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Agarwal P, Reid DL, Amiji M. CNS delivery of targeted protein degraders. J Control Release 2024; 372:661-673. [PMID: 38936742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.057] [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: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Heterobifunctional small molecule degraders are a subset of targeted protein degraders (TPDs), consisting of two ligands joined by a linker to induce proteasomal degradation of a target protein. As compared to traditional small molecules these compounds generally demonstrate inflated physicochemical properties, which may require innovative formulation strategies to enable their delivery and exert pharmacodynamic effect. The blood brain barrier (BBB) serves an essential function in human physiology, but its presence requires advanced approaches for treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. By integrating emerging modalities like TPDs with conventional concepts of drug delivery, novel strategies to overcome the BBB can be developed. Amongst the available routes, lipid and polymer-based long-acting delivery seems to be the most amenable to TPDs, due to their ability to encapsulate lipophilic cargo and potential to be functionalized for targeted delivery. Another key consideration will be understanding E3 ligase expression in the different regions of the brain. Discovery of new brain or CNS disease specific E3 ligases could help overcome some of the barriers currently associated with CNS delivery of TPDs. This review discusses the current strategies that exist to overcome and improve therapeutic delivery of TPDs to the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Agarwal
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, United States of America; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Darren L Reid
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, Inc., 360 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States of America
| | - Mansoor Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America.
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Dumbuya I, Pereira AM, Tolaymat I, Al Dalaty A, Arafat B, Webster M, Pierscionek B, Khoder M, Najlah M. Exploring Disulfiram's Anticancer Potential: PLGA Nano-Carriers for Prolonged Drug Delivery and Potential Improved Therapeutic Efficacy. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1133. [PMID: 38998738 PMCID: PMC11243172 DOI: 10.3390/nano14131133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Disulfiram (DS) has been shown to have potent anti-cancer activity; however, it is also characterised by its low water solubility and rapid metabolism in vivo. Biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymers have been frequently employed in the manufacturing of PLGA nano-carrier drug delivery systems. Thus, to develop DS-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) capable of overcoming DS's limitations, two methodologies were used to formulate the NPs: direct nanoprecipitation (DNP) and single emulsion/solvent evaporation (SE), followed by particle size reduction. The DNP method was demonstrated to produce NPs of superior characteristics in terms of size (151.3 nm), PDI (0.083), charge (-37.9 mV), and loading efficiency (65.3%). Consequently, NPs consisting of PLGA and encapsulated DS coated with mPEG2k-PLGA at adjustable ratios were prepared using the DNP method. Formulations were then characterised, and their stability in horse serum was assessed. Results revealed the PEGylated DS-loaded PLGA nano-carriers to be more efficient; hence, in-vitro studies testing these formulations were subsequently performed using two distinct breast cancer cell lines, showing great potential to significantly enhance cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Dumbuya
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Ana Maria Pereira
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
- GMPriority Pharma Ltd., Priors Way, Coggeshall CO6 1TW, UK
| | - Ibrahim Tolaymat
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Adnan Al Dalaty
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Basel Arafat
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Matt Webster
- University of Winchester Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK
| | - Barbara Pierscionek
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Mouhamad Khoder
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, Kingston University London, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Mohammad Najlah
- Pharmaceutical Research Group, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
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Kusaczuk M, Ambel ET, Naumowicz M, Velasco G. Cellular stress responses as modulators of drug cytotoxicity in pharmacotherapy of glioblastoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189054. [PMID: 38103622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189054] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the extensive efforts to find effective therapeutic strategies, glioblastoma (GBM) remains a therapeutic challenge with dismal prognosis of survival. Over the last decade the role of stress responses in GBM therapy has gained a great deal of attention, since depending on the duration and intensity of these cellular programs they can be cytoprotective or promote cancer cell death. As such, initiation of the UPR, autophagy or oxidative stress may either impede or facilitate drug-mediated cell killing. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms that regulate ER stress, autophagy, and oxidative stress during GBM development and progression to later discuss the involvement of these stress pathways in the response to different treatments. We also discuss how a precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating stress responses evoked by different pharmacological agents could decisively contribute to the design of novel and more effective combinational treatments against brain malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kusaczuk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Elena Tovar Ambel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Monika Naumowicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, K. Ciolkowskiego 1K, 15-245 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Guillermo Velasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Wang P, Luo Q, Zhang L, Qu X, Che X, Cai S, Liu Y. A disulfiram/copper gluconate co-loaded bi-layered long-term drug delivery system for intraperitoneal treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 231:113558. [PMID: 37776774 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113558] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
To develop a long-term drug delivery system for the treatment of primary and metastatic peritoneal carcinoma (PC) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection, a disulfiram (DSF)/copper gluconate (Cu-Glu)-co-loaded bi-layered poly (lactic acid-coglycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (Ms) - thermosensitive hydrogel system (DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel) was established. Rate and mechanisms of drug release from DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel were explored. The anti-tumor effects of DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel by IP injection were evaluated using H22 xenograft tumor model mice. The accumulative release of DSF from Ms on the 10th day was 83.79% without burst release. When Ms were dispersed into B-Gel, burst release at 24 h decreased to 14.63%. The results showed that bis (diethyldithiocarbamate)-copper (Cu(DDC)2) was formed in DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel and slowly released from B-Gel. In a pharmacodynamic study, the mount of tumor nodes and ascitic fluid decreased in the DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel group. This was because: (1) DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel system co-loaded DSF and Cu-Glu, and physically isolated DSF and Cu-Glu before injection to protect DSF; (2) space and water were provided for the formation of Cu(DDC)2; (3) could provide an effective drug concentration in the abdominal cavity for a long time; (4) both DSF and Cu(DDC)2 were effective anti-tumor drugs, and the formation of Cu(DDC)2 occurred in the abdominal cavity, which further enhanced the anti-tumor activity. Thus, the DSF-Ms-Cu-Glu-Gel system can be potentially used for the IP treatment of PC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puxiu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Qiuhua Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China; Liaoning Province Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China
| | - Xiaofang Che
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China; Liaoning Province Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China
| | - Shuang Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China; School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, China; Liaoning Province Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China.
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Guo J, Sun Y, Liu G. The mechanism of copper transporters in ovarian cancer cells and the prospect of cuproptosis. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 247:112324. [PMID: 37481825 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Copper transporters can not only carry copper (Cu) to maintain the homeostasis of Cu in cells but also transport platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. The effect of copper transporters on chemosensitivity has been demonstrated in a variety of malignancies. In addition, recent studies have reported that copper transporters can act as vectors to induce cuproptosis. Therefore, copper transporters can act on cells through different mechanisms to achieve different purposes. This review mainly describes the current research progress of the intracellular transport mechanism of copper transporters and cuproptosis, and prospects for the application of them in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahuan Guo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Tianjin, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Guoyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Tianjin, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
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Kang X, Jadhav S, Annaji M, Huang CH, Amin R, Shen J, Ashby CR, Tiwari AK, Babu RJ, Chen P. Advancing Cancer Therapy with Copper/Disulfiram Nanomedicines and Drug Delivery Systems. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1567. [PMID: 37376016 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061567] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Disulfiram (DSF) is a thiocarbamate based drug that has been approved for treating alcoholism for over 60 years. Preclinical studies have shown that DSF has anticancer efficacy, and its supplementation with copper (CuII) significantly potentiates the efficacy of DSF. However, the results of clinical trials have not yielded promising results. The elucidation of the anticancer mechanisms of DSF/Cu (II) will be beneficial in repurposing DSF as a new treatment for certain types of cancer. DSF's anticancer mechanism is primarily due to its generating reactive oxygen species, inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity inhibition, and decreasing the levels of transcriptional proteins. DSF also shows inhibitory effects in cancer cell proliferation, the self-renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs), angiogenesis, drug resistance, and suppresses cancer cell metastasis. This review also discusses current drug delivery strategies for DSF alone diethyldithocarbamate (DDC), Cu (II) and DSF/Cu (II), and the efficacious component Diethyldithiocarbamate-copper complex (CuET).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejia Kang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Materials Research and Education Center, Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Sanika Jadhav
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Manjusha Annaji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Chung-Hui Huang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Rajesh Amin
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Jianzhong Shen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Charles R Ashby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11431, USA
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - R Jayachandra Babu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Pengyu Chen
- Materials Research and Education Center, Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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Almotairy A, Alyahya M, Althobaiti A, Almutairi M, Bandari S, Ashour EA, Repka MA. Disulfiram 3D printed film produced via hot-melt extrusion techniques as a potential anticervical cancer candidate. Int J Pharm 2023; 635:122709. [PMID: 36801364 PMCID: PMC10023499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is known globally as one of the most common health problems in women. Indeed, one of the most convenient approaches for its treatment is an appropriate bioadhesive vaginal film. This approach provides a local treatment modality, which inevitably decreases dosing frequency and improves patient compliance. Recently, disulfiram (DSF) has been investigated and demonstrated to possess anticervical cancer activity; therefore, it is employed in this work. The current study aimed to produce a novel, personalized three-dimensional (3D) printed DSF extended-release film using the hot-melt extrusion (HME) and 3D printing technologies. The optimization of the formulation composition and the HME and 3D printing processing temperatures was an important factor for overcoming the DSF heat-sensitivity issue. In addition, the 3D printing speed was specifically the most crucial parameter for alleviating heat-sensitivity concerns, which led to the production of films (F1 and F2) with an acceptable DSF content and good mechanical properties. The bioadhesion film study using sheep cervical tissue indicated a reasonable adhesive peak force (N) of 0.24 ± 0.08 for F1 and 0.40 ± 0.09 for F2, while the work of adhesion (N.mm) for F1 and F2 was 0.28 ± 0.14 and 0.54 ± 0.14, respectively. Moreover, the cumulative in vitro release data indicated that the printed films released DSF for up to 24 h. HME-coupled 3D printing successfully produced a patient-centric and personalized DSF extended-release vaginal film with a reduced dose and longer dosing interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Almotairy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Department, College of Pharmacy Taibah University, Al Madinah AlMunawarah 30001, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alyahya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed Althobaiti
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Mashan Almutairi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suresh Bandari
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Eman A Ashour
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Michael A Repka
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Pii Center for Pharmaceutical Technology, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
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Gareev K, Tagaeva R, Bobkov D, Yudintceva N, Goncharova D, Combs SE, Ten A, Samochernych K, Shevtsov M. Passing of Nanocarriers across the Histohematic Barriers: Current Approaches for Tumor Theranostics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1140. [PMID: 37049234 PMCID: PMC10096980 DOI: 10.3390/nano13071140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Over the past several decades, nanocarriers have demonstrated diagnostic and therapeutic (i.e., theranostic) potencies in translational oncology, and some agents have been further translated into clinical trials. However, the practical application of nanoparticle-based medicine in living organisms is limited by physiological barriers (blood-tissue barriers), which significantly hampers the transport of nanoparticles from the blood into the tumor tissue. This review focuses on several approaches that facilitate the translocation of nanoparticles across blood-tissue barriers (BTBs) to efficiently accumulate in the tumor. To overcome the challenge of BTBs, several methods have been proposed, including the functionalization of particle surfaces with cell-penetrating peptides (e.g., TAT, SynB1, penetratin, R8, RGD, angiopep-2), which increases the passing of particles across tissue barriers. Another promising strategy could be based either on the application of various chemical agents (e.g., efflux pump inhibitors, disruptors of tight junctions, etc.) or physical methods (e.g., magnetic field, electroporation, photoacoustic cavitation, etc.), which have been shown to further increase the permeability of barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Gareev
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Micro and Nanoelectronics, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ruslana Tagaeva
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Danila Bobkov
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Yudintceva
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daria Goncharova
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Stephanie E. Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technishe Universität München (TUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Artem Ten
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Konstantin Samochernych
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maxim Shevtsov
- Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), 194064 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technishe Universität München (TUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia
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Aquib M, Zhang H, Raza F, Banerjee P, Bavi R, Kesse S, Boakye-Yiadom KO, Filli MS, Farooq MA, Wang B. Delivery of repurposed disulfiram by aminated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for anticancer therapy. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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10
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Leveraging disulfiram to treat cancer: Mechanisms of action, delivery strategies, and treatment regimens. Biomaterials 2021; 281:121335. [PMID: 34979419 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Disulfiram (DSF) has been used as an alcoholism drug for 70 years. Recently, it has attracted increasing attention owing to the distinguished anticancer activity, which can be further potentiated by the supplementation of Cu2+. Although encouraging anticancer results are obtained in lab, the clinical outcomes of oral DSF are not satisfactory, which urges an in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms, bottlenecks, and proposal of potential methods to address the dilemma. In this review, a critical summarization of various molecular biological anticancer mechanisms of DSF/Cu2+ is provided and the predicament of orally delivering DSF in clinical oncotherapy is explained by the metabolic barriers. We highlight the recent advances in the DSF/Cu2+ delivery strategies and the emerging treatment regimens for cancer treatment. Last but not the least, we summarize the clinical trials regarding DSF and make a prospect of DSF/Cu-based cancer therapy.
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Kannappan V, Ali M, Small B, Rajendran G, Elzhenni S, Taj H, Wang W, Dou QP. Recent Advances in Repurposing Disulfiram and Disulfiram Derivatives as Copper-Dependent Anticancer Agents. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:741316. [PMID: 34604310 PMCID: PMC8484884 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.741316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) plays a pivotal role in cancer progression by acting as a co-factor that regulates the activity of many enzymes and structural proteins in cancer cells. Therefore, Cu-based complexes have been investigated as novel anticancer metallodrugs and are considered as a complementary strategy for currently used platinum agents with undesirable general toxicity. Due to the high failure rate and increased cost of new drugs, there is a global drive towards the repositioning of known drugs for cancer treatment in recent years. Disulfiram (DSF) is a first-line antialcoholism drug used in clinics for more than 65 yr. In combination with Cu, it has shown great potential as an anticancer drug by targeting a wide range of cancers. The reaction between DSF and Cu ions forms a copper diethyldithiocarbamate complex (Cu(DDC)2 also known as CuET) which is the active, potent anticancer ingredient through inhibition of NF-κB and ubiquitin-proteasome system as well as alteration of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, DSF/Cu inhibits several molecular targets related to drug resistance, stemness, angiogenesis and metastasis and is thus considered as a novel strategy for overcoming tumour recurrence and relapse in patients. Despite its excellent anticancer efficacy, DSF has proven unsuccessful in several cancer clinical trials. This is likely due to the poor stability, rapid metabolism and/or short plasma half-life of the currently used oral version of DSF and the inability to form Cu(DDC)2 at relevant concentrations in tumour tissues. Here, we summarize the scientific rationale, molecular targets, and mechanisms of action of DSF/Cu in cancer cells and the outcomes of oral DSF ± Cu in cancer clinical trials. We will focus on the novel insights on harnessing the immune system and hypoxic microenvironment using DSF/Cu complex and discuss the emerging delivery strategies that can overcome the shortcomings of DSF-based anticancer therapies and provide opportunities for translation of DSF/Cu or its Cu(DDC)2 complex into cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinodh Kannappan
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.,Disulfican Ltd, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Misha Ali
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Benjamin Small
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gowtham Rajendran
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Salena Elzhenni
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Hamza Taj
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Weiguang Wang
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.,Disulfican Ltd, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | - Q Ping Dou
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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An Alternative Pipeline for Glioblastoma Therapeutics: A Systematic Review of Drug Repurposing in Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081953. [PMID: 33919596 PMCID: PMC8073966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma is a devastating malignancy that has continued to prove resistant to a variety of therapeutics. No new systemic therapy has been approved for use against glioblastoma in almost two decades. This observation is particularly disturbing given the amount of money invested in identifying novel therapies for this disease. A relatively rapid and economical pipeline for identification of novel agents is drug repurposing. Here, a comprehensive review detailing the state of drug repurposing in glioblastoma is provided. We reveal details on studies that have examined agents in vitro, in animal models and in patients. While most agents have not progressed beyond the initial stages, several drugs, from a variety of classes, have demonstrated promising results in early phase clinical trials. Abstract The treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) remains a significant challenge, with outcome for most pa-tients remaining poor. Although novel therapies have been developed, several obstacles restrict the incentive of drug developers to continue these efforts including the exorbitant cost, high failure rate and relatively small patient population. Repositioning drugs that have well-characterized mechanistic and safety profiles is an attractive alternative for drug development in GBM. In ad-dition, the relative ease with which repurposed agents can be transitioned to the clinic further supports their potential for examination in patients. Here, a systematic analysis of the literature and clinical trials provides a comprehensive review of primary articles and unpublished trials that use repurposed drugs for the treatment of GBM. The findings demonstrate that numerous drug classes that have a range of initial indications have efficacy against preclinical GBM models and that certain agents have shown significant potential for clinical benefit. With examination in randomized, placebo-controlled trials and the targeting of particular GBM subgroups, it is pos-sible that repurposing can be a cost-effective approach to identify agents for use in multimodal anti-GBM strategies.
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13
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Hicks WH, Bird CE, Traylor JI, Shi DD, El Ahmadieh TY, Richardson TE, McBrayer SK, Abdullah KG. Contemporary Mouse Models in Glioma Research. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030712. [PMID: 33806933 PMCID: PMC8004772 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of glioma, outcomes remain dismal. Developing successful treatments for glioma requires faithful in vivo disease modeling and rigorous preclinical testing. Murine models, including xenograft, syngeneic, and genetically engineered models, are used to study glioma-genesis, identify methods of tumor progression, and test novel treatment strategies. Since the discovery of highly recurrent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in lower-grade gliomas, there is increasing emphasis on effective modeling of IDH mutant brain tumors. Improvements in preclinical models that capture the phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of gliomas are critical for the development of effective new therapies. Herein, we explore the current status, advancements, and challenges with contemporary murine glioma models.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H. Hicks
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Cylaina E. Bird
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Jeffrey I. Traylor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Diana D. Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Tarek Y. El Ahmadieh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
| | - Timothy E. Richardson
- Department of Pathology, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 75229, USA;
| | - Samuel K. McBrayer
- Children’s Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Harrold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence: (S.K.M.); (K.G.A.)
| | - Kalil G. Abdullah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (W.H.H.); (C.E.B.); (J.I.T.); (T.Y.E.A.)
- Harrold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence: (S.K.M.); (K.G.A.)
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14
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Strategies for delivering therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:362-383. [PMID: 33649582 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00139-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 366] [Impact Index Per Article: 122.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Achieving sufficient delivery across the blood-brain barrier is a key challenge in the development of drugs to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This is particularly the case for biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies and enzyme replacement therapies, which are largely excluded from the brain following systemic administration. In recent years, increasing research efforts by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions and public-private consortia have resulted in the evaluation of various technologies developed to deliver therapeutics to the CNS, some of which have entered clinical testing. Here we review recent developments and challenges related to selected blood-brain barrier-crossing strategies - with a focus on non-invasive approaches such as receptor-mediated transcytosis and the use of neurotropic viruses, nanoparticles and exosomes - and analyse their potential in the treatment of CNS disorders.
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15
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Disulfiram Acts as a Potent Radio-Chemo Sensitizer in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines and Transplanted Xenografts. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030517. [PMID: 33671083 PMCID: PMC7999545 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of locally advanced and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is primarily mediated by the functional properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. We investigated whether the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) inhibitor disulfiram (DSF) can enhance the sensitivity of therapy. Cell viability was assessed by the 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT) and apoptosis assays, and the cell cycle and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The radio-sensitizing effect was measured by a colony formation assay. The synergistic effects were calculated by combination index (CI) analyses. The DSF and DSF/Cu2+ inhibited the cell proliferation (inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of DSF and DSF/Cu2+ were 13.96 μM and 0.24 μM). DSF and cisplatin displayed a synergistic effect (CI values were <1). DSF or DSF/Cu2+ abolished the cisplatin-induced G2/M arrest (from 52.9% to 40.7% and 41.1%), and combining irradiation (IR) with DSF or DSF/Cu2+ reduced the colony formation and attenuated the G2/M arrest (from 53.6% to 40.2% and 41.9%). The combination of cisplatin, DSF or DSF/Cu2+, and IR enhanced the radio-chemo sensitivity by inducing apoptosis (42.04% and 32.21%) and ROS activity (46.3% and 37.4%). DSF and DSF/Cu2+ enhanced the sensitivity of HNSCC to cisplatin and IR. Confirming the initial data from patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) supported a strong rationale to repurpose DSF as a radio-chemosensitizer and to assess its therapeutic potential in a clinical setting.
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16
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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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Drug Repurposing in Medulloblastoma: Challenges and Recommendations. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2020; 22:6. [PMID: 33245404 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-00805-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Medulloblastoma is the most frequently diagnosed primary malignant brain tumor among children. Currently available therapeutic strategies are based on surgical resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. However, majority of patients quickly develop therapeutic resistance and are often left with long-term therapy-related side effects and sequelae. Therefore, there remains a dire need to develop more effective therapeutics to overcome the acquired resistance to currently available therapies. Unfortunately, the process of developing novel anti-neoplastic drugs from bench to bedside is highly time-consuming and very expensive. A wide range of drugs that are already in clinical use for treating non-cancerous diseases might commonly target tumor-associated signaling pathways as well and hence be of interest in treating different cancers. This is referred to as drug repurposing or repositioning. In medulloblastoma, drug repurposing has recently gained a remarkable interest as an alternative therapy to overcome therapy resistance, wherein existing non-tumor drugs are being tested for their potential anti-neoplastic effects outside the scope of their original use.
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Essa D, Choonara YE, Kondiah PPD, Pillay V. Comparative Nanofabrication of PLGA-Chitosan-PEG Systems Employing Microfluidics and Emulsification Solvent Evaporation Techniques. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12091882. [PMID: 32825546 PMCID: PMC7564778 DOI: 10.3390/polym12091882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor circulation stability and inadequate cell membrane penetration are significant impediments in the implementation of nanocarriers as delivery systems for therapeutic agents with low bioavailability. This research discusses the fabrication of a biocompatible poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based nanocarrier with cationic and hydrophilic surface properties provided by natural polymer chitosan and coating polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the entrapment of the hydrophobic drug disulfiram. The traditional emulsification solvent evaporation method was compared to a microfluidics-based method of fabrication, with the optimisation of the parameters for each method, and the PEGylation densities on the experimental nanoparticle formulations were varied. The size and surface properties of the intermediates and products were characterised and compared by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while the thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Results showed optimal particle properties with an intermediate PEG density and a positive surface charge for greater biocompatibility, with nanoparticle surface characteristics shielding physical interaction of the entrapped drug with the exterior. The formulations prepared using the microfluidic method displayed superior surface charge, entrapment and drug release properties. The final system shows potential as a component of a biocompatible nanocarrier for poorly soluble drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Viness Pillay
- Correspondence: (Y.E.C.); (V.P.); Tel.: +27-11-717-2274 (V.P.)
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19
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Targeted Brain Tumor Therapy by Inhibiting the MDM2 Oncogene: In Vitro and In Vivo Antitumor Activity and Mechanism of Action. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071592. [PMID: 32630235 PMCID: PMC7408354 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a desperate need for novel and efficacious chemotherapeutic strategies for human brain cancers. There are abundant molecular alterations along the p53 and MDM2 pathways in human glioma, which play critical roles in drug resistance. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of a novel brain-penetrating small molecule MDM2 degrader, termed SP-141. In a panel of nine human glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cell lines, SP-141, as a single agent, potently killed the brain tumor-derived cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 35.8 to 688.8 nM. Treatment with SP-141 resulted in diminished MDM2 and increased p53 and p21cip1 levels, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and marked apoptosis. In intracranial xenograft models of U87MG glioblastoma (wt p53) and DAOY medulloblastoma (mutant p53) expressing luciferase, treatment with SP-141 caused a significant 4- to 9-fold decrease in tumor growth in the absence of discernible toxicity. Further, combination treatment with a low dose of SP-141 (IC20) and temozolomide, a standard anti-glioma drug, led to synergistic cell killing (1.3- to 31-fold) in glioma cell lines, suggesting a novel means for overcoming temozolomide resistance. Considering that SP-141 can be taken up by the brain without the need for any special delivery, our results suggest that SP-141 should be further explored for the treatment of tumors of the central nervous system, regardless of the p53 status of the tumor.
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20
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Yang Q, Yao Y, Li K, Jiao L, Zhu J, Ni C, Li M, Dou QP, Yang H. An Updated Review of Disulfiram: Molecular Targets and Strategies for Cancer Treatment. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:3248-3256. [PMID: 31419930 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190816233755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Repurposing already approved drugs as new anticancer agents is a promising strategy considering the advantages such as low costs, low risks and less time-consumption. Disulfiram (DSF), as the first drug for antialcoholism, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over 60 years ago. Increasing evidence indicates that DSF has great potential for the treatment of various human cancers. Several mechanisms and targets of DSF related to cancer therapy have been proposed, including the inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), cancer cell stemness and cancer metastasis, and alteration of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This article provides a brief review about the history of the use of DSF in humans and its molecular mechanisms and targets of anticancer therapy, describes DSF delivery strategies for cancer treatment, summarizes completed and ongoing cancer clinical trials involving DSF, and offers strategies to better use DSF in cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhu Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Yao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Kai Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Lin Jiao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Jiazhen Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Cheng Ni
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Q Ping Dou
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, United States
| | - Huanjie Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
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21
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Ekinci E, Rohondia S, Khan R, Dou QP. Repurposing Disulfiram as An Anti-Cancer Agent: Updated Review on Literature and Patents. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2020; 14:113-132. [PMID: 31084595 DOI: 10.2174/1574892814666190514104035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite years of success of most anti-cancer drugs, one of the major clinical problems is inherent and acquired resistance to these drugs. Overcoming the drug resistance or developing new drugs would offer promising strategies in cancer treatment. Disulfiram, a drug currently used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, has been found to have anti-cancer activity. OBJECTIVE To summarize the anti-cancer effects of Disulfiram through a thorough patent review. METHODS This article reviews molecular mechanisms and recent patents of Disulfiram in cancer therapy. RESULTS Several anti-cancer mechanisms of Disulfiram have been proposed, including triggering oxidative stress by the generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of the superoxide dismutase activity, suppression of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In addition, Disulfiram can reverse the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs by inhibiting the P-glycoprotein multidrug efflux pump and suppressing the activation of NF-kB, both of which play an important role in the development of drug resistance. Furthermore, Disulfiram has been found to reduce angiogenesis because of its metal chelating properties as well as its ability to inactivate Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and matrix metalloproteinases. Disulfiram has also been shown to inhibit the proteasomes, DNA topoisomerases, DNA methyltransferase, glutathione S-transferase P1, and O6- methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, a DNA repair protein highly expressed in brain tumors. The patents described in this review demonstrate that Disulfiram is useful as an anti-cancer drug. CONCLUSION For years the FDA-approved, well-tolerated, inexpensive, orally-administered drug Disulfiram was used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, but it has recently demonstrated anti-cancer effects in a range of solid and hematological malignancies. Its combination with copper at clinically relevant concentrations might overcome the resistance of many anti-cancer drugs in vitro, in vivo, and in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Ekinci
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology & Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Sagar Rohondia
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology & Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Raheel Khan
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology & Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Qingping P Dou
- Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology & Pathology, School of Medicine, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
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Rezaei V, Rabiee A, Khademi F. Glioblastoma multiforme: a glance at advanced therapies based on nanotechnology. J Chemother 2020; 32:107-117. [PMID: 31984871 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2020.1713508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, grade IV) is the most common malignant and invasive central nervous system tumor with poor survival outcome. Various pathogenesis signatures such as genetic mutation, hypoxia, necrosis and neo-angiogenesis are involved in GBM. Standard treatment includes surgical resection along with radiation therapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy that do not improve the overall survival of patients. In this review, we focused on the diagnosis, risk factors and novel therapies, using advanced therapies such as nanotechnology in drug delivery, gene therapy and hyperthermia that have promising roles in the treatment of aggressive brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Rezaei
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Rabiee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Khademi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Shakeri S, Ashrafizadeh M, Zarrabi A, Roghanian R, Afshar EG, Pardakhty A, Mohammadinejad R, Kumar A, Thakur VK. Multifunctional Polymeric Nanoplatforms for Brain Diseases Diagnosis, Therapy and Theranostics. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E13. [PMID: 31941057 PMCID: PMC7168063 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a barrier to prevent the central nervous system (CNS) from damage by substances that originate from the blood circulation. The BBB limits drug penetration into the brain and is one of the major clinical obstacles to the treatment of CNS diseases. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems have been tested for overcoming this barrier and releasing related drugs into the brain matrix. In this review, nanoparticles (NPs) from simple to developed delivery systems are discussed for the delivery of a drug to the brain. This review particularly focuses on polymeric nanomaterials that have been used for CNS treatment. Polymeric NPs such as polylactide (PLA), poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly (alkyl cyanoacrylate) (PACA), human serum albumin (HSA), gelatin, and chitosan are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahryar Shakeri
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman 7631818356, Iran;
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran;
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Rasoul Roghanian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746, Iran;
| | - Elham Ghasemipour Afshar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7619813159, Iran;
| | - Abbas Pardakhty
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7616911319, Iran;
| | - Reza Mohammadinejad
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7616911319, Iran;
| | - Anuj Kumar
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea
| | - Vijay Kumar Thakur
- Enhanced Composites and Structures Center, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
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Li H, Liu B, Ao H, Fu J, Wang Y, Feng Y, Guo Y, Wang X. Soybean lecithin stabilizes disulfiram nanosuspensions with a high drug-loading content: remarkably improved antitumor efficacy. J Nanobiotechnology 2020; 18:4. [PMID: 31907045 PMCID: PMC6943900 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0565-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Disulfiram (DSF) has been considered as "Repurposing drug" in cancer therapy in recent years based on its good antitumor efficacy. DSF is traditionally used as an oral drug in the treatment of alcoholism. To overcome its rapid degradation and instability, DSF nanosuspensions (DSF/SPC-NSps) were prepared using soybean lecithin (SPC) as a stabilizer of high drug-loaded content (44.36 ± 1.09%). Comprehensive characterization of the nanosuspensions was performed, and cell cytotoxicity, in vivo antitumor efficacy and biodistribution were studied. DSF/SPC-NSps, having a spherical appearance with particle size of 155 nm, could remain very stable in different physiological media, and sustained release. The in vitro MTT assay indicated that the cytotoxicity of DSF/SPC-NSps was enhanced remarkably compared to free DSF against the 4T1 cell line. The IC50 value decreased by 11-fold (1.23 vs. 13.93 μg/mL, p < 0.01). DSF/SPC-NSps groups administered via intravenous injections exhibited better antitumor efficacy compared to the commercial paclitaxel injection (PTX injection) and had a dose-dependent effect in vivo. Notably, DSF/SPC-NSps exhibited similar antitumor activity following oral administration as PTX administration via injection into a vein. These results suggest that the prepared nanosuspensions can be used as a stable delivery vehicle for disulfiram, which has potential application in breast cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Li
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151, Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Biao Liu
- Harbin University of Commerce China, Research Center ON Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Harbin, 150076, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Ao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151, Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingxin Fu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151, Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yian Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151, Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Feng
- Guangdong Jiabo Pharmaceutical CO., LTD, Jianshe 3rd Road, Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Qingyuan, 511517, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Guo
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151, Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiangtao Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 151, Malianwa North Road, Haidian District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Old wine in new bottles: Advanced drug delivery systems for disulfiram-based cancer therapy. J Control Release 2020; 319:352-359. [PMID: 31911155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Disulfiram (DSF) is an FDA-approved drug that has been repurposed for cancer treatment. It showed excellent anticancer efficacy in combination with copper ions (Cu). Several active clinical trials testing the anticancer efficacy of DSF against various cancers are underway. In this review article, we summarized different delivery strategies for DSF-based cancer therapy. In many studies, DSF and Cu were delivered in two separate formulations. DSF and Cu formed copper diethyldithiocarbamate [Cu(DDC)2] complex which was reported as a major active anticancer ingredient for DSF/Cu combination therapy. Various delivery systems for DSF and Cu were developed to enhance their delivery into tumors. The administration of preformed Cu(DDC)2 complex was also explored to achieve better anticancer efficacy. Several studies developed formulations that were capable of delivering Cu(DDC)2 complex in a single formulation. These novel formulations will address drug delivery challenges and have great potential to improve the efficacy of DSF-based cancer therapy. DSF is an off-patent drug molecule. The novel drug formulations of DSF will also serve as a good strategy for developing intellectual properties which will be critical for product development and commercialization.
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Recent advances in the delivery of disulfiram: a critical analysis of promising approaches to improve its pharmacokinetic profile and anticancer efficacy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 27:853-862. [PMID: 31758497 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-019-00308-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disulfiram (DSF) has a long history of being used as a first-line promising therapy for treatment of alcoholism in human. Besides its prominence in the treatment of alcoholism, extensive investigations have been carried out to explore other biomedical and pharmacological effects of DSF. Amongst other biomedical implications, plenty researches have shown evidence of promising anticancer efficacy of this agent for treatment of wide range of cancers such as breast cancer, liver cancer and lung carcinoma. METHODS Electronic databases, including Google scholar, PubMed and Web of science were searched with the keywords disulfiram, nanoparticles, cancer, drug delivery systems. RESULT Despite its excellent anticancer efficacy, the pharmaceutical significance and clinical applicability of DSF are hampered due to poor stability, low solubility, short plasma half-life, rapid metabolism, and early clearance from systemic circulation. Various attempts have been made to eradicate these issues. Nanotechnology based interventions have gained remarkable recognition in improving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of DSF by improving its stability and avoiding its degradation. CONCLUSION The aim of the present review is to critically analyse all recent developments in designing various nanotechnology-based delivery systems, to ponder their relevance in improving stability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, and achieving target-specific delivery of this agent to cancer cells to effectively eradicate cancer and abolish its metastasis. Nanotechnology is a novel approach for overcoming such obstacles faced presently, the results obtained so far using different novel drug delivery systems seem to be very promising to increase the stability and half-life of DSF. Graphical abstract Nanocrrier mediated drug delivery systems for disulfiram.
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The biological activity of bispecific trastuzumab/pertuzumab plant biosimilars may be drastically boosted by disulfiram increasing formaldehyde accumulation in cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16168. [PMID: 31700025 PMCID: PMC6838051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of breast cancer therapy have examined the improvement of bispecific trastuzumab/pertuzumab antibodies interacting simultaneously with two different epitopes of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Here, we describe the creation and production of plant-made bispecific antibodies based on trastuzumab and pertuzumab plant biosimilars (bi-TPB-PPB). Using surface plasmon resonance analysis of bi-TPB-PPB antibodies binding with the HER2 extracellular domain, we showed that the obtained Kd values were within the limits accepted for modified trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Despite the ability of bi-TPB-PPB antibodies to bind to Fcγ receptor IIIa and HER2 oncoprotein on the cell surface, a proliferation inhibition assay did not reveal any effect until α1,3-fucose and β1,2-xylose in the Asn297-linked glycan were removed. Another approach to activating bi-TPB-PPB may be associated with the use of disulfiram (DSF) a known aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) inhibitor. We found that disulfiram is capable of killing breast cancer cells with simultaneous formaldehyde accumulation. Furthermore, we investigated the capacity of DSF to act as an adjuvant for bi-TPB-PPB antibodies. Although the content of ALDH2 mRNA was decreased after BT-474 cell treatment with antibodies, we only observed cell proliferation inhibiting activity of bi-TPB-PPB in the presence of disulfiram. We concluded that disulfiram can serve as a booster and adjuvant for anticancer immunotherapy.
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Vu H, Zhou J, Huang Y, Hakamivala A, Khang MK, Tang L. Development of a dual-wavelength fluorescent nanoprobe for in vivo and in vitro cell tracking consecutively. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:1855-1862. [PMID: 30910476 PMCID: PMC6469702 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Many imaging probes have been developed for a wide variety of imaging modalities. However, no optical imaging probe could be utilized for both microscopic and whole animal imaging. To fill the gap, the dual-wavelength fluorescent imaging nanoprobe was developed to simultaneously carry both visible-range fluorescent dye and near-infrared (NIR) dye. Emission scan confirms that the nanoprobe exhibits two separate peaks with strong fluorescent intensity in both visible and NIR ranges. Furthermore, the dual-wavelength fluorescent nanoprobe has high photostability and colloidal stability, as well as long shelf-life. In vitro cell culture experiments show that the nanoprobe has the ability to label different types of cells (namely, esophageal, prostate, fibroblast and macrophage cell) for fluorescent microscope imaging. More importantly, cell tracking experiments confirm that cell migration and distribution in various organs can be tracked in real time using in vivo whole-body NIR imaging and in vitro microscopic imaging, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Vu
- Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA; Progenitec Inc., 7301 West Pioneer Parkway Suite B, Arlington, TX 76013, USA
| | - Jun Zhou
- Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Yihui Huang
- Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | | | - Min Kyung Khang
- Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA; Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Liping Tang
- Bioengineering Department, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
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Hussain S. Measurement of Nanoparticle-Induced Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Alterations. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1894:123-131. [PMID: 30547458 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8916-4_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria hold a critical role in cell metabolism and homeostasis. Mitochondrial injury plays central part in deciding cell fate especially in programmed cell death pathways. Various nanomaterials lead to different cell death modalities by inducing mitochondrial injury. Mitochondrial injury is manifested as multiple biochemical events ranging from altered energy production, mitochondrial outer membrane permeability, release of pro-apoptotic BCl-2 family proteins, loss of mitochondrial inner membrane potential, mitochondrial swelling, and disruption of mitochondrial structure leading to eventual lysis of mitochondria. Mitochondrial membrane permeability (loss of mitochondrial membrane potential) is a critical event in deciding cell fate. This chapter presents an overview of nanomaterial-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and discusses potential nano-specific artifacts in these assays. Finally, a detailed methodology to accurately quantify and validate the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential after nanomaterial exposures is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salik Hussain
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center, School of Medicine,, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Cancer-Specific Biomarker hNQO1-Activatable Fluorescent Probe for Imaging Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120470. [PMID: 30487423 PMCID: PMC6316840 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (hNQO1) is an important cancer-related biomarker, which shows significant overexpression in malignant cells. Developing an effective method for detecting NQO1 activity with high sensitivity and selectivity in tumors holds a great potential for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management. In the present study, we report a new dicyanoisophorone (DCP) based fluorescent probe (NQ-DCP) capable of monitoring hNQO1 activity in vitro and in vivo in both ratiometric and turn-on model. NQ-DCP was prepared by conjugating dicyanoisophorone fluoroprobe with hNQO1 activatable quinone propionic acid (QPA), which remain non-fluorescent until activation by tumor-specific hNQO1. NQ-DCP featured a large Stokes shift (145 nm), excellent biocompatibility, cell permeability, and selectivity towards hNQO1 allowed to differentiate cancer cells from healthy cells. We have successfully employed NQ-DCP to monitor non-invasive endogenous hNQO1 activity in brain tumor cells in vitro and in xenografted tumors developed in nude mice.
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Dorokhov YL, Sheshukova EV, Bialik TE, Komarova TV. Human Endogenous Formaldehyde as an Anticancer Metabolite: Its Oxidation Downregulation May Be a Means of Improving Therapy. Bioessays 2018; 40:e1800136. [PMID: 30370669 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201800136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Malignant cells are characterized by an increased content of endogenous formaldehyde formed as a by-product of biosynthetic processes. Accumulation of formaldehyde in cancer cells is combined with activation of the processes of cellular formaldehyde clearance. These mechanisms include increased ALDH and suppressed ADH5/FDH activity, which oncologists consider poor and favorable prognostic markers, respectively. Here, the sources and regulation of formaldehyde metabolism in cancer cells are reviewed. The authors also analyze the participation of oncoproteins such as fibulins, FGFR1, HER2/neu, FBI-1, and MUC1-C in the control of genes related to formaldehyde metabolism, suggesting the existence of two mutually exclusive processes in cancer cells: 1) production and 2) oxidation and elimination of formaldehyde from the cell. The authors hypothesize that the study of the anticancer properties of disulfiram and alpha lipoic acid - which affect the balance of formaldehyde in the body - may serve as the basis of future anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri L Dorokhov
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of RAS, 119991, Moscow, Russia.,A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Tatiana E Bialik
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115478, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Komarova
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of RAS, 119991, Moscow, Russia.,A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
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Punganuru SR, Madala HR, Mikelis CM, Dixit A, Arutla V, Srivenugopal KS. Conception, synthesis, and characterization of a rofecoxib-combretastatin hybrid drug with potent cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibiting and microtubule disrupting activities in colon cancer cell culture and xenograft models. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26109-26129. [PMID: 29899846 PMCID: PMC5995258 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance pose severe limitations to chemotherapy of colorectal cancers (CRCs) necessitating innovative approaches to trigger multiple cytocidal events for increased efficacy. Here, we developed a hybrid drug called KSS19 by combining the COX-2 selective NSAID rofecoxib with the cis-stilbene found in combretastatin A4 (CA4), a problematic, but potent antimicrotubule and anti-angiogenesis agent. The structural design of KSS19 completely prevented the isomerization of CA4 its biologically inactive trans-form. Molecular modeling showed that KSS19 bound avidly to the COX-2 active site and colchicine -binding site of tubulin, with similar docking scores of rofecoxib and CA4 respectively. KSS-19 showed potent anti-proliferative activity against a panel of colon cancer cell lines; HT29 cells, which are resistant to CA4 were 100 times more sensitive to KSS19. The hybrid drug potently inhibited the tubulin polymerization in vitro and in cells inducing a G2/M arrest and aberrant mitotic spindles. Both the basal and LPS-activated levels of COX-2 in colon cancer cells were highly suppressed by the KSS-19. The cancer cell migration/invasion was inhibited and accompanied by increased E-cadherin levels and activated NF-kB/Snail pathways in KSS19-treated cells. The drug also curtailed the formation of endothelial tubes in three-dimensional cultures of the HUVE cells at 250 nM, indicating strong anti-angiogenic properties. In subcutaneous HT29 colon cancer xenografts, KSS19, as a single agent (25 mg/kg/day) significantly inhibited the tumor growth and downregulated the intratumoral COX-2, Ki-67, the angiogenesis marker CD31, however, the cleaved caspase-3 was elevated. Collectively, KSS19 represents a rational hybrid drug with clinical relevance to CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra R Punganuru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Hanumantha Rao Madala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Constantinos M Mikelis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Anshuman Dixit
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Viswanath Arutla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Kalkunte S Srivenugopal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
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