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Brownjohn PW, Zoufir A, O’Donovan DJ, Sudhahar S, Syme A, Huckvale R, Porter JR, Bange H, Brennan J, Thompson NT. Computational drug discovery approaches identify mebendazole as a candidate treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1397864. [PMID: 38846086 PMCID: PMC11154008 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1397864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by numerous renal cysts, the progressive expansion of which can impact kidney function and lead eventually to renal failure. Tolvaptan is the only disease-modifying drug approved for the treatment of ADPKD, however its poor side effect and safety profile necessitates the need for the development of new therapeutics in this area. Using a combination of transcriptomic and machine learning computational drug discovery tools, we predicted that a number of existing drugs could have utility in the treatment of ADPKD, and subsequently validated several of these drug predictions in established models of disease. We determined that the anthelmintic mebendazole was a potent anti-cystic agent in human cellular and in vivo models of ADPKD, and is likely acting through the inhibition of microtubule polymerisation and protein kinase activity. These findings demonstrate the utility of combining computational approaches to identify and understand potential new treatments for traditionally underserved rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hester Bange
- Crown Bioscience Netherlands B.V., Biopartner Center Leiden JH, Leiden, Netherlands
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2
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Hong J, Kwon KY, Jang DG, Kwon T, Yoon H, Park TJ. Mebendazole preferentially inhibits cilia formation and exerts anticancer activity by synergistically augmenting DNA damage. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116434. [PMID: 38513592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116434] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The cilium is a microtubule-based organelle that plays a pivotal role in embryonic development and maintenance of physiological functions in the human body. In addition to their function as sensors that transduce diverse extracellular signals, including growth factors, fluid flow, and physical forces, cilia are intricately involved in cell cycle regulation and preservation of DNA integrity, as their formation and resorption dynamics are tightly linked to cell cycle progression. Recently, several studies have linked defects in specific ciliary proteins to the DNA damage response. However, it remains unclear whether and how primary cilia contribute to cancer development. Mebendazole (MBZ) is an anthelmintic drug with anticancer properties in some cancer cells. MBZ is continuously being tested for clinical studies, but the precise mechanism of its anticancer activities remains unknown. Here, using Xenopus laevis embryos as a model system, we discovered that MBZ significantly hinders cilia formation and induces DNA damage. Remarkably, primary cilium-bearing cancer cells exhibited heightened vulnerability to combined treatment with MBZ and conventional anticancer drugs. Our findings shed light on the specific influence of MBZ on cilia, rather than cytosolic microtubules, in triggering DNA damage, elucidating a previously unidentified mechanism underlying potential MBZ-mediated cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyeon Hong
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun Yeong Kwon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Gil Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Taejoon Kwon
- Department of Biological Medical Engineering, College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea; Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Haejin Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Joo Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Information-Bio Convergence Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea; Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Xu F, Xie L, He J, Huang Q, Shen Y, Chen L, Zeng X. Detection of common pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis via microarray data analysis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28029. [PMID: 38628735 PMCID: PMC11019104 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research reveal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is related to atherosclerosis (AS), common pathogenesis between these two diseases still needs to be explored. In current study, we explored the common pathogenesis between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and atherosclerosis (AS) by identifying 297 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) associated with both diseases. Through KEGG and GO functional analysis, we highlighted the correlation of these DEGs with crucial biological processes such as the vesicle transport, immune system process, signaling receptor binding, chemokine signaling and many others. Employing Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis, we elucidated the associations between DEGs, revealing three gene modules enriched in immune system process, vesicle, signaling receptor binding, Pertussis, and among others. Additionally, through CytoHubba analysis, we pinpointed 11 hub genes integral to intergrin-mediated signaling pathway, plasma membrane, phosphotyrosine binding, chemokine signaling pathway and so on. Further investigation via the TRRUST database identified two key Transcription Factors (TFs), SPI1 and RELA, closely linked with these hub genes, shedding light on their regulatory roles. Finally, leveraging the collective insights from hub genes and TFs, we proposed 10 potential drug candidates targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying RA and AS pathogenesis. Further investigation on xCell revealed that 14 types of cells were all different in both AS and RA. This study underscores the shared pathogenic mechanisms, pivotal genes, and potential therapeutic interventions bridging RA and AS, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Linfeng Xie
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qiuyu Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yanming Shen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Liangwan Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiaohong Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
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4
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Gutiérrez EL, Godoy AA, Brusau EV, Vega D, Narda GE, Suárez S, Di Salvo F. Mebendazolium mesylate anhydride salt: rational design based on supramolecular assembly, synthesis, and solid-state characterization. RSC Adv 2024; 14:181-192. [PMID: 38173618 PMCID: PMC10759312 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07422f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The design mebendazole (MBZ) multicomponent systems is important to obtain new materials that incorporate the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) with better thermal stability, avoiding the interconversion of desmotropes. Interestingly, the presence of water molecules in the mebendazolium mesylate monohydrate prevents the formation of the R22(8) supramolecular synthon, found in all mebendazolium salts with polyatomic counterions. Here, we designed a new mebendazolium mesylate anhydrous salt based on statistical scrutiny of all mebendazole crystal structures identified in the literature and an exhaustive analysis of the conformational and geometrical requirements for the supramolecular assembly. The synthesis of this new salt and its solid-state characterization through single-crystal X-ray diffraction and complementary techniques are presented. As expected, mebendazole recrystallization in methanol with methanesulfonic acid - a Food and Drug Administration accepted coformer - in the absence of water yields a mesylate anhydrous salt with 1 : 1 stoichiometry. This new salt crystallizes in the P212121 (19) space group. The main intermolecular interactions found in the crystal structure are the hydrogen bonds that form a R22(8) supramolecular motif that assembles the ionic pairs. Additional non-classical H-bond, as well as π⋯π and carbonyl⋯cation interactions, contribute to the final stabilization of the crystal packing. This new salt is stable up to 205 °C when it undergoes the endothermic loss of the ester moiety to yield 2-amino-5-benzoylbenzimidazole. Moreover, preliminary dissolution experiments in aqueous 0.1 mol L-1 HCl suggest an apparent solubility of mebendazolium mesylate anhydride 2.67 times higher than that of the preferred for pharmaceutical formulations MBZ form C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo L Gutiérrez
- INQUISAL-CONICET, Área de Química Física, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco y Pedernera CP 5700 San Luis Argentina
| | - Agustín A Godoy
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química (INTEQUI), Área de Química General e Inorgánica "Dr G. F. Puelles", Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis Almte. Brown 1500-1402, D5700APA, Chacabuco y Pedernera CP 5700 San Luis Argentina
| | - Elena V Brusau
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química (INTEQUI), Área de Química General e Inorgánica "Dr G. F. Puelles", Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis Almte. Brown 1500-1402, D5700APA, Chacabuco y Pedernera CP 5700 San Luis Argentina
| | - Daniel Vega
- Gerencia de Investigación y Aplicaciones, Centro Atómico Constituyentes, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica Av. Gral. Paz 1499, 1650 San Martín Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Griselda E Narda
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química (INTEQUI), Área de Química General e Inorgánica "Dr G. F. Puelles", Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis Almte. Brown 1500-1402, D5700APA, Chacabuco y Pedernera CP 5700 San Luis Argentina
| | - Sebastián Suárez
- INQUIMAE-CONICET y Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA Argentina
| | - Florencia Di Salvo
- INQUIMAE-CONICET y Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA Argentina
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5
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Chakkera M, Foote JB, Farran B, Nagaraju GP. Breaking the stromal barrier in pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189065. [PMID: 38160899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189065] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide due to the absence of early detection methods and the low success rates of traditional therapeutic strategies. Drug resistance in PC is driven by its desmoplastic stroma, which creates a barrier that shields cancer niches and prevents the penetration of drugs. The PC stroma comprises heterogeneous cellular populations and non-cellular components involved in aberrant ECM deposition, immunosuppression, and drug resistance. These components can influence PC development through intricate and complex crosstalk with the PC cells. Understanding how stromal components and cells interact with and influence the invasiveness and refractoriness of PC cells is thus a prerequisite for developing successful stroma-modulating strategies capable of remodeling the PC stroma to alleviate drug resistance and enhance therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we explore how non-cellular and cellular stromal components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages, contribute to the immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting effects of the stroma. We also examine the signaling pathways underlying their activation, tumorigenic effects, and interactions with PC cells. Finally, we discuss recent pre-clinical and clinical work aimed at developing and testing novel stroma-modulating agents to alleviate drug resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohana Chakkera
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Batoul Farran
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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Song X, Lin M, Fang T, Gong J, Wang J, Gao S, Xu X, Lv X, Gao X, Zhang J, Jiang S, Guo D. Maduramicin-guided nanotherapy: A polymeric micelles for targeted drug delivery in canine mammary tumors. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116062. [PMID: 38150878 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine mammary tumors (CMT) can severely compromise the life quality of the affected dogs through local recurrence, distant metastases and ultimately succumb to death. Recently, more attention has been given to the potential antimetastatic effect of maduramicin (MAD) on breast cancer. However, its poor aqueous solubility and toxicity to normal tissues limit its clinical application. Therefore, to address the drawbacks of MAD and enhance its anticancer and antimetastatic effects, MAD-loaded TPGS polymeric micelles (MAD-TPGS) were prepared by a thin-film hydration technique. The optimized MAD-TPGS exhibited excellent size distribution, stability and improved water solubility. Cellular uptake assays showed that TPGS polymer micelles could enhance drug internalization. Moreover, TPGS synergistically improved the cytotoxicity of MAD by targeting mitochondrial organelles, improving reactive oxygen species levels and reducing the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. More importantly, MAD-TPGS significantly impeded the metastasis of tumor cells. In vivo results further confirmed that, in addition to exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, MAD-TPGS exhibited greater antitumor efficacy than free MAD. Interestingly, MAD-TPGS displayed superior suppression of CMT metastasis via tail vein injection compared to oral administration, indicating its suitability for intravenous delivery. Overall, MAD-TPGS could be applied as a potential antimetastatic cancer agent for CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhao Song
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Mengjuan Lin
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Tian Fang
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jiahao Gong
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Junqi Wang
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shasha Gao
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaolin Xu
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xin Lv
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiuge Gao
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Junren Zhang
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shanxiang Jiang
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Dawei Guo
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China.
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Elebo N, Abdel-Shafy EA, Cacciatore S, Nweke EE. Exploiting the molecular subtypes and genetic landscape in pancreatic cancer: the quest to find effective drugs. Front Genet 2023; 14:1170571. [PMID: 37790705 PMCID: PMC10544984 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1170571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very lethal disease that typically presents at an advanced stage and is non-compliant with most treatments. Recent technologies have helped delineate associated molecular subtypes and genetic variations yielding important insights into the pathophysiology of this disease and having implications for the identification of new therapeutic targets. Drug repurposing has been evaluated as a new paradigm in oncology to accelerate the application of approved or failed target-specific molecules for the treatment of cancer patients. This review focuses on the impact of molecular subtypes on key genomic alterations in PDAC, and the progress made thus far. Importantly, these alterations are discussed in light of the potential role of drug repurposing in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nnenna Elebo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ebtesam A. Abdel-Shafy
- Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Stefano Cacciatore
- Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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da Silva EL, Mesquita FP, Aragão DR, de Sousa Portilho AJ, Marinho AD, de Oliveira LLB, Lima LB, de Moraes MEA, Souza PFN, Montenegro RC. Mebendazole targets essential proteins in glucose metabolism leading gastric cancer cells to death. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 475:116630. [PMID: 37473966 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most-diagnosed and deadly malignancies worldwide. Deregulation in cellular bioenergetics is a hallmark of cancer. Based on the importance of metabolic reprogramming for the development and cancer progression, inhibitors of cell metabolism have been studied as potential candidates for chemotherapy in oncology. Mebendazole (MBZ), an antihelminthic approved by FDA, has shown antitumoral activity against cancer cell lines. However, its potential in the modulation of tumoral metabolism remains unclear. Results evidenced that the antitumoral and cytotoxic mechanism of MBZ in GC cells is related to the modulation of the mRNA expression of glycolic targets SLC2A1, HK1, GAPDH, and LDHA. Moreover, in silico analysis has shown that these genes are overexpressed in GC samples, and this increase in expression is related to decreased overall survival rates. Molecular docking revealed that MBZ modifies the protein structure of these targets, which may lead to changes in their protein function. In vitro studies also showed that MBZ induces alterations in glucose uptake, LDH's enzymatic activity, and ATP production. Furthermore, MBZ induced morphologic and intracellular alterations typical of the apoptotic cell death pathway. Thus, this data indicated that the cytotoxic mechanism of MBZ is related to an initial modulation of the tumoral metabolism in the GC cell line. Altogether, our results provide more evidence about the antitumoral mechanism of action of MBZ towards GC cells and reveal metabolic reprogramming as a potential area in the discovery of new pharmacological targets for GC chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson Lucena da Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Felipe Pantoja Mesquita
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Dyane Rocha Aragão
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Adrhyann Jullyanne de Sousa Portilho
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Aline Diogo Marinho
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Lais Lacerda Brasil de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Luina Benevides Lima
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisabete Amaral de Moraes
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Pedro Filho Noronha Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Mister Hull Avenue- Pici, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Raquel Carvalho Montenegro
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, 1000 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil.
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9
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Joe NS, Wang Y, Oza HH, Godet I, Milki N, Riggins GJ, Gilkes DM. Mebendazole Treatment Disrupts the Transcriptional Activity of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors 1 and 2 in Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041330. [PMID: 36831670 PMCID: PMC9954103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women in the world. Mebendazole (MBZ) has been demonstrated to have preclinical efficacy across multiple cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastoma, colon, breast, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers. MBZ was also well tolerated in a recent phase I clinical trial of adults diagnosed with glioma. The mechanisms of action reported so far for MBZ include tubulin disruption, inhibiting angiogenesis, promoting apoptosis, and maintaining stemness. To elucidate additional mechanisms of action for mebendazole (MBZ), we performed RNA sequencing of three different breast cancer cell lines treated with either MBZ or vehicle control. We compared the top genes downregulated upon MBZ treatment with expression profiles of cells treated with over 15,000 perturbagens using the clue.io online analysis tool. In addition to tubulin inhibitors, the gene expression profile that correlated most with MBZ treatment matched the profile of cells treated with known hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α and -2α) inhibitors. The HIF pathway is the main driver of the cellular response to hypoxia, which occurs in solid tumors. Preclinical data support using HIF inhibitors in combination with standard of care to treat solid tumors. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that MBZ could inhibit the hypoxia response. Using RNA sequencing and HIF-reporter assays, we demonstrate that MBZ inhibits the transcriptional activity of HIFs in breast cancer cell lines and in mouse models of breast cancer by preventing the induction of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and HIF-1β protein under hypoxia. Taken together, our results suggest that MBZ treatment has additional therapeutic efficacy in the setting of hypoxia and warrants further consideration as a cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S. Joe
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Yuanfeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Harsh H. Oza
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Inês Godet
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Nubaira Milki
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Gregory J. Riggins
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Daniele M. Gilkes
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Meco D, Attinà G, Mastrangelo S, Navarra P, Ruggiero A. Emerging Perspectives on the Antiparasitic Mebendazole as a Repurposed Drug for the Treatment of Brain Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021334. [PMID: 36674870 PMCID: PMC9862092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Repurposing approved non-antitumor drugs is a promising and affordable strategy in drug discovery to identify new therapeutic uses different from the original medical indication that may help increase the number of possible, effective anticancer drugs. The use of drugs in ways other than their original FDA-approved indications could offer novel avenues such as bypassing the chemoresistance and recurrence seen with conventional therapy and treatment; moreover, it can offer a safe and economic strategy for combination therapy. Recent works have demonstrated the anticancer properties of the FDA-approved drug Mebendazole. This synthetic benzimidazole proved effective against a broad spectrum of intestinal Helminthiasis. Mebendazole can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to inhibit the malignant progression of glioma by targeting signaling pathways related to cell proliferation, apoptosis, or invasion/migration, or by increasing the sensitivity of glioma cells to conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Moreover, several preclinical models and ongoing clinical trials explore the efficacy of Mebendazole in multiple cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, brain cancer, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung carcinoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancer. The present review summarizes central literature regarding the anticancer effects of MBZ in cancer cell lines, animal tumor models, and clinical trials to suggest possible strategies for safe and economical combinations of anticancer therapies in brain cancer. Mebendazole might be an excellent candidate for the treatment of brain tumors because of its efficacy both when used as monotherapy and in combination as an enhancement to standard chemotherapeutics and radiotherapy, due to its effectiveness on tumor angiogenesis inhibition, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and targeting of critical pathways involved in cancer such as Hedgehog signaling. Therefore, attention to MBZ repurposing has recently increased because of its potential therapeutic versatility and significant clinical implications, such as reducing medical care costs and optimizing existing therapies. Using new treatments is essential, particularly when current therapeutics for patients with brain cancer fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Meco
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Attinà
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Mastrangelo
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Navarra
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Pharmacology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Ruggiero
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-3058203; Fax: +39-06-3052751
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11
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Limbu KR, Chhetri RB, Oh YS, Baek DJ, Park EY. Mebendazole Impedes the Proliferation and Migration of Pancreatic Cancer Cells through SK1 Inhibition Dependent Pathway. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238127. [PMID: 36500220 PMCID: PMC9739667 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the highest mortality rates and requires the development of highly efficacious medications that can improve the efficiency of existing treatment methods. In particular, in PDAC, resistance to conventional chemotherapy reduces the effectiveness of anticancer drugs, decreasing the therapeutic efficiency. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), produced by sphingosine kinase (SK), plays a vital role in cancer growth, metastasis, chemotherapy, and drug resistance. Focusing on the structural characteristics of mebendazole (MBZ), we studied whether MBZ would affect metastasis, invasion, and drug resistance in cancer by lowering S1P production through inhibition of SK activity. MBZ selectively inhibited SK1 more than SK2 and regulated the levels of sphingolipids. MBZ inhibited the proliferation and migration of cancer cells in other PDAC cell lines. To determine whether the effect of MBZ on cancer cell growth and migration is S1P-mediated, S1P was treated, and the growth and migration of cancer cells were observed. It was found that MBZ inhibited S1P-induced cancer cell growth, and MBZ showed a growth inhibitory effect by regulating the JAK2/STAT3/Bcl-2 pathway. The phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a transcription factor that regulates migration, was inhibited by MBZ, so it was found that the effect of MBZ regulates the migration of cancer cells through the S1P/FAK/vimentin pathway. In conclusion, our study suggests that the anthelmintic MBZ can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for treating PDAC and for structural synthesis studies of its analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khem Raj Limbu
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Yoon Sin Oh
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Jae Baek
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (D.J.B.); (E.-Y.P.)
| | - Eun-Young Park
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (D.J.B.); (E.-Y.P.)
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12
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Gales L, Forsea L, Mitrea D, Stefanica I, Stanculescu I, Mitrica R, Georgescu M, Trifanescu O, Anghel R, Serbanescu L. Antidiabetics, Anthelmintics, Statins, and Beta-Blockers as Co-Adjuvant Drugs in Cancer Therapy. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58091239. [PMID: 36143915 PMCID: PMC9503803 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, repurposed agents have provided growing evidence of fast implementation in oncology treatment such as certain antimalarial, anthelmintic, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic agents. In this study, the four agents of choice were present in our patients’ daily treatment for nonmalignant-associated pathology and have known, light toxicity profiles. It is quite common for a given patient’s daily administration schedule to include two or three of these drugs for the duration of their treatment. We chose to review the latest literature concerning metformin, employed as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes; mebendazole, as an anthelmintic; atorvastatin, as a cholesterol-lowering drug; propranolol, used in cardiovascular diseases as a nonspecific inhibitor of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. At the same time, certain key action mechanisms make them feasible antitumor agents such as for mitochondrial ETC inhibition, activation of the enzyme adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, amelioration of endogenous hyperinsulinemia, inhibition of selective tyrosine kinases (i.e., VEGFR2, TNIK, and BRAF), and mevalonate pathway inhibition. Despite the abundance of results from in vitro and in vivo studies, the only solid data from randomized clinical trials confirm metformin-related oncological benefits for only a small subset of nondiabetic patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and early-stage colorectal cancer. At the same time, clinical studies confirm metformin-related detrimental/lack of an effect for lung, breast, prostate cancer, and glioblastoma. For atorvastatin we see a clinical oncological benefit in patients and head and neck cancer, with a trend towards radioprotection of critical structures, thus supporting the role of atorvastatin as a promising agent for concomitant association with radiotherapy. Propranolol-related increased outcomes were seen in clinical studies in patients with melanoma, breast cancer, and sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurentia Gales
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine & Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Oncology, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Leyla Forsea
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Diana Mitrea
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Stefanica
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Stanculescu
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Radu Mitrica
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine & Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-741-964-311
| | - Mihai Georgescu
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine & Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Oana Trifanescu
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine & Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Rodica Anghel
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine & Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Luiza Serbanescu
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine & Pharmacy, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Radiotherapy, “Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu” Institute of Oncology, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
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13
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Eskandari M, Asgharzadeh F, Askarnia-Faal MM, Naimi H, Avan A, Ahadi M, Vossoughinia H, Gharib M, Soleimani A, Naghibzadeh N, Ferns G, Ryzhikov M, Khazaei M, Hassanian SM. Mebendazole, an anti-helminth drug, suppresses inflammation, oxidative stress and injury in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10249. [PMID: 35715495 PMCID: PMC9205960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mebendazole (MBZ) is an efficacious anthelmintic with known anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic properties. In this study, we aimed to explore the protective effects of this FDA-approved drug against DSS-induced colitis in a murine model either alone or in combination with Sulfasalazine (SSZ), a standard therapy for ulcerative colitis. We found that MBZ significantly improved colitis disease activity index as assessed by changes in body weight, degree of stool consistency, rectal bleeding, and prolapse. We also found that MBZ ameliorated the colon histopathological score by attenuating crypt loss, mucosal damage, and inflammation score in colitis tissues. Similarly, DSS-induced colon shortening, colon weight loss, and increase in spleen weight were all abrogated in the presence of MBZ. Moreover, MBZ decreased inflammation, possibly by reducing oxidative stress markers, suppressing inflammatory cell infiltration, and down-regulation of inflammatory genes in colon tissues. Furthermore, MBZ potently reduced fibrosis by decreasing collagen deposition and down-regulating pro-fibrotic genes including Col 1a1 and Col 1a2 in colitis tissue homogenates. In conclusion, our study showed that this broad-spectrum anthelminthic could be repurposed as a novel therapy for ulcerative colitis without any observed side effects, however, regarding the concerns about the potential toxicity of MBZ in UC patients, future experiments on MBZ therapy in other models of UC is needed to completely address the toxicity concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Eskandari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Asgharzadeh
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Hamideh Naimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mitra Ahadi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hassan Vossoughinia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Gharib
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atena Soleimani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Niloufar Naghibzadeh
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon Ferns
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PH, Sussex, UK
| | - Mikhail Ryzhikov
- School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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14
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Hegazy SK, El-Azab GA, Zakaria F, Mostafa MF, El-Ghoneimy RA. Mebendazole; from an anti-parasitic drug to a promising candidate for drug repurposing in colorectal cancer. Life Sci 2022; 299:120536. [PMID: 35385794 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) predominantly contributes to cancer-related mortalities secondary to distant metastasis. This study aimed at investigating anti-tumor activity and safety of mebendazole in patients with mCRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective, randomized double blind placebo-controlled study enrolled 40 mCRC patients who were randomized into two groups; the control group (n = 20) which received 6 cycles of bevacizumab with FOLFOX4 plus placebo tablets BID and mebendazole group (n = 20) which received 6 cycles of bevacizumab with FOLFOX4 plus mebendazole 500 mg orally BID for 12 weeks. Computed tomography scanning and serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), liver and renal parameters were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. One-year overall survival and progression free survival (PFS) were also determined. Data were analyzed using paired, independent sample-t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-Square and Kaplan-Meier tests and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. KEY FINDINGS Mebendazole was well tolerated and its addition to bevacizumab and FOLFOX4 enhanced tumor response to treatment which was translated by significant improvement of overall response rate 12 weeks after intervention [10 % (2) versus 65% (13) for control and mebendazole groups, respectively; p = 0.000] and significant elevation of PFS (median: 3 and 9.25 months for control and mebendazole groups, respectively; p = 0.000). Furthermore, mebendazole produced significant decline in VEGF level (p = 0.006) with non-significant variation in CEA level (p = 0.063). SIGNIFICANCE Mebendazole may represent an attractive candidate for drug repositioning against mCRC secondary to its safety and efficacy in enhancing tumor response to chemotherapy. CLINICALTRIALS GOV ID NCT03925662, retrospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar K Hegazy
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, El-Gharbia Government, El-Guiesh Street, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Gamal A El-Azab
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, El-Gharbia Government, El-Guiesh Street, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Fatma Zakaria
- Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, El-Gharbia Government, El-Guiesh Street, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed F Mostafa
- Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria Government, Egypt.
| | - Reham A El-Ghoneimy
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, El-Gharbia Government, El-Guiesh Street, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
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15
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Patient-derived tumor models are attractive tools to repurpose drugs for ovarian cancer treatment: Pre-clinical updates. Oncotarget 2022; 13:553-575. [PMID: 35359749 PMCID: PMC8959092 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in understanding of ovarian cancer biology, the progress in translation of research findings into new therapies is still slow. It is associated in part with limitations of commonly used cancer models such as cell lines and genetically engineered mouse models that lack proper representation of diversity and complexity of actual human tumors. In addition, the development of de novo anticancer drugs is a lengthy and expensive process. A promising alternative to new drug development is repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs without primary oncological purpose. These approved agents have known pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology and could be approved as anticancer drugs quicker and at lower cost. To successfully translate repurposed drugs to clinical application, an intermediate step of pre-clinical animal studies is required. To address challenges associated with reliability of tumor models for pre-clinical studies, there has been an increase in development of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), which retain key characteristics of the original patient’s tumor, including histologic, biologic, and genetic features. The expansion and utilization of clinically and molecularly annotated PDX models derived from different ovarian cancer subtypes could substantially aid development of new therapies or rapid approval of repurposed drugs to improve treatment options for ovarian cancer patients.
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16
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Angstadt S, Zhu Q, Jaffee EM, Robinson DN, Anders RA. Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cortical Mechanics and Clinical Implications. Front Oncol 2022; 12:809179. [PMID: 35174086 PMCID: PMC8843014 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.809179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers due to low therapeutic response rates and poor prognoses. Majority of patients present with symptoms post metastatic spread, which contributes to its overall lethality as the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Therapeutic approaches thus far target only one or two of the cancer specific hallmarks, such as high proliferation rate, apoptotic evasion, or immune evasion. Recent genomic discoveries reveal that genetic heterogeneity, early micrometastases, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment contribute to the inefficacy of current standard treatments and specific molecular-targeted therapies. To effectively combat cancers like PDAC, we need an innovative approach that can simultaneously impact the multiple hallmarks driving cancer progression. Here, we present the mechanical properties generated by the cell’s cortical cytoskeleton, with a spotlight on PDAC, as an ideal therapeutic target that can concurrently attack multiple systems driving cancer. We start with an introduction to cancer cell mechanics and PDAC followed by a compilation of studies connecting the cortical cytoskeleton and mechanical properties to proliferation, metastasis, immune cell interactions, cancer cell stemness, and/or metabolism. We further elaborate on the implications of these findings in disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and clinical relapse. Manipulation of the cancer cell’s mechanical system has already been shown to prevent metastasis in preclinical models, but it has greater potential for target exploration since it is a foundational property of the cell that regulates various oncogenic behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantel Angstadt
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Qingfeng Zhu
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Douglas N. Robinson
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Douglas N. Robinson, ; Robert A. Anders,
| | - Robert A. Anders
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Douglas N. Robinson, ; Robert A. Anders,
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17
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Joe NS, Godet I, Milki N, Ain NUI, Oza HH, Riggins GJ, Gilkes DM. Mebendazole prevents distant organ metastases in part by decreasing ITGβ4 expression and cancer stemness. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:98. [PMID: 36578038 PMCID: PMC9798635 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01591-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women. Approximately 15-20% of all breast cancers are highly invasive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and lack estrogen, progesterone, and ERBB2 receptors. TNBC is challenging to treat due to its aggressive nature with far fewer targeted therapies than other breast cancer subtypes. Current treatments for patients with TNBC consist of cytotoxic chemotherapies, surgery, radiation, and in some instances PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy. To advance current therapeutics, we repurposed mebendazole (MBZ), an orally available FDA-approved anthelmintic that has shown preclinical efficacy for cancers. MBZ has low toxicity in humans and efficacy in multiple cancer models including breast cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastoma, colon cancer, pancreatic and thyroid cancer. MBZ was well-tolerated in a phase I clinical trial of adults recently diagnosed with glioma. We determined that the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of MBZ in four breast cancer cell lines is well within the range reported for other types of cancer. MBZ reduced TNBC cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused G2/M cell cycle arrest. MBZ reduced the size of primary tumors and prevented lung and liver metastases. In addition, we uncovered a novel mechanism of action for MBZ. We found that MBZ reduces integrin β4 (ITGβ4) expression and cancer stem cell properties. ITGβ4 has previously been implicated in promoting "cancer stemness," which may contribute to the efficacy of MBZ. Collectively, our results contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that MBZ should be considered as a therapeutic to slow tumor progression and prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S. Joe
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Inês Godet
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
| | - Nubaira Milki
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
| | - Noor U. I. Ain
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311NIH NIDDK Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Harsh H. Oza
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Gregory J. Riggins
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Daniele M. Gilkes
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
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18
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Cyclodextrin Dispersion of Mebendazole and Flubendazole Improves In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9122185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mebendazole and flubendazole are antihelmintic drugs that have re-entered the research spotlight due to their exhibited anticancer effects, thus making them strong candidates as repurposed drugs. However, these benzimidazole derivatives exhibit poor solubility in water and various organic solvents, which limits their bioavailability. With the aim of obtaining an improved drug solubility and increased biological effect, mebendazole and flubendazole were complexed with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). The binary 1:1 conjugates were physicochemically evaluated by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy, revealing the formation of physical mixtures. The increased aqueous solubility of the binary 1:1 conjugates vs. pure benzimidazole compounds was demonstrated by performing dissolution tests. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of mebendazole and flubendazole, as well as their combination with HPBCD, was tested on two cancer cell lines, human melanoma—A375 and pulmonary adenocarcinoma—A549 by the MTT assay. The cytotoxic activity manifested in a dose-dependent manner while the presence of HPBCD increased the antiproliferative activity against the targeted cells. Treatment of A375 and A549 cell lines with the binary conjugates induced a significant inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, as revealed by high-resolution respirometry studies. Molecular docking analysis showed that one of the mechanisms related to MEB and FLU cytotoxic activity may be due to the inhibition of MEK/ERK proteins.
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