Potent Anti-Ovarian Cancer with Inhibitor Activities on both Topoisomerase II and V600EBRAF of Synthesized Substituted Estrone Candidates

An updated literature on BRAF inhibitors (2018-2023)

BRAF is the most common serine-threonine protein kinase and regulates signal transduction from RAS to MEK inside the cell. The BRAF is a highly active isoform of RAF kinase. BRAF has two domains such as regulatory and kinase domains. The BRAF inhibitors bind in the c-terminus of the kinase domain and inhibit the downstream pathways. The mutation occurs mainly in the A-loop of the kinase domain. The mutation occurs due to a conversion of valine to glutamate/lysine/arginine/aspartic acid at 600th position. Among the diverse mutations, BRAF^V600E is the most common and responsible for numerous cancer such as melanoma, colorectal, ovarian, and thyroid cancer. Due to mutations in RAC1, loss of PTEN, NF1, CCND1, USP28-FBW7 complex, COT overexpression, and CCND1 amplification, the BRAF kinase enzyme developed resistance over the commercially available BRAF inhibitors. There is still unmute urgence for the development of BRAF inhibitors to overcome the persistent limitation such as resistance, mutation, and adverse effects of drugs. In the current study, we described the structure, activation, downstream signaling pathway, and mutation of BRAF. Our group also provided a detailed review of BRAF inhibitors from the last five years (2018-2023) highlighting the structure-activity relationship, mechanistic study, and molecular docking studies. We hope that the current analysis will be a useful resource for researchers and provide chemists a glimpse into the future as design and development of more effective and secure BRAF kinase inhibitors. The development of BRAF inhibitors to overcome the persistent limitation such as resistance, mutation, and adverse effects of drugs. In depth description about different heterocyclic scaffolds (quinoline, imidazole, pyridine, triazole, pyrrole etc.) as BRAF inhibitors from the last five years (2018-2023) highlighting the structure-activity relationship, mechanistic study, and molecular docking studies.

Highlights on Steroidal Arylidene Derivatives as a Source of Pharmacologically Active Compounds: A Review

Steroids constitute a unique class of chemical compounds, playing an important role in physiopathological processes, and have high pharmacological interest. Additionally, steroids have been associated with a relatively low toxicity and high bioavailability. Nowadays, multiple steroidal derivatives are clinically available for the treatment of numerous diseases. Moreover, different structural modifications on their skeleton have been explored, aiming to develop compounds with new and improved pharmacological properties. Thus, steroidal arylidene derivatives emerged as a relevant example of these modifications. This family of compounds has been mainly described as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and aromatase inhibitors, as well as neuroprotective and anticancer agents. Besides, due to their straightforward preparation and intrinsic chemical reactivity, steroidal arylidene derivatives are important synthetic intermediates for the preparation of other compounds, particularly bearing heterocyclic systems. In fact, starting from arylidenesteroids, it was possible to develop bioactive steroidal pyrazolines, pyrazoles, pyrimidines, pyridines, spiro-pyrrolidines, amongst others. Most of these products have also been studied as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, as well as 5α-reductase and aromatase inhibitors. This work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of steroidal arylidene derivatives described in the literature, highlighting their bioactivities and importance as synthetic intermediates for other pharmacologically active compounds.

Systemic review on B-RafV600E mutation as potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer

Cancer is one of the major public catastrophes worldwide and as per WHO, cancer is the leading cause of death universally after CVS disorders accounting for 9.6 million deaths in 2018. WHO statistics revealed five dangerous types of cancer viz. lung, breast, colorectal, prostate and skin. In male, lung cancer causes highest death, while in female, breast cancer causes the most. Alteration in MAPK signalling pathway plays a significant role in majority of cancer cases. Raf protein is activated by phosphorylation via downstream regulation of the MAPK pathway. Raf composed of 3 subtypes, viz. A-Raf, B-Raf, and C-Raf. B-Raf kinase plays a significant role in healthy cell growth in the MAPK pathway and the problem associated with B-Raf mutation leads to the development of cancer and other diseases. The progression of mutant B-Raf (B-Raf^V600E) protein is higher in cancer as compare to other diseases. In 2002, B-Raf^V600E mutation was identified for the first time in the development of cancer. The frequency of B-Raf^V600E mutation is higher in melanoma, thyroid, colorectal and ovarian cancer. We have covered small molecule B-Raf^V600E inhibitors reported in various literatures; from 2002 to 2020 and also covered clinical trial data. To widen the scope of readers, we compiled details of small molecules, specifically inhibiting B-Raf^V600E mutant and showing anti-proliferative activity against various cancer cell lines along with in-vivo data. We believe that the information covered here will be important in signifying the potentials of B-Raf^V600E mutation and its inhibitors as potent anticancer agents.