1
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Medulloblastoma drugs in development: Current leads, trials and drawbacks. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 215:113268. [PMID: 33636537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Current treatment for MB includes surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite significant progress in its management, a portion of children relapse and tumor recurrence carries a poor prognosis. Based on their molecular and clinical characteristics, MB patients are clinically classified into four groups: Wnt, Hh, Group 3, and Group 4. With our increased understanding of relevant molecular pathways disrupted in MB, the development of targeted therapies for MB has also increased. Targeted drugs have shown unique privileges over traditional cytotoxic therapies in balancing efficacy and toxicity, with many of them approved and widely used clinically. The aim of this review is to present the recent progress on targeted chemotherapies for the treatment of all classes of MB.
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2
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Wen J, Teske KA, Kyle Hadden M. Inhibition of hedgehog signaling by stereochemically defined des-triazole itraconazole analogues. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:126794. [PMID: 31761657 PMCID: PMC6942223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is associated with cancer occurrence and development in various malignancies. Previous structure-activity relationships (SAR) studies have provided potent Itraconazole (ITZ) analogues as Hh pathway antagonists. To further expand on our SAR for the ITZ scaffold, we synthesized and evaluated a series of compounds focused on replacing the triazole. Our results demonstrate that the triazole region is amenable to modification to a variety of different moieties; with a single methyl group representing the most favorable substituent. In addition, nonpolar substituents were more active than polar substituents. These SAR results provide valuable insight into the continued exploration of ITZ analogues as Hh pathway antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Wen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06029-3092, United States
| | - Kelly A Teske
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06029-3092, United States
| | - M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 North Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06029-3092, United States.
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3
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Sun C, Zhang Y, Lin L, Liu S, Wang R, Zang W, Meng W, Chen X. Synthesis and Evaluation of Aminothiazole Derivatives as Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors. Chem Biodivers 2019; 16:e1900431. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201900431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chiyu Sun
- College of Basic Medical SciencesShenyang Medical College Shenyang 110034 P. R. China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Chemical EngineeringShenyang University of Chemical Technology Shenyang 110142 P. R. China
| | - Lin Lin
- College of Basic Medical SciencesShenyang Medical College Shenyang 110034 P. R. China
| | - Shuyuan Liu
- College of Basic Medical SciencesShenyang Medical College Shenyang 110034 P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Basic Medical SciencesShenyang Medical College Shenyang 110034 P. R. China
| | - Wei Zang
- College of Basic Medical SciencesShenyang Medical College Shenyang 110034 P. R. China
| | - Weijia Meng
- College of Basic Medical SciencesShenyang Medical College Shenyang 110034 P. R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Chen
- National Research Institute for Family Planning Beijing 100081 P. R. China
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4
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Cañete-Molina Á, Espinosa-Bustos C, González-Castro M, Faúndez M, Mella J, Tapia RA, Cabrera AR, Brito I, Aguirre A, Salas CO. Design, synthesis, cytotoxicity and 3D-QSAR analysis of new 3,6-disubstituted-1,2,4,5-tetrazine derivatives as potential antitumor agents. ARAB J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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5
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State of the art of Smo antagonists for cancer therapy: advances in the target receptor and new ligand structures. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:617-638. [PMID: 30912670 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the Hedgehog signaling pathway has been associated with cancer, it has emerged as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The main target among the key Hedgehog proteins is the GPCR-like Smo receptor. Therefore, some Smo antagonists that have entered clinical trials, including the US FDA-approved drugs vismodegib and sonidegib, to treat basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. However, early resistance of these drugs has spawned the need to understand the molecular bases of this phenomena. We therefore reviewed details about Smo receptor structures and the best Smo antagonist chemical structures. In addition, we discussed strategies that should be considered to develop new, safer generations of Smo antagonists that avoid current clinical limitations.
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6
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Overcoming the emerging drug resistance of smoothened: an overview of small-molecule SMO antagonists with antiresistance activity. Future Med Chem 2018; 10:2855-2875. [PMID: 30557039 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway plays vital roles in controlling embryonic cell fate and homeostatic, and becomes dormant in mature individuals, aberrant activation of HH signaling pathway is involved in a number of human cancers. Smoothened (SMO), a vital transducer of HH signaling pathway, attracts significant attentions in HH signaling pathway-related cancer therapy. The approval of SMO antagonists vismodegib proves that SMO is a promising therapeutic target, and a number of SMO antagonists are reported since then. However, high incidence of tumor recurrence with the clinical application of vismodegib urges exploring of novel drugs with antiresistance profiles. This review provides an overview of SMO mutations reported in the literature, crystal structures of SMO, as well as reported antagonists with antiresistance profiles.
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7
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Xin M, Zhang L, Tu C, Tang F, Wen J. Novel 4-(2-pyrimidinylamino)benzamide derivatives as potent hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:5029-5036. [PMID: 30249494 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A series of novel hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors have been designed and synthesized based on our previously reported scaffold of 4-(2-pyrimidinylamino)benzamide. The Hh signaling pathway inhibitory activities were evaluated by Gli-luciferase reporter method and most compounds showed more potent inhibitory activities than vismodegib. Three compounds were picked out to evaluated in vivo for their PK properties, and compound 23b bearing a 2-pyridyl A-ring and (morpholin-4-yl)methylene at 3-position of D-ring demonstrated satisfactory PK properties. This study suggested the 4-(2-pyrimidinylamino)benzamides were a series of potent Hh signaling pathway inhibitors, deserving to further structural optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No 76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, PR China.
| | - Liandi Zhang
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., No 699-18, Xuan Wu District, Nanjing 210042, PR China
| | - Chongxing Tu
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., No 699-18, Xuan Wu District, Nanjing 210042, PR China
| | - Feng Tang
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., No 699-18, Xuan Wu District, Nanjing 210042, PR China
| | - Jun Wen
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., No 699-18, Xuan Wu District, Nanjing 210042, PR China
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8
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Xin M, Ji X, De La Cruz LK, Thareja S, Wang B. Strategies to target the Hedgehog signaling pathway for cancer therapy. Med Res Rev 2018; 38:870-913. [PMID: 29315702 DOI: 10.1002/med.21482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is an essential pathway in the human body, and plays a major role in embryo development and tissue patterning. Constitutive activation of the Hh signaling pathway through sporadic mutations or other mechanisms is explicitly associated with cancer development and progression in various solid malignancies. Therefore, targeted inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway has emerged as an attractive and validated therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Vismodegib, a first-in-class Hh signaling pathway inhibitor was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2012, and sonidegib, another potent Hh pathway inhibitor, received FDA's approval in 2015 as a new treatment of locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma. The clinical success of vismodegib and sonidegib provided strong support for the development of Hh signaling pathway inhibitors via targeting the smoothened (Smo) receptor. Moreover, Hh signaling pathway inhibitors aimed to target proteins, which are downstream or upstream of Smo, have also been pursued based on the identification of additional therapeutic benefits. Recently, much progress has been made in Hh singling and inhibitors of this pathway. Herein, medicinal chemistry strategies, especially the structural optimization process of different classes of Hh inhibitors, are comprehensively summarized. Further therapeutic potentials and challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.,Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xinyue Ji
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ladie Kimberly De La Cruz
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Suresh Thareja
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Binghe Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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9
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Synthesis and evaluation of vitamin D3 analogues with C-11 modifications as inhibitors of Hedgehog signaling. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:4011-4014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Introduction of fluorine to phenyl group of 4-(2-pyrimidinylamino)benzamides leading to a series of potent hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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11
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Guo M, Hong KH, Lv Y, Ding Y, Li C, Xu H, Qi W, Chen J, Ji M, Cai J. A Novel and Efficient Route for Synthesis of Taladegib. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.3184/003685017x14859543105069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Taladegib (LY-2940680), a small molecule Hedgehog signalling pathway inhibitor, was obtained from N-benzyl-4-piperidone via Borch reductive amination, acylation with 4-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl chloride, debenzylation, substitution with 1,4-dichlorophthalazine and Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-boronic acid. The advantages of this synthesis route were the elimination of Boc protection and deprotection and the inexpensive starting materials. Furthermore, the debenzylation reaction was achieved with simplified operational procedure using ammonium formate as hydrogen source that provided high reaction yield. This synthetic procedure was suitable for large-scale production of the compound for biological evaluation and further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Kwon Ho Hong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Yongfeng Lv
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Yu Ding
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Congcong Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Hua Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Wenxiu Qi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Junqing Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
| | - Min Ji
- School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, P.R. China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Technologies & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Suzhou 215123, P.R. China
| | - Jin Cai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189, P.R. China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Technologies & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Suzhou 215123, P.R. China
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12
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Bhattarai D, Jung JH, Han S, Lee H, Oh SJ, Ko HW, Lee K. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of structurally modified isoindolinone and quinazolinone derivatives as hedgehog pathway inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 125:1036-1050. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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13
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Targeting the hedgehog signaling pathway for cardiac repair and regeneration. Herz 2016; 42:662-668. [PMID: 27878328 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-016-4500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is involved in the angiogenesis and development of the coronary vasculature in the embryonic heart. Recently, the Hh signal pathway has emerged as an important regulator that can increase cardiomyocyte proliferation, inhibit cardiomyocyte death and apoptosis, recruit endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) into sites of myocardial ischemia, and direct stem cells to differentiate into cardiac muscle lineage. Experimental studies have tried to target the Hh signaling pathway for cardiac repair and regeneration. The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of the Hh signal pathway in cardiac repair and regeneration as well as the current strategies targeting the Hh signaling pathway and its potential in heart diseases.
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14
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Chen J, Lv H, Hu J, Ji M, Xue N, Li C, Ma S, Zhou Q, Lin B, Li Y, Yu S, Chen X. CAT3, a novel agent for medulloblastoma and glioblastoma treatment, inhibits tumor growth by disrupting the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Cancer Lett 2016; 381:391-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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15
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Maschinot CA, Pace JR, Hadden MK. Synthetic Small Molecule Inhibitors of Hh Signaling As Anti-Cancer Chemotherapeutics. Curr Med Chem 2016; 22:4033-57. [PMID: 26310919 DOI: 10.2174/0929867322666150827093904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a developmental signaling pathway that is essential to the proper embryonic development of many vertebrate systems. Dysregulation of Hh signaling has been implicated as a causative factor in the development and progression of several forms of human cancer. As such, the development of small molecule inhibitors of Hh signaling as potential anti-cancer chemotherapeutics has been a major area of research interest in both academics and industry over the past ten years. Through these efforts, synthetic small molecules that target multiple components of the Hh pathway have been identified and advanced to preclinical or clinical development. The goal of this review is to provide an update on the current status of several synthetic small molecule Hh pathway inhibitors and explore the potential of several recently disclosed inhibitory scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M K Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA.
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16
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Pace JR, DeBerardinis AM, Sail V, Tacheva-Grigorova SK, Chan KA, Tran R, Raccuia DS, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Hadden MK. Repurposing the Clinically Efficacious Antifungal Agent Itraconazole as an Anticancer Chemotherapeutic. J Med Chem 2016; 59:3635-49. [PMID: 27014922 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Itraconazole (ITZ) is an FDA-approved member of the triazole class of antifungal agents. Two recent drug repurposing screens identified ITZ as a promising anticancer chemotherapeutic that inhibits both the angiogenesis and hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathways. We have synthesized and evaluated first- and second-generation ITZ analogues for their anti-Hh and antiangiogenic activities to probe more fully the structural requirements for these anticancer properties. Our overall results suggest that the triazole functionality is required for ITZ-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis but that it is not essential for inhibition of Hh signaling. The synthesis and evaluation of stereochemically defined des-triazole ITZ analogues also provides key information as to the optimal configuration around the dioxolane ring of the ITZ scaffold. Finally, the results from our studies suggest that two distinct cellular mechanisms of action govern the anticancer properties of the ITZ scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Pace
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Albert M DeBerardinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Vibhavari Sail
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Silvia K Tacheva-Grigorova
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Kelly A Chan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Raymond Tran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Daniel S Raccuia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3092, United States
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17
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Seow HF, Yip WK, Fifis T. Advances in targeted and immunobased therapies for colorectal cancer in the genomic era. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:1899-920. [PMID: 27099521 PMCID: PMC4821380 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s95101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies require information on specific defective signaling pathways or mutations. Advances in genomic technologies and cell biology have led to identification of new therapeutic targets associated with signal-transduction pathways. Survival times of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) can be extended with combinations of conventional cytotoxic agents and targeted therapies. Targeting EGFR- and VEGFR-signaling systems has been the major focus for treatment of metastatic CRC. However, there are still limitations in their clinical application, and new and better drug combinations are needed. This review provides information on EGFR and VEGF inhibitors, new therapeutic agents in the pipeline targeting EGFR and VEGFR pathways, and those targeting other signal-transduction pathways, such as MET, IGF1R, MEK, PI3K, Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, and death-receptor signaling pathways for treatment of metastatic CRC. Additionally, multitargeted approaches in combination therapies targeting negative-feedback loops, compensatory networks, and cross talk between pathways are highlighted. Then, immunobased strategies to enhance antitumor immunity using specific monoclonal antibodies, such as the immune-checkpoint inhibitors anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1, as well as the challenges that need to be overcome for increased efficacy of targeted therapies, including drug resistance, predictive markers of response, tumor subtypes, and cancer stem cells, are covered. The review concludes with a brief insight into the applications of next-generation sequencing, expression profiling for tumor subtyping, and the exciting progress made in in silico predictive analysis in the development of a prescription strategy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Fong Seow
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Wai Kien Yip
- Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Theodora Fifis
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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18
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Xin M, Zhang L, Jin Q, Tang F, Wen J, Gu L, Cheng L, Zhao Y. Discovery of novel 4-(2-pyrimidinylamino)benzamide derivatives as highly potent and orally available hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 110:115-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Xin M, Zhang L, Wen J, Shen H, Liu Z, Zhao X, Jin Q, Wang M, Cheng L, Huang W, Tang F. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of trifluoromethyl containing 4-(2-pyrimidinylamino)benzamides as Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:1079-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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20
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Chen X, Sun C, Zhang J, Ding H, Song H. Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives as potent smoothened antagonists. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6md00020g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Compounds with this novel scaffold demonstrated promising Hh and Smo inhibition, indicating that this novel scaffold can serve as a starting point for further optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery
- Ministry of Education
- Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Shenyang 110016
- PR China
| | - Chiyu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery
- Ministry of Education
- Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Shenyang 110016
- PR China
| | - Jingzhou Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery
- Ministry of Education
- Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Shenyang 110016
- PR China
| | - Huaiwei Ding
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery
- Ministry of Education
- Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Shenyang 110016
- PR China
| | - Hongrui Song
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery
- Ministry of Education
- Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Shenyang 110016
- PR China
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21
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Antoniou A, Chatzopoulou M, Bantzi M, Athanassopoulos CM, Giannis A, Pitsinos EN. Identification of Gli-mediated transcription inhibitors through synthesis and evaluation of taepeenin D analogues. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6md00354k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abietic acid derivatives related to taepeenin D were identified as new Hh pathway inhibitors that operate downstream of Smo.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Antoniou
- Natural Products Synthesis & Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- I.N.N
- NCSR “Demokritos”
- Athens
- Greece
| | - M. Chatzopoulou
- Natural Products Synthesis & Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- I.N.N
- NCSR “Demokritos”
- Athens
- Greece
| | - M. Bantzi
- Universität Leipzig, Fakultät für Chemie und Mineralogie
- Institut für Organische Chemie
- 04103 Leipzig
- Germany
| | - C. M. Athanassopoulos
- Laboratory of Synthetic Organic Chemistry
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Patras
- Patras
- Greece
| | - A. Giannis
- Universität Leipzig, Fakultät für Chemie und Mineralogie
- Institut für Organische Chemie
- 04103 Leipzig
- Germany
| | - E. N. Pitsinos
- Natural Products Synthesis & Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- I.N.N
- NCSR “Demokritos”
- Athens
- Greece
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Spann AL, Yuan K, Goliwas KF, Steg AD, Kaushik DD, Kwon YJ, Frost AR. The presence of primary cilia in cancer cells does not predict responsiveness to modulation of smoothened activity. Int J Oncol 2015; 47:269-79. [PMID: 25997440 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles that regulate smoothened-dependent activation of the GLI transcription factors in canonical hedgehog signaling. In many cancers, primary cilia are markedly decreased or absent. The lack of primary cilia may inhibit or alter canonical hedgehog signaling and, thereby, interfere in the cellular responsiveness to modulators of smoothened activity. Clinical trials of smoothened antagonists for cancer treatment have shown the best response in basal cell carcinomas, with limited response in other solid tumors. To determine whether the presence or absence of primary cilia in cancer cells will predict their responsiveness to modulation of smoothened activity, we compared the ability of an agonist and/or inhibitor of smoothened (SAG and SANT1, respectively) to modulate GLI-mediated transcription, as measured by GLI1 mRNA level or GLI-luciferase reporter activity, in non-cancer cells with primary cilia (ovarian surface epithelial cells and breast fibroblasts), in cancer cells that cannot assemble primary cilia (MCF7, MDA-MB-231 cell lines), and in cancer cells with primary cilia (SKOV3, PANC1 cell lines). As expected, SAG and SANT1 resulted in appropriate modulation of GLI transcriptional activity in ciliated non-cancer cells, and failed to modulate GLI transcriptional activity in cancer cells without primary cilia. However, there was also no modulation of GLI transcriptional activity in either ciliated cancer cell line. SAG treatment of SKOV3 induced localization of smoothened to primary cilia, as assessed by immunofluorescence, even though there was no increase in GLI transcriptional activity, suggesting a defect in activation of SMO in the primary cilia or in steps later in the hedgehog pathway. In contrast to SKOV3, SAG treatment of PANC1 did not cause the localization of smoothened to primary cilia. Our data demonstrate that the presence of primary cilia in the cancer epithelial cells lines tested does not indicate their responsiveness to smoothened activation or inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Spann
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kun Yuan
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kayla F Goliwas
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Adam D Steg
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Devanshu D Kaushik
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Yeon-Jin Kwon
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Andra R Frost
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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23
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Hadden MK. Targeting GLI proteins in human cancer by small molecules (WO2014116651 A1): a patent evaluation. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2015; 25:613-7. [PMID: 25772316 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2015.1019467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The invention reviewed in this patent evaluation is the synthesis and application of small molecule inhibitors of Gli transcriptional activity as potential anticancer agents. The oncogenic nature of Gli proteins has been traditionally associated with the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway; however, the recent identification of aberrant Gli activation unrelated to Hh signaling has prompted drug discovery efforts directly targeting Gli proteins. The central core of the compounds described in this patent (WO2014116651 A1) is structurally analogous to the pyrazoline scaffold previously disclosed by these inventors. Data describing the inhibitory activity of these compounds against the Hh pathway in vitro and in Hh-dependent in vivo models of human cancer are not provided. For this patent disclosure, the inventors primarily focus on the anticancer properties of their compounds in lung and lung-related malignancies. The compounds are moderately active in these models, but they do not exhibit the overall preclinical profile generally required for advancement into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kyle Hadden
- University of Connecticut, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT , USA +1 860 846 8446; +1 860 486 6857;
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25
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DeBerardinis AM, Raccuia DS, Thompson EN, Maschinot CA, Kyle Hadden M. Vitamin D3 analogues that contain modified A- and seco-B-rings as hedgehog pathway inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 93:156-71. [PMID: 25676864 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a developmental signaling pathway that has been implicated as a target for anti-cancer drug development in a variety of human malignancies. Several natural and synthetic vitamin D-based seco-steroids have been identified as potent inhibitors of Hh signaling with chemotherapeutic potential. These include the previously characterized analogue 4, which contains the northern CD-ring/side chain region of vitamin D3 (VD3) linked to an aromatic A-ring mimic through an ester bond. To further explore structure-activity relationships for this class of VD3-based Hh pathway inhibitors, we have designed, synthesized and evaluated several series of compounds that modify the length, composition, and stereochemical orientation of the ester linker. These studies have identified compounds 54 and 55, which contain an amine linker and an aromatic A-ring incorporating a para-phenol, as new lead compounds with enhanced potency against the Hh pathway (IC50 values = 0.40 and 0.32 μM, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert M DeBerardinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
| | - Daniel S Raccuia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
| | - Evrett N Thompson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
| | - Chad A Maschinot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
| | - M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA.
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26
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Banerjee U, DeBerardinis AM, Hadden MK. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of hybrid vitamin D3 side chain analogues as hedgehog pathway inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2014; 23:548-55. [PMID: 25549899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D3 (VD3) is a moderately potent and non-selective inhibitor of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling cascade. Previous studies have established that the CD-ring region of VD3 serves as the Hh inhibitory pharmacophore. Subsequently, compound 3, an ester linked aromatic A-ring and CD-ring derivative was identified as an improved and selective Hh inhibitor. Herein, we report modifications of the CD-ring side chain that afford enhancement of selectivity for Hh modulation thereby diminishing the detrimental effects of concomitant vitamin D receptor activation. In general, linear or moderately branched alkyl chains of five or six carbons were optimal for potent and selective inhibition of Hh signaling. Moreover, hybrid VD3 side chain derivative 20 demonstrated 4-fold improvement in Hh antagonistic activity over VD3(IC50=1.1-1.6 μM) while gaining greater than a 1000-fold selectivity for Hh signaling over canonical activation of the vitamin D receptor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Albert M DeBerardinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
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