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Grisetti L, Garcia CJC, Saponaro AA, Tiribelli C, Pascut D. The role of Aurora kinase A in hepatocellular carcinoma: Unveiling the intriguing functions of a key but still underexplored factor in liver cancer. Cell Prolif 2024; 57:e13641. [PMID: 38590119 PMCID: PMC11294426 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13641] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) plays a central role as a serine/threonine kinase in regulating cell cycle progression and mitotic functions. Over the years, extensive research has revealed the multifaceted roles of AURKA in cancer development and progression. AURKA's dysregulation is frequently observed in various human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its overexpression in HCC has been associated with aggressive phenotypes and poor clinical outcomes. This review comprehensively explores the molecular mechanisms underlying AURKA expression in HCC and its functional implications in cell migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, stemness, and drug resistance. This work focuses on the clinical significance of AURKA as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. High levels of AURKA expression have been correlated with shorter overall and disease-free survival in various cohorts, highlighting its potential utility as a sensitive prognostic indicator. Recent insights into AURKA's role in modulating the tumour microenvironment, particularly immune cell recruitment, may provide valuable information for personalized treatment strategies. AURKA's critical involvement in modulating cellular pathways and its overexpression in cancer makes it an attractive target for anticancer therapies. This review discusses the evidence about novel and selective AURKA inhibitors for more effective treatments for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Grisetti
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato – ONLUS, Liver Cancer UnitTriesteItaly
- Department of Life SciencesUniversità degli Studi di TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Clarissa J. C. Garcia
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato – ONLUS, Liver Cancer UnitTriesteItaly
- Department of Life SciencesUniversità degli Studi di TriesteTriesteItaly
| | - Anna A. Saponaro
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato – ONLUS, Liver Cancer UnitTriesteItaly
| | | | - Devis Pascut
- Fondazione Italiana Fegato – ONLUS, Liver Cancer UnitTriesteItaly
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2
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Chung CY, Li SM, Zeng WZ, Uramaru N, Huang GJ, Juang SH, Wong FF. Synthesis, design, and antiproliferative evaluation of 6-(N-Substituted-methyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as the potent anti-leukemia agents. Bioorg Chem 2024; 148:107424. [PMID: 38728908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives, including pyrazolopyrimidines, 6-aminopyrazolopyrimidines, 6-[(formyloxy)methyl]pyrazolopyrimidines, 6-(hydroxymethyl)pyrazolopyrimidine, and 6-(aminomethyl)pyrazolopyrimidines have been successfully prepared and tested against NCI-H226, NPC-TW01, and Jurkat cancer cell lines. Among the tested pyrazolopyrimidine compounds, we found 6-aminopyrazolopyrimidines and 6-(aminomethyl)pyrazolopyrimidines with essential o-ClPh or p-ClPh substituted moieties on N-1 pyrazole ring exhibited the best IC50 inhibition activity for Jurkat cells. Furthermore, optimization of the SAR study on the C-6 position of pyrazolopyrimidine ring demonstrated that 6-(N-substituted-methyl)pyrazolopyrimidines 17b, 17d, and 19d possessed the significant IC50 inhibitory activity for the different leukemia cell lines, especially for Jurkat, K-562, and HL-60. On the other hand, further SAR inhibition and docking model studies revealed that compound 19d, which has a 3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-1-amino side-chain on the C-6 position, was able to form four hydrogen bonds with residues Ala226, Leu152, and Glu194 and specifically extended into the P1 pocket subsite with Aurora A, resulting in improved inhibitory activity almost similar to SNS-314. To explore the anti-cancer mechanism, compound 19d was measured by Western blot analysis in Jurkat T-cells, however, it showed non-responsibility to Aurora B. For the further structural modifications on the lateral chain of compound 19d, compounds 24 with longer lateral chain were designed and synthesized for testing leukemia cell lines. However, compounds 24 was significantly decrease inhibition potency against leukemia cell lines. Based on the in-vitro results, compounds 17b and 19d could be considered to be the best potential lead drug in our study for the development of new and effective therapies for leukemia treatment. On the other hand, the DHFR inhibition results indicated compound 19d possessed good inhibitory activity and better than the reported naphthalene derivative. Through further comparisons of the model superposition of three-dimensional (3D) conformations in DHFR, compound 19d presented a similar structural alignment to Methotrexate and the reported naphthalene derivative and led to similar drug-like functional relationships. As a results, compound 19d would be a potential DHFR inhibitor for anti-leukemia drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yen Chung
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Min Li
- Institute of Translation Medicine and New Drug Development, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Zheng Zeng
- Institute of Nutrition, China Medical University, No. 100, Jingmao 1st Rd., Beitun Dist., Taichung 406040, Taiwan
| | - Naoto Uramaru
- Department of Environmental Science, Nihon Pharmaceutical University, Komuro Inamachi Kita-adachi-gun, Saitama-ken 10281, Japan
| | - Guan-Jhong Huang
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Food Nutrition and Healthy Biotechnology, Asia University, No. 500, Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Hun Juang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 100, Jingmao 1st Rd., Beitun Dist., Taichung 406040, Taiwan
| | - Fung Fuh Wong
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 100, Jingmao 1st Rd., Beitun Dist., Taichung 406040, Taiwan.
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El-Nassan HB, Al-Qadhi MA. Recent advances in the discovery of tropomyosin receptor kinases TRKs inhibitors: A mini review. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115618. [PMID: 37413881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The tropomyosin receptor tyrosine kinases (TRKs) control the cell proliferation mainly in the nervous system and are encoded by NTRK genes. Fusion and mutation of NTRK genes were detected in various types of cancers. Many small molecules TRK inhibitors have been discovered during the last two decades and some of them have entered clinical trials. Moreover, two of these inhibitors; larotrectinib and entrectinib; were approved by FDA for the treatment of TRK-fusion positive solid tumors. However, mutation of TRK enzymes resulted in resistance to both drugs. Therefore, next generation TRK inhibitors were discovered to overcome the acquired drug resistance. Additionally, the off-target and on-target adverse effects on the brain initiated the need for selective TRK subtype inhibitors. Indeed, some molecules were recently reported as selective TRKA or TRKC inhibitors with minimal CNS side effects. The current review highlighted the efforts done during the last three years in the design and discovery of novel TRK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala B El-Nassan
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Mustafa A Al-Qadhi
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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Zayed MF. Medicinal Chemistry of Quinazolines as Anticancer Agents Targeting Tyrosine Kinases. Sci Pharm 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/scipharm91020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a large group of diseases that can affect any organ or body tissue due to the abnormal cellular growth with the unknown reasons. Many of the existing chemotherapeutic agents are highly toxic with a low level of selectivity. Additionally, they lead to development of therapeutic resistance. Hence, the development of targeted chemotherapeutic agents with low side effects and high selectivity is required for cancer treatment. Quinazoline is a vital scaffold well-known to be linked with several biological activities. The anticancer activity is one of the prominent biological activities of this scaffold. Several established anticancer quinazolines work by different mechanisms on the various molecular targets. The aim of this review is to present different features of medicinal chemistry as drug design, structure activity relationship, and mode of action of some targeted anticancer quinazoline derivatives. It gives comprehensive attention on the chemotherapeutic activity of quinazolines in the viewpoint of drug discovery and its development. This review provides panoramic view to the medicinal chemists for supporting their efforts to design and synthesize novel quinazolines as targeted chemotherapeutic agents.
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Lai YL, Wang KH, Hsieh HP, Yen WC. Novel FLT3/AURK multikinase inhibitor is efficacious against sorafenib-refractory and sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:5. [PMID: 35062934 PMCID: PMC8781143 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00788-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer and has a high mortality rate worldwide. Sorafenib is the only systemic treatment demonstrating a statistically significant but modest overall survival benefit. We previously have identified the aurora kinases (AURKs) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) multikinase inhibitor DBPR114 exhibiting broad spectrum anti-tumor effects in both leukemia and solid tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of DBPR114 in the treatment of advanced HCC. Methods Human HCC cell lines with histopathology/genetic background similar to human HCC tumors were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used to evaluate the drug effect on endothelial tube formation. Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and mRNA sequencing were employed to investigate the mechanisms of drug action. Xenograft models of sorafenib-refractory and sorafenib-acquired resistant HCC were used to evaluate the tumor response to DBPR114. Results DBPR114 was active against HCC tumor cell proliferation independent of p53 alteration status and tumor grade in vitro. DBPR114-mediated growth inhibition in HCC cells was associated with apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and polyploidy formation. Further analysis indicated that DBPR114 reduced the phosphorylation levels of AURKs and its substrate histone H3. Moreover, the levels of several active-state receptor tyrosine kinases were downregulated by DBPR114, verifying the mechanisms of DBPR114 action as a multikinase inhibitor in HCC cells. DBPR114 also exhibited anti-angiogenic effect, as demonstrated by inhibiting tumor formation in HUVEC cells. In vivo, DBPR114 induced statistically significant tumor growth inhibition compared with the vehicle control in multiple HCC tumor xenograft models. Histologic analysis revealed that the DBPR114 treatment reduced cell proliferation, and induced apoptotic cell death and multinucleated cell formation. Consistent with the histological findings, gene expression analysis revealed that DBPR114-modulated genes were mostly related to the G2/M checkpoint and mitotic spindle assembly. DBPR114 was efficacious against sorafenib-intrinsic and -acquired resistant HCC tumors. Notably, DBPR114 significantly delayed posttreatment tumor regrowth and prolonged survival compared with the regorafenib group. Conclusion Our results indicated that targeting AURK signaling could be a new effective molecular-targeted agent in the treatment of patients with HCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-022-00788-0.
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Lee KH, Yen WC, Lin WH, Wang PC, Lai YL, Su YC, Chang CY, Wu CS, Huang YC, Yang CM, Chou LH, Yeh TK, Chen CT, Shih C, Hsieh HP. Discovery of BPR1R024, an Orally Active and Selective CSF1R Inhibitor that Exhibits Antitumor and Immunomodulatory Activity in a Murine Colon Tumor Model. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14477-14497. [PMID: 34606263 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) is implicated in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) repolarization and has emerged as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, we describe the discovery of orally active and selective CSF1R inhibitors by property-driven optimization of BPR1K871 (9), our clinical multitargeting kinase inhibitor. Molecular docking revealed an additional nonclassical hydrogen-bonding (NCHB) interaction between the unique 7-aminoquinazoline scaffold and the CSF1R hinge region, contributing to CSF1R potency enhancement. Structural studies of CSF1R and Aurora kinase B (AURB) demonstrated the differences in their back pockets, which inspired the use of a chain extension strategy to diminish the AURA/B activities. A lead compound BPR1R024 (12) exhibited potent CSF1R activity (IC50 = 0.53 nM) and specifically inhibited protumor M2-like macrophage survival with a minimal effect on antitumor M1-like macrophage growth. In vivo, oral administration of 12 mesylate delayed the MC38 murine colon tumor growth and reversed the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment with the increased M1/M2 ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Hung Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan, ROC
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City 115, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wan-Ching Yen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Hsing Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chen Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - You-Liang Lai
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Chieh Su
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Yu Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cai-Syuan Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Chen Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chen-Ming Yang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ling-Hui Chou
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuan Shih
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan, ROC
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City 115, Taiwan, ROC
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Colloidal Assemblies Composed of Polymeric Micellar/Emulsified Systems Integrate Cancer Therapy Combining a Tumor-Associated Antigen Vaccine and Chemotherapeutic Regimens. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11071844. [PMID: 34361230 PMCID: PMC8308410 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Integrative medicine comprising a tumor-associated antigen vaccine and chemotherapeutic regimens has provided new insights into cancer therapy. In this study, the AB-type diblock copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)–polylactide (PEG–PLA) were subjected to the dispersion of poorly water-soluble molecules in aqueous solutions. The physicochemical behavior of the chemotherapeutic agent DBPR114 in the PEG–PLA-polymeric aqueous solution was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) technology. In vitro cell culture indicated that replacing the organic solvent DMSO with PEG–PLA polymeric micelles could maintain the anti-proliferative effect of DBPR114 on leukemia cell lines. A murine tumor-associated antigen vaccine model was established in tumor-bearing mice to determine the effectiveness of these formulas in inducing tumor regression. The results demonstrated that the therapeutic treatments effectively reinforced each other via co-delivery of antitumor drug/antigen agents to synergistically integrate the efficacy of cancer therapy. Our findings support the potential use of polymeric micellar systems for aqueous solubilization and expansion of antitumor activity intrinsic to DBPR114 and tumor-associated antigen therapy.
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Design and synthesis of novel orally selective and type II pan-TRK inhibitors to overcome mutations by property-driven optimization. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 224:113673. [PMID: 34303872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rare oncogenic NTRK gene fusions result in uncontrolled TRK signaling leading to various adult and pediatric solid tumors. Based on the architecture of our multi-targeted clinical candidate BPR1K871 (10), we designed and synthesized a series of quinazoline compounds as selective and orally bioavailable type II TRK inhibitors. Property-driven and lead optimization strategies informed by structure-activity relationship studies led to the identification of 39, which showed higher (about 15-fold) selectivity for TRKA over AURA and AURB, as well as potent cellular activity (IC50 = 56.4 nM) against the KM12 human colorectal cancer cell line. 39 also displayed good AUC and oral bioavailability (F = 27%), excellent in vivo efficacy (TGI = 64%) in a KM12 xenograft model, and broad-spectrum anti-TRK mutant potency (IC50 = 3.74-151.4 nM), especially in the double-mutant TRKA enzymatic assays. 39 is therefore proposed for further development as a next-generation, selective, and orally-administered type II TRK inhibitor.
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9
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Sankhe K, Prabhu A, Khan T. Design strategies, SAR, and mechanistic insight of Aurora kinase inhibitors in cancer. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:73-93. [PMID: 33934503 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinases (AURKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases that play a critical role during cell proliferation. Three isoforms of AURKs reported in mammals include AURKA, AURKB, AURKC, and all share a similar C-terminal catalytic domain with differences in their subcellular location, substrate specificity, and function. Recent research reports indicate an elevated expression of these kinases in several cancer types highlighting their role as oncogenes in tumorigenesis. Inhibition of AURKs is an attractive strategy to design potent inhibitors modulating this target. The last few years have witnessed immense research in the development of AURK inhibitors with few FDA approvals. The current clinical therapeutic regime in cancer is associated with severe side-effects and emerging resistance to existing drugs. This has been the key driver of research initiatives toward designing more potent drugs that can potentially circumvent the emerging resistance. This review is a comprehensive summary of recent research on AURK inhibitors and presents the development of scaffolds, their synthetic schemes, structure-activity relationships, biological activity, and enzyme inhibition potential. We hope to provide the reader with an array of scaffolds that can be selected for further research work and mechanistic studies in the development of new AURK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaksha Sankhe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, India
| | - Arati Prabhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Assurance, Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, India
| | - Tabassum Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Assurance, Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, India
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10
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Reddy JS, Chen CM, Coumar MS, Sun HY, Sun N, Hsieh HP. Development of a Robust Scale-Up Synthetic Route for BPR1K871: A Clinical Candidate for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Solid Tumors. Org Process Res Dev 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.0c00515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julakanti Satyanarayana Reddy
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih-Ming Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mohane Selvaraj Coumar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Hsu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Na Sun
- China Gateway Pharmaceutical Development Co, Shanghai 201417, China
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
- Biomedical Translation Research Centre, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11520, Taiwan, ROC
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11
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Du R, Huang C, Liu K, Li X, Dong Z. Targeting AURKA in Cancer: molecular mechanisms and opportunities for Cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:15. [PMID: 33451333 PMCID: PMC7809767 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) belongs to the family of serine/threonine kinases, whose activation is necessary for cell division processes via regulation of mitosis. AURKA shows significantly higher expression in cancer tissues than in normal control tissues for multiple tumor types according to the TCGA database. Activation of AURKA has been demonstrated to play an important role in a wide range of cancers, and numerous AURKA substrates have been identified. AURKA-mediated phosphorylation can regulate the functions of AURKA substrates, some of which are mitosis regulators, tumor suppressors or oncogenes. In addition, enrichment of AURKA-interacting proteins with KEGG pathway and GO analysis have demonstrated that these proteins are involved in classic oncogenic pathways. All of this evidence favors the idea of AURKA as a target for cancer therapy, and some small molecules targeting AURKA have been discovered. These AURKA inhibitors (AKIs) have been tested in preclinical studies, and some of them have been subjected to clinical trials as monotherapies or in combination with classic chemotherapy or other targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Du
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.
| | - Chuntian Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,College of medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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12
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Bansal R, Malhotra A. Therapeutic progression of quinazolines as targeted chemotherapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 211:113016. [PMID: 33243532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Presently cancer is a grave health issue with predominance beyond restrictions. It can affect any organ of the body. Most of the available chemotherapeutic drugs are highly toxic, not much selective and eventually lead to the development of resistance. Therefore, a target specific palliative approach for the treatment of cancer is required. Remarkable advancements in science have illuminated various molecular pathways responsible for cancer. This has resulted in abundant opportunities to develop targeted anticancer agents. Quinazoline nucleus is a privileged scaffold with significant diversified pharmacological activities. Numerous established anticancer quinazoline derivatives constitute a new class of chemotherapeutic agents which are found to act by inhibiting various protein kinases as well as other molecular targets. A recent update on various quinazoline derivatives acting on different types of molecular targets for the treatment of cancer has been compiled in this review. Brief SAR studies of quinazoline derivatives acting through different mechanisms of action have been highlighted. The comprehensive medicinal chemistry aspects of these agents in this review provide a panoramic view to the biologists as well as medicinal chemists working in this area and would assist them in their efforts to design and synthesize novel quinazoline based anticancer compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranju Bansal
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sector-14, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
| | - Anjleena Malhotra
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sector-14, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
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13
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Discovery of M Protease Inhibitors Encoded by SARS-CoV-2. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00872-20. [PMID: 32669265 PMCID: PMC7449189 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00872-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a health threat worldwide. Viral main protease (Mpro, also called 3C-like protease [3CLpro]) is a therapeutic target for drug discovery. Herein, we report that GC376, a broad-spectrum inhibitor targeting Mpro in the picornavirus-like supercluster, is a potent inhibitor for the Mpro encoded by SARS-CoV-2, with a half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 26.4 ± 1.1 nM. In this study, we also show that GC376 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication with a half-maximum effective concentration (EC50) of 0.91 ± 0.03 μM. Only a small portion of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro was covalently modified in the excess of GC376 as evaluated by mass spectrometry analysis, indicating that improved inhibitors are needed. Subsequently, molecular docking analysis revealed that the recognition and binding groups of GC376 within the active site of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro provide important new information for the optimization of GC376. Given that sufficient safety and efficacy data are available for GC376 as an investigational veterinary drug, expedited development of GC376, or its optimized analogues, for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human is recommended.
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Drug-like property optimization: Discovery of orally bioavailable quinazoline-based multi-targeted kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2020; 98:103689. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Identification of novel quinoline inhibitor for EHMT2/G9a through virtual screening. Biochimie 2020; 168:220-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Liu Y, Yang EJ, Zhang B, Miao Z, Wu C, Lyu J, Tan K, Poon TCW, Shim JS. PTEN deficiency confers colorectal cancer cell resistance to dual inhibitors of FLT3 and aurora kinase A. Cancer Lett 2018; 436:28-37. [PMID: 30118842 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PTEN is a tumor suppressor found mutated in many cancers. From a synthetic lethality drug screen with PTEN-isogenic colorectal cancer cells, we found that mutant-PTEN cells were resistant to dual inhibitors of FLT3 and aurora kinase-A, including KW2449 and ENMD-2076. KW2449 significantly reduced the viability of wildtype-PTEN cells causing apoptosis, while little effect was observed in mutant-PTEN counterparts. Transcriptome profiling showed that members of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were strongly changed in cells after KW2449 treatment, indicating a potential role of the pathway in drug resistance. We found that KW2449 caused a dose-dependent, biphasic induction of AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 in mutant-PTEN cells. Co-treatment with the inhibitors of its upstream signaling completely abolished the reactivation of AKT phosphorylation by KW2449 and reversed the drug resistant phenotype. These data suggest that reactivation of AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 is a key factor to confer drug resistant phenotype of mutant-PTEN cells to the dual inhibitors and that proper drug combinations that shut down AKT reactivation is necessary for the effective treatment of mutant-PTEN cancer with the dual inhibitors in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Liu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Eun Ju Yang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Baoyuan Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhengqiang Miao
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Changjie Wu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Junfang Lyu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Kaeling Tan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Terence Chuen Wai Poon
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China
| | - Joong Sup Shim
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, 999078, Macau SAR, China.
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Syed SB, Arya H, Fu IH, Yeh TK, Periyasamy L, Hsieh HP, Coumar MS. Targeting P-glycoprotein: Investigation of piperine analogs for overcoming drug resistance in cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7972. [PMID: 28801675 PMCID: PMC5554262 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08062-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a drug transporter that effluxes chemotherapeutic drugs and is implicated in the development of resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. To date, no drug has been approved to inhibit P-gp and restore chemotherapy efficacy. Moreover, majority of the reported inhibitors have high molecular weight and complex structures, making it difficult to understand the basic structural requirement for P-gp inhibition. In this study, two structurally simple, low molecular weight piperine analogs Pip1 and Pip2 were designed and found to better interact with P-gp than piperine in silico. A one step, acid-amine coupling reaction between piperic acid and 6,7-dimethoxytetrahydroisoquinoline or 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine afforded Pip1 and Pip2, respectively. In vitro testing in drug resistant P-gp overexpressing KB (cervical) and SW480 (colon) cancer cells showed that both analogs, when co-administered with vincristine, colchicine or paclitaxel were able to reverse the resistance. Moreover, accumulation of P-gp substrate (rhodamine 123) in the resistant cells, a result of alteration of the P-gp efflux, was also observed. These investigations suggest that the natural product analog - Pip1 ((2E,4E)-5-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1 H)-yl)penta-2,4-dien-1-one) - is superior to piperine and could inhibit P-gp function. Further studies are required to explore the full potential of Pip1 in treating drug resistant cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiulla Basha Syed
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
- DBT-Interdisciplinary Program in Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - Hemant Arya
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - I-Hsuan Fu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Latha Periyasamy
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 350, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 350, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Mohane Selvaraj Coumar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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