, Díaz-Rivera J, Díaz-González RG, Carrasquillo-Carrion K, Nieves BG, Colón-Lorenzo EE, Serrano AE. Antimalarial Drug Combination Predictions Using the Machine Learning Synergy Predictor (MLSyPred©) tool. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:415-425. [PMID: 38165555 PMCID: PMC11001753 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00765-z] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Antimalarial drug resistance is a global public health problem that leads to treatment failure. Synergistic drug combinations can improve treatment outcomes and delay the development of drug resistance. Here, we describe the implementation of a freely available computational tool, Machine Learning Synergy Predictor (MLSyPred©), to predict potential synergy in antimalarial drug combinations. METHODS The MLSyPred© synergy prediction method extracts molecular fingerprints from the drugs' biochemical structures to use as features and also cleans and prepares the raw data. Five machine learning algorithms (Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Support vector machine, Ada Boost, and Gradient Boost) were implemented to build prediction models. Implementation and application of the MLSyPred© tool were tested using datasets from 1540 combinations of 79 drugs and compounds biologically evaluated in pairs for three strains of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7, HB3, and Dd2). RESULTS The best prediction models were obtained using Logistic Regression for antimalarials with the strains Dd2 and HB3 (0.81 and 0.70 AUC, respectively) and Random Forest for antimalarials with 3D7 (0.69 AUC). The MLSyPred© tool yielded 45% precision for synergistically predicted antimalarial drug combinations that were annotated and biologically validated, thus confirming the functionality and applicability of the tool. CONCLUSION The MLSyPred© tool is freely available and represents a promising strategy for discovering potential synergistic drug combinations for further development as novel antimalarial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abiel Roche-Lima
- Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA.
| | - Angélica M Rosado-Quiñones
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Roberto A Feliu-Maldonado
- Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - María Del Mar Figueroa-Gispert
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Jennifer Díaz-Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Roberto G Díaz-González
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Kelvin Carrasquillo-Carrion
- Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Brenda G Nieves
- Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Emilee E Colón-Lorenzo
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Adelfa E Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
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Afroz M, Bhuia MS, Rahman MA, Hasan R, Islam T, Islam MR, Chowdhury R, Khan MA, Antas E Silva D, Melo Coutinho HD, Islam MT. Anti-diarrheal effect of piperine possibly through the interaction with inflammation inducing enzymes: In vivo and in silico studies. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 965:176289. [PMID: 38158111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176289] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Piperine is a natural alkaloid that possesses a variety of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study aims to assess the medicinal benefits of piperine as an anti-diarrheal agent in a chick model by utilizing in vivo and in silico techniques. For this, castor oil was administered orally to 2-day-old chicks to cause diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate (10 mg/kg), loperamide (3 mg/kg), and nifedipine (2.5 mg/kg) were used as positive controls, while the vehicle was utilized as a negative control. Two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.) of the test sample (piperine) were administered orally, and the highest dose was tested with standards to investigate the synergistic activity of the test sample. In our findings, piperine prolonged the latent period while reducing the number of diarrheal feces in the experimental chicks during the monitoring period (4 h). At higher doses, piperine appears to reduce diarrheal secretion while increasing latency in chicks. Throughout the combined pharmacotherapy, piperine outperformed bismuth subsalicylate and nifedipine in terms of anti-diarrheal effects with loperamide. In molecular docking, piperine exhibited higher binding affinities towards different inflammatory enzymes such as cyclooxygenase 1 (-7.9 kcal/mol), cyclooxygenase 2 (-8.4 kcal/mol), nitric oxide synthases (-8.9 kcal/mol), and L-type calcium channel (-8.8 kcal/mol), indicating better interaction of PP with these proteins. In conclusion, piperine showed a potent anti-diarrheal effect in castor oil-induced diarrheal chicks by suppressing the inflammation and calcium ion influx induced by castor oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meher Afroz
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Shimul Bhuia
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Anisur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh.
| | - Rubel Hasan
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | - Tawhida Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Rakibul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | - Raihan Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Ali Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
| | | | | | - Muhammad Torequl Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
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Yang J, Friedman R. Synergy and antagonism between azacitidine and FLT3 inhibitors. Comput Biol Med 2024; 169:107889. [PMID: 38199214 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107889] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Synergetic interactions between drugs can make a drug combination more effective. Alternatively, they may allow to use lower concentrations and thus avoid toxicities or side effects that not only cause discomfort but might also reduce the overall survival. Here, we studied whether synergy exists between agents that are used for treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Azacitidine is a demethylation agent that is used in the treatment of AML patients that are unfit for aggressive chemotherapy. An activating mutation in the FLT3 gene is common in AML patients and in the absence of specific treatment makes prognosis worse. FLT3 inhibitors may be used in such cases. We sought to determine whether combination of azacitidine with a FLT3 inhibitor (gilteritinib, quizartinib, LT-850-166, FN-1501 or FF-10101) displayed synergy or antagonism. To this end, we calculated dose-response matrices of these drug combinations from experiments in human AML cells and subsequently analysed the data using a novel consensus scoring algorithm. The results show that combinations that involved non-covalent FLT3 inhibitors, including the two clinically approved drugs gilteritinib and quizartinib were antagonistic. On the other hand combinations with the covalent inhibitor FF-10101 had some range of concentrations where synergy was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmei Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, SE-39231, Sweden
| | - Ran Friedman
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, SE-39231, Sweden.
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23
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Fernandes NB, Velagacherla V, Spandana KJ, N B, Mehta CH, Gadag S, Sabhahit JN, Nayak UY. Co-delivery of lapatinib and 5-fluorouracil transfersomes using transpapillary iontophoresis for breast cancer therapy. Int J Pharm 2024; 650:123686. [PMID: 38070658 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123686] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Combination chemotherapy, involving the intervention of two or more anti-neoplastic agents has been the cornerstone in breast cancer treatment, owing to the applications it holds in contrast to the mono-therapy approach. This research predominantly focussed on proving the synergy between Lapatinib (LPT) and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and further enhancing its localized permeation via transfersome-loaded delivery and iontophoresis to treat breast tumors. The IC50 values for LPT and 5-FU were found to be 19.38 µg/ml and 5.7 µg/ml respectively and their synergistic effect was proven by the Chou-Talalay assay using CompuSyn software. Furthermore, LPT and 5-FU were encapsulated within transfersomes and administered via the transpapillary route. The drug-loaded carriers were characterized for their particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The ex vivo rat skin permeation studies indicated that when compared to LPT dispersion and 5-FU solution, drug-loaded transfersomes exhibited better permeability and their transpapillary permeation was enhanced on using iontophoresis. Moreover, both LPT and 5-FU transfersomes were found to be stable for 3 months when stored at a temperature of 5 ± 3 °C. The results indicated that this treatment strategy could be an effective approach in contrast to some of the conventional treatments employed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha B Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Varalakshmi Velagacherla
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - K J Spandana
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Bhagya N
- Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru 575018, Karnataka, India
| | - Chetan H Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Shivaprasad Gadag
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayalakshmi N Sabhahit
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Usha Y Nayak
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
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Ghaeini Hesarooeyeh Z, Basham A, Sheybani-Arani M, Abbaszadeh M, Salimi Asl A, Moghbeli M, Saburi E. Effect of resveratrol and curcumin and the potential synergism on hypertension: A mini-review of human and animal model studies. Phytother Res 2024; 38:42-58. [PMID: 37784212 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8023] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Resveratrol (RES) and curcumin (CUR) are two of the most extensively studied bioactive compounds in cardiovascular research from the past until today. These compounds have effectively lowered blood pressure by downregulating the renin-angiotensin system, exerting antioxidant effects, and exhibiting antiproliferative activities on blood vessels. This study aims to summarize the results of human and animal studies investigating the effects of CUR, RES, and their combination on hypertension and the molecular mechanisms involved. The published trials' results are controversial regarding blood pressure reduction with different doses of RES and CUR, highlighting the need to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ghaeini Hesarooeyeh
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Ayoub Basham
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | | | - Mahshid Abbaszadeh
- Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Ali Salimi Asl
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Saburi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Sivaganesh V, Peethambaran B. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 inhibitor strictinin exhibits anti-cancer properties against highly aggressive androgen-independent prostate cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:1188-1209. [PMID: 38213538 PMCID: PMC10784114 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim It is important to identify anti-cancer compounds that can inhibit specific molecular targets to eradicate androgen-receptor negative (ARneg), androgen-independent (AI) prostate cancer, which is an aggressive form of prostate cancer with limited treatment options. The goal of this study was to selectively target prostate cancer cells that have high levels of oncogenic protein Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) by using strictinin, a small molecule ROR1 inhibitor. Methods The methods performed in this study include western blots, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) proliferation assays, phosphatidylserine apoptosis assays, apoptosis flow cytometry (Annexin V, caspase 3/7), migration scratch assays, Boyden chamber invasion assays, and cell cycle flow cytometry. Results Strictinin was most lethal against PC3 [half-maximal drug inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 277.2 µmol/L], an ARneg-AI cell type that expresses the highest levels of ROR1. Strictinin inhibited ROR1 expression, downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT)-glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3β) pro-survival signaling, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers in PC3 cells. Additionally, strictinin decreased PC3 cell migration and invasion, while increasing S-phase cell cycle arrest. In ARneg-AI DU145 cells, strictinin inhibited ROR1 expression and modulated downstream AKT-GSK3β signaling. Furthermore, strictinin exhibited anti-migratory, anti-invasive, but minimal pro-apoptotic effects in DU145 cells likely due to DU145 having less ROR1 expression in comparison to PC3 cells. Throughout the study, strictinin minimally impacted the phenotype of normal prostatic epithelial cells RWPE-1 (IC50 of 658.5 µmol/L). Strictinin was further identified as synergistic with docetaxel [combination index (CI) = 0.311] and the combination therapy was found to reduce the IC50 of strictinin to 38.71 µmol/L in PC3 cells. Conclusions ROR1 is an emerging molecular target that can be utilized for treating prostate cancer. The data from this study establishes strictinin as a potential therapeutic agent that targets ARneg-AI prostate cancer with elevated ROR1 expression to reduce the migration, invasion, cell cycle progression, and survival of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sivaganesh
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA
| | - Bela Peethambaran
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Marecki R, Kałuska J, Kolanek A, Hakało D, Waszkiewicz N. Zuranolone - synthetic neurosteroid in treatment of mental disorders: narrative review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1298359. [PMID: 38116383 PMCID: PMC10729607 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1298359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
With each passing year, the number of people suffering from mental disorders grows at a disturbing speed. Neuroactive steroids are a new promising group of drugs with the potential for use in many diseases like postpartum depression, postnatal psychosis, major depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson's tremor, due to their ability to modulate the activity of GABAA receptor. Neurosteroids are progesterone metabolites that are synthesized from cholesterol or steroid hormones in various brain regions. They regulate neuronal development, regeneration, and neurotransmission. They are implicated in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, PTSD, and impulsive aggression. Neurosteroids have been studied for their potential to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and HIV-associated dementia. They can promote neurogenesis, neuronal survival, myelination, and memory function. They can also affect the growth and sensitivity of hormone-dependent brain tumors such as gliomas. Zuranolone, a newly registered neurosteroid drug has shown huge flexibility in both clinical and ambulatory treatment thanks to its pharmacokinetic traits, especially the possibility for oral administration, unlike its predecessor Brexanolone. Zuranolone is a synthetic positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor that can be taken orally. The review aims to summarize the current knowledge on zuranolone as a novel neurosteroid drug for various mental disorders, especially for postpartum mental disorders for which this drug was meant originally. It covers studies indexed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases published since 2017. Keywords used in the search, as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria, are given in the aims and methodology section. The review explains the evidence for the role of neurosteroids, especially allopregnanolone, in the pathophysiology and treatment of postpartum depression. It discusses the mechanisms of neurosteroid action, the changes in neurosteroid levels during pregnancy and postpartum, and the clinical trials of brexanolone and zuranolone, two synthetic analogs of allopregnanolone, for postpartum depression. It provides an overview of the biosynthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids in the central and peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, it explains the different sources and pathways of neurosteroid production and the factors that influence their synthesis and regulation, such as stress, hormones, drugs, and genetic variations. The review also explores the potential relevance of neurosteroids for other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Finally, it highlights the associations between neurosteroid levels and symptom severity and the effects of neurosteroid modulation on mood, cognition, and neuroplasticity.
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Daoud L, Al-Marzooq F, Ghazawi A, Anes F, Collyns T. High efficacy and enhanced synergistic activity of the novel siderophore-cephalosporin cefiderocol against multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from inpatients attending a single hospital in the United Arab Emirates. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16 Suppl 1:33-44. [PMID: 37953111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.003] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cefiderocol (CFDC) is a novel siderophore-cephalosporin, which usually penetrates the bacteria through the iron-uptake pathways. Data is limited on the factors affecting CFDC activity and methods for overcoming resistance development. Synergistic approaches are needed to tackle antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to determine CFDC activity on Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients attending a single hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to explore the effect of β-lactamases on CFDC activity and to enhance CFDC susceptibility in both iron-depleted and iron-enriched conditions. METHODS We investigated 238 K. pneumoniae strains from diverse clinical sources. β-lactamase genes were detected by PCR. Susceptibility to CFDC and 12 comparator antibiotics were tested. Combinations of CFDC with β-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs) and/or an outer membrane (OM) permeabilizer (polymyxin B nonapeptide) were tested in iron-depleted and iron-enriched conditions. RESULTS CFDC exhibited efficacy of 97.9%, against multidrug-resistant (MDR), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, in addition to strains resistant to the last resort drugs such as colistin and tigecycline, including dual carbapenemase-producers (blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like) with MIC ≤ 0.06-8 µg/ml. It was effective in killing strains with single and multiple β-lactamases; however, it lost activity in iron-enriched conditions. Synergy was achieved with dual combination of CFDC and BLIs, especially avibactam, which caused a significant reduction in MICs even in iron-enriched conditions. A significant reduction was seen with the triple combination including an OM permeabilizer plus avibactam. Killing-kinetic studies proved that the combination therapy caused dose reduction and faster killing by CFDC than the monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS CFDC was deemed effective against MDR and XDR K. pneumoniae. Synergistic combination of CFDC with BLIs and OM permeabilizers could be effective to treat infections in iron-rich sites, but this should be investigated in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Daoud
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Al-Marzooq
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Akela Ghazawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Febin Anes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Smith MA, Biancorosso SL, Camp JD, Hailu SH, Johansen AN, Morris MH, Carlson HN. "Tranq-dope" overdose and mortality: lethality induced by fentanyl and xylazine. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1280289. [PMID: 37954845 PMCID: PMC10637371 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1280289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The recreational use of fentanyl in combination with xylazine (i.e., "tranq-dope") represents a rapidly emerging public health threat characterized by significant toxicity and mortality. This study quantified the interactions between these drugs on lethality and examined the effectiveness of potential rescue medications to prevent a lethal overdose. Methods: Male and female mice were administered acute doses of fentanyl, xylazine, or their combination via intraperitoneal injection, and lethality was determined 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 24 h after administration. Both fentanyl and xylazine produced dose-dependent increases in lethality when administered alone. Results: A nonlethal dose of fentanyl (56 mg/kg) produced an approximately 5-fold decrease in the estimated LD50 for xylazine (i.e., the dose estimated to produce lethality in 50% of the population). Notably, a nonlethal dose of xylazine (100 mg/kg) produced an approximately 100-fold decrease in the estimated LD50 for fentanyl. Both drug combinations produced a synergistic interaction as determined via isobolographic analysis. The opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (3 mg/kg), but not the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist, yohimbine (3 mg/kg), significantly decreased the lethality of a fentanyl-xylazine combination. Lethality was rapid, with death occurring within 10 min after a high dose combination and generally within 30 min at lower dose combinations. Males were more sensitive to the lethal effects of fentanyl-xylazine combinations under some conditions suggesting biologically relevant sex differences in sensitivity to fentanyl-xylazine lethality. Discussion: These data provide the first quantification of the lethal effects of "tranq-dope" and suggest that rapid administration of naloxone may be effective at preventing death following overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Smith
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, United States
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Grabarska A, Luszczki JJ, Gawel K, Kukula-Koch W, Juszczak M, Slawinska-Brych A, Adamczuk G, Dmoszynska-Graniczka M, Kosheva N, Rzeski W, Stepulak A. Heterogeneous Cellular Response of Primary and Metastatic Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines to Magnoflorine and Its Additive Interaction with Docetaxel. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15511. [PMID: 37958494 PMCID: PMC10647589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115511] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the most common cancer and remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this study, the anticancer action of magnoflorine isolated via counter-current chromatography from the methanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris root against gastric cancer in models of primary ACC-201 and AGS and metastatic MKN-74 and NCI-N87 cell lines was analyzed. Cell viability and proliferation were tested through the use of MTT and BrdU tests, respectively. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry. The interaction of magnoflorine and docetaxel has been examined through isobolographic analysis. Moreover, potential toxicity was verified in zebrafish in an in vivo model. Gastric cancer cell lines revealed different responses to magnoflorine treatment with regard to viability/proliferation, apoptosis induction and cell cycle inhibition without any undesirable changes in the development of larval zebrafish at the tested concentrations. What is more, magnoflorine in combination with docetaxel produced an additive pharmacological interaction in all studied gastric cancer cell lines, which may suggest a complementary mechanism of action of both compounds. Taken together, these findings provide a foundation for the possibility of magnoflorine as a potential therapeutic approach for gastric cancer and merits further investigation, which may pave the way for clinical uses of magnoflorine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Grabarska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jarogniew J. Luszczki
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Kinga Gawel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (K.G.); (N.K.)
| | - Wirginia Kukula-Koch
- Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Juszczak
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.J.); (W.R.)
| | - Adrianna Slawinska-Brych
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Adamczuk
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | | | - Nataliia Kosheva
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (K.G.); (N.K.)
- Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Rzeski
- Department of Medical Biology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.J.); (W.R.)
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Stepulak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
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Bayatinejad G, Salehi M, Beigverdi R, Halimi S, Emaneini M, Jabalameli F. In Vitro antibiotic combinations of Colistin, Meropenem, Amikacin, and Amoxicillin/clavulanate against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia isolated from patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:298. [PMID: 37864176 PMCID: PMC10588070 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03039-w] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-KP) strains have increased worldwide. In addition, biofilm production by these resistant isolates has confronted clinicians with higher treatment failure and infection recurrence. Given the paucity of new agents and limited data on combination therapy for MDR-KPs, the present study sought to evaluate the in vitro activity of several antibiotic combinations against planktonic and biofilm MDR-KPs isolated from patients with VAP. RESULTS All 10 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance against the tested antibiotics. At planktonic mode, combinations of colistin-meropenem and amoxicillin/clavulanate in combination with meropenem, colistin, or amikacin showed synergism against 60-70% isolates. On the other hand, in the biofilm state, colistin-based combinations exhibited synergism against 50-70% isolates and the most effective combination was colistin-amikacin with 70% synergy. CONCLUSIONS The results revealed that combinations of amoxicillin/clavulanate with colistin, meropenem, or amikacin in the planktonic mode and colistin with amoxicillin/clavulanate, meropenem, or amikacin in the biofilm mode could effectively inhibit CRKP isolates, and thus could be further explored for the treatment of CRKPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazal Bayatinejad
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Salehi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Antibiotic Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Beigverdi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Halimi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Emaneini
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Jabalameli
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Research Center for Antibiotic Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Khan SM, Bajwa MR, Lahar RY, Witola WH. Combination of inhibitors for two glycolytic enzymes portrays high synergistic efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0056923. [PMID: 37655889 PMCID: PMC10583678 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00569-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes serious enteric disease in humans and in a wide range of animals worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, no effective therapeutic drugs are available against life-threatening cryptosporidiosis in at-risk populations including malnourished children, immunocompromised patients, and neonatal calves. Thus, new efficacious drugs are urgently needed to treat all susceptible populations with cryptosporidiosis. Unlike other apicomplexans, Cryptosporidium parvum lacks the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the oxidative phosphorylation steps, making it solely dependent on glycolysis for metabolic energy production. We have previously reported that individual inhibitors of two unique glycolytic enzymes, the plant-like pyruvate kinase (CpPyK) and the bacterial-type lactate dehydrogenase (CpLDH), are effective against C. parvum, both in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we have derived combinations of CpPyK and CpLDH inhibitors with strong synergistic effects against the growth and survival of C. parvum, both in vitro and in an infection mouse model. In infected immunocompromised mice, compound combinations of NSC303244 + NSC158011 and NSC252172 + NSC158011 depicted enhanced efficacy against C. parvum reproduction and ameliorated intestinal lesions of cryptosporidiosis at doses fourfold lower than the total effective doses of individual compounds. Importantly, unlike individual compounds, NSC303244 + NSC158011 combination was effective in clearing the infection completely without relapse in immunocompromised mice. Collectively, our study has unveiled compound combinations that simultaneously block two essential catalytic steps for metabolic energy production in C. parvum to achieve improved efficacy against the parasite. These combinations are, therefore, lead compounds for the development of a new generation of efficacious anti-cryptosporidial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahbaz M. Khan
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Muhammad Rashid Bajwa
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Rachael Y. Lahar
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - William H. Witola
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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Bhuia MS, Rokonuzzman M, Hossain MI, Ansari SA, Ansari IA, Islam T, Al Hasan MS, Mubarak MS, Islam MT. Anxiolytic- like Effects by trans-Ferulic Acid Possibly Occur through GABAergic Interaction Pathways. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1271. [PMID: 37765079 PMCID: PMC10535412 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous previous studies reported that ferulic acid exerts anxiolytic activity. However, the mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. The current study aimed to investigate the anxiolytic effect of trans-ferulic acid (TFA), a stereoisomer of ferulic acid, and evaluated its underlying mechanism using in vivo and computational studies. For this, different experimental doses of TFA (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) were administered orally to Swiss albino mice, and various behavioral methods of open field, hole board, swing box, and light-dark tests were carried out. Diazepam (DZP), a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, was employed as a positive control at a dose of 2 mg/kg, and distilled water served as a vehicle. Additionally, molecular docking was performed to estimate the binding affinities of the TFA and DZP toward the GABAA receptor subunits of α2 and α3, which are associated with the anxiolytic effect; visualizations of the ligand-receptor interaction were carried out using various computational tools. Our findings indicate that TFA dose-dependently reduces the locomotor activity of the animals in comparison with the controls, calming their behaviors. In addition, TFA exerted the highest binding affinity (-5.8 kcal/mol) to the α2 subunit of the GABAA receptor by forming several hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds. Taken together, our findings suggest that TFA exerts a similar effect to DZP, and the compound exerts moderate anxiolytic activity through the GABAergic interaction pathway. We suggest further clinical studies to develop TFA as a reliable anxiolytic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Shimul Bhuia
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.); (M.R.); (M.I.H.); (T.I.); (M.S.A.H.)
| | - Md. Rokonuzzman
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.); (M.R.); (M.I.H.); (T.I.); (M.S.A.H.)
| | - Md. Imran Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.); (M.R.); (M.I.H.); (T.I.); (M.S.A.H.)
| | - Siddique Akber Ansari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Irfan Aamer Ansari
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy;
| | - Tawhida Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.); (M.R.); (M.I.H.); (T.I.); (M.S.A.H.)
| | - Md. Sakib Al Hasan
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.); (M.R.); (M.I.H.); (T.I.); (M.S.A.H.)
| | | | - Muhammad Torequl Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.); (M.R.); (M.I.H.); (T.I.); (M.S.A.H.)
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Dewaele S, Delhaye L, De Paepe B, Bogaert B, Martinez R, Anckaert J, Yigit N, Nuytens J, Van Coster R, Eyckerman S, Raemdonck K, Mestdagh P. mTOR Inhibition Enhances Delivery and Activity of Antisense Oligonucleotides in Uveal Melanoma Cells. Nucleic Acid Ther 2023; 33:248-264. [PMID: 37389884 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Owing to a lack of effective treatments, patients with metastatic disease have a median survival time of 6-12 months. We recently demonstrated that the Survival Associated Mitochondrial Melanoma Specific Oncogenic Non-coding RNA (SAMMSON) is essential for UM cell survival and that antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated silencing of SAMMSON impaired cell viability and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. By screening a library of 2911 clinical stage compounds, we identified the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor GDC-0349 to synergize with SAMMSON inhibition in UM. Mechanistic studies revealed that mTOR inhibition enhanced uptake and reduced lysosomal accumulation of lipid complexed SAMMSON ASOs, improving SAMMSON knockdown and further decreasing UM cell viability. We found mTOR inhibition to also enhance target knockdown in other cancer cell lines as well as normal cells when combined with lipid nanoparticle complexed or encapsulated ASOs or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Our results are relevant to nucleic acid treatment in general and highlight the potential of mTOR inhibition to enhance ASO and siRNA-mediated target knockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Dewaele
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Louis Delhaye
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Boel De Paepe
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bram Bogaert
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ramiro Martinez
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jasper Anckaert
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nurten Yigit
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justine Nuytens
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudy Van Coster
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Eyckerman
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Gach J, Grzelczyk J, Strzała T, Boratyński F, Olejniczak T. Microbial Metabolites of 3- n-butylphthalide as Monoamine Oxidase A Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10605. [PMID: 37445788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310605] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel compounds with antidepressant activity via monoamine oxidase inhibition are being sought. Among these, derivatives of 3-n-butylphthalide, a neuroprotective lactone from Apiaceae plants, may be prominent candidates. This study aimed to obtain the oxidation products of 3-n-butylphthalide and screen them regarding their activity against the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) isoform. Such activity of these compounds has not been previously tested. To obtain the metabolites, we used fungi as biocatalysts because of their high oxidative capacity. Overall, 37 strains were used, among which Penicillium and Botrytis spp. were the most efficient, leading to the obtaining of three main products: 3-n-butyl-10-hydroxyphthalide, 3-n-butylphthalide-11-oic acid, and 3-n-butyl-11-hydroxyphthalide, with a total yield of 0.38-0.82 g per g of the substrate, depending on the biocatalyst used. The precursor-3-n-butylphthalide and abovementioned metabolites inhibited the MAO-A enzyme; the most active was the carboxylic acid derivative of the lactone with inhibitory constant (Ki) < 0.001 µmol/L. The in silico prediction of the drug-likeness of the metabolites matches the assumptions of Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muegge. All the compounds are within the optimal range for the lipophilicity value, which is connected to adequate permeability and solubility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Gach
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Grzelczyk
- Institute of Food Technology and Analysis, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 2/22, 90-924 Łódź, Poland
| | - Tomasz Strzała
- Department of Genetics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska 7, 51-631 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Filip Boratyński
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Teresa Olejniczak
- Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
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Wróblewska-Łuczka P, Góralczyk A, Łuszczki JJ. Daphnetin, a Coumarin with Anticancer Potential against Human Melanoma: In Vitro Study of Its Effective Combination with Selected Cytostatic Drugs. Cells 2023; 12:1593. [PMID: 37371063 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121593] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) The treatment of metastatic or drug-resistant melanoma is still a significant therapeutic problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer potential of daphnetin (7,8-dihydroxycoumarin) and its combinations with five different cytostatic drugs (mitoxantrone, docetaxel, vemurafenib, epirubicin and cisplatin). (2) The viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity of daphnetin against four human malignant melanoma cell lines were evaluated. The interactions were assessed using isobolographic analysis for the combinations of daphnetin with each of the five cytostatic drugs. (3) Daphnetin showed anticancer activity against malignant melanoma, with IC50 values ranging from 40.48 ± 10.90 µM to 183.97 ± 18.82 µM, depending on the cell line. The combination of daphnetin with either vemurafenib or epirubicin showed an antagonistic interaction. Moreover, additive interactions were observed for the combinations of daphnetin with cisplatin and docetaxel. The most desirable synergistic interactions for human melanoma metastatic cell lines were observed for the combination of daphnetin with mitoxantrone. (4) The obtained results suggest that daphnetin should not be combined with vemurafenib or epirubicin in the treatment of malignant melanoma due to the abolition of their anticancer effects. The combination of daphnetin with mitoxantrone is beneficial in the treatment of metastatic melanoma due to their synergistic interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Wróblewska-Łuczka
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Góralczyk
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarogniew J Łuszczki
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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Hourican C, Peeters G, Melis R, Gill TM, Rikkert MO, Quax R. Understanding multimorbidity requires sign-disease networks and higher-order interactions, a perspective. FRONTIERS IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2023; 3:1155599. [PMID: 37810371 PMCID: PMC10557993 DOI: 10.3389/fsysb.2023.1155599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Count scores, disease clustering, and pairwise associations between diseases remain ubiquitous in multimorbidity research despite two major shortcomings: they yield no insight into plausible mechanisms underlying multimorbidity, and they ignore higher-order interactions such as effect modification. Objectives We argue that two components are currently missing but vital to develop novel multimorbidity metrics. Firstly, networks should be constructed which consists simultaneously of signs, symptoms, and diseases, since only then could they yield insight into plausible shared biological mechanisms underlying diseases.Secondly, learning pairwise associations is insufficient to fully characterize the correlations in a system. That is, synergistic (e.g., cooperative or antagonistic) effects are widespread in complex systems, where two or more elements combined give a larger or smaller effect than the sum of their individual effects. It can even occur that pairs of symptoms have no pairwise associations whatsoever, but in combination have a significant association. Therefore, higher-order interactions should be included in networks used to study multimorbidity, resulting in so-called hypergraphs. Methods We illustrate our argument using a synthetic Bayesian Network model of symptoms, signs and diseases, composed of pairwise and higher-order interactions. We simulate network interventions on both individual and population levels and compare the ground-truth outcomes with the predictions from pairwise associations. Conclusion We find that, when judged purely from the pairwise associations, interventions can have unexpected 'side-effects' or the most opportune intervention could be missed. The hypergraph uncovers links missed in pairwise networks, giving a more complete overview of sign and disease associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cillian Hourican
- Computational Science Lab, Institute of Informatics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geeske Peeters
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre, Radboud university medical centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - René Melis
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas M. Gill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Marcel Olde Rikkert
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Centre, Radboud university medical centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Quax
- Computational Science Lab, Institute of Informatics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Advanced Study, 1012 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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He W, Demas DM, Shajahan-Haq AN, Baumann WT. Modeling breast cancer proliferation, drug synergies, and alternating therapies. iScience 2023; 26:106714. [PMID: 37234088 PMCID: PMC10206440 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer is responsive to a number of targeted therapies used clinically. Unfortunately, the continuous application of targeted therapy often results in resistance, driving the consideration of combination and alternating therapies. Toward this end, we developed a mathematical model that can simulate various mono, combination, and alternating therapies for ER + breast cancer cells at different doses over long time scales. The model is used to look for optimal drug combinations and predicts a significant synergism between Cdk4/6 inhibitors in combination with the anti-estrogen fulvestrant, which may help explain the clinical success of adding Cdk4/6 inhibitors to anti-estrogen therapy. Furthermore, the model is used to optimize an alternating treatment protocol so it works as well as monotherapy while using less total drug dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, VT BIOTRANS, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Diane M. Demas
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Ayesha N. Shajahan-Haq
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - William T. Baumann
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Wróblewska-Łuczka P, Góralczyk A, Łuszczki JJ. Synergy, Additivity and Antagonism between Esculetin and Six Commonly Used Chemotherapeutics in Various Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines-An Isobolographic Analysis. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093889. [PMID: 37175299 PMCID: PMC10180450 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Malignant melanomas are dangerous skin cancers, and the treatment of melanomas with various cytostatic drugs often causes side effects and after their prolonged use resistance to these drugs appears. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effects of esculetin (a simple coumarin) and to assess pharmacodynamic interactions between esculetin and six commonly used cytostatic drugs (cisplatin, epirubicin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, mitoxantrone and vemurafenib) using an isobolographic analysis. (2) The experiments were carried out on four human malignant melanoma cell lines (FM55P, A375, FM55M2 and SK-MEL28). The effects of esculetin on viability, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity were verified in the range of concentrations of 2-200 μM. (3) Esculetin inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, malignant melanoma cell viability and proliferation. The IC50 for esculetin ranged from 18.20 ± 2.93 to 120.64 ± 30.39 μM depending on the melanoma cell lines used. The combinations of esculetin with epirubicin and vemurafenib showed antagonistic interactions, the combinations of esculetin with cisplatin, docetaxel and paclitaxel showed additive interactions. For the combinations of esculetin with mitoxantrone, the isobolographic analysis displayed synergy. (4) In the treatment of malignant melanoma, esculetin should not be combined with epirubicin or vemurafenib, due to the reduction of their anticancer effects, while the synergistic interactions (esculetin + mitoxantrone) deserve a preclinical recommendation as a beneficial combination during anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Wróblewska-Łuczka
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Góralczyk
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarogniew J Łuszczki
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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Vidar W, Baumeister TUH, Caesar LK, Kellogg JJ, Todd DA, Linington RG, M. Kvalheim O, Cech NB. Interaction Metabolomics to Discover Synergists in Natural Product Mixtures. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:655-671. [PMID: 37052585 PMCID: PMC10152448 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry metabolomics has become increasingly popular as an integral aspect of studies to identify active compounds from natural product mixtures. Classical metabolomics data analysis approaches do not consider the possibility that interactions (such as synergy) could occur between mixture components. With this study, we developed "interaction metabolomics" to overcome this limitation. The innovation of interaction metabolomics is the inclusion of compound interaction terms (CITs), which are calculated as the product of the intensities of each pair of features (detected ions) in the data matrix. Herein, we tested the utility of interaction metabolomics by spiking known concentrations of an antimicrobial compound (berberine) and a synergist (piperine) into a set of inactive matrices. We measured the antimicrobial activity for each of the resulting mixtures against Staphylococcus aureus and analyzed the mixtures with liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. When the data set was processed without CITs (classical metabolomics), statistical analysis yielded a pattern of false positives. However, interaction metabolomics correctly identified berberine and piperine as the compounds responsible for the synergistic activity. To further validate the interaction metabolomics approach, we prepared mixtures from extracts of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and habañero pepper (Capsicum chinense) and correctly correlated synergistic activity of these mixtures to the combined action of berberine and several capsaicinoids. Our results demonstrate the utility of a conceptually new approach for identifying synergists in mixtures that may be useful for applications in natural products research and other research areas that require comprehensive mixture analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren
S. Vidar
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | | | - Lindsay K. Caesar
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, James Madison
University, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, United States
| | - Joshua J. Kellogg
- Department
of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania
State University, University
Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Daniel A. Todd
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
| | - Roger G. Linington
- Department
of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby V5A 156, BC, Canada
| | - Olav M. Kvalheim
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Nadja B. Cech
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, United States
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Chen CH, Huang YM, Grillet L, Hsieh YC, Yang YW, Lo KY. Gallium maltolate shows synergism with cisplatin and activates nucleolar stress and ferroptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023:10.1007/s13402-023-00804-x. [PMID: 37067747 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00804-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease with poor outcomes. TNBC lacks effective targeted treatments, and the development of drug resistance limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy. It is crucial to identify new drugs that can enhance the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy to reduce drug resistance and side effects. METHODS TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and Hs 578T, and a normal cell line, MCF-10 A, were included in this study. The cells were treated with gallium maltolate (GaM), and their transcriptome was analyzed. Ferroptosis and nucleolar stress markers were detected by qPCR, western blotting, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. The impairment of ribosome synthesis was evaluated by northern blotting and sucrose gradients. RESULTS GaM triggered cell death via apoptosis and ferroptosis. In addition, GaM impaired translation and activated nucleolar stress. Cisplatin (DDP) is a chemotherapeutic agent for advanced breast cancer. While single treatment with GaM or DDP at low concentrations did not impact cell growth, co-administration enhanced cell death in TNBC but not in normal breast cells. The enhancement of ferroptosis and nucleolar stress could be observed in TNBC cell lines after co-treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that GaM synergizes with cisplatin via activation of nucleolar stress and ferroptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. GaM is marginally toxic to normal cells but impairs the growth of TNBC cell lines. Thus, GaM has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent against TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Hsin Chen
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 6836, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Huang
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 6836, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Louis Grillet
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 6836, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Hsieh
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 6836, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Yang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan.
| | - Kai-Yin Lo
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 6836, 10617, Taiwan.
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Kang YG, Lee T, Ro J, Oh S, Kwak JH, Kim AR. Combination of Lactobacillus plantarum HAC03 and Garcinia cambogia Has a Significant Anti-Obesity Effect in Diet-Induced Obesity Mice. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081859. [PMID: 37111078 PMCID: PMC10142012 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081859] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major global health problem which is associated with various diseases and psychological conditions. Increasing understanding of the relationship between obesity and gut microbiota has led to a worldwide effort to use microbiota as a treatment for obesity. However, several clinical trials have shown that obesity treatment with single strains of probiotics did not achieve as significant results as in animal studies. To overcome this limitation, we attempted to find a new combination that goes beyond the effects of probiotics alone by combining probiotics and a natural substance that has a stronger anti-obesity effect. In this study, we used a diet-induced obesity mouse (DIO) model to investigate the effects of combining Lactobacillus plantarum HAC03 with Garcinia cambogia extract, as compared to the effects of each substance alone. Combining L. plantarum HAC03 and G. cambogia, treatment showed a more than two-fold reduction in weight gain compared to each substance administered alone. Even though the total amount administered was kept the same as for other single experiments, the combination treatment significantly reduced biochemical markers of obesity and adipocyte size, in comparison to the treatment with either substance alone. The treatment with a combination of two substances also significantly decreased the gene expression of fatty acid synthesis (FAS, ACC, PPARγ and SREBP1c) in mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT). Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the fecal microbiota suggested that the combination of L. plantarum HAC03 and G. cambogia extract treatment changed the diversity of gut microbiota and altered specific bacterial taxa at the genus level (the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and Lachnospiraceae UCG group) and specific functions (NAD salvage pathway I and starch degradation V). Our results support that the idea that the combination of L. plantarum HAC03 and G. cambogia extract has a synergistic anti-obesity effect by restoring the composition of the gut microbiota. This combination also increases the abundance of bacteria responsible for energy metabolism, as well as the production of SCFAs and BCAAs. Furthermore, no significant adverse effects were observed during the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn-Goo Kang
- School of Creative Convergence Education, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyoung Lee
- School of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoung Ro
- School of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghun Oh
- HDSbio Inc., Pohang 37668, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hwan Kwak
- School of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
- HDSbio Inc., Pohang 37668, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
- Sunlin University, Pohang 37560, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah-Ram Kim
- School of Creative Convergence Education, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
- HDSbio Inc., Pohang 37668, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
- School of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Gyeong-Buk, Republic of Korea
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Baptista D, Ferreira PG, Rocha M. A systematic evaluation of deep learning methods for the prediction of drug synergy in cancer. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010200. [PMID: 36952569 PMCID: PMC10072473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the main obstacles to the successful treatment of cancer is the phenomenon of drug resistance. A common strategy to overcome resistance is the use of combination therapies. However, the space of possibilities is huge and efficient search strategies are required. Machine Learning (ML) can be a useful tool for the discovery of novel, clinically relevant anti-cancer drug combinations. In particular, deep learning (DL) has become a popular choice for modeling drug combination effects. Here, we set out to examine the impact of different methodological choices on the performance of multimodal DL-based drug synergy prediction methods, including the use of different input data types, preprocessing steps and model architectures. Focusing on the NCI ALMANAC dataset, we found that feature selection based on prior biological knowledge has a positive impact-limiting gene expression data to cancer or drug response-specific genes improved performance. Drug features appeared to be more predictive of drug response, with a 41% increase in coefficient of determination (R2) and 26% increase in Spearman correlation relative to a baseline model that used only cell line and drug identifiers. Molecular fingerprint-based drug representations performed slightly better than learned representations-ECFP4 fingerprints increased R2 by 5.3% and Spearman correlation by 2.8% w.r.t the best learned representations. In general, fully connected feature-encoding subnetworks outperformed other architectures. DL outperformed other ML methods by more than 35% (R2) and 14% (Spearman). Additionally, an ensemble combining the top DL and ML models improved performance by about 6.5% (R2) and 4% (Spearman). Using a state-of-the-art interpretability method, we showed that DL models can learn to associate drug and cell line features with drug response in a biologically meaningful way. The strategies explored in this study will help to improve the development of computational methods for the rational design of effective drug combinations for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delora Baptista
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro G Ferreira
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INESC TEC, Porto, Portugal
- Ipatimup - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- i3s - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Rocha
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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Woodring RN, Gurysh EG, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Drug Delivery Systems for Localized Cancer Combination Therapy. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:934-950. [PMID: 36791273 PMCID: PMC10373430 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
With over 2 million cancer cases and over 600,000 cancer-associated deaths predicted in the U.S. for 2022, this life-debilitating disease continuously impacts the lives of people across the nation every day. Therapeutic treatment options for cancer have historically involved chemotherapies to eradicate tumors with cytotoxic mechanisms which can negatively affect the efficacy versus toxicity ratio of treatment. With a need for more directed and therapeutically active options, targeted small-molecule inhibitors and immunotherapies have since emerged to mitigate treatment-associated toxicities. However, aggressive tumors can employ a wide range of defense mechanisms to evade monotherapy treatment altogether, resulting in the recurrence of therapeutically resistant tumors. Therefore, many clinical routines have included combination therapy in which anticancer agents are combined to provide a synergistic attack on tumors. Even with this approach, maximizing the efficacy of cancer treatment is contingent upon the dose of drug that reaches the site of the tumor, so often therapy is administered at the site of a tumor via localized delivery platforms. Commonly used platforms for localized drug delivery include polymeric wafers, nanofibrous scaffolds, and hydrogels where drug combinations can be loaded and delivered synchronously. Attaining synergistic activity from these localized systems is dependent on proper material selection and fabrication methods. Herein, we describe these important considerations for enhancing the efficacy of cancer combination therapy through biodegradable, localized delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan N. Woodring
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Gurysh
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Eric M. Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristy M. Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Pogorzelska A, Mazur M, Świtalska M, Wietrzyk J, Sigorski D, Fronczyk K, Wiktorska K. Anticancer effect and safety of doxorubicin and nutraceutical sulforaphane liposomal formulation in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) animal model. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114490. [PMID: 36931031 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Female breast cancer is the most deadly cancer in women worldwide. The triple-negative breast cancer subtype therapies, due to the lack of specific drug targets, are still based on systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin, which is burdened with severe adverse effects. To enhance therapeutic success and protect against systemic toxicity, drug carriers or combination therapy are being developed. Thus, an innovative liposomal formulation containing doxorubicin and the main nutraceutical, sulforaphane, has been developed. The anticancer efficacy and safety of the proposed liposomal formulation was evaluated in vivo, in a 4T1 mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer, and the mechanism of action was determined in vitro, using triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and non-tumorigenic breast MCF-10A cell line. The elaborated drug carriers were shown to efficiently deliver both compounds into the cancer cell and direct doxorubicin to the cell nucleus. Incorporation of sulforaphane resulted in a twofold inhibition of tumor growth and the potential of up to a fourfold reduction in doxorubicin concentration due to the synergistic interaction between the two compounds. Sulforaphane was shown to increase the accumulation of doxorubicin in the nuclei of cancer cells, accompanied by inhibition of mitosis, without affecting the reactive oxygen species status of the cell. In normal cells, an antagonistic effect resulting in less cytotoxicity was observed. In vivo results showed that sulforaphane incorporation yielded not only cardioprotective, but also nephro- and hepatoprotective effects. The results of the research revealed the prospects of applying sulforaphane as a component of liposomal doxorubicin in triple-negative breast cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pogorzelska
- Laboratory of Translation Research, Department of Biomedical Research, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, Warsaw 00-725, Poland
| | - Maciej Mazur
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Ludwika Pasteura 1, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Marta Świtalska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, Wrocław 53-114, Poland
| | - Joanna Wietrzyk
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, Wrocław 53-114, Poland
| | - Dawid Sigorski
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Al. Wojska Polskiego 37, Olsztyn 10-228, Poland; Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, Warmian-Masurian Cancer Center of The Ministry of The Interior and Administration's Hospital, Al. Wojska Polskiego 37, Olsztyn 10-228, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Fronczyk
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, Warsaw 00-183, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Wiktorska
- Laboratory of Translation Research, Department of Biomedical Research, National Medicines Institute, Chełmska 30/34, Warsaw 00-725, Poland.
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Petrikaite V, D'Avanzo N, Celia C, Fresta M. Nanocarriers overcoming biological barriers induced by multidrug resistance of chemotherapeutics in 2D and 3D cancer models. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100956. [PMID: 36958083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is currently a big challenge in cancer therapy and limits its success in several patients. Tumors use the MDR mechanisms to colonize the host and reduce the efficacy of chemotherapeutics that are injected as single agents or combinations. MDR mechanisms are responsible for inactivation of drugs and formbiological barriers in cancer like the drug efflux pumps, aberrant extracellular matrix, hypoxic areas, altered cell death mechanisms, etc. Nanocarriers have some potential to overcome these barriers and improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. In fact, they are versatile and can deliver natural and synthetic biomolecules, as well as RNAi/DNAi, thus providing a controlled release of drugs and a synergistic effect in tumor tissues. Biocompatible and safe multifunctional biopolymers, with or without specific targeting molecules, modify the surface and interface properties of nanocarriers. These modifications affect the interaction of nanocarriers with cellular models as well as the selection of suitable models for in vitro experiments. MDR cancer cells, and particularly their 2D and 3D models, in combination with anatomical and physiological structures of tumor tissues, can boost the design and preparation of nanomedicines for anticancer therapy. 2D and 3D cancer cell cultures are suitable models to study the interaction, internalization, and efficacy of nanocarriers, the mechanisms of MDR in cancer cells and tissues, and they are used to tailor a personalized medicine and improve the efficacy of anticancer treatment in patients. The description of molecular mechanisms and physio-pathological pathways of these models further allow the design of nanomedicine that can efficiently overcome biological barriers involved in MDR and test the activity of nanocarriers in 2D and 3D models of MDR cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Petrikaite
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukilėlių pr. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Nicola D'Avanzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro Campus Universitario-Germaneto, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Christian Celia
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukilėlių pr. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania; Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale "S. Venuta" s.n.c., 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Is vitamin C a booster of the effects of dietary nitrate on endothelial function? Physiologic rationale and implications for research. Nutrition 2023; 109:111995. [PMID: 36917872 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2023.111995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early marker of vascular damage linked to the loss of integrity of the endothelial lining and represents a key step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). ED may be reversible, hence the development and testing of effective early interventions could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of CVDs. Recent studies have demonstrated that the consumption of dietary nitrate (NO3-), an inorganic anion that serves as a substrate for the gas transmitter nitric oxide (NO), can lower blood pressure, improve endothelial function and, in observational studies, reduce the risk for CVD. We hypothesize that the co-consumption of NO3- with vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant, could enhance the "yield" of NO produced from a given NO3- dose byThis could translate into greater NO-dependent effects on endothelial function (EF) and overall vascular health (than may be experienced with NO3- supplementation alone). This review presents evidence to suggest that the combination of vitamin C and dietary nitrate could represent a promising and effective approach to improve EF and reduce CVD risk, and discuss opportunities for future research.
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Levi L, Hikri E, Popovtzer A, Dayan A, Levi A, Bachar G, Mizrachi A, Shoffel-Havakuk H. Effect of Opioid Receptor Activation and Blockage on the Progression and Response to Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041277. [PMID: 36835812 PMCID: PMC9967316 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that opioids have a role in the progression of HNSCC mediated by mu opioid receptors (MOR), however, the effects of their activation or blockage remains unclear. Expression of MOR-1 was explored in seven HNSCC cell lines using Western blotting (WB). XTT cell proliferation and cell migration assays were performed on four selected cell lines (Cal-33, FaDu, HSC-2, and HSC-3), treated with opiate receptor agonist (morphine), antagonist (naloxone), alone and combined with cisplatin. All four selected cell lines display an increased cell proliferation and upregulation of MOR-1 when exposed to morphine. Furthermore, morphine promotes cell migration, while naloxone inhibits it. The effects on cell signaling pathways were analyzed using WB, demonstrating morphine activation of AKT and S6, key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. A significant synergistic cytotoxic effect between cisplatin and naloxone in all cell lines is observed. In vivo studies of nude mice harboring HSC3 tumor treated with naloxone demonstrate a decrease in tumor volume. The synergistic cytotoxic effect between cisplatin and naloxone is observed in the in vivo studies as well. Our findings suggest that opioids may increase HNSCC cell proliferation via the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, MOR blockage may chemo-sensitize HNSCC to cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirit Levi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
- Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Elad Hikri
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
- Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Aron Popovtzer
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Avraham Dayan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
- Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Amir Levi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Gideon Bachar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
- Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Aviram Mizrachi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
- Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-3-9376456; Fax: +972-3-9372717
| | - Hagit Shoffel-Havakuk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
- Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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48
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Zeleke TZ, Pan Q, Chiuzan C, Onishi M, Li Y, Tan H, Alvarez MJ, Honan E, Yang M, Chia PL, Mukhopadhyay P, Kelly S, Wu R, Fenn K, Trivedi MS, Accordino M, Crew KD, Hershman DL, Maurer M, Jones S, High A, Peng J, Califano A, Kalinsky K, Yu J, Silva J. Network-based assessment of HDAC6 activity predicts preclinical and clinical responses to the HDAC6 inhibitor ricolinostat in breast cancer. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:257-275. [PMID: 36585452 PMCID: PMC9992270 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00489-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Inhibiting individual histone deacetylase (HDAC) is emerging as well-tolerated anticancer strategy compared with pan-HDAC inhibitors. Through preclinical studies, we demonstrated that the sensitivity to the leading HDAC6 inhibitor (HDAC6i) ricolinstat can be predicted by a computational network-based algorithm (HDAC6 score). Analysis of ~3,000 human breast cancers (BCs) showed that ~30% of them could benefice from HDAC6i therapy. Thus, we designed a phase 1b dose-escalation clinical trial to evaluate the activity of ricolinostat plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic BC (MBC) (NCT02632071). Study results showed that the two agents can be safely combined, that clinical activity is identified in patients with HR+/HER2- disease and that the HDAC6 score has potential as predictive biomarker. Analysis of other tumor types also identified multiple cohorts with predicted sensitivity to HDAC6i's. Mechanistically, we have linked the anticancer activity of HDAC6i's to their ability to induce c-Myc hyperacetylation (ac-K148) promoting its proteasome-mediated degradation in sensitive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tizita Z Zeleke
- Graduate School, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qingfei Pan
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Codruta Chiuzan
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, USA
| | | | - Yuxin Li
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Haiyan Tan
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mariano J Alvarez
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,DarwinHealth, Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Erin Honan
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Min Yang
- Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pei Ling Chia
- Graduate School, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Partha Mukhopadhyay
- Graduate School, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sean Kelly
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ruby Wu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kathleen Fenn
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Meghna S Trivedi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Melissa Accordino
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Katherine D Crew
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Simon Jones
- Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Anthony High
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Kalinsky
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Jose Silva
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
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49
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Alwahsh M, Farhat J, Talhouni S, Hamadneh L, Hergenröder R. Bortezomib advanced mechanisms of action in multiple myeloma, solid and liquid tumors along with its novel therapeutic applications. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:146-168. [PMID: 36998701 PMCID: PMC10043448 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Bortezomib (BTZ) is a first-in-class reversible and selective proteasome inhibitor. It inhibits the ubiquitin proteasome pathway that leads to the degradation of many intracellular proteins. Initially, BTZ was FDA approved for the treatment of refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) in 2003. Later, its usage was approved for patients with previously untreated MM. In 2006, BTZ was approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) and, in 2014, for previously untreated MCL. BTZ has been extensively studied either alone or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of different liquid tumors especially in MM. However, limited data evaluated the efficacy and safety of using BTZ in patients with solid tumors. In this review, we will discuss the advanced and novel mechanisms of action of BTZ documented in MM, solid tumors and liquid tumors. Moreover, we will shed the light on the newly discovered pharmacological effects of BTZ in other prevalent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alwahsh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44139 Dortmund, Germany
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Research Center (ZMF), University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed: Mohammad Alwahsh, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan, E-mail:
| | - Joviana Farhat
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, PO Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahd Talhouni
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Lama Hamadneh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Roland Hergenröder
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., 44139 Dortmund, Germany
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50
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Seidel P, Rubarth A, Zodel K, Peighambari A, Neumann F, Federkiel Y, Huang H, Hoefflin R, Adlesic M, Witt C, Hoffmann DJ, Metzger P, Lindemann RK, Zenke FT, Schell C, Boerries M, von Elverfeldt D, Reichardt W, Follo M, Albers J, Frew IJ. ATR represents a therapeutic vulnerability in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. JCI Insight 2022; 7:156087. [PMID: 36413415 PMCID: PMC9869969 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.156087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) are resistant to DNA-damaging chemotherapies, limiting therapeutic options for patients whose tumors are resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and/or immune checkpoint therapies. Here we show that mouse and human ccRCCs were frequently characterized by high levels of endogenous DNA damage and that cultured ccRCC cells exhibited intact cellular responses to chemotherapy-induced DNA damage. We identify that pharmacological inhibition of the DNA damage-sensing kinase ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) with the orally administered, potent, and selective drug M4344 (gartisertib) induced antiproliferative effects in ccRCC cells. This effect was due to replication stress and accumulation of DNA damage in S phase. In some cells, DNA damage persisted into subsequent G2/M and G1 phases, leading to the frequent accumulation of micronuclei. Daily single-agent treatment with M4344 inhibited the growth of ccRCC xenograft tumors. M4344 synergized with chemotherapeutic drugs including cisplatin and carboplatin and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib in mouse and human ccRCC cells. Weekly M4344 plus cisplatin treatment showed therapeutic synergy in ccRCC xenografts and was efficacious in an autochthonous mouse ccRCC model. These studies identify ATR inhibition as a potential novel therapeutic option for ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Seidel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anne Rubarth
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kyra Zodel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Asin Peighambari
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felix Neumann
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, the Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Yannick Federkiel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hsin Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rouven Hoefflin
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mojca Adlesic
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Witt
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - David J. Hoffmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Ralph K. Lindemann
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, the Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Frank T. Zenke
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, the Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christoph Schell
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) and
| | | | - Wilfried Reichardt
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Medical Physics, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Albers
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, the Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ian J. Frew
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) and,Medical Physics, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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