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Pocino K, Carnazzo V, Stefanile A, Basile V, Guerriero C, Marino M, Rigante D, Basile U. Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha: Ally and Enemy in Protean Cutaneous Sceneries. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7762. [PMID: 39063004 PMCID: PMC11276697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147762] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin is the forestage for a series of many-sided functions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine with staggering versatility and sizable implications for tissue homeostasis, immune responses, angiogenesis, apoptosis, local and systemic inflammation. An aberrant TNF-α-mediated crosstalk has been linked to the pathogenesis of acute and chronic skin inflammatory diseases, and indeed, TNF-α dysregulation can contribute to the development and progression of psoriasis, vitiligo, local damage following exposition to ultraviolet light radiations, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and acne vulgaris. Therapies that target TNF-α are conspicuously used in the treatment of different skin disorders, aiming to modulate the in vivo immune functions triggered by many cutaneous cells, including keratinocytes, mast cells, or Langerhans cells, and reduce inflammation taking place within the skin. Herein, we focus on the key relationships between TNF-α and distinct skin non-neoplastic inflammatory or physiologic conditions, showing that a natural induction of TNF-α may have a protective significance but that TNF-α overproduction may be harmful or even lethal. Many questions remain unraveled in the therapeutic practice, and caution should be exercised due to eventual backlashes exerted by TNF-α in maintaining skin health or in provoking skin disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krizia Pocino
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale San Pietro Fatebenefratelli, 00189 Rome, Italy; (K.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Valeria Carnazzo
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, 04100 Latina, Italy; (V.C.); (U.B.)
| | - Annunziata Stefanile
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale San Pietro Fatebenefratelli, 00189 Rome, Italy; (K.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Valerio Basile
- Clinical Pathology Unit and Cancer Biobank, Department of Research and Advanced Technologies, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cristina Guerriero
- Department of Dermatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mariapaola Marino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Donato Rigante
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Basile
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, 04100 Latina, Italy; (V.C.); (U.B.)
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2
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Antoniou M, Papavasileiou KD, Melagraki G, Dondero F, Lynch I, Afantitis A. Development of a Robust Read-Across Model for the Prediction of Biological Potency of Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta Agonists. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5216. [PMID: 38791255 PMCID: PMC11121726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105216] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
A robust predictive model was developed using 136 novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonists, a distinct subtype of lipid-activated transcription factors of the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulate target genes by binding to characteristic sequences of DNA bases. The model employs various structural descriptors and docking calculations and provides predictions of the biological activity of PPARδ agonists, following the criteria of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the development and validation of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models. Specifically focused on small molecules, the model facilitates the identification of highly potent and selective PPARδ agonists and offers a read-across concept by providing the chemical neighbours of the compound under study. The model development process was conducted on Isalos Analytics Software (v. 0.1.17) which provides an intuitive environment for machine-learning applications. The final model was released as a user-friendly web tool and can be accessed through the Enalos Cloud platform's graphical user interface (GUI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antoniou
- Department of Chemoinformatics, NovaMechanics Ltd., Nicosia 1046, Cyprus; (M.A.); (K.D.P.)
- Department of ChemoInformatics, NovaMechanics MIKE, 18545 Piraeus, Greece
- Entelos Institute, Larnaca 6059, Cyprus; (F.D.); (I.L.)
| | - Konstantinos D. Papavasileiou
- Department of Chemoinformatics, NovaMechanics Ltd., Nicosia 1046, Cyprus; (M.A.); (K.D.P.)
- Department of ChemoInformatics, NovaMechanics MIKE, 18545 Piraeus, Greece
- Entelos Institute, Larnaca 6059, Cyprus; (F.D.); (I.L.)
| | - Georgia Melagraki
- Division of Physical Sciences & Applications, Hellenic Military Academy, 16672 Vari, Greece;
| | - Francesco Dondero
- Entelos Institute, Larnaca 6059, Cyprus; (F.D.); (I.L.)
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Iseult Lynch
- Entelos Institute, Larnaca 6059, Cyprus; (F.D.); (I.L.)
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Antreas Afantitis
- Department of Chemoinformatics, NovaMechanics Ltd., Nicosia 1046, Cyprus; (M.A.); (K.D.P.)
- Department of ChemoInformatics, NovaMechanics MIKE, 18545 Piraeus, Greece
- Entelos Institute, Larnaca 6059, Cyprus; (F.D.); (I.L.)
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3
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Papadopoulou D, Mavrikaki V, Charalampous F, Tzaferis C, Samiotaki M, Papavasileiou KD, Afantitis A, Karagianni N, Denis MC, Sanchez J, Lane JR, Faidon Brotzakis Z, Skretas G, Georgiadis D, Matralis AN, Kollias G. Discovery of the First-in-Class Inhibitors of Hypoxia Up-Regulated Protein 1 (HYOU1) Suppressing Pathogenic Fibroblast Activation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319157. [PMID: 38339863 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319157] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are key regulators of inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. Targeting their activation in these complex diseases has emerged as a novel strategy to restore tissue homeostasis. Here, we present a multidisciplinary lead discovery approach to identify and optimize small molecule inhibitors of pathogenic fibroblast activation. The study encompasses medicinal chemistry, molecular phenotyping assays, chemoproteomics, bulk RNA-sequencing analysis, target validation experiments, and chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET)/pharmacokinetic (PK)/in vivo evaluation. The parallel synthesis employed for the production of the new benzamide derivatives enabled us to a) pinpoint key structural elements of the scaffold that provide potent fibroblast-deactivating effects in cells, b) discriminate atoms or groups that favor or disfavor a desirable ADMET profile, and c) identify metabolic "hot spots". Furthermore, we report the discovery of the first-in-class inhibitor leads for hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 (HYOU1), a member of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family often associated with cellular stress responses, particularly under hypoxic conditions. Targeting HYOU1 may therefore represent a potentially novel strategy to modulate fibroblast activation and treat chronic inflammatory and fibrotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Papadopoulou
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Mavrikaki
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", Vari, 16672, Athens, Greece
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784, Athens, Greece
| | - Filippos Charalampous
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Christos Tzaferis
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Martina Samiotaki
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Konstantinos D Papavasileiou
- Department of ChemoInformatics, Novamechanics Ltd., 1070, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Chemoinformatics, Novamechanics MIKE, 18545, Piraeus, Greece
- Division of Data Driven Innovation, Entelos Institute, 6059, Larnaca, Cyprus
| | - Antreas Afantitis
- Department of ChemoInformatics, Novamechanics Ltd., 1070, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Chemoinformatics, Novamechanics MIKE, 18545, Piraeus, Greece
- Division of Data Driven Innovation, Entelos Institute, 6059, Larnaca, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Julie Sanchez
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, Nottingham, U.K
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, NG2 7AG, Midlands, U.K
| | - J Robert Lane
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, Nottingham, U.K
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, NG2 7AG, Midlands, U.K
| | - Zacharias Faidon Brotzakis
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, U.K
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Georgiadis
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios N Matralis
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
| | - George Kollias
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", 16672, Vari, Greece
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
- Research Institute of New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
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4
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Stylianaki EA, Magkrioti C, Ladopoulou EM, Papavasileiou KD, Lagarias P, Melagraki G, Samiotaki M, Panayotou G, Dedos SG, Afantitis A, Aidinis V, Matralis AN. "Hit" to lead optimization and chemoinformatic studies for a new series of Autotaxin inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115130. [PMID: 36702053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115130] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Robust experimental evidence has highlighted the role of Autotaxin (ATX)/Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) axis not only in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory conditions and especially in fibroproliferative diseases but also in several types of cancer. As a result, different series of substrate-, lipid-based and small-molecule ATX inhibitors have been identified thus far by both academia and pharma. The "crowning achievement" of these drug discovery campaigns was the development and entry of the first-in-class ATX inhibitor (ziritaxestat, GLPG-1690) in advanced clinical trials against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Herein, the potency optimization efforts of a new series of Autotaxin inhibitors, namely 2-substituted-2,6-dihydro-4H-thieno[3,4-c]pyrazol-1-substituted amide, is described using a previously identified novel chemical scaffold as a "hit". The mode of inhibition of the most promising ATX inhibitors was investigated, while their cellular activity, aqueous solubility and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Our pharmacological results were corroborated by chemoinformatic tools (molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations) deployed, to provide insight into the binding mechanism of the synthesized inhibitors to ATX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elli-Anna Stylianaki
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
| | - Christiana Magkrioti
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni M Ladopoulou
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece; Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Georgia Melagraki
- Division of Physical Sciences and Applications, Hellenic Military Academy, Vari, Greece
| | - Martina Samiotaki
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
| | - George Panayotou
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
| | - Skarlatos G Dedos
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - Antreas Afantitis
- NovaMechanics Ltd, Larnaca, Cyprus; NovaMechanics MIKE, Piraeus, Greece.
| | - Vassilis Aidinis
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece.
| | - Alexios N Matralis
- Bioinnovation Institute, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece.
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5
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Vugler A, O’Connell J, Nguyen MA, Weitz D, Leeuw T, Hickford E, Verbitsky A, Ying X, Rehberg M, Carrington B, Merriman M, Moss A, Nicholas JM, Stanley P, Wright S, Bourne T, Foricher Y, Brookings D, Horsley H, Herrmann M, Rao S, Kohlmann M, Florian P. An orally available small molecule that targets soluble TNF to deliver anti-TNF biologic-like efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1037983. [PMID: 36467083 PMCID: PMC9709720 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1037983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to a family of trimeric proteins with both proinflammatory and immunoregulatory functions. TNF is a key mediator in autoimmune diseases and during the last couple of decades several biologic drugs have delivered new therapeutic options for patients suffering from chronic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Attempts to design small molecule therapies directed to this cytokine have not led to approved products yet. Here we report the discovery and development of a potent small molecule inhibitor of TNF that was recently moved into phase 1 clinical trials. The molecule, SAR441566, stabilizes an asymmetrical form of the soluble TNF trimer, compromises downstream signaling and inhibits the functions of TNF in vitro and in vivo. With SAR441566 being studied in healthy volunteers we hope to deliver a more convenient orally bioavailable and effective treatment option for patients suffering with chronic autoimmune diseases compared to established biologic drugs targeting TNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Vugler
- Immunology Therapeutic Area, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - James O’Connell
- Discovery Sciences, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Mai Anh Nguyen
- Sanofi R&D, TMED Pharmacokinetics Dynamics and Metabolism, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dietmar Weitz
- Sanofi R&D, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Leeuw
- Sanofi R&D, Type 1/17 Immunology, Immunology & Inflammation Research TA, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Hickford
- Development Science, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | | | - Xiaoyou Ying
- Sanofi R&D, Translation In vivo Models, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Markus Rehberg
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Disease Modelling, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bruce Carrington
- Discovery Sciences, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Merriman
- Immunology Therapeutic Area, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Moss
- Translational Medicine Immunology, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Marie Nicholas
- Development Science, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, UCB Pharma, Braine-I’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Phil Stanley
- Immunology Therapeutic Area, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Wright
- Early PV Missions, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Bourne
- Milvuswood Consultancy, Penn, United Kingdom
| | - Yann Foricher
- Sanofi R&D, Integrated Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Therapeutic Area Immunology & Inflammation, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Daniel Brookings
- Global Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Horsley
- Global Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, PV Early Solutions, UCB Pharma, Slough, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Herrmann
- Sanofi R&D, Type 1/17 Immunology, Immunology & Inflammation Research TA, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Srinivas Rao
- Sanofi R&D, Translation In vivo Models, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Markus Kohlmann
- Sanofi R&D, Early Clinical Development, Therapeutic Area Immunology and Inflammation, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Florian
- Sanofi R&D, Type 1/17 Immunology, Immunology & Inflammation Research TA, Frankfurt, Germany
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6
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Evangelatos G, Bamias G, Kitas GD, Kollias G, Sfikakis PP. The second decade of anti-TNF-a therapy in clinical practice: new lessons and future directions in the COVID-19 era. Rheumatol Int 2022; 42:1493-1511. [PMID: 35503130 PMCID: PMC9063259 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-022-05136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the late 1990s, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors (anti-TNFs) have revolutionized the therapy of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) affecting the gut, joints, skin and eyes. Although the therapeutic armamentarium in IMIDs is being constantly expanded, anti-TNFs remain the cornerstone of their treatment. During the second decade of their application in clinical practice, a large body of additional knowledge has accumulated regarding various aspects of anti-TNF-α therapy, whereas new indications have been added. Recent experimental studies have shown that anti-TNFs exert their beneficial effects not only by restoring aberrant TNF-mediated immune mechanisms, but also by de-activating pathogenic fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells. Real-world data on millions of patients further confirmed the remarkable efficacy of anti-TNFs. It is now clear that anti-TNFs alter the physical course of inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, leading to inhibition of local and systemic bone loss and to a decline in the number of surgeries for disease-related complications, while anti-TNFs improve morbidity and mortality, acting beneficially also on cardiovascular comorbidities. On the other hand, no new safety signals emerged, whereas anti-TNF-α safety in pregnancy and amid the COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed. The use of biosimilars was associated with cost reductions making anti-TNFs more widely available. Moreover, the current implementation of the "treat-to-target" approach and treatment de-escalation strategies of IMIDs were based on anti-TNFs. An intensive search to discover biomarkers to optimize response to anti-TNF-α treatment is currently ongoing. Finally, selective targeting of TNF-α receptors, new forms of anti-TNFs and combinations with other agents, are being tested in clinical trials and will probably expand the spectrum of TNF-α inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for IMIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerasimos Evangelatos
- Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Giorgos Bamias
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George D Kitas
- Department of Rheumatology, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - George Kollias
- Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Institute for Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming", Vari, Greece
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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7
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Putative dual inhibitors of mTOR and RET kinase from natural products: Pharmacophore-based hierarchical virtual screening. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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