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Koh B, Ryu JY, Noh JJ, Hwang JR, Choi JJ, Cho YJ, Jang J, Jo JH, Lee K, Lee JW. Anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole derivative BNZ-111 on paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2024; 188:60-70. [PMID: 38936282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ovarian cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, remains a formidable challenge, especially in the context of platinum-resistant disease. This study investigated the potential of the benzimidazole derivative BNZ-111 as a novel treatment strategy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS The human EOC cell lines A2780, HeyA8, SKOV3ip1, A2780-CP20, HeyA8-MDR, and SKOV3-TR were treated with BNZ-111, and cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were assessed. RESULTS It demonstrated strong cytotoxicity in both chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments using orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft models showed significant tumor growth inhibition without apparent toxicity to vital organs. Unlike paclitaxel, BNZ-111 proved effective in paclitaxel-resistant cells, potentially by bypassing interaction with MDR1 and modulating β-3 tubulin expression to suppress microtubule dynamics. CONCLUSION BNZ-111, with favorable drug-like properties, holds promise as a therapeutic option for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, addressing a critical clinical need in gynecologic oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byumseok Koh
- Bio and Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yoon Ryu
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Joseph J Noh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ryoung Hwang
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Joo Choi
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jae Cho
- Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoon Jang
- Bio and Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hyeon Jo
- Bio and Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangho Lee
- Bio and Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeong-Won Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Nguyen NT, Sennoune SR, Dharmalingam-Nandagopal G, Sivaprakasam S, Bhutia YD, Ganapathy V. Impact of Oncogenic Changes in p53 and KRAS on Macropinocytosis and Ferroptosis in Colon Cancer Cells and Anticancer Efficacy of Niclosamide with Differential Effects on These Two Processes. Cells 2024; 13:951. [PMID: 38891084 PMCID: PMC11171492 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110951] [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: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in p53 and KRAS are seen in most cases of colon cancer. The impact of these mutations on signaling pathways related to cancer growth has been studied in depth, but relatively less is known on their effects on amino acid transporters in cancer cells. This represents a significant knowledge gap because amino acid nutrition in cancer cells profoundly influences macropinocytosis and ferroptosis, two processes with opposing effects on tumor growth. Here, we used isogenic colon cancer cell lines to investigate the effects of p53 deletion and KRAS activation on two amino acid transporters relevant to macropinocytosis (SLC38A5) and ferroptosis (SLC7A11). Our studies show that the predominant effect of p53 deletion is to induce SLC7A11 with the resultant potentiation of antioxidant machinery and protection of cancer cells from ferroptosis, whereas KRAS activation induces not only SLC7A11 but also SLC38A5, thus offering protection from ferroptosis as well as improving amino acid nutrition in cancer cells via accelerated macropinocytosis. Niclosamide, an FDA-approved anti-helminthic, blocks the functions of SLC7A11 and SLC38A5, thus inducing ferroptosis and suppressing macropinocytosis, with the resultant effective reversal of tumor-promoting actions of oncogenic changes in p53 and KRAS. These findings underscore the potential of this drug in colon cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (N.T.N.); (S.R.S.); (G.D.-N.); (S.S.); (Y.D.B.)
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3
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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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4
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Fatima I, Ahmad R, Barman S, Gowrikumar S, Pravoverov K, Primeaux M, Fisher KW, Singh AB, Dhawan P. Albendazole inhibits colon cancer progression and therapy resistance by targeting ubiquitin ligase RNF20. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1046-1058. [PMID: 38278978 PMCID: PMC10951408 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02570-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The repurposing of FDA-approved drugs for anti-cancer therapies is appealing due to their established safety profiles and pharmacokinetic properties and can be quickly moved into clinical trials. Cancer progression and resistance to conventional chemotherapy remain the key hurdles in improving the clinical management of colon cancer patients and associated mortality. METHODS High-throughput screening (HTS) was performed using an annotated library of 1,600 FDA-approved drugs to identify drugs with strong anti-CRC properties. The candidate drug exhibiting most promising inhibitory effects in in-vitro studies was tested for its efficacy using in-vivo models of CRC progression and chemoresistance and patient derived organoids (PTDOs). RESULTS Albendazole, an anti-helminth drug, demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on the tumorigenic potentials of CRC cells, xenograft tumor growth and organoids from mice. Also, albendazole sensitized the chemoresistant CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin suggesting potential to treat chemoresistant CRC. Mechanistically, Albendazole treatment modulated the expression of RNF20, to promote apoptosis in CRC cells by delaying the G2/M phase and suppressing anti-apoptotic-Bcl2 family transcription. CONCLUSIONS Albendazole, an FDA approved drug, carries strong therapeutic potential to treat colon cancers which are aggressive and potentially resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Our findings also lay the groundwork for further clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iram Fatima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Susmita Barman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Saiprasad Gowrikumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kristina Pravoverov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mark Primeaux
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kurt W Fisher
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Amar B Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA.
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5
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Aliabadi A, Haghshenas MR, Kiani R, Koohi-Hosseinabadi O, Purkhosrow A, Pirsalami F, Panjehshahin MR, Erfani N. In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of mebendazole in colon cancer: a promising drug repositioning. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:2379-2388. [PMID: 37837472 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers and one of the main causes of death worldwide. Therefore, new treatment methods with better efficiency and fewer risks are very necessary. Mebendazole (MBZ), a drug commonly used for helminthic infections, has recently received attention as a suitable candidate for the treatment of various cancers. This study aimed to investigate, in vitro and in vivo, anticancer activity and selectivity Index of MBZ on colon cancer. HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma) and MCF-10 (non-tumorigenic epithelial) cell lines were treated with MBZ and Doxorubicin (DOX; positive control drug). IC50 values were estimated using methyl thiazole diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We employed flow cytometry using annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide dyes. For the animal study, colon cancer was subcutaneously induced by CT26 cells (mouse colon cancer) in Bulb/C mice. The mice were treated with 0.05 of LD50, intraperitoneal, every other day for 35 days. Finally, the survival rate, tumor volume, and tumor weight were calculated. Our results demonstrated that IC50 values after 72 h for HT29 and MCF-10 cell lines were 0.29 ± 0.04 µM and 0.80 ± 0.02 µM, respectively. MBZ was more selective than DOX in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells compared to normal cells (2. 75 vs. 2.45). Annexin V/PI staining demonstrated that MBZ treatment at IC50 concentrations induced (78 ± 12%) apoptosis in the HT29 cancer cell line after 48 h (P ≤ 0.0001). Also, in mice bearing colon cancer, MBZ significantly reduced the tumor volume (1177 ± 1109 mm3; P ≤ 0.001) and tumor weight (2.30 ± 1.97 g; P ≤ 0.0001) compared to the negative control group (weight 12.45 ± 2.0 g; volume 7346 ± 1077). Also, MBZ increases mean survival time (MST) and increase life span (ILS) percentage in the animal study (51.2 ± 37% vs 93%, respectively). This study suggests that mebendazole strongly and selectively inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells. It may be, accordingly, a promising drug for clinical research and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Aliabadi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Haghshenas
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Razie Kiani
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Azar Purkhosrow
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatema Pirsalami
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Panjehshahin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Nasrollah Erfani
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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6
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Gholami MH, Rassouli A, Mirzaei S, Hashemi F. The potential immunomodulatory effect of levamisole in humans and farm animals. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10:620-629. [PMID: 38370882 PMCID: PMC10868701 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2023.j717] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This study conducted a literature review to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of levamisole in both humans and farm animals. The following procedure was followed for database searching: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. All research works were updated to September 2022. The terms used in the literature search were included: ("levamisole" OR "immunity" OR "immune system") AND ("adjuvant" OR "fish" OR "poultry" OR "farm animal" OR "cattle" OR "sheep"). The current review enlightens the extensive potential of levamisole as an adjuvant immunotherapeutic agent and explains its divergent applications beyond its antiparasitic use as an adjuvant, dietary supplement, immunostimulant, antiviral, and anti-cancer drug in humans and farm animals. In the articles examined, various mechanisms have been proposed for levamisole immunoprotective effects, but hormonal alteration and stress hormone reduction are indicated as the main mechanisms in various animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Rassouli
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Hashemi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Cano-González L, Espinosa-Mendoza JD, Matadamas-Martínez F, Romero-Velásquez A, Flores-Ramos M, Colorado-Pablo LF, Cerbón-Cervantes MA, Castillo R, González-Sánchez I, Yépez-Mulia L, Hernández-Campos A, Aguayo-Ortiz R. Structure-Based Optimization of Carbendazim-Derived Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors through Alchemical Free Energy Calculations. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7228-7238. [PMID: 37947759 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Carbendazim derivatives, commonly used as antiparasitic drugs, have shown potential as anticancer agents due to their ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cancer cells by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Crystallographic structures of α/β-tubulin multimers complexed with nocodazole and mebendazole, two carbendazim derivatives with potent anticancer activity, highlighted the possibility of designing compounds that occupy both benzimidazole- and colchicine-binding sites. In addition, previous studies have demonstrated that the incorporation of a phenoxy group at position 5/6 of carbendazim increases the antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines. Despite the significant progress made in identifying new tubulin-targeting anticancer compounds, further modifications are needed to enhance their potency and safety. In this study, we explored the impact of modifying the phenoxy substitution pattern on antiproliferative activity. Alchemical free energy calculations were used to predict the binding free energy difference upon ligand modification and define the most viable path for structure optimization. Based on these calculations, seven compounds were synthesized and evaluated against lung and colon cancer cell lines. Our results showed that compound 5a, which incorporates an α-naphthyloxy substitution, exhibits the highest antiproliferative activity against both cancer lines (SK-LU-1 and SW620, IC50 < 100 nM) and induces morphological changes in the cells associated with mitotic arrest and mitotic catastrophe. Nevertheless, the tubulin polymerization assay showed that 5a has a lower inhibitory potency than nocodazole. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that this low antitubulin activity could be associated with the loss of the key H-bond interaction with V236. This study provides insights into the design of novel carbendazim derivatives with anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cano-González
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Johan D Espinosa-Mendoza
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Ariana Romero-Velásquez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Miguel Flores-Ramos
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Yucatán 97357, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Colorado-Pablo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Ignacio González-Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Aguayo-Ortiz
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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8
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Mohi-Ud-Din R, Chawla A, Sharma P, Mir PA, Potoo FH, Reiner Ž, Reiner I, Ateşşahin DA, Sharifi-Rad J, Mir RH, Calina D. Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:345. [PMID: 37710280 PMCID: PMC10500791 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01275-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with predictions of increasing prevalence in the coming years due to limited prevention, late diagnosis, and inadequate success with current therapies. In addition, the high cost of new anti-cancer drugs creates barriers in meeting the medical needs of cancer patients, especially in developing countries. The lengthy and costly process of developing novel drugs further hinders drug discovery and clinical implementation. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in repurposing approved drugs for other diseases to address the urgent need for effective cancer treatments. The aim of this comprehensive review is to provide an overview of the potential of approved non-oncology drugs as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. These drugs come from various chemotherapeutic classes, including antimalarials, antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antifungals, and have demonstrated significant antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the repurposing of approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Various electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were searched using appropriate keywords. Studies focusing on the therapeutic potential, mechanisms of action, efficacy, and clinical prospects of repurposed drugs in cancer treatment were included in the analysis. The review highlights the promising outcomes of repurposing approved non-oncology drugs for cancer therapy. Drugs belonging to different therapeutic classes have demonstrated notable antitumor effects, including inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, modulating the immune response, and suppressing metastasis. These findings suggest the potential of these repurposed drugs as effective therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Repurposing approved non-oncology drugs provides a promising strategy for addressing the urgent need for effective and accessible cancer treatments. The diverse classes of repurposed drugs, with their demonstrated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and antimetastatic properties, offer new avenues for cancer therapy. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to explore the full potential of these repurposed drugs and optimize their use in treating various cancer types. Repurposing approved drugs can significantly expedite the process of identifying effective treatments and improve patient outcomes in a cost-effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roohi Mohi-Ud-Din
- Department of General Medicine, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190001, India
| | - Apporva Chawla
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, G.T. Road, Amritsar, Punjab, 143001, India
| | - Pooja Sharma
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, G.T. Road, Amritsar, Punjab, 143001, India
| | - Prince Ahad Mir
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, G.T. Road, Amritsar, Punjab, 143001, India
| | - Faheem Hyder Potoo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Željko Reiner
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Reiner
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dilek Arslan Ateşşahin
- Baskil Vocational School, Department of Plant and Animal Production, Fırat University, 23100, Elazıg, Turkey
| | | | - Reyaz Hassan Mir
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190006, India.
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349, Craiova, Romania.
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9
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Laudisi F, Stolfi C. Advances in Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer Treatment: Editorial to the Special Issue "State-of-the-Art Molecular Oncology in Italy". Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108929. [PMID: 37240286 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the most common causes of death worldwide, mainly due to late diagnosis and the lack of efficient therapeutic options for patients with advanced diseases [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
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10
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Stolfi C, Pacifico T, Luiz-Ferreira A, Monteleone G, Laudisi F. Anthelmintic Drugs as Emerging Immune Modulators in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076446. [PMID: 37047419 PMCID: PMC10094506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in treatment approaches, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Restoration of tumor immune surveillance represents a valid strategy to overcome the acquired resistance and cytotoxicity of conventional therapies in oncology and immunotherapeutic drugs, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and immunogenic cell death inducers, and has substantially progressed the treatment of several malignancies and improved the clinical management of advanced disease. Unfortunately, because of tumor-intrinsic and/or -extrinsic mechanisms for escaping immune surveillance, only a fraction of patients clinically respond to and benefit from cancer immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence derived from studies of drug repositioning, that is, the strategy to identify new uses for approved or investigational drugs that are outside the scope of the original medical indication, has suggested that some anthelmintic drugs, in addition to their antineoplastic effects, exert important immunomodulatory actions on specific subsets of immune cell and related pathways. In this review, we report and discuss current knowledge on the impact of anthelmintic drugs on host immunity and their potential implication in cancer immunotherapy.
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11
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Repurposing Benztropine, Natamycin, and Nitazoxanide Using Drug Combination and Characterization of Gastric Cancer Cell Lines. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030799. [PMID: 36979779 PMCID: PMC10044866 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) ranked as the fifth most incident cancer in 2020 and the third leading cause of cancer mortality. Surgical prevention and radio/chemotherapy are the main approaches used in GC treatment, and there is an urgent need to explore and discover innovative and effective drugs to better treat this disease. A new strategy arises with the use of repurposed drugs. Drug repurposing coupled with drug combination schemes has been gaining interest in the scientific community. The main objective of this project was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of alternative drugs in GC. For that, three GC cell lines (AGS, MKN28, and MKN45) were used and characterized. Cell viability assays were performed with the reference drug 5-fluororacil (5-FU) and three repurposed drugs: natamycin, nitazoxanide, and benztropine. Nitazoxanide displayed the best results, being active in all GC cells. Further, 5-FU and nitazoxanide in combination were tested in MKN28 GC cells, and the results obtained showed that nitazoxanide alone was the most promising drug for GC therapy. This work demonstrated that the repurposing of drugs as single agents has the ability to decrease GC cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner.
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Sennoune SR, Nandagopal GD, Ramachandran S, Mathew M, Sivaprakasam S, Jaramillo-Martinez V, Bhutia YD, Ganapathy V. Potent Inhibition of Macropinocytosis by Niclosamide in Cancer Cells: A Novel Mechanism for the Anticancer Efficacy for the Antihelminthic. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:759. [PMID: 36765717 PMCID: PMC9913174 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Niclosamide, a drug used to treat tapeworm infection, possesses anticancer effects by interfering with multiple signaling pathways. Niclosamide also causes intracellular acidification. We have recently discovered that the amino acid transporter SLC38A5, an amino acid-dependent Na+/H+ exchanger, activates macropinocytosis in cancer cells via amino acid-induced intracellular alkalinization. Therefore, we asked whether niclosamide will block basal and SLC38A5-mediated macropinocytosis via intracellular acidification. We monitored macropinocytosis in pancreatic and breast cancer cells using TMR-dextran and the function of SLC38A5 by measuring Li+-stimulated serine uptake. The peptide transporter activity was measured by the uptake of glycylsarcosine. Treatment of the cancer cells with niclosamide caused intracellular acidification. The drug blocked basal and serine-induced macropinocytosis with differential potency, with an EC50 of ~5 μM for the former and ~0.4 μM for the latter. The increased potency for amino acid-mediated macropinocytosis is due to direct inhibition of SLC38A5 by niclosamide in addition to the ability of the drug to cause intracellular acidification. The drug also inhibited the activity of the H+-coupled peptide transporter. We conclude that niclosamide induces nutrient starvation in cancer cells by blocking macropinocytosis, SLC38A5 and the peptide transporter. These studies uncover novel, hitherto unknown, mechanisms for the anticancer efficacy of this antihelminthic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souad R. Sennoune
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | | | - Sabarish Ramachandran
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Marilyn Mathew
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Sathish Sivaprakasam
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Valeria Jaramillo-Martinez
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Yangzom D. Bhutia
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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Doumat G, Daher D, Zerdan MB, Nasra N, Bahmad HF, Recine M, Poppiti R. Drug Repurposing in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Old Solutions for New Problems. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:704-719. [PMID: 36661704 PMCID: PMC9858415 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 2022. The majority (80%) of lung cancer cases belong to the non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) subtype. Despite the increased screening efforts, the median five-year survival of metastatic NSCLC remains low at approximately 3%. Common treatment approaches for NSCLC include surgery, multimodal chemotherapy, and concurrent radio and chemotherapy. NSCLC exhibits high rates of resistance to treatment, driven by its heterogeneity and the plasticity of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Drug repurposing offers a faster and cheaper way to develop new antineoplastic purposes for existing drugs, to help overcome therapy resistance. The decrease in time and funds needed stems from the availability of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to be repurposed. This review provides a synopsis of the drug-repurposing approaches and mechanisms of action of potential candidate drugs used in treating NSCLC, including but not limited to antihypertensives, anti-hyperlipidemics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-diabetics, and anti-microbials.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Doumat
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Darine Daher
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Morgan Bou Zerdan
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Nasri Nasra
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo, Aleppo 15310, Syria
| | - Hisham F. Bahmad
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
| | - Monica Recine
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Robert Poppiti
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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Nwosu GO, Powell JA, Pitson SM. Targeting the integrated stress response in hematologic malignancies. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:94. [DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00348-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractWhile numerous targeted therapies have been recently adopted to improve the treatment of hematologic malignancies, acquired or intrinsic resistance poses a significant obstacle to their efficacy. Thus, there is increasing need to identify novel, targetable pathways to further improve therapy for these diseases. The integrated stress response is a signaling pathway activated in cancer cells in response to both dysregulated growth and metabolism, and also following exposure to many therapies that appears one such targetable pathway for improved treatment of these diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of the integrated stress response in the biology of hematologic malignancies, its critical involvement in the mechanism of action of targeted therapies, and as a target for pharmacologic modulation as a novel strategy for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
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Rafoxanide sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113794. [PMID: 36271571 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Pindjakova D, Pilarova E, Pauk K, Michnova H, Hosek J, Magar P, Cizek A, Imramovsky A, Jampilek J. Study of Biological Activities and ADMET-Related Properties of Salicylanilide-Based Peptidomimetics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911648. [PMID: 36232947 PMCID: PMC9569995 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of eleven benzylated intermediates and eleven target compounds derived from salicylanilide were tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 as reference strains and against three clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and three isolates of vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis. In addition, the compounds were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and M. smegmatis ATCC 700084. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds was assessed using the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. The lipophilicity of the prepared compounds was experimentally determined and correlated with biological activity. The benzylated intermediates were found to be completely biologically inactive. Of the final eleven compounds, according to the number of amide groups in the molecule, eight are diamides, and three are triamides that were inactive. 5-Chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[(2S)- 4-(methylsulfanyl)-1-oxo-1-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino}butan-2-yl]benzamide (3e) and 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[(2S)-(4-methyl-1-oxo-1-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino)pentan-2-yl)benzamide (3f) showed the broadest spectrum of activity against all tested species/isolates comparable to the used standards (ampicillin and isoniazid). Six diamides showed high antistaphylococcal activity with MICs ranging from 0.070 to 8.95 μM. Three diamides showed anti-enterococcal activity with MICs ranging from 4.66 to 35.8 μM, and the activities of 3f and 3e against M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis were MICs of 18.7 and 35.8 μM, respectively. All the active compounds were microbicidal. It was observed that the connecting linker between the chlorsalicylic and 4-CF3-anilide cores must be substituted with a bulky and/or lipophilic chain such as isopropyl, isobutyl, or thiabutyl chain. Anticancer activity on THP-1 cells IC50 ranged from 1.4 to >10 µM and increased with increasing lipophilicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Pindjakova
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eliska Pilarova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 95, 530 09 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Pauk
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 95, 530 09 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Michnova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hosek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pratibha Magar
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 95, 530 09 Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Alois Cizek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Imramovsky
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Studentska 95, 530 09 Pardubice, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
| | - Josef Jampilek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, Slechtitelu 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Song B, Park EY, Kim KJ, Ki SH. Repurposing of Benzimidazole Anthelmintic Drugs as Cancer Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194601. [PMID: 36230527 PMCID: PMC9559625 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although non-prescription anthelmintics are often used for cancer treatment, there is a lack of information regarding their anti-cancer effects in clinical settings. The aims of our review are to describe the possibilities and limitations of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics and to suggest ways to overcome these limitations. The results of the current review illustrate the potential development of anthelmintics as a useful strategy for cancer treatment based on much preclinical evidence. Furthermore, they suggest that more rigorous studies on whole anti-cancer pathways and development strategies, including formulations, could result in significantly enhanced anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles as a repurposed cancer therapy in clinical settings. Abstract Benzimidazoles have shown significant promise for repurposing as a cancer therapy. The aims of this review are to investigate the possibilities and limitations of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics and to suggest ways to overcome these limitations. This review included studies on the anti-cancer effects of 11 benzimidazoles. Largely divided into three parts, i.e., preclinical anti-cancer effects, clinical anti-cancer effects, and pharmacokinetic properties, we examine the characteristics of each benzimidazole and attempt to elucidate its key properties. Although many studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles, there is limited evidence regarding their effects in clinical settings. This might be because the clinical trials conducted using benzimidazoles failed to restrict their participants with specific criteria including cancer entities, cancer stages, and genetic characteristics of the participants. In addition, these drugs have limitations including low bioavailability, which results in insufficient plasma concentration levels. Additional studies on whole anti-cancer pathways and development strategies, including formulations, could result significant enhancements of the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazoles in clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomi Song
- Graduate School of Clinical Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea
| | - Eun Young Park
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Korea
| | - Kwang Joon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Mokpo 58554, Korea
- Correspondence: (K.J.K.); (S.H.K.); Tel.: +82-61-450-2334 (K.J.K.); +82-62-230-6639 (S.H.K.)
| | - Sung Hwan Ki
- Graduate School of Clinical Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea
- Correspondence: (K.J.K.); (S.H.K.); Tel.: +82-61-450-2334 (K.J.K.); +82-62-230-6639 (S.H.K.)
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Koohi Moftakhari Esfahani M, Alavi SE, Cabot PJ, Islam N, Izake EL. Application of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy and Delivery of Repurposed Anthelmintics for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081579. [PMID: 36015204 PMCID: PMC9415106 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the biomedical application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), mainly focusing on the therapeutic application of MSNs for cancer treatment and specifically on overcoming the challenges of currently available anthelmintics (e.g., low water solubility) as repurposed drugs for cancer treatment. MSNs, due to their promising features, such as tunable pore size and volume, ability to control the drug release, and ability to convert the crystalline state of drugs to an amorphous state, are appropriate carriers for drug delivery with the improved solubility of hydrophobic drugs. The biomedical applications of MSNs can be further improved by the development of MSN-based multimodal anticancer therapeutics (e.g., photosensitizer-, photothermal-, and chemotherapeutics-modified MSNs) and chemical modifications, such as poly ethyleneglycol (PEG)ylation. In this review, various applications of MSNs (photodynamic and sonodynamic therapies, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy) and, in particular, as the carrier of anthelmintics for cancer therapy have been discussed. Additionally, the issues related to the safety of these nanoparticles have been deeply discussed. According to the findings of this literature review, the applications of MSN nanosystems for cancer therapy are a promising approach to improving the efficacy of the diagnostic and chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, the MSN systems seem to be an efficient strategy to further help to decrease treatment costs by reducing the drug dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Koohi Moftakhari Esfahani
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Seyed Ebrahim Alavi
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4215, Australia;
| | - Peter J. Cabot
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Nazrul Islam
- School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control (CIIC), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Emad L. Izake
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-3138-2501
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Zhao C, Yu H, Fan X, Niu W, Fan J, Sun S, Gong M, Zhao B, Fang Z, Chen X. GSK3β palmitoylation mediated by ZDHHC4 promotes tumorigenicity of glioblastoma stem cells in temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma through the EZH2-STAT3 axis. Oncogenesis 2022; 11:28. [PMID: 35606353 PMCID: PMC9126914 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-022-00402-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are a highly tumorigenic cell subgroup of glioblastoma (GBM). Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is considered a key hub for promoting malignant phenotypes in GBM. However, the functional relationships between GSK3β and GSCs in GBM are unclear. Here, we found that GSK3β was noted as a substrate for ZDHHC4-mediated palmitoylation at the Cys14 residue, which enhanced GBM temozolomide (TMZ) resistance and GSC self-renewal. Clinically, the expression level of ZDHHC4 was upregulated in GBM, which significantly correlated with tumor grade and poor prognosis. The above phenotypes were based on decreasing p-Ser9 and increasing p-Tyr216 by GSK3β palmitoylation, which further activated the enhancer of the zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-STAT3 pathway. Notably, STAT3 silencing also inhibited ZDHHC4 expression. This study revealed that GSK3β palmitoylation mediated by ZDHHC4 improved the stemness of TMZ-resistant GBM by activating the EZH2-STAT3 signaling axis, providing a new theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of TMZ resistance and recurrence after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenggang Zhao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huihan Yu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoqing Fan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), No. 17, Lu Jiang Road, 230001, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wanxiang Niu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Junqi Fan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Suling Sun
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Meiting Gong
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bing Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 678, Fu Rong Road, 230601, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Zhiyou Fang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Xueran Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,Science Island Branch, Graduate School of University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230026, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, 230031, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science & Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, 230027, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Jampilek J. Drug repurposing to overcome microbial resistance. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2028-2041. [PMID: 35561965 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Infections are a growing global threat, and the number of resistant species of microbial pathogens is alarming. However, the rapid development of cross-resistant or multidrug-resistant strains and the development of so-called 'superbugs' are in stark contrast to the number of newly launched anti-infectives on the market. In this review, I summarize the causes of antimicrobial resistance, briefly discuss different approaches to the discovery and development of new anti-infective drugs, and focus on drug repurposing strategy, which is discussed from all possible perspectives. A comprehensive overview of drugs of other indications tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activity to support existing anti-infective therapeutics is provided, including several critical remarks on this strategy of repurposing non-antibiotics to antibacterial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Jampilek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovicova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Slechtitelu 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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21
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El Zarif T, Yibirin M, De Oliveira-Gomes D, Machaalani M, Nawfal R, Bittar G, Bahmad HF, Bitar N. Overcoming Therapy Resistance in Colon Cancer by Drug Repurposing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092105. [PMID: 35565237 PMCID: PMC9099737 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talal El Zarif
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Marcel Yibirin
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02218, USA;
| | - Diana De Oliveira-Gomes
- Department of Research, Foundation for Clinic, Public Health, and Epidemiological Research of Venezuela (FISPEVEN), Caracas 1050, Venezuela;
| | - Marc Machaalani
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Rashad Nawfal
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | | | - Hisham F. Bahmad
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-786-961-0216
| | - Nizar Bitar
- Head of Hematology-Oncology Division, Sahel General Hospital, Beirut 1002, Lebanon;
- President of the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology (LSMO), Beirut 1003, Lebanon
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22
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Sultana T, Jan U, Lee JI. Double Repositioning: Veterinary Antiparasitic to Human Anticancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084315. [PMID: 35457127 PMCID: PMC9029030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning, the approach of discovering different uses for existing drugs, has gained enormous popularity in recent years in the anticancer drug discovery field due to the increasing demand for anticancer drugs. Additionally, the repurposing of veterinary antiparasitic drugs for the treatment of cancer is gaining traction, as supported by existing literature. A prominent example is the proposal to implement the use of veterinary antiparasitics such as benzimidazole carbamates and halogenated salicylanilides as novel anticancer drugs. These agents have revealed pronounced anti-tumor activities and gained special attention for “double repositioning”, as they are repurposed for different species and diseases simultaneously, acting via different mechanisms depending on their target. As anticancer agents, these compounds employ several mechanisms, including the inhibition of oncogenic signal transduction pathways of mitochondrial respiration and the inhibition of cellular stress responses. In this review, we summarize and provide valuable information about the experimental, preclinical, and clinical trials of veterinary antiparasitic drugs available for the treatment of various cancers in humans. This review suggests the possibility of new treatment options that could improve the quality of life and outcomes for cancer patients in comparison to the currently used treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Sultana
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.S.); (U.J.)
| | - Umair Jan
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.S.); (U.J.)
| | - Jeong Ik Lee
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (T.S.); (U.J.)
- Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2049-6234
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23
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Sun JY, Ni MM. Long non-coding RNA HEIH: a novel tumor activator in multiple cancers. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:558. [PMID: 34689775 PMCID: PMC8543845 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed the altered expression levels of long non-coding RNA HEIH in different types of cancer. More than half of the HEIH studies in cancer have been published within the last two years. To our knowledge, this is the first review to discuss very recent developments and insights into HEIH contribution to carcinogenesis. The functional role, molecular mechanism, and clinical significance of HEIH in human cancers are described in detail. The expression of HEIH is elevated in a broad spectrum of cancers, and its disorder contributes to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance of cancer cells through different underlying mechanisms. In addition, the high expression of HEIH is significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, tumor size and decreased overall survival, suggesting HEIH may function as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Yu Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Ming Ni
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Rd., Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Jayawardene KLTD, Palombo EA, Boag PR. Natural Products Are a Promising Source for Anthelmintic Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1457. [PMID: 34680090 PMCID: PMC8533416 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes infect almost all forms of life. In the human context, parasites are one of the major causative factors for physical and intellectual growth retardation in the developing world. In the agricultural setting, parasites have a great economic impact through a reduction in livestock performance or control cost. The main method of controlling these devastating conditions is the use of anthelmintic drugs. Unfortunately, there are only a few anthelmintic drug classes available in the market and significant resistance has developed in most of the parasitic species of livestock. Therefore, development of new anthelmintics with different modes of action is critical for sustainable parasitic control in the future. The drug development pipeline is broadly limited to two types of molecules, namely synthetic compounds and natural plant products. Compared to synthetic compounds, natural products are highly diverse, and many have historically proven valuable in folk medicine to treat various gastrointestinal ailments. This review focus on the use of traditional knowledge-based plant extracts in the development of new therapeutic leads, the approaches used as screening techniques, and common bottlenecks and opportunities in plant-based anthelmintic drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. L. T. Dilrukshi Jayawardene
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Enzo A. Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Peter R. Boag
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
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25
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Esfahani MKM, Alavi SE, Cabot PJ, Islam N, Izake EL. PEGylated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MCM-41): A Promising Carrier for the Targeted Delivery of Fenbendazole into Prostrate Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1605. [PMID: 34683898 PMCID: PMC8540390 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Low water solubility and thus low bioavailability limit the clinical application of fenbendazole (FBZ) as a potential anticancer drug. Solubilizing agents, such as Mobil Composition of Matter Number 41 (MCM) as a drug carrier, can improve the water solubility of drugs. In this study, PEGylated MCM (PEG-MCM) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and loaded with FBZ (PEG-MCM-FBZ) to improve its solubility and, as a result, its cytotoxicity effect against human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. The loading efficiency of FBZ onto PEG-MCM NPs was 17.2%. The size and zeta potential of PEG-MCM-FBZ NPs were 366.3 ± 6.9 nm and 24.7 ± 0.4 mV, respectively. They had a spherical shape and released the drug in a controlled manner at pH 1.2 and pH 6.2. PEG-MCM-FBZ were found to inhibit the migration of PC-3 cells, increase the cytotoxicity effects of FBZ against PC-3 cells by 3.8-fold, and were more potent by 1.4-fold, when compared to the non-PEGylated NPs. In addition, PEG-MCM-FBZ promoted the production of reactive oxygen species by 1.3- and 1.2-fold, respectively, when compared to FBZ and MCM-FBZ. Overall, the results demonstrate that PEG-MCM-FBZ NPs enhanced FBZ delivery to PC-3 cells; therefore, they have the potential to treat prostate cancer after a comprehensive in vivo study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Koohi Moftakhari Esfahani
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Seyed Ebrahim Alavi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2751, Australia;
| | - Peter J. Cabot
- School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
| | - Nazrul Islam
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Emad L. Izake
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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26
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Duarte D, Vale N. Combining repurposed drugs to treat colorectal cancer. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:165-184. [PMID: 34592446 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The drug development process, especially of antineoplastic agents, has become increasingly costly and ineffective. Drug repurposing and drug combination are alternatives to de novo drug development, being low cost, rapid, and easy to apply. These strategies allow higher efficacy, decreased toxicity, and overcoming of drug resistance. The combination of antineoplastic agents is already being applied in cancer therapy, but the combination of repurposed drugs is still under-explored in pre- and clinical development. In this review, we provide a set of pharmacological concepts focusing on drug repurposing for treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and that are relevant for the application of new drug combinations against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Duarte
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal; Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
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27
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Choi HS, Ko YS, Jin H, Kang KM, Ha IB, Jeong H, Song HN, Kim HJ, Jeong BK. Anticancer Effect of Benzimidazole Derivatives, Especially Mebendazole, on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Radiotherapy-Resistant TNBC In Vivo and In Vitro. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175118. [PMID: 34500557 PMCID: PMC8433818 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anticancer effect of benzimidazole derivatives on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and investigate its underlying mechanism of action. Several types of cancer and normal breast cells including MDA-MB-231, radiotherapy-resistant (RT-R) MDA-MB-231, and allograft mice were treated with six benzimidazole derivatives including mebendazole (MBZ). Cells were analyzed for viability, colony formation, scratch wound healing, Matrigel invasion, cell cycle, tubulin polymerization, and protein expression by using Western blotting. In mice, liver and kidney toxicity, changes in body weight and tumor volume, and incidence of lung metastasis were analyzed. Our study showed that MBZ significantly induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and downregulation of cancer stem cell markers CD44 and OCT3/4, and cancer progression-related ESM-1 protein expression in TNBC and RT-R-TNBC cells. In conclusion, MBZ has the potential to be an effective anticancer agent that can overcome treatment resistance in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoon Sik Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea; (H.S.C.); (K.M.K.)
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Young Shin Ko
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hana Jin
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Ki Mun Kang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea; (H.S.C.); (K.M.K.)
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - In Bong Ha
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hojin Jeong
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Haa-Na Song
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hye Jung Kim
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.J.K.); (B.K.J.); Tel.: +82-55-750-9200 (H.J.K.); +82-55-750-9217 (B.K.J.)
| | - Bae Kwon Jeong
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.J.K.); (B.K.J.); Tel.: +82-55-750-9200 (H.J.K.); +82-55-750-9217 (B.K.J.)
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28
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Hao L, Mao Y, Park J, Bae EJ, Park BH. Repurposing anthelmintic praziquantel to treat psoriasis. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:4726-4740. [PMID: 34363611 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) has been used as a standard treatment for schistosomiasis for over 40 years. This study aimed to repurpose PZQ to treat psoriasis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Psoriasis-like skin inflammation was induced in mice by topical application of imiquimod or intradermal injection of recombinant IL-23. PZQ was either orally or topically administrated during the psoriasis induction period. KEY RESULTS Mice treated with either oral or topical PZQ exhibited markedly improved psoriasiform skin symptoms when compared to control mice, as judged by disease severity score, epidermal thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and spleen size. Flow cytometric analysis of infiltrating immune cells from mouse skin displayed reduced infiltration of Th17 cells. In vitro experiments revealed that PZQ inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and RORγt expression in splenic CD4+ T cells. PZQ also decreased STAT3 phosphorylation in HEK-A/F cells. Downregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation in these cells accounts for the decreased number of Th17 cells and keratinocytes. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results amount to the first preclinical evidence that PZQ may effectively treat psoriasis, and suggest that PZQ alleviates symptoms in mice by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, thereby suppressing Th17 immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Hao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuancheng Mao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Park
- Department of Dermatology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Hyun Park
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
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29
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Alavi SE, Ebrahimi Shahmabadi H. Anthelmintics for drug repurposing: Opportunities and challenges. Saudi Pharm J 2021; 29:434-445. [PMID: 34135669 PMCID: PMC8180459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning is defined as a process to identify a new application for drugs. This approach is critical as it takes advantage of well-known pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity profiles of the drugs; thus, the chance of their future failure decreases, and the cost of their development and the required time for their approval are reduced. Anthelmintics, which are antiparasitic drugs, have recently demonstrated promising anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. This literature review focuses on the potential of anthelmintics for repositioning in the treatment of cancers. It also discusses their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as antiparasitic drugs, proposed anticancer mechanisms, present development conditions, challenges in cancer therapy, and strategies to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ebrahim Alavi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hasan Ebrahimi Shahmabadi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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30
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Florio R, Carradori S, Veschi S, Brocco D, Di Genni T, Cirilli R, Casulli A, Cama A, De Lellis L. Screening of Benzimidazole-Based Anthelmintics and Their Enantiomers as Repurposed Drug Candidates in Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040372. [PMID: 33920661 PMCID: PMC8072969 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposing of approved non-antitumor drugs represents a promising and affordable strategy that may help to increase the repertoire of effective anticancer drugs. Benzimidazole-based anthelmintics are antiparasitic drugs commonly employed both in human and veterinary medicine. Benzimidazole compounds are being considered for drug repurposing due to antitumor activities displayed by some members of the family. In this study, we explored the effects of a large series of benzimidazole-based anthelmintics (and some enantiomerically pure forms of those containing a stereogenic center) on the viability of different tumor cell lines derived from paraganglioma, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Flubendazole, parbendazole, oxibendazole, mebendazole, albendazole and fenbendazole showed the most consistent antiproliferative effects, displaying IC50 values in the low micromolar range, or even in the nanomolar range. In silico evaluation of their physicochemical, pharmacokinetics and medicinal chemistry properties also provided useful information related to the chemical structures and potential of these compounds. Furthermore, in view of the potential repurposing of these drugs in cancer therapy and considering that pharmaceutically active compounds may have different mechanisms of action, we performed an in silico target prediction to assess the polypharmacology of these benzimidazoles, which highlighted previously unknown cancer-relevant molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Serena Veschi
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Davide Brocco
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Teresa Di Genni
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
| | - Roberto Cirilli
- Centro Nazionale per il Controllo e la Valutazione dei Farmaci, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Adriano Casulli
- WHO Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology, Detection and Control of Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis (in Animals and Humans), Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cama
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura De Lellis
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (R.F.); (S.V.); (D.B.); (T.D.G.); (L.D.L.)
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Duarte D, Vale N. New Trends for Antimalarial Drugs: Synergism between Antineoplastics and Antimalarials on Breast Cancer Cells. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1623. [PMID: 33271968 PMCID: PMC7761440 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy plays a key role in breast cancer therapy, but drug resistance and unwanted side effects make the treatment less effective. We propose a new combination model that combines antineoplastic drugs and antimalarials for breast cancer therapy. Cytotoxic effects of two antineoplastic agents alone and in combination with several antimalarials on MCF-7 tumor cell line was evaluated. Different concentrations in a fixed ratio were added to the cultured cells and incubated for 48 h. Cell viability was evaluated using MTT and SRB assays. Synergism was evaluated using the Chou-Talalay method. The results indicate doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) alone at concentrations of their IC50 and higher are cell growth inhibitors. Mefloquine, artesunate, and chloroquine at concentrations of their IC50 demonstrate anti-cancer activity. In combination, almost all antimalarials demonstrate higher ability than DOX and PTX alone to decrease cell viability at concentrations of IC50 and lower than their IC50. The combination of chloroquine, artesunate and mefloquine with DOX and PTX was synergic (CI < 1). The combination of DOX and mefloquine after 48 h incubation demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells, and the combination of DOX and artesunate was the most synergic. These results suggest antimalarials could act synergistically with DOX/PTX for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Duarte
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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