The FDA-Approved Antiviral Raltegravir Inhibits Fascin1-Dependent Invasion of Colorectal Tumor Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Monastrol suppresses invasion and metastasis in human colorectal cancer cells by targeting fascin independent of kinesin-Eg5 pathway

Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton is a prerequisite for carcinoma cells to develop cellular protrusions, which are required for migration, invasion, and metastasis. Fascin is a key protein involved in actin bundling and is expressed in aggressive and invasive carcinomas. Additionally, fascin appears to be involved in tubulin-binding and microtubule rearrangement. Pharmacophoric-based in silico screening was performed to identify compounds with better fascin inhibitory properties than migrastatin, a gold-standard fascin inhibitor. We hypothesized that monastrol displays anti-migratory and anti-invasive properties via fascin blocking in colorectal cancer cell lines. Biophysical (thermofluor and ligand titration followed by fluorescence spectroscopy), biochemical (NMR), and cellular assays (MTT, invasion of human tissue), as well as animal model studies (zebrafish invasion) were performed to characterize the inhibitory effect of monastrol on fascin activity. In silico analysis revealed that monastrol is a potential fascin-binding compound. Biophysical and biochemical assays demonstrated that monastrol binds to fascin and interferes with its actin-bundling activity. Cell culture studies, including a 3D human myoma disc model, showed that monastrol inhibited fascin-driven cytoplasmic protrusions as well as invasion. In silico, confocal microscopy, and immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that monastrol disrupted fascin-tubulin interactions. These anti-invasive effects were confirmed in vivo. In silico confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation assays were carried out to test whether monastrol disrupted the fascin-tubulin interaction. This study reports, for the first time, the in vitro and in vivo anti-invasive properties of monastrol in colorectal tumor cells. The number and types of interactions suggest potential binding of monastrol across actin and tubulin sites on fascin, which could be valuable for the development of antitumor therapies.

Zebrafish xenograft as a tool for the study of colorectal cancer: a review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death, mostly due to metastatic disease and the fact that many patients already show signs of metastasis at the time of first diagnosis. Current CRC therapies negatively impact patients' quality of life and have little to no effect on combating the tumor once the dissemination has started. Danio rerio (zebrafish) is a popular animal model utilized in cancer research. One of its main advantages is the ease of xenograft transplantation due to the fact that zebrafish larvae lack the adaptative immune system, guaranteeing the impossibility of rejection. In this review, we have presented the many works that choose zebrafish xenograft as a tool for the study of CRC, highlighting the methods used as well as the promising new therapeutic molecules that have been identified due to this animal model.

Current trends and future prospects of drug repositioning in gastrointestinal oncology

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers comprise a significant number of cancer cases worldwide and contribute to a high percentage of cancer-related deaths. To improve survival rates of GI cancer patients, it is important to find and implement more effective therapeutic strategies with better prognoses and fewer side effects. The development of new drugs can be a lengthy and expensive process, often involving clinical trials that may fail in the early stages. One strategy to address these challenges is drug repurposing (DR). Drug repurposing is a developmental strategy that involves using existing drugs approved for other diseases and leveraging their safety and pharmacological data to explore their potential use in treating different diseases. In this paper, we outline the existing therapeutic strategies and challenges associated with GI cancers and explore DR as a promising alternative approach. We have presented an extensive review of different DR methodologies, research efforts and examples of repurposed drugs within various GI cancer types, such as colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancers. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of employing the DR approach in GI cancers to inform future research endeavors and clinical trials in this field.

HIV-1 integrase inhibitor raltegravir promotes DNA damage-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma

Raltegravir, the first integrase inhibitor approved for the treatment of HIV infection, has been implicated as a promising potential in cancer treatment. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the repurposing of raltegravir as an anticancer agent and its mechanism of action in multiple myeloma (MM). Human MM cell lines (RPMI-8226, NCI H929, and U266) and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured with different concentrations of raltegravir for 48 and 72 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were then measured by MTT and Annexin V/PI assays, respectively. Protein levels of cleaved PARP, Bcl-2, Beclin-1, and phosphorylation of histone H2AX were detected by Western blotting. In addition, the mRNA levels of V(D)J recombination and DNA repair genes were analyzed using qPCR. Raltegravir treatment for 72 h significantly decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, and DNA damage in MM cells while having minimum toxicity on cell viability of normal PBMCs approximately from 200 nM (0.2 μM; p < .01 for U66 and p < .0001 for NCI H929 and RPMI 8226 cells). Furthermore, raltegravir treatment altered the mRNA levels of V(D)J recombination and DNA repair genes. We report for the first time that treatment with raltegravir is associated with decreased cell viability, apoptosis induction, DNA damage accumulation, and alteration of mRNA expression of genes involved in V(D)J recombination and DNA repair in MM cell lines, all of which show its potential for anti-myeloma effects. Hence, raltegravir may significantly impact the treatment of MM, and further studies are required to confirm its efficacy and mechanism of action in more detail in patient-derived myeloma cells and in-vivo models.

Fascin-1 in Cancer Cell Metastasis: Old Target-New Insights

As metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, understanding the cellular and molecular events that lead to cancer cell migration and invasion will certainly provide insights into novel anti-metastatic therapeutic targets. Fascin-1 is an actin-bundling protein fundamental to all physiological or pathological processes that require cell migration. It is responsible for cross-linking actin microfilaments during the formation of actin-rich cellular structures at the leading edge of migrating cells such as filopodia, lamellipodia and invadopodia. While most epithelial tissues express low levels of Fascin-1, it is dramatically elevated in the majority of cancers and its expression has been associated with more aggressive disease and decreased overall survival. Hence, it has been proposed as a potential anti-cancer target. In the present review, we studied recent literature with regard to Fascin-1 expression in different cancers, its role in altering the mechanical properties of cancer cells, promoting cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis and the effect of its inhibition, via various pharmacological inhibitors, in eliminating metastasis in vitro and/or in vivo. Recent studies corroborate the notion that Fascin-1 is critically involved in metastasis and prove that it is a valuable anti-metastatic target that is worth investigating further.

Venetoclax is a potent hepsin inhibitor that reduces the metastatic and prothrombotic phenotypes of hepsin-expressing colorectal cancer cells

Introduction: Hepsin is a type II transmembrane serine protease and its expression has been linked to greater tumorigenicity and worse prognosis in different tumors. Recently, our group demonstrated that high hepsin levels from primary tumor were associated with a higher risk of metastasis and thrombosis in localized colorectal cancer patients. This study aims to explore the molecular role of hepsin in colorectal cancer. Methods: Hepsin levels in plasma from resected and metastatic colorectal cancer patients were analyzed by ELISA. The effect of hepsin levels on cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, as well as on the activation of crucial cancer signaling pathways, was performed in vitro using colorectal cancer cells. A thrombin generation assay determined the procoagulant function of hepsin from these cells. A virtual screening of a database containing more than 2000 FDA-approved compounds was performed to screen hepsin inhibitors, and selected compounds were tested in vitro for their ability to suppress hepsin effects in colorectal cancer cells. Xenotransplantation assays were done in zebrafish larvae to study the impact of venetoclax on invasion promoted by hepsin. Results: Our results showed higher plasma hepsin levels in metastatic patients, among which, hepsin was higher in those suffering thrombosis. Hepsin overexpression increased colorectal cancer cell invasion, Erk1/2 and STAT3 phosphorylation, and thrombin generation in plasma. In addition, we identified venetoclax as a potent hepsin inhibitor that reduced the metastatic and prothrombotic phenotypes of hepsin-expressing colorectal cancer cells. Interestingly, pretreatment with Venetoclax of cells overexpressing hepsin reduced their invasiveness in vivo. Discussion: Our results demonstrate that hepsin overexpression correlates with a more aggressive and prothrombotic tumor phenotype. Likewise, they demonstrate the antitumor role of venetoclax as a hepsin inhibitor, laying the groundwork for molecular-targeted therapy for colorectal cancer.

A Phytoprostane from Gracilaria longissima Increases Platelet Activation, Platelet Adhesion to Leukocytes and Endothelial Cell Migration by Potential Binding to EP3 Prostaglandin Receptor

Plant phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) are lipid oxidative stress mediators that share structural similarities with mammal prostaglandins (PGs). They have been demonstrated to modulate inflammatory processes mediated by prostaglandins. The present study aims to test the effects of the most abundant oxylipin from Gracilaria longissima, ent-9-D1t-Phytoprostane (9-D1t-PhytoP), on platelet activation and vascular cells as well as clarify possible interactions with platelets and the endothelial EP3 receptor Platelet and monocyte activation was assessed by flow cytometry in the presence of purified 9-D1t-PhytoP. Cell migration was studied using the human Ea.hy926 cell line by performing a scratch wound healing assay. The RNA expression of inflammatory markers was evaluated by RT-PCR under inflammatory conditions. Blind docking consensus was applied to the study of the interactions of selected ligands against the EP3 receptor protein. The 9D1t-PhytoP exerts several pharmacological effects; these include prothrombotic and wound-healing properties. In endothelial cells, 9D1t-PhytP mimics the migration stimulus of PGE₂. Computational analysis revealed that 9D1t-PhytP forms a stable complex with the hydrophobic pocket of the EP3 receptor by interaction with the same residues as misoprostol and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), thus supporting its potential as an EP3 agonist. The potential to form procoagulant platelets and the higher endothelial migration rate of the 9-D1t-PhytoP, together with its capability to interact with PGE₂ main target receptor in platelets suggest herein that this oxylipin could be a strong candidate for pharmaceutical research from a multitarget perspective.

In Silico Targeting of Fascin Protein for Cancer Therapy: Benchmarking, Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Approaches

Fascin is an actin-bundling protein overexpressed in various invasive metastatic carcinomas through promoting cell migration and invasion. Therefore, blocking Fascin binding sites is considered a vital target for antimetastatic drugs. This inspired us to find new Fascin binding site blockers. First, we built an active compound set by collecting reported small molecules binding to Fascin's binding site 2. Consequently, a high-quality decoys set was generated employing DEKOIS 2.0 protocol to be applied in conducting the benchmarking analysis against the selected Fascin structures. Four docking programs, MOE, AutoDock Vina, VinaXB, and PLANTS were evaluated in the benchmarking study. All tools indicated better-than-random performance reflected by their pROC-AUC values against the Fascin crystal structure (PDB: ID 6I18). Interestingly, PLANTS exhibited the best screening performance and recognized potent actives at early enrichment. Accordingly, PLANTS was utilized in the prospective virtual screening effort for repurposing FDA-approved drugs (DrugBank database) and natural products (NANPDB). Further assessment via molecular dynamics simulations for 100 ns endorsed Remdesivir (DrugBank) and NANPDB3 (NANPDB) as potential binders to Fascin binding site 2. In conclusion, this study delivers a model for implementing a customized DEKOIS 2.0 benchmark set to enhance the VS success rate against new potential targets for cancer therapies.

Synthetic Access to Unsymmetric, Tridentate, Pyridyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole Complexants via Intramolecular Oxidative Annulation of Arylhydrazides with Heteroaryl Carbaldehydes

Over the last four decades, an ideal complexant for the chemoselective liquid-liquid separation of the minor actinides from the lanthanides contained within spent nuclear fuel has yet to be realized. As strategic performance objectives continue to evolve as a function of time, solubility in process-relevant diluents, fast complexation kinetics, as well as robustness to hydro- and radiolytic degradation remain at the forefront of this grand challenge. While the vast majority of soft-N-donors are symmetric in nature, this laboratory has focused on defining synthetic methods to afford unsymmetric complexants for further study to explore the impact subtle changes to the molecular topography of the complexant moiety have on performance, in addition to working toward the definition of structure-activity relationships. The development of an intramolecular iodine-mediated oxidative annulation of heteroaryl-aryl-hydrazones for the production of functionalized, tridentate, and unsymmetric 1,3,4-oxadiazole-based complexants is reported. Optimization of reaction conditions afforded numerous products in high isolated yield over two linear steps in one pot in one hour of reaction time. The cleanliness of the optimized conditions negated the need for the chromatographic purification of 32 of 44 examples attempted. Method development, optimization, substrate scope, application to related heteroarenes, and a scale-up reaction are described herein.

Cytoskeletal and Cytoskeleton-Associated Proteins: Key Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Properties

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells possessing stemness characteristics that are closely associated with tumor proliferation, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Recent studies have shown that different cytoskeletal components and remodeling processes have a profound impact on the behavior of CSCs. In this review, we outline the different cytoskeletal components regulating the properties of CSCs and discuss current and ongoing therapeutic strategies targeting the cytoskeleton. Given the many challenges currently faced in targeted cancer therapy, a deeper comprehension of the molecular events involved in the interaction of the cytoskeleton and CSCs will help us identify more effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs and ultimately improve patient survival.

How does plasticity of migration help tumor cells to avoid treatment: Cytoskeletal regulators and potential markers

Tumor shrinkage as a result of antitumor therapy is not the only and sufficient indicator of treatment success. Cancer progression leads to dissemination of tumor cells and formation of metastases - secondary tumor lesions in distant organs. Metastasis is associated with acquisition of mobile phenotype by tumor cells as a result of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and further cell migration based on cytoskeleton reorganization. The main mechanisms of individual cell migration are either mesenchymal, which depends on the activity of small GTPase Rac, actin polymerization, formation of adhesions with extracellular matrix and activity of proteolytic enzymes or amoeboid, which is based on the increase in intracellular pressure caused by the enhancement of actin cortex contractility regulated by Rho-ROCK-MLCKII pathway, and does not depend on the formation of adhesive structures with the matrix, nor on the activity of proteases. The ability of tumor cells to switch from one motility mode to another depending on cell context and environmental conditions, termed migratory plasticity, contributes to the efficiency of dissemination and often allows the cells to avoid the applied treatment. The search for new therapeutic targets among cytoskeletal proteins offers an opportunity to directly influence cell migration. For successful treatment it is important to assess the likelihood of migratory plasticity in a particular tumor. Therefore, the search for specific markers that can indicate a high probability of migratory plasticity is very important.

Overcoming Therapy Resistance in Colon Cancer by Drug Repurposing

Simple Summary

Despite improvements in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC), survival rates are still low. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC. In this review, we summarize the current data supporting drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Despite improvement in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies, the 5-year survival rates are as low as 10% in the metastatic setting. The increasing life expectancy of the general population, higher rates of obesity, poor diet, and comorbidities contribute to the increasing trends in incidence. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC with the advantage of treating underlying comorbidities and decreasing chemotherapy toxicity. This review elaborates on the current data that supports drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC with a focus on the evidence and mechanism of action promising repurposed candidates that are widely used, including but not limited to anti-malarial, anti-helminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic agents.

Fascin-1: Updated biological functions and therapeutic implications in cancer biology

Filopodia are cellular protrusions that respond to a variety of stimuli. Filopodia are formed when actin is bound to the protein Fascin, which may play a crucial role in cellular interactions and motility during cancer metastasis. Significantly, the noncanonical features of Fascin-1 are gradually being clarified, including the related molecular network contributing to metabolic reprogramming, chemotherapy resistance, stemness ac-tivity, and tumor microenvironment events. However, the relationship between biological characteristics and pathological features to identify effective therapeutic strategies needs to be studied further. The pur-pose of this review article is to provide a broad overview of the latest molecular networks and multiomics research regarding fascins and cancer. It also highlights their direct and indirect effects on available cancer treatments. With this multidisciplinary approach, researchers and clinicians can gain the most relevant in-formation on the function of fascins in cancer progression, which may facilitate clinical applications in the future.

Viruses in colorectal cancer

Increasing evidence suggests that microorganisms might represent at least highly interesting cofactors in colorectal cancer (CRC) oncogenesis and progression. Still, associated mechanisms, specifically in colonocytes and their microenvironmental interactions, are still poorly understood. Although, currently, at least seven viruses are being recognized as human carcinogens, only three of these – Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV) and John Cunningham virus (JCV) – have been described, with varying levels of evidence, in CRC. In addition, cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been associated with CRC in some publications, albeit not being a fully acknowledged oncovirus. Moreover, recent microbiome studies set increasing grounds for new hypotheses on bacteriophages as interesting additional modulators in CRC carcinogenesis and progression. The present Review summarizes how particular groups of viruses, including bacteriophages, affect cells and the cellular and microbial microenvironment, thereby putatively contributing to foster CRC. This could be achieved, for example, by promoting several processes – such as DNA damage, chromosomal instability, or molecular aspects of cell proliferation, CRC progression and metastasis – not necessarily by direct infection of epithelial cells only, but also by interaction with the microenvironment of infected cells. In this context, there are striking common features of EBV, CMV, HPV and JCV that are able to promote oncogenesis, in terms of establishing latent infections and affecting p53‐/pRb‐driven, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐/EGFR‐associated and especially Wnt/β‐catenin‐driven pathways. We speculate that, at least in part, such viral impacts on particular pathways might be reflected in lasting (e.g. mutational or further genomic) fingerprints of viruses in cells. Also, the complex interplay between several species within the intestinal microbiome, involving a direct or indirect impact on colorectal and microenvironmental cells but also between, for example, phages and bacterial and viral pathogens, and further novel species certainly might, in part, explain ongoing difficulties to establish unequivocal monocausal links between specific viral infections and CRC.

Fascin promotes lung cancer growth and metastasis by enhancing glycolysis and PFKFB3 expression

Fascin is a pro-metastatic actin-bundling protein that is upregulated in all metastatic carcinomas. Fascin promotes cancer cell migration and invasion by facilitating membrane protrusions, such as filopodia and invadopodia. Aerobic glycolysis is a key feature of cancer metabolism and provides critical intermediate metabolites for tumor growth. Here, we report that fascin increases glycolysis in lung cancer to promote tumor growth and metastasis. Fascin promotes glycolytic flux by increasing the expression and activities of phosphofructose-kinases 1 and 2 (PFK1 and 2). Fascin mediates glycolytic functions via activation of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) through its canonical actin-bundling activity by promoting the binding of YAP1 to a TEAD1/4 binding motif located 30 bp upstream of the PFKFB3 transcription start site to activate its transcription. Examination of the TCGA database suggests that the fascin-YAP1-PFKFB3 axis is likely conserved across different types of cancers. Importantly, pharmacological inhibitors of fascin suppressed YAP1-PFKFB3 signaling and glycolysis in cancer cell lines, organoid cultures, and xenograft metastasis models. Taken together, our data reveal that the glycolytic function of fascin is essential for the promotion of lung cancer growth and metabolism, and suggest that pharmacological inhibitors of fascin may be used to reprogram cancer metabolism in lung and potentially other cancers with fascin upregulation.

Antimicrobial Activity of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives

The worldwide development of antimicrobial resistance forces scientists to search for new compounds to which microbes would be sensitive. Many new structures contain the 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring, which have shown various antimicrobial activity, e.g., antibacterial, antitubercular, antifungal, antiprotozoal and antiviral. In many publications, the activity of new compounds exceeds the activity of already known antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, so their potential as new drugs is very promising. The review of active antimicrobial 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives is based on the literature from 2015 to 2021.

Fascin Inhibitors Decrease Cell Migration and Adhesion While Increase Overall Survival of Mice Bearing Bladder Cancers

Simple Summary

Fascin is an actin-bundling protein, and is highly expressed in metastatic tumor cells. Small molecule fascin inhibitors have been recently developed to block tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Here we have tested a new fascin inhibitor on bladder cancer cells, and showed the inhibitory effects of the fascin inhibitor on bladder cancer cell migration, adhesion, and primary tumor growth. Therefore, fascin inhibitors might provide clinical benefits to bladder cancer patients.

Abstract

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Early stage bladder tumors can be surgically removed, but these patients usually have relapses. When bladder cancer becomes metastatic, survival is very low. There is an urgent need for new treatments for metastatic bladder cancers. Here, we report that a new fascin inhibitor decreases the migration and adhesion of bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, this inhibitor decreases the primary tumor growth and increases the overall survival of mice bearing bladder cancers, alone, as well as in combination with the chemotherapy medication, cisplatin, or the immune checkpoint inhibitor, anti-PD-1 antibody. These data suggest that fascin inhibitors can be explored as a new treatment for bladder cancers.

Emerging Role of Fascin-1 in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Gastrointestinal Cancers

Simple Summary

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. The active involvement of fascin-1 in forming membrane protrusions crucial for cellular movement has been identified as an important molecular mechanism behind the phenotypic switch from the localized to the metastatic tumor. Thus, fascin-1 expression status in the malignant tissue has been utilized as an important component in determining the patient’s clinicopathological outcomes. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation and metastatic progression of GI tract cancers, its involvement in patients’ clinical outcomes, and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. Invasion of primary cancer occurs by the actin cytoskeleton remodeling, including the formation of the filopodia, stereocilia, and other finger-like membrane protrusions. The crucial step of actin remodeling in the malignant cells is mediated by the fascin protein family, with fascin-1 being the most active. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein that cross-links filamentous actin into tightly packed parallel bundles, giving rise to finger-like cell protrusions, thus equipping the cell with the machinery necessary for adhesion, motility, and invasion. Thus, fascin-1 has been noted to be a key component for determining patient diagnosis and treatment plan. Indeed, the overexpression of fascin-1 in GI tract cancers has been associated with a poor clinical prognosis and metastatic progression. Moreover, fascin-1 has received attention as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic GI tract cancers. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation of GI tract cancers, metastatic progression, and patients’ clinical outcomes.

The multiple roles of actin-binding proteins at invadopodia

Invadopodia are actin-rich membrane protrusions that facilitate cancer cell dissemination by focusing on proteolytic activity and clearing paths for migration through physical barriers, such as basement membranes, dense extracellular matrices, and endothelial cell junctions. Invadopodium formation and activity require spatially and temporally regulated changes in actin filament organization and dynamics. About three decades of research have led to a remarkable understanding of how these changes are orchestrated by sequential recruitment and coordinated activity of different sets of actin-binding proteins. In this chapter, we provide an update on the roles of the actin cytoskeleton during the main stages of invadopodium development with a particular focus on actin polymerization machineries and production of pushing forces driving extracellular matrix remodeling.