1
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Neidle S. A Phenotypic Approach to the Discovery of Potent G-Quadruplex Targeted Drugs. Molecules 2024; 29:3653. [PMID: 39125057 PMCID: PMC11314571 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29153653] [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: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) sequences, which can fold into higher-order G4 structures, are abundant in the human genome and are over-represented in the promoter regions of many genes involved in human cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. They are plausible targets for G4-binding small molecules, which would, in the case of promoter G4s, result in the transcriptional downregulation of these genes. However, structural information is currently available on only a very small number of G4s and their ligand complexes. This limitation, coupled with the currently restricted information on the G4-containing genes involved in most complex human cancers, has led to the development of a phenotypic-led approach to G4 ligand drug discovery. This approach was illustrated by the discovery of several generations of tri- and tetra-substituted naphthalene diimide (ND) ligands that were found to show potent growth inhibition in pancreatic cancer cell lines and are active in in vivo models for this hard-to-treat disease. The cycles of discovery have culminated in a highly potent tetra-substituted ND derivative, QN-302, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The major genes whose expression has been down-regulated by QN-302 are presented here: all contain G4 propensity and have been found to be up-regulated in human pancreatic cancer. Some of these genes are also upregulated in other human cancers, supporting the hypothesis that QN-302 is a pan-G4 drug of potential utility beyond pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Neidle
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, UK
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2
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Krajewski S, Steczek L, Gotowicz K, Karczmarczyk U, Towpik J, Witkowska-Patena E, Łyczko K, Mazur M, Kozanecki P, Włostowska J, Knuuti J, Dziuk M, Garnuszek P, Kozanecki C. Preclinical evaluation of [ 18F]SYN1 and [ 18F]SYN2, novel radiotracers for PET myocardial perfusion imaging. EJNMMI Res 2024; 14:63. [PMID: 38976101 PMCID: PMC11231114 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-024-01122-5] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positron emission tomography (PET) is now an established diagnostic method for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in coronary artery disease, which is the main cause of death globally. The available tracers show several limitations, therefore, the 18F-labelled tracer is in high demand nowadays. The preclinical studies on normal Wistar rats aimed to characterise two potential, novel radiotracers, [18F]SYN1 and [18F]SYN2, to evaluate which is a better candidate for PET MPI cardiotracer. RESULTS The dynamic microPET images showed rapid myocardial uptake for both tracers. However, the uptake was higher and also stable for [18F]SYN2, with an average standardized uptake value of 3.8. The biodistribution studies confirmed that [18F]SYN2 uptake in the cardiac muscle was high and stable (3.02%ID/g at 15 min and 2.79%ID/g at 6 h) compared to [18F]SYN1 (1.84%ID/g at 15 min and 0.32%ID/g at 6 h). The critical organs determined in dosimetry studies were the small intestine and the kidneys. The estimated effective dose for humans was 0.00714 mSv/MBq for [18F]SYN1 and 0.0109 mSv/MBq for [18F]SYN2. The tested dose level of 2 mg/kg was considered to be the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for both candidates. The better results were achieved for [18F]SYN2, therefore, further preclinical studies were conducted only for this tracer. Radioligand binding assays showed significant responses in 3 from 68 assays: muscarinic acetylcholine M1 and M2 receptors and potassium channel hERG. The compound was mostly metabolised via an oxidative N-dealkylation, while the fluor substituent was not separated from the molecule. CONCLUSION [18F]SYN2 showed a favourable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile, which enabled a clear visualization of the heart in microPET. The compound was well-tolerated in studies in normal rats with moderate radiation exposure. The results encourage further exploration of [18F]SYN2 in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukasz Steczek
- Research & Development Centre, Synektik SA, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karina Gotowicz
- Research & Development Centre, Synektik SA, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Karczmarczyk
- Radioisotope Centre POLATOM, National Centre for Nuclear Research, Otwock, Poland
| | - Joanna Towpik
- Research & Development Centre, Synektik SA, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Witkowska-Patena
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
- Affidea Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Maciej Mazur
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Juhani Knuuti
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine, and PET, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Mirosław Dziuk
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
- Affidea Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Garnuszek
- Radioisotope Centre POLATOM, National Centre for Nuclear Research, Otwock, Poland
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3
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Merlino F, Marzano S, Zizza P, D’Aria F, Grasso N, Carachino A, Iachettini S, Biroccio A, Fonzo SD, Grieco P, Randazzo A, Amato J, Pagano B. Unlocking the potential of protein-derived peptides to target G-quadruplex DNA: from recognition to anticancer activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6748-6762. [PMID: 38828773 PMCID: PMC11229374 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Noncanonical nucleic acid structures, particularly G-quadruplexes, have garnered significant attention as potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Here, the recognition of G-quadruplex DNA by peptides derived from the Rap1 protein is explored, with the aim of developing novel peptide-based G-quadruplex ligands with enhanced selectivity and anticancer activity. Biophysical techniques were employed to assess the interaction of a peptide derived from the G-quadruplex-binding domain of the protein with various biologically relevant G-quadruplex structures. Through alanine scanning mutagenesis, key amino acids crucial for G-quadruplex recognition were identified, leading to the discovery of two peptides with improved G-quadruplex-binding properties. However, despite their in vitro efficacy, these peptides showed limited cell penetration and anticancer activity. To overcome this challenge, cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-conjugated derivatives were designed, some of which exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Interestingly, selected CPP-conjugated peptides exerted potent anticancer activity across various tumour types via a G-quadruplex-dependent mechanism. These findings underscore the potential of peptide-based G-quadruplex ligands in cancer therapy and pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting these DNA structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Nicola Grasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Alice Carachino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Sara Iachettini
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Fonzo
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S. C. p. A., Science Park, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
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4
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Figueiredo J, Mergny JL, Cruz C. G-quadruplex ligands in cancer therapy: Progress, challenges, and clinical perspectives. Life Sci 2024; 340:122481. [PMID: 38301873 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Guanine-rich sequences can form G-quadruplexes (G4) in living cells, making these structures promising anti-cancer targets. Compounds able to recognize these structures have been investigated as potential anticancer drugs; however, no G4 binder has yet been approved in the clinic. Here, we describe G4 ligands structure-activity relationships, in vivo effects as well as clinical trials. Addressing G4 ligand characteristics, targeting challenges, and structure-activity relationships, this review provides insights into the development of potent and selective G4-targeting molecules for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Figueiredo
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau cedex, France; Institute of Biophysics of the CAS, v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade da Beira Interior, Rua Marquês de Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
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5
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Thaichana P, Summart R, Dejkriengkraikul P, Meepowpan P, Lee TR, Tuntiwechapikul W. Hydrosoluble Perylene Monoimide-Based Telomerase Inhibitors with Diminished Cytotoxicity. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:16746-16756. [PMID: 35601338 PMCID: PMC9118414 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is essential for the immortality characteristics of most cancers. Telomerase-specific inhibitors should render cancer cells to replicative senescence without acute cytotoxicity. Perylene-based G-quadruplex (G4) ligands are widely studied as telomerase inhibitors. Most reported perylene-based G4 ligands are perylene diimides (PDIs), which often suffer from self-aggregation in aqueous solutions. Previously, we found that PM2, a perylene monoimide (PMI), exhibited better solubility, G4 binding affinity, and telomerase inhibition than PIPER, the prototypic PDI. However, the acute cytotoxicity of PM2 was about 20-30 times more than PIPER in cancer cells. In this report, we replaced the piperazine side chain of PM2 with ethylenediamine to yield PM3 and replaced the N,N-diethylethylenediamine side chain of PM2 with the 1-(2-aminoethyl) piperidine to yield PM5. We found that asymmetric PMIs with two basic side chains (PM2, PM3, and PM5) performed better than PIPER (the prototypic PDI), in terms of hydrosolubility, G4 binding, in vitro telomerase inhibition, and suppression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and telomerase activity in A549 cells. However, PM5 was 7-10 times less toxic than PM2 and PM3 in three cancer cell lines. We conclude that replacing the N,N-diethylethylenediamine side chain with the 2-aminoethylpiperidine on PMIs reduces the cytotoxicity in cancer cells without impacting G4 binding and telomerase inhibition. This study paves the way for synthesizing new PMIs with drug-like properties for selective telomerase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pak Thaichana
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Ratasark Summart
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center
for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Puttinan Meepowpan
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - T. Randall Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and the Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5003, United States
| | - Wirote Tuntiwechapikul
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang
Mai University, Chiang
Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center
for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Alessandrini I, Recagni M, Zaffaroni N, Folini M. On the Road to Fight Cancer: The Potential of G-quadruplex Ligands as Novel Therapeutic Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5947. [PMID: 34073075 PMCID: PMC8198608 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid sequences able to adopt a G-quadruplex conformation are overrepresented within the human genome. This evidence strongly suggests that these genomic regions have been evolutionary selected to play a pivotal role in several aspects of cell biology. In the present review article, we provide an overview on the biological impact of targeting G-quadruplexes in cancer. A variety of small molecules showing good G-quadruplex stabilizing properties has been reported to exert an antitumor activity in several preclinical models of human cancers. Moreover, promiscuous binders and multiple targeting G-quadruplex ligands, cancer cell defense responses and synthetic lethal interactions of G-quadruplex targeting have been also highlighted. Overall, evidence gathered thus far indicates that targeting G-quadruplex may represent an innovative and fascinating therapeutic approach for cancer. The continued methodological improvements, the development of specific tools and a careful consideration of the experimental settings in living systems will be useful to deepen our knowledge of G-quadruplex biology in cancer, to better define their role as therapeutic targets and to help design and develop novel and reliable G-quadruplex-based anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marco Folini
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via G.A. Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (I.A.); (M.R.); (N.Z.)
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7
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Berardinelli F, Tanori M, Muoio D, Buccarelli M, di Masi A, Leone S, Ricci-Vitiani L, Pallini R, Mancuso M, Antoccia A. G-quadruplex ligand RHPS4 radiosensitizes glioblastoma xenograft in vivo through a differential targeting of bulky differentiated- and stem-cancer cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2019; 38:311. [PMID: 31311580 PMCID: PMC6636127 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1293-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is the most aggressive and most lethal primary brain tumor in the adulthood. Current standard therapies are not curative and novel therapeutic options are urgently required. Present knowledge suggests that the continued glioblastoma growth and recurrence is determined by glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), which display self-renewal, tumorigenic potential, and increased radio- and chemo-resistance. The G-quadruplex ligand RHPS4 displays in vitro radiosensitizing effect in GBM radioresistant cells through the targeting and dysfunctionalization of telomeres but RHPS4 and Ionizing Radiation (IR) combined treatment efficacy in vivo has not been explored so far. METHODS RHPS4 and IR combined effects were tested in vivo in a heterotopic mice xenograft model and in vitro in stem-like cells derived from U251MG and from four GBM patients. Cell growth assays, cytogenetic analysis, immunoblotting, gene expression and cytofluorimetric analysis were performed in order to characterize the response of differentiated and stem-like cells to RHPS4 and IR in single and combined treatments. RESULTS RHPS4 administration and IR exposure is very effective in blocking tumor growth in vivo up to 65 days. The tumor volume reduction and the long-term tumor control suggested the targeting of the stem cell compartment. Interestingly, RHPS4 treatment was able to strongly reduce cell proliferation in GSCs but, unexpectedly, did not synergize with IR. Lack of radiosensitization was supported by the GSCs telomeric-resistance observed as the total absence of telomere-involving chromosomal aberrations. Remarkably, RHPS4 treatment determined a strong reduction of CHK1 and RAD51 proteins and transcript levels suggesting that the inhibition of GSCs growth is determined by the impairment of the replication stress (RS) response and DNA repair. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the potent antiproliferative effect of RHPS4 in GSCs is not determined by telomeric dysfunction but is achieved by the induction of RS and by the concomitant depletion of CHK1 and RAD51, leading to DNA damage and cell death. These data open to novel therapeutic options for the targeting of GSCs, indicating that the combined inhibition of cell-cycle checkpoints and DNA repair proteins provides the most effective means to overcome resistance of GSC to genotoxic insults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Tanori
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - D. Muoio
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A. di Masi
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - S. Leone
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - L. Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - R. Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - M. Mancuso
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - A. Antoccia
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
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8
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Berardinelli F, Sgura A, Facoetti A, Leone S, Vischioni B, Ciocca M, Antoccia A. The G-quadruplex-stabilizing ligand RHPS4 enhances sensitivity of U251MG glioblastoma cells to clinical carbon ion beams. FEBS J 2018; 285:1226-1236. [PMID: 29484821 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The pentacyclic acridine RHPS4 is a highly potent and specific G-quadruplex (G4) ligand, which binds and stabilizes telomeric G4 leading to the block of the replication forks at telomeres and consequently to telomere dysfunctionalization. In turn, the cell recognizes unprotected telomeres as DNA double-strand breaks with consequent activation of DNA repair response at telomeres, cellular growth impairment, and death. Data from the literature showed the capability of this compound to sensitize U251MG glioblastoma radioresistant cell line to X-rays sparsely ionizing radiations. In the present paper, it was investigated whether RHPS4 is also able to increase the effect of clinical carbon ion beams (cells irradiated in the middle of a spread-out Bragg peak, in the energy range of 246-312 MeV·μm-1 and a dose-averaged linear energy transfer of 46 keV·μm-1 ). Interestingly, also for charged particles whose damage inflicted to DNA is more complex than that of sparsely ionizing radiations and results in higher Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), RHPS4 significantly potentiated the radiation effect in terms of cell killing, delayed rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks (γ-H2AX and 53BBP1 immunofluorescence staining), chromosome aberrations (pan-centromeric/telomeric FISH and multicolor FISH), and G2 /M-phase accumulation in GBM cells. Overall, the results provide the first evidence that the combined administration of the G4-ligand RHPS4 with charged particles interfere with cellular processes involved in cell survival leading to radiosensitization of highly radioresistant tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Sgura
- Dipartimento Di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Italy.,INFN Sezione di Roma Tre, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Antonio Antoccia
- Dipartimento Di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Italy.,INFN Sezione di Roma Tre, Italy
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9
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Pompili L, Leonetti C, Biroccio A, Salvati E. Diagnosis and treatment of ALT tumors: is Trabectedin a new therapeutic option? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:189. [PMID: 29273061 PMCID: PMC5741932 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures responsible for protecting chromosome ends in order to prevent the loss of genomic information. Telomere maintenance is required for achieving immortality by neoplastic cells. While most cancer cells rely on telomerase re-activation for linear chromosome maintenance and sustained proliferation, a significant population of cancers (10-15%) employs telomerase-independent strategies, collectively referred to as Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). ALT mechanisms involve different types of homology-directed telomere recombination and synthesis. These processes are facilitated by loss of the ATRX or DAXX chromatin-remodeling factors and by abnormalities of the telomere nucleoprotein architecture. Although the functional consequences of telomerase and ALT up-regulation are similar in that they both prevent overall telomere shortening in tumors, these telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) differ in several aspects which may account for their differential prognostic significance and response to therapy in various tumor types. Therefore, reliable methods for detecting telomerase activity and ALT are likely to become an important pre-requisite for the use of treatments targeting one or other of these mechanisms. However, the question whether ALT presence can confer sensitivity to rationally designed anti-cancer therapies is still open. Here we review the latest discoveries in terms of mechanisms of ALT activation and maintenance in human tumors, methods for ALT identification in cell lines and human tissues and biomarkers validation. Then, original results on sensitivity to rational based pre-clinical and clinical anti-tumor drugs in ALT vs hTERT positive cells will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pompili
- UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53 -, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53 -, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Hoplamaz E, Keskin S, Balci M. Regioselective Synthesis of Benzo[h][1,6]-naphthyridines and Chromenopyrazinones through Alkyne Cyclization. European J Org Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201601661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emre Hoplamaz
- Department of Chemistry; Middle East Technical University; 06800 Ankara Turkey
| | - Selbi Keskin
- Department of Chemistry; Giresun University; 28100 Giresun Turkey
| | - Metin Balci
- Department of Chemistry; Middle East Technical University; 06800 Ankara Turkey
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12
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Berardinelli F, Coluzzi E, Sgura A, Antoccia A. Targeting telomerase and telomeres to enhance ionizing radiation effects in in vitro and in vivo cancer models. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2017; 773:204-219. [PMID: 28927529 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer consists in the ability of tumor cells to divide indefinitely, and to maintain stable telomere lengths throughout the activation of specific telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM). Therefore in the last fifteen years, researchers proposed to target telomerase or telomeric structure in order to block limitless replicative potential of cancer cells providing a fascinating strategy for a broad-spectrum cancer therapy. In the present review, we report in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding the use of chemical agents targeting both telomerase or telomere structure and showing promising antitumor effects when used in combination with ionizing radiation (IR). RNA interference, antisense oligonucleotides (e.g., GRN163L), non-nucleoside inhibitors (e.g., BIBR1532) and nucleoside analogs (e.g., AZT) represent some of the most potent strategies to inhibit telomerase activity used in combination with IR. Furthermore, radiosensitizing effects were demonstrated also for agents acting directly on the telomeric structure such as G4-ligands (e.g., RHPS4 and Telomestatin) or telomeric-oligos (T-oligos). To date, some of these compounds are under clinical evaluation (e.g., GRN163L and KML001). Advantages of Telomere/Telomerase Targeting Compounds (T/TTCs) coupled with radiotherapy may be relevant in the treatment of radioresistant tumors and in the development of new optimized treatment plans with reduced dose adsorbed by patients and consequent attenuation of short- end long-term side effects. Pros and cons of possible future applications in cancer therapy based on the combination of T/TCCs and radiation treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Berardinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Sezione di Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Coluzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy
| | - A Sgura
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Sezione di Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - A Antoccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Sezione di Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
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13
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Porru M, Zizza P, Franceschin M, Leonetti C, Biroccio A. EMICORON: A multi-targeting G4 ligand with a promising preclinical profile. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:1362-1370. [PMID: 27838395 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the last decade, guanine G-rich sequences folding into G-quadruplex (G4) structures have received a lot of attention and their biological role is now a matter of large debate. Rising amounts of experimental evidence have validated several G-rich motifs as molecular targets in cancer treatment. Despite that an increasing number of small molecules has been reported to possess excellent G4 stabilizing properties, none of them has progressed through the drug-development pipeline due to their poor drug-like properties. In this context, the identification of G4 ligands with more favorable pharmacological properties and with a well-defined target activity could be fruitful for anticancer therapy application. SCOPE OF REVIEW This manuscript outlines the current state of knowledge regarding EMICORON, a G4-interactive molecule structurally and biologically similar, on the one side, to coronene and, on the other side, to a bay-monosubstituted perylene. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Overall this work evidences that EMICORON, a new promising G4 ligand, possesses a marked antitumoral activity both standing alone and in combination with chemotherapeutics. Moreover, EMICORON represents a good example of multimodal class of antitumoral drug, able to simultaneously affect multiple targets participating in several distinct signaling pathways, thus simplifying the treatment modalities and improving the selectivity against cancer cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Due to the importance of G4 forming sequences in crucial biological processes participating in tumor progression, their successful targeting with small molecules could represent a very important innovation in the development of effective therapeutic strategies against cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Porru
- SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, Translational Research Area, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Italy.
| | - Marco Franceschin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, Translational Research Area, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Italy.
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14
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Micheli E, Altieri A, Cianni L, Cingolani C, Iachettini S, Bianco A, Leonetti C, Cacchione S, Biroccio A, Franceschin M, Rizzo A. Perylene and coronene derivatives binding to G-rich promoter oncogene sequences efficiently reduce their expression in cancer cells. Biochimie 2016; 125:223-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Muthukrishnan I, Vinoth P, Vivekanand T, Nagarajan S, Maheswari CU, Menéndez JC, Sridharan V. Synthesis of 5,6-Dihydrodibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines via Copper Bromide Catalyzed Intramolecular [4 + 2] Hetero-Diels–Alder Reactions. J Org Chem 2015; 81:1116-24. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.5b02669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isravel Muthukrishnan
- Organic
Synthesis Group, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil
Nadu, India
| | - Perumal Vinoth
- Organic
Synthesis Group, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil
Nadu, India
| | - Thavaraj Vivekanand
- Organic
Synthesis Group, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil
Nadu, India
| | - Subbiah Nagarajan
- Organic
Synthesis Group, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil
Nadu, India
| | - C. Uma Maheswari
- Organic
Synthesis Group, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil
Nadu, India
| | - J. Carlos Menéndez
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Facultad
de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vellaisamy Sridharan
- Organic
Synthesis Group, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil
Nadu, India
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16
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Zizza P, Cingolani C, Artuso S, Salvati E, Rizzo A, D'Angelo C, Porru M, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A, Novellino E, Stoppacciaro A, Gilson E, Stassi G, Leonetti C, Biroccio A. Intragenic G-quadruplex structure formed in the human CD133 and its biological and translational relevance. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:1579-90. [PMID: 26511095 PMCID: PMC4770210 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in several solid malignancies and are now emerging as a plausible target for drug discovery. Beside the questionable existence of CSCs specific markers, the expression of CD133 was reported to be responsible for conferring CSC aggressiveness. Here, we identified two G-rich sequences localized within the introns 3 and 7 of the CD133 gene able to form G-quadruplex (G4) structures, bound and stabilized by small molecules. We further showed that treatment of patient-derived colon CSCs with G4-interacting agents triggers alternative splicing that dramatically impairs the expression of CD133. Interestingly, this is strongly associated with a loss of CSC properties, including self-renewing, motility, tumor initiation and metastases dissemination. Notably, the effects of G4 stabilization on some of these CSC properties are uncoupled from DNA damage response and are fully recapitulated by the selective interference of the CD133 expression.In conclusion, we provided the first proof of the existence of G4 structures within the CD133 gene that can be pharmacologically targeted to impair CSC aggressiveness. This discloses a class of potential antitumoral agents capable of targeting the CSC subpopulation within the tumoral bulk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Zizza
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Cingolani
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Artuso
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Rizzo
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmen D'Angelo
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Porru
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples 'Federico II', via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples 'Federico II', via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples 'Federico II', via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples 'Federico II', via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonella Stoppacciaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Università 'La Sapienza', piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Eric Gilson
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284/INSERM U1081, University of Nice, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Archet 2 Hospital, CHU of Nice, 06202 Nice cedex 3, France
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Area of Translational Research, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
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17
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Porru M, Artuso S, Salvati E, Bianco A, Franceschin M, Diodoro MG, Passeri D, Orlandi A, Savorani F, D'Incalci M, Biroccio A, Leonetti C. Targeting G-Quadruplex DNA Structures by EMICORON Has a Strong Antitumor Efficacy against Advanced Models of Human Colon Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2541-51. [PMID: 26304235 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We previously identified EMICORON as a novel G-quadruplex (G4) ligand showing high selectivity for G4 structures over the duplex DNA, causing telomere damage and inhibition of cell proliferation in transformed and tumor cells. Here, we evaluated the antitumoral effect of EMICORON on advanced models of human colon cancer that could adequately predict human clinical outcomes. Our results showed that EMICORON was well tolerated in mice, as no adverse effects were reported, and a low ratio of sensitivity across human and mouse bone marrow cells was observed, indicating a good potential for reaching similar blood levels in humans. Moreover, EMICORON showed a marked therapeutic efficacy, as it inhibited the growth of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and orthotopic colon cancer and strongly reduced the dissemination of tumor cells to lymph nodes, intestine, stomach, and liver. Finally, activation of DNA damage and impairment of proliferation and angiogenesis are proved to be key determinants of EMICORON antitumoral activity. Altogether, our results, performed on advanced experimental models of human colon cancer that bridge the translational gap between preclinical and clinical studies, demonstrated that EMICORON had an unprecedented antitumor activity warranting further studies of EMICORON-based combination treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Porru
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Artuso
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Daniela Passeri
- Department of Biopathology and Image Diagnostics, Anatomic Pathology Institute, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Orlandi
- Department of Biopathology and Image Diagnostics, Anatomic Pathology Institute, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Savorani
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maurizio D'Incalci
- Department of Oncology, Pharmacological Research Institute "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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Rizzo A, Iachettini S, Zizza P, Cingolani C, Porru M, Artuso S, Stevens M, Hummersone M, Biroccio A, Salvati E, Leonetti C. Identification of novel RHPS4-derivative ligands with improved toxicological profiles and telomere-targeting activities. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2014; 33:81. [PMID: 25288403 PMCID: PMC4193996 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-014-0081-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The pentacyclic acridinium salt RHPS4 (3,11-difluoro-6,8,13-trimethyl-8H-quino [4,3,2-kl] acridinium methosulfate, compound 1) is one of the most interesting DNA G-quadruplex binding molecules due to its high efficacy in tumor cell growth inhibition both in in vitro models and in vivo against human tumor xenografts in combination with conventional chemotherapeutics. Despite compound 1 having desirable chemical and pharmaceutical properties, its potential as a therapeutic agent is compromised by off-target effects on cardiovascular physiology. In this paper we report a new series of structurally-related compounds which were developed in an attempt to minimize its off-target profile, but maintaining the same favorable chemical and pharmacological features of the lead compound. By performing a comparative analysis it was possible to identify which derivatives had the following properties: (i) to show a reduced capacity in respect to compound 1 to inhibit the hERG tail current tested in a patch clamp assay and/or to interact with the human recombinant β2 receptor; (ii) to maintain both a good G4-binding affinity and cancer cell selectivity; and (iii) to trigger DNA damage with specific telomere uncapping. These studies allowed us to identify a novel G4-stabilizing molecule, compound 8, being characterized by reduced off-target effects and potent telomere on-target properties compared to the prototypic compound 1. Moreover, compound 8 shares with compound 1 the same molecular mode of action and an anti-tumour activity specifically restricted to replicating cells, as evident with its particularly efficient activity in combination therapy with a topoisomerase I inhibitor. In conclusion, we have identified a new pentacyclic derivative 8 having suitable properties to be the focus of further investigations as a clinical candidate for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Rizzo
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Sara Iachettini
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Chiara Cingolani
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Manuela Porru
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Artuso
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Malcolm Stevens
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Marc Hummersone
- Pharminox Ltd, Biocity, Pennyfoot St, Nottingham, NG1 1GF, UK.
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Erica Salvati
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- Experimental Chemotherapy Laboratory, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158, Rome, Italy.
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19
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Small-molecule quadruplex-targeted drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014; 24:2602-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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