Mechanistic QSAR modeling derived virtual screening, drug repurposing, ADMET and in-vitro evaluation to identify anticancer lead as lysine-specific demethylase 5a inhibitor

A lysine-specific demethylase is an enzyme that selectively eliminates methyl groups from lysine residues. KDM5A, also known as JARID1A or RBP2, belongs to the KDM5 Jumonji histone demethylase subfamily. To identify novel molecules that interact with the LSD5A receptor, we created a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model. A group of 435 compounds was used in a study of the quantitative relationship between structure and activity to guess the IC50 values for blocking LASD5A. We used a genetic algorithm-multilinear regression-based quantitative structure-activity connection model to forecast the bioactivity (PIC50) of 1615 food and drug administration pharmaceuticals from the zinc database with the goal of repurposing clinically used medications. We used molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation modelling, and molecular mechanics generalised surface area analysis to investigate the molecule's binding mechanism. A genetic algorithm and multi-linear regression method were used to make six variable-based quantitative structure-activity relationship models that worked well (R2 = 0.8521, Q2LOO = 0.8438, and Q2LMO = 0.8414). ZINC000000538621 was found to be a new hit against LSD5A after a quantitative structure-activity relationship-based virtual screening of 1615 zinc food and drug administration compounds. The docking analysis revealed that the hit molecule 11 in the KDM5A binding pocket adopted a conformation similar to the pdb-6bh1 ligand (docking score: -8.61 kcal/mol). The results from molecular docking and the quantitative structure-activity relationship were complementary and consistent. The most active lead molecule 11, which has shown encouraging results, has good absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, and its toxicity has been shown to be minimal. In addition, the MTT assay of ZINC000000538621 with MCF-7 cell lines backs up the in silico studies. We used molecular mechanics generalise borne surface area analysis and a 200-ns molecular dynamics simulation to find structural motifs for KDM5A enzyme interactions. Thus, our strategy will likely expand food and drug administration molecule repurposing research to find better anticancer drugs and therapies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Impact on clinical outcomes of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors against doxorubicin-related toxicity in patients with breast cancer and hypertension: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea

BACKGROUND

Although doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used potent chemotherapeutic agent in patients with breast cancer, its cardiotoxic effect is a concern, particularly in patients with hypertension. Antihypertensive renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors may potentially play a role in preventing overt heart failure (HF) due to DOX toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate whether the use of RAS inhibitors improves clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and breast cancer undergoing DOX-containing chemotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 54,344 female patients who were first diagnosed with breast cancer and initiated into DOX therapy between 2008 and 2015 were recruited from a nationwide Korean cohort. Patients were divided into two groups: with and without hypertension (HT, n = 10,789; non-HT, n = 43,555), and the RAS inhibitor group (n = 1,728) was sub-classified from the HT group. Two propensity score-matched cohorts were constructed to compare the clinical outcomes between non-HT and HT groups and between non-HT and RAS inhibitor groups. The primary outcome was the composite of HF and death.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, the HT group had a higher risk for HF (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.30, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.09-1.55) compared to the non-HT group, but there was no significant difference in primary outcome between the two groups. The RAS inhibitor group had a lower risk for primary outcome (adjusted HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65-0.94) and death (adjusted HR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66-0.99) compared to the non-HT group.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension is a risk factor for HF in patients with breast cancer undergoing DOX chemotherapy. However, the RAS inhibitors used to treat hypertension may contribute to decreased mortality and improved clinical outcomes.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) signaling pathways and cancer: foes versus allies

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), is an old system with new fundamental roles in cancer biology which influences cell growth, migration, death, and metastasis. RAAS signaling enhances cell proliferation in malignancy directly and indirectly by affecting tumor cells and modulating angiogenesis. Cancer development may be influenced by the balance between the ACE/Ang II/AT1R and the ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas receptor pathways. The interactions between Ang II/AT1R and Ang I/AT2R as well as Ang1-7/Mas and alamandine/MrgD receptors in the RAAS pathway can significantly impact the development of cancer. Ang I/AT2R, Ang1-7/Mas, and alamandine/MrgD interactions can have anticancer effects while Ang II/AT1R interactions can be involved in the development of cancer. Evidence suggests that inhibitors of the RAAS, which are conventionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases, may be beneficial in cancer therapies.Herein, we aim to provide a thorough description of the elements of RAAS and their molecular play in cancer. Alongside this, the role of RAAS components in sex-dependent cancers as well as GI cancers will be discussed with the hope of enlightening new venues for adjuvant cancer treatment.

In Vitro Drug Repurposing: Focus on Vasodilators

Drug repurposing aims to identify new therapeutic uses for drugs that have already been approved for other conditions. This approach can save time and resources compared to traditional drug development, as the safety and efficacy of the repurposed drug have already been established. In the context of cancer, drug repurposing can lead to the discovery of new treatments that can target specific cancer cell lines and improve patient outcomes. Vasodilators are a class of drugs that have been shown to have the potential to influence various types of cancer. These medications work by relaxing the smooth muscle of blood vessels, increasing blood flow to tumors, and improving the delivery of chemotherapy drugs. Additionally, vasodilators have been found to have antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on cancer cells, making them a promising target for drug repurposing. Research on vasodilators for cancer treatment has already shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. However, additionally research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of vasodilators in cancer and determine the optimal dosing and combination therapy for patients. In this review, we aim to explore the molecular mechanisms of action of vasodilators in cancer cell lines and the current state of research on their repurposing as a treatment option. With the goal of minimizing the effort and resources required for traditional drug development, we hope to shed light on the potential of vasodilators as a viable therapeutic strategy for cancer patients.

The potential role of abnormal angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression correlated with immune infiltration after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prognosis of breast cancer

The potential role of abnormal ACE2 expression after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prognosis of breast cancer is still ambiguous. In this study, we analyzed ACE2 changes in breast cancer and studied the correlation between ACE2 and the prognosis and further analyzed the relationship between immune infiltration and the prognosis of different breast cancer subtypes. Finally, we inferred the prognosis of breast cancer patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found that ACE2 expression decreased significantly in breast cancer, except for basal-like subtype. Decreased ACE2 expression level was correlated with abnormal immune infiltration and poorer prognosis of luminal B breast cancer (RFS: HR 0.76, 95%CI=0.63-0.92, p=0.005; DMFS: HR 0.70, 95%CI=0.49-1.00, p=0.046). The expression of ACE2 was strongly positively correlated with the immune infiltration level of CD8⁺ T cell (r=0.184, p<0.001), CD4⁺ T cell (r=0.104, p=0.02) and neutrophils (r=0.101, p=0.02). ACE2 expression level in the luminal subtype was positively correlated with CD8A and CD8B markers in CD8+ T cells, and CEACAM3, S100A12 in neutrophils. In conclusion, breast tumor tissues might undergo a further decrease in the expression level of ACE2 after SARS-CoV-2 infection, which could contribute to further deterioration of immune infiltration and worsen the prognosis of luminal B breast cancer after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Angiotensin Pathway as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Ameliorating Post-Surgical Adhesions

BACKGROUND

Post-surgical adhesion is a common complication after abdominal or pelvic surgeries. Despite improvements in surgical techniques or the application of physical barriers, little improvements have been achieved. It causes bowel obstruction, pelvic pain, and infertility in women and has an adverse effect on the quality of life. Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is traditionally considered as a blood pressure regulator. However, recent studies also indicate that the RAS plays a vital role in other processes, including oxidative stress, fibrosis, proliferation, inflammation, and the wound healing process. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the main upstream effector of the RAS that can bind to the AT1 receptor (ATIR). A growing body of evidence has revealed that targeting Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs), Angiotensin II type 1 Receptor Blockers (ARBs), and Direct Renin Inhibitors (DRIs) can prevent post-surgical adhesions. Here we provide an overview of the therapeutic effect of RAS antagonists for adhesion.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were reviewed to identify potential agents targeting the RAS system as a potential approach for post-surgical adhesion.

RESULTS

Available evidence suggests the involvement of the RAS signaling pathway in inflammation, proliferation, and fibrosis pathways as well as in post-surgical adhesions. Several FDA-approved drugs are being used for targeting the RAS system. Some of them are being tested in different models to reduce fibrosis and improve adhesion after surgery, including Telmisartan, valsartan, and enalapril.

CONCLUSION

Identification of the pathological causes of post-surgical adhesion and the potential role of targeting Renin-Angiotensin System may help prevent this problem. Based on the pathological function of RAS signaling after surgeries, the administration of ARBs may be considered as a novel and efficient approach to prevent postsurgical adhesions. Pre-clinical and clinical studies should be carried out to have better information on the clinical significance of this therapy against post-surgical adhesion formation.

The Effect of Local Renin Angiotensin System in the Common Types of Cancer

The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) is a hormonal system that is responsible for blood pressure hemostasis and electrolyte balance. It is implicated in cancer hallmarks because it is expressed locally in almost all of the body's tissues. In this review, current knowledge on the effect of local RAS in the common types of cancer such as breast, lung, liver, prostate and skin cancer is summarised. The mechanisms by which RAS components could increase or decrease cancer activity are also discussed. In addition to the former, this review explores how the administration of AT1R blockers and ACE inhibitors drugs intervene with cancer therapy and contribute to the outcomes of cancer.

Renin-angiotensin system and cancer: epidemiology, cell signaling, genetics and epigenetics

Day by day, the health and economical burden of cancer increases globally. Indeed it can be considered that there is ''cancer pandemic''. Blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) are widely used measures to treat hypertension and heart failure. It has been recently suggested the activation and blocking of RAS has been associated with various types of cancer in epidemiological and experimental studies. Various studies have shown that RAS blockage is protective in some cancers. However, although fewer, contradictory data also showed that RAS blockage is either not related or adversely related to cancer. Although the reasons for these findings are not exactly known, different types of receptors and effectors in RAS may account for these findings. In the current review, we summarize the different RAS receptors and cancer development with regard to epidemiology, and pathogenesis including cell signaling pathways, apoptosis, genetic and epigenetic factors.

HBV upregulates AP-1 complex subunit mu-1 expression via the JNK pathway to promote proliferation of liver cancer cells

Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is responsible for liver cancer, the exact mechanism of its action remains unclear. μ1 adaptin is an intrinsic part of the clathrin adaptor AP-1 complex. In addition to its canonical biological function that involves cargo sorting and vesicular transport, recent studies have demonstrated that μ1 adaptin participates in cell growth and proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the clathrin adaptor AP-1 complex subunit mu-1 (AP1M1) on liver cancer cell proliferation. The present study reports for the first time that AP1M1 is upregulated in the HBV-transfected HepG2.215 liver cancer cells. Silencing of AP1M1 in HepG2.215 cells suppressed their proliferation, while the overexpression of AP1M1 in HepG2 cells promoted cell proliferation. The data suggested that AP1M1 is one of the crucial factors involved in the progression of liver cancer caused by HBV infection. In addition, it was demonstrated that HBV facilitated AP1M1 expression in a JNK-dependent manner. The increased expression levels of AP1M1 enhanced phosphorylation of protein kinase B and accelerated cell proliferation. Unraveling the effects of AP1M1 on liver cancer cell proliferation and the mechanism of AP1M1 transcriptional regulation may provide new therapeutic targets for HBV-positive liver cancer.

Cytotoxicity and apoptogenic properties of the standardized extract of Portulaca oleracea on glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell line (U-87): a mechanistic study

The traditional uses of Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity as well as antioxidants properties were expressed previously. Glioma is considered the most common primary brain tumor and its malignant form is the most lethal adult brain tumor, that glioblastoma covers about 50 % of glioma tumors. The present study was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptogenic effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract of PO on human glioblastoma cancer cell line (U-87) and the role of NF-κB. Cytotoxicity of the extract in the presence or absence of Vitamin C was evaluated using MTT assay, and the following hypotonic PI and SubG1 peak were performed. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species (ROS), the level of NF-κB protein and nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated. The extract had cytotoxicity and apoptogenic effects on U-87 cells in both the concentration and time-dependent manners. The mechanism of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction of the extract at the first hours of incubation and low concentrations were dependent on ROS. However, the toxicity was replaced with NO pathway with time-lapse and higher concentrations. Results also indicated that the extract acts as an NF-κB inhibitor with concentration and time-dependent manners. The present study may suggest the anti-NF-κB activity of PO along with two upstream ROS and NO mechanisms. Furthermore, the extract as ethnobotanical may be used as adjunctive anti-cancer therapy against glioblastoma multiforme.

Effects on estrogen-dependent and triple negative breast cancer cells growth of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with the Schiff base derived from pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and 5,6-diamino-1,3-dimethyluracil explored through the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-regulating aminopeptidases

A series of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with the Schiff base derived from the condensation 1:1 from pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and 5,6-diamino-1,3-dimethyluracil (6-amino-1,3-dimethyl-5-[(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)-amino]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, DAAUPic) were synthesized and subsequently characterized by means of elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR and nine of them by X-ray diffraction. Except the [Zn(μ-O,O'-AcO)(N⁵,N⁶,N^1F-DAAUPicH_-1)]₂ and [Cd(O,O'-NO₃)(μ-O⁴,(N⁵,N⁶,N^1F)-DAAUPicH_-1)(H₂O)]₂·2H₂O dimers and the [Cd(μ-S,N-SCN)(N⁵,N⁶,N^1F-DAAUPicH_-1)]_n chain-like polymer, all of them display monomeric molecular structures. The anticancer activity of compounds was also explored studying their effects on renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-regulating aminopeptidases on estrogen-dependent and triple negative breast cancer cell lines. At the concentrations used, some of the complexes showed different effects on (RAS) peptidases, which support the idea that their effects on cell growth/proliferation could be related to autocrine/paracrine regulatory functions of their corresponding peptide substrates.

The role of ROS and NF-κB pathway in olmesartan induced-toxicity in HeLa and mcf-7 cell lines

We have recently shown that olmesartan could induce toxicity in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. In this study we investigated toxicity mechanism of olmesartan in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines. HeLa and MCF-7 cells were cultured in DMEM in optimum conditions. Cells were pretreated with rutin as an antioxidant and treated with olmesartan as a cytotoxic agent. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. The role of ROS was determined using DCFH-DA by flow cytometry analysis. Also, cells were treated with olmesartan (5mM) and Bay 11-7-82 (25μM) for 24h, then expression of apoptotic proteins including Bax, caspase3 and IκB were investigated in both cell lines by western blotting. Cell viability decreased with olmesartan in malignant cell lines. Kinetic of ROS assay showed increment of ROS generation starting at 2h which peaked at 4h after treatment. Pretreatment with antioxidant rutin decreased ROS increment which was consistent with improved viability of olmesartan-treated cells. Apoptosis results showed that olmesartan and Bay 11-7082 increased expression of apoptotic proteins such as Bax, caspase3 and IκB. Results proposed ROS increment and apoptosis could be involving mechanisms in olmesartan-induced toxicity in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines.