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Jung EJ, Jo JH, Uwamahoro C, Jang SI, Hwang JM, Lee WJ, Bae JW, Ryu DY, Kwon WS. Nirmatrelvir has detrimental effects on sperm function by altering the PI3K/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway. Toxicol In Vitro 2024; 99:105848. [PMID: 38772495 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2024.105848] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Nirmatrelvir (NMV) is a recently developed selective inhibitor of the main protease of Sars-Cov-2 that reduces the severity of infection. Despite its widespread use and various side effects, NMV's effect on male fertility is still unclear. This study was thus established to investigate how NMV affects male fertility. For experiments, Duroc spermatozoa were incubated with various concentrations of NMV (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM). Then, sperm motility, motion kinematics, capacitation status, intracellular ATP level, and cell viability were evaluated. In addition, the expression levels of phospho-PKA substrates, tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, and PI3K/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins were measured by western blotting. Our results showed that sperm motility, motion kinematics, proportion of capacitated spermatozoa, and intracellular ATP level were significantly decreased by NMV in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PKA activation was significantly suppressed by NMV, and expression levels of PI3K, phospho-PDK1, AKT, and phospho-AKT (Thr308 and Ser473) were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Combining these findings, it is suggested that NMV has detrimental effects on sperm function by inducing abnormal changes in the PI3K/PDK1/AKT signaling pathway, resulting in PKA deactivation. Therefore, there is a need to pay particular attention to its male reproductive toxicity when NMV is administered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ju Jung
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Jo
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Claudine Uwamahoro
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ik Jang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Mi Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Won Bae
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Yeal Ryu
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea; Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Innovative Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Lee S, Jang B, Hwang J, Lee Y, Cho S, Yang H, Yun JH, Shin DH, Lee W, Oh ES. Everolimus exerts anticancer effects through inhibiting the interaction of matrix metalloproteinase-7 with syndecan-2 in colon cancer cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1067-C1079. [PMID: 38314724 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00669.2023] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Previous work showed that matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) regulates colon cancer activities through an interaction with syndecan-2 (SDC-2) and SDC-2-derived peptide that disrupts this interaction and exhibits anticancer activity in colon cancer. Here, to identify potential anticancer agents, a library of 1,379 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs that interact with the MMP-7 prodomain were virtually screened by protein-ligand docking score analysis using the GalaxyDock3 program. Among five candidates selected based on their structures and total energy values for interacting with the MMP-7 prodomain, the known mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) inhibitor, everolimus, showed the highest binding affinity and the strongest ability to disrupt the interaction of the MMP-7 prodomain with the SDC-2 extracellular domain in vitro. Everolimus treatment of the HCT116 human colon cancer cell line did not affect the mRNA expression levels of MMP-7 and SDC-2 but reduced the adhesion of cells to MMP-7 prodomain-coated plates and the cell-surface localization of MMP-7. Thus, everolimus appears to inhibit the interaction between MMP-7 and SDC-2. Everolimus treatment of HCT116 cells also reduced their gelatin-degradation activity and anticancer activities, including colony formation. Interestingly, cells treated with sirolimus, another mTOR inhibitor, triggered less gelatin-degradation activity, suggesting that this inhibitory effect of everolimus was not due to inhibition of the mTOR pathway. Consistently, everolimus inhibited the colony-forming ability of mTOR-resistant HT29 cells. Together, these data suggest that, in addition to inhibiting mTOR signaling, everolimus exerts anticancer activity by interfering with the interaction of MMP-7 and SDC-2, and could be a useful therapeutic anticancer drug for colon cancer.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The utility of cancer therapeutics targeting the proteolytic activities of MMPs is limited because MMPs are widely distributed throughout the body and involved in many different aspects of cell functions. This work specifically targets the activation of MMP-7 through its interaction with syndecan-2. Notably, everolimus, a known mTOR inhibitor, blocked this interaction, demonstrating a novel role for everolimus in inhibiting mTOR signaling and impairing the interaction of MMP-7 with syndecan-2 in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seohyeon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bohee Jang
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisun Hwang
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Cho
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonju Yang
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Yun
- PCG-Biotech, Ltd. Yonsei Engineering Research Park 114A, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hae Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Weontae Lee
- PCG-Biotech, Ltd. Yonsei Engineering Research Park 114A, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eok-Soo Oh
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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3
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Jung EJ, Jo JH, Uwamahoro C, Jang SI, Lee WJ, Hwang JM, Bae JW, Kwon WS. Ritonavir Has Reproductive Toxicity Depending on Disrupting PI3K/PDK1/AKT Signaling Pathway. TOXICS 2024; 12:73. [PMID: 38251029 PMCID: PMC10819985 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ritonavir (RTV) is an antiviral and a component of COVID-19 treatments. Moreover, RTV demonstrates anti-cancer effects by suppressing AKT. However, RTV has cytotoxicity and suppresses sperm functions by altering AKT activity. Although abnormal AKT activity is known for causing detrimental effects on sperm functions, how RTV alters AKT signaling in spermatozoa remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate reproductive toxicity of RTV in spermatozoa through phosphoinositide 3-kinase/phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1/protein kinase B (PI3K/PDK1/AKT) signaling. Duroc spermatozoa were treated with various concentrations of RTV, and capacitation was induced. Sperm functions (sperm motility, motion kinematics, capacitation status, and cell viability) and expression levels of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and PI3K/PDK1/AKT pathway-related proteins were evaluated. In the results, RTV significantly suppressed sperm motility, motion kinematics, capacitation, acrosome reactions, and cell viability. Additionally, RTV significantly increased levels of phospho-tyrosine proteins and PI3K/PDK1/AKT pathway-related proteins except for AKT and PI3K. The expression level of AKT was not significantly altered and that of PI3K was significantly decreased. These results suggest RTV may suppress sperm functions by induced alterations of PI3K/PDK1/AKT pathway through abnormally increased tyrosine phosphorylation. Therefore, we suggest people who use or prescribe RTV need to consider its male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ju Jung
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
| | - Jae-Hwan Jo
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea;
| | - Claudine Uwamahoro
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
| | - Seung-Ik Jang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
| | - Woo-Jin Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
| | - Ju-Mi Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
| | - Jeong-Won Bae
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
| | - Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.J.); (C.U.); (S.-I.J.); (W.-J.L.); (J.-M.H.); (J.-W.B.)
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea;
- Research Institute for Innovative Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
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4
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Fatemi N, Karimpour M, Bahrami H, Zali MR, Chaleshi V, Riccio A, Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad E, Totonchi M. Current trends and future prospects of drug repositioning in gastrointestinal oncology. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1329244. [PMID: 38239190 PMCID: PMC10794567 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1329244] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers comprise a significant number of cancer cases worldwide and contribute to a high percentage of cancer-related deaths. To improve survival rates of GI cancer patients, it is important to find and implement more effective therapeutic strategies with better prognoses and fewer side effects. The development of new drugs can be a lengthy and expensive process, often involving clinical trials that may fail in the early stages. One strategy to address these challenges is drug repurposing (DR). Drug repurposing is a developmental strategy that involves using existing drugs approved for other diseases and leveraging their safety and pharmacological data to explore their potential use in treating different diseases. In this paper, we outline the existing therapeutic strategies and challenges associated with GI cancers and explore DR as a promising alternative approach. We have presented an extensive review of different DR methodologies, research efforts and examples of repurposed drugs within various GI cancer types, such as colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancers. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of employing the DR approach in GI cancers to inform future research endeavors and clinical trials in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayeralsadat Fatemi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Karimpour
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hoda Bahrami
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Chaleshi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrea Riccio
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Ehsan Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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Nguyen HT, Van KT, Pham-The H, Braire J, Thi PH, Nguyen TA, Nguyen Thi QG, Dang Thi TA, Le-Nhat-Thuy G, Le Thi TA, Ngoc DV, Nguyen Van T. Synthesis, molecular docking analysis and in vitro evaluation of new heterocyclic hybrids of 4-aza-podophyllotoxin as potent cytotoxic agents. RSC Adv 2024; 14:1838-1853. [PMID: 38192320 PMCID: PMC10772362 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07396c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Two different synthetic approaches to novel heterocyclic hybrid compounds of 4-azapodophyllotoxin were investigated. The obtained products were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. MTT protocol was then performed to examine the cytotoxic activity of these products against KB, HepG2, A549, MCF7, and Hek-293 cell lines. The cytotoxic assessment indicated that all products displayed moderate to high cytotoxicity against all tested cancer cell lines. The most active compound 13k containing the 2-methoxypyridin-4-yl group exhibited selective cytotoxicity against KB, A549, and HepG2 cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 0.23 to 0.27 μM, which were between 5- to 10-fold more potent than the positive control ellipticine. Compounds 13a (HetAr = thiophen-3-yl) and 13d (HetAr = 5-bromofuran-2-yl) displayed high cytotoxic selectivity for A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines when compared to the other cancer cell lines and low toxicity to the normal Hek-293 cell line. Molecular docking study was conducted to evaluate the interaction of new synthesized compounds with the colchicine-binding-site of tubulin. Besides that, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the most active compounds 13h,k were predicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Thanh Nguyen
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Ket Tran Van
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
- Military Technical Academy 236 Hoang Quoc Viet, Bac Tu Liem Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Hai Pham-The
- University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Julien Braire
- Université de Rennes 1 2 Av. du Professeur Léon Bernard 35042 Rennes France
| | - Phuong Hoang Thi
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Tuan Anh Nguyen
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Quynh Giang Nguyen Thi
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Tuyet Anh Dang Thi
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Giang Le-Nhat-Thuy
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Tu Anh Le Thi
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Doan Vu Ngoc
- Military Technical Academy 236 Hoang Quoc Viet, Bac Tu Liem Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Tuyen Nguyen Van
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay Hanoi Vietnam
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Rohilla A, Rohilla S. Drug Repositioning: A Monetary Stratagem to Discover a New Application of Drugs. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2024; 21:e101023222023. [PMID: 38629171 DOI: 10.2174/0115701638253929230922115127] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Drug repurposing, also referred to as drug repositioning or drug reprofiling, is a scientific approach to the detection of any new application for an already approved or investigational drug. It is a useful policy for the invention and development of new pharmacological or therapeutic applications of different drugs. The strategy has been known to offer numerous advantages over developing a completely novel drug for certain problems. Drug repurposing has numerous methodologies that can be categorized as target-oriented, drug-oriented, and problem-oriented. The choice of the methodology of drug repurposing relies on the accessible information about the drug molecule and like pharmacokinetic, pharmacological, physicochemical, and toxicological profile of the drug. In addition, molecular docking studies and other computer-aided methods have been known to show application in drug repurposing. The variation in dosage for original target diseases and novel diseases presents a challenge for researchers of drug repurposing in present times. The present review critically discusses the drugs repurposed for cancer, covid-19, Alzheimer's, and other diseases, strategies, and challenges of drug repurposing. Moreover, regulatory perspectives related to different countries like the United States (US), Europe, and India have been delineated in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Rohilla
- Department of Pharmacology, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, 140413, Mohali, India
| | - Seema Rohilla
- Department of Pharmacy, Panipat Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panipat, Haryana, India
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Elebo N, Abdel-Shafy EA, Cacciatore S, Nweke EE. Exploiting the molecular subtypes and genetic landscape in pancreatic cancer: the quest to find effective drugs. Front Genet 2023; 14:1170571. [PMID: 37790705 PMCID: PMC10544984 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1170571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very lethal disease that typically presents at an advanced stage and is non-compliant with most treatments. Recent technologies have helped delineate associated molecular subtypes and genetic variations yielding important insights into the pathophysiology of this disease and having implications for the identification of new therapeutic targets. Drug repurposing has been evaluated as a new paradigm in oncology to accelerate the application of approved or failed target-specific molecules for the treatment of cancer patients. This review focuses on the impact of molecular subtypes on key genomic alterations in PDAC, and the progress made thus far. Importantly, these alterations are discussed in light of the potential role of drug repurposing in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nnenna Elebo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ebtesam A. Abdel-Shafy
- Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Stefano Cacciatore
- Bioinformatics Unit, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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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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Jung EJ, Lee WJ, Hwang JM, Bae JW, Kwon WS. Reproductive Toxicity of Ritonavir in Male: insight into mouse sperm capacitation. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 114:1-6. [PMID: 36198369 PMCID: PMC9527077 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Since COVID-19 began in 2019, therapeutic agents are being developed for its treatment. Among the numerous potential therapeutic agents, ritonavir (RTV), an anti-viral agent, has recently been identified as an important element of the COVID-19 treatment. Moreover, RTV has also been applied in the drug repurposing of cancer cells. However, previous studies have shown that RTV has toxic effects on various cell types. In addition, RTV regulates AKT phosphorylation within cancer cells, and AKT is known to control sperm functions (motility, capacitation, and so on). Although deleterious effects of RTV have been reported, it is not known whether RTV has male reproduction toxicity. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of RTV on sperm function and male fertility. In the present study, sperm collected from the cauda epididymis of mice were incubated with various concentrations of RTV (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM). The expression levels of AKT, phospho-AKT (Thr308 and Ser473), and phospho-tyrosine proteins, sperm motility, motion kinematics, capacitation status, and cell viability were assessed after capacitation. The results revealed that AKT phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473 was significantly increased, and the levels of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (at approximately 25 and 100 kDa) were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, RTV adversely affected sperm motility, motion kinematics, and cell viability. Taken together, RTV may have negative effects on sperm function through an abnormal increase in tyrosine phosphorylation and phospho-AKT levels. Therefore, individuals taking or prescribing RTV should be aware of its reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ju Jung
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Mi Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Won Bae
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37224, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Siddiqui S, Deshmukh AJ, Mudaliar P, Nalawade AJ, Iyer D, Aich J. Drug repurposing: re-inventing therapies for cancer without re-entering the development pipeline—a review. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2022; 34:33. [PMID: 35934727 PMCID: PMC9358112 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-022-00137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While majority of the current treatment approaches for cancer remain expensive and are associated with several side effects, development of new treatment modalities takes a significant period of research, time, and expenditure. An alternative novel approach is drug repurposing that focuses on finding new applications for the previously clinically approved drugs. The process of drug repurposing has also been facilitated by current advances in the field of proteomics, genomics, and information computational biology. This approach not only provides cheaper, effective, and potentially safer drugs with less side effects but also increases the processing pace of drug development. In this review, we wish to highlight some recent developments in the area of drug repurposing in cancer with a specific focus on the repurposing potential of anti-psychotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drugs, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal drugs.
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11
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Swami D, Mudaliar P, Bichu YS, Kumar Sahu V, Devarajan S, Basu S, Aich J. Synergistic combination of ritonavir and cisplatin as an efficacious therapy in human cervical cancer cells: a computational drug discovery and in vitro insight. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-15. [PMID: 35818867 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2097312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
HIV-protease inhibitor Ritonavir (RTV) is a clinical-stage drug. We exhibit here the synergistic effect of RTV coupled with cisplatin as potential combination therapy for treatment of cervical cancer. Knowledge about the interaction of RTV with the high-expression signatures in cancer is limited. Therefore, we utilized computational techniques to understand and assess the drug-binding affinity and drug-target interaction of RTV with these altered protein signatures. Computational studies revealed the potential interaction ability of RTV along with few other HIV protease inhibitors against these altered cancer targets. All targets exhibited good affinity towards RTV and the highest affinity was exhibited by CYP450 3A4, PDGFR and ALK. RTV established stable interaction with PDGFR and molecular dynamics simulation confirms their frequent interaction for 300 ns. Control docking of PDGFR with standard PDGFR inhibitor exhibited lower binding affinity when compared with RTV-PDGFR complex. In search of drugs as a part of combination therapy to reduce side effects of Cisplatin, this paper further evaluated the effect of combination of RTV and Cisplatin in cervical cancer cells. We propose several combination models that combines anti-viral drug RTV and standard chemotherapeutic agent, Cisplatin to be synergistic with CI value ranging from of 0.01 to 1.14. These observations suggest that anti-viral compound (RTV) could act synergistically with Cisplatin for cervical cancer therapy. However, further studies are warranted to investigate the combinatorial mode of action of RTV and Cisplatin on different molecular pathways to have a translational outcome in cervical cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayanand Swami
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil Deemed to Be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Priyanka Mudaliar
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil Deemed to Be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Yash Shrinivas Bichu
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil Deemed to Be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vishal Kumar Sahu
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shine Devarajan
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil Deemed to Be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Soumya Basu
- Cancer and Translational Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jyotirmoi Aich
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil Deemed to Be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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12
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Mezzasoma L, Bellezza I, Romani R, Talesa VN. Extracellular Vesicles and the Inflammasome: An Intricate Network Sustaining Chemoresistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:888135. [PMID: 35530309 PMCID: PMC9072732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.888135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane enclosed spherical particles devoted to intercellular communication. Cancer-derived EVs (Ca-EVs) are deeply involved in tumor microenvironment remodeling, modifying the inflammatory phenotype of cancerous and non-cancerous residing cells. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in initiation, development, and progression of many types of malignancies. The key feature of cancer-related inflammation is the production of cytokines that incessantly modify of the surrounding environment. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is one of the most powerful cytokines, influencing all the initiation-to-progression stages of many types of cancers and represents an emerging critical contributor to chemoresistance. IL-1β production strictly depends on the activation of inflammasome, a cytoplasmic molecular platform sensing exogenous and endogenous danger signals. It has been recently shown that Ca-EVs can activate the inflammasome cascade and IL-1β production in tumor microenvironment-residing cells. Since inflammasome dysregulation has been established as crucial regulator in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis and chemoresistance, it is conceivable that the use of inflammasome-inhibiting drugs may be employed as adjuvant chemotherapy to counteract chemoresistance. This review focuses on the role of cancer-derived EVs in tuning tumor microenvironment unveiling the intricate network between inflammasome and chemoresistance.
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13
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Maze EA, Agit B, Reeves S, Hilton DA, Parkinson DB, Laraba L, Ercolano E, Kurian KM, Hanemann CO, Belshaw RD, Ammoun S. Human endogenous retrovirus type K promotes proliferation and confers sensitivity to anti-retroviral drugs in Merlin-negative schwannoma and meningioma. Cancer Res 2021; 82:235-247. [PMID: 34853069 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deficiency of the tumour suppressor Merlin causes development of schwannoma, meningioma, and ependymoma tumours, which can occur spontaneously or in the hereditary disease neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Merlin mutations are also relevant in a variety of other tumours. Surgery and radiotherapy are current first-line treatments; however, tumours frequently recur with limited treatment options. Here, we use human Merlin-negative schwannoma and meningioma primary cells to investigate the involvement of the endogenous retrovirus HERV-K in tumour development. HERV-K proteins previously implicated in tumorigenesis were overexpressed in schwannoma and all meningioma grades, and disease-associated CRL4DCAF1 and YAP/TEAD pathways were implicated in this overexpression. In normal Schwann cells, ectopic overexpression of HERV-K Env increased proliferation and upregulated expression of c-Jun and pERK1/2, which are key components of known tumorigenic pathways in schwannoma, JNK/c-Jun and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK. Furthermore, FDA-approved retroviral protease inhibitors ritonavir, atazanavir, and lopinavir reduced proliferation of schwannoma and grade I meningioma cells. These results identify HERV-K as a critical regulator of progression in Merlin-deficient tumours and offer potential strategies for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel A Maze
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Plymouth University
| | - Bora Agit
- Faculty of Health Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Plymouth University
| | - Shona Reeves
- Faculty of Health Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Plymouth University
| | - David A Hilton
- Faculty of Health Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Plymouth University
| | - David B Parkinson
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
| | - Liyam Laraba
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
| | | | - Kathreena M Kurian
- Department of Neuropathology, Brain Tumour Research Group, Frenchay Hospital, University of Bristol
| | - C Oliver Hanemann
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
| | | | - Sylwia Ammoun
- Faculty of Health Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Plymouth University
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14
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De Lellis L, Veschi S, Tinari N, Mokini Z, Carradori S, Brocco D, Florio R, Grassadonia A, Cama A. Drug Repurposing, an Attractive Strategy in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: Preclinical and Clinical Updates. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3946. [PMID: 34439102 PMCID: PMC8394389 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, since patients rarely display symptoms until an advanced and unresectable stage of the disease. Current chemotherapy options are unsatisfactory and there is an urgent need for more effective and less toxic drugs to improve the dismal PC therapy. Repurposing of non-oncology drugs in PC treatment represents a very promising therapeutic option and different compounds are currently being considered as candidates for repurposing in the treatment of this tumor. In this review, we provide an update on some of the most promising FDA-approved, non-oncology, repurposed drug candidates that show prominent clinical and preclinical data in pancreatic cancer. We also focus on proposed mechanisms of action and known molecular targets that they modulate in PC. Furthermore, we provide an explorative bioinformatic analysis, which suggests that some of the PC repurposed drug candidates have additional, unexplored, oncology-relevant targets. Finally, we discuss recent developments regarding the immunomodulatory role displayed by some of these drugs, which may expand their potential application in synergy with approved anticancer immunomodulatory agents that are mostly ineffective as single agents in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura De Lellis
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Serena Veschi
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Nicola Tinari
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (N.T.); (A.G.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology—CAST, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Zhirajr Mokini
- European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) Mentorship Programme, ESAIC, 24 Rue des Comédiens, BE-1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Davide Brocco
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Rosalba Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
| | - Antonino Grassadonia
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (N.T.); (A.G.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology—CAST, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cama
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (S.V.); (S.C.); (D.B.); (R.F.)
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology—CAST, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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15
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Repurposing of Antimicrobial Agents for Cancer Therapy: What Do We Know? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133193. [PMID: 34206772 PMCID: PMC8269327 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The substantial costs of clinical trials, the lengthy timelines of new drug discovery and development, along the high attrition rates underscore the need for alternative strategies for finding quickly suitable therapeutics agents. Given that most approved drugs possess more than one target tightly linked to other diseases, it encourages promptly testing these drugs in patients. Over the past decades, this has led to considerable attention for drug repurposing, which relies on identifying new uses for approved or investigational drugs outside the scope of the original medical indication. The known safety of approved drugs minimizes the possibility of failure for adverse toxicology, making them attractive de-risked compounds for new applications with potentially lower overall development costs and shorter development timelines. This latter case is an exciting opportunity, specifically in oncology, due to increased resistance towards the current therapies. Indeed, a large body of evidence shows that a wealth of non-cancer drugs has beneficial effects against cancer. Interestingly, 335 drugs are currently being evaluated in different clinical trials for their potential activities against various cancers (Redo database). This review aims to provide an extensive discussion about the anti-cancer activities exerted by antimicrobial agents and presents information about their mechanism(s) of action and stage of development/evaluation.
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16
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Rebelo R, Polónia B, Santos LL, Vasconcelos MH, Xavier CPR. Drug Repurposing Opportunities in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:280. [PMID: 33804613 PMCID: PMC8003696 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030280] [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: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered one of the deadliest tumors worldwide. The diagnosis is often possible only in the latter stages of the disease, with patients already presenting an advanced or metastatic tumor. It is also one of the cancers with poorest prognosis, presenting a five-year survival rate of around 5%. Treatment of PDAC is still a major challenge, with cytotoxic chemotherapy remaining the basis of systemic therapy. However, no major advances have been made recently, and therapeutic options are limited and highly toxic. Thus, novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Drug repurposing is a strategy for the development of novel treatments using approved or investigational drugs outside the scope of the original clinical indication. Since repurposed drugs have already completed several stages of the drug development process, a broad range of data is already available. Thus, when compared with de novo drug development, drug repurposing is time-efficient, inexpensive and has less risk of failure in future clinical trials. Several repurposing candidates have been investigated in the past years for the treatment of PDAC, as single agents or in combination with conventional chemotherapy. This review gives an overview of the main drugs that have been investigated as repurposing candidates, for the potential treatment of PDAC, in preclinical studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rebelo
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (B.P.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Polónia
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (B.P.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, IPO—Instituto Português de Oncologia, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- ICBAS—Biomedical Sciences Institute Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - M. Helena Vasconcelos
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (B.P.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP—Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina P. R. Xavier
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (R.R.); (B.P.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP—Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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17
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Martinez-Escobar A, Luna-Callejas B, Ramón-Gallegos E. CRISPR-dCas9-Based Artificial Transcription Factors to Improve Efficacy of Cancer Treatment With Drug Repurposing: Proposal for Future Research. Front Oncol 2021; 10:604948. [PMID: 33614489 PMCID: PMC7887379 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.604948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the high resistance that cancer has shown to conventional therapies, it is difficult to treat this disease, particularly in advanced stages. In recent decades, treatments have been improved, being more specific according to the characteristics of the tumor, becoming more effective, less toxic, and invasive. Cancer can be treated by the combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or drug administration, but therapies based on anticancer drugs are the main cancer treatment. Cancer drug development requires long-time preclinical and clinical studies and is not cost-effective. Drug repurposing is an alternative for cancer therapies development since it is faster, safer, easier, cheaper, and repurposed drugs do not have serious side effects. However, cancer is a complex, heterogeneous, and highly dynamic disease with multiple evolving molecular constituents. This tumor heterogeneity causes several resistance mechanisms in cancer therapies, mainly the target mutation. The CRISPR-dCas9-based artificial transcription factors (ATFs) could be used in cancer therapy due to their possibility to manipulate DNA to modify target genes, activate tumor suppressor genes, silence oncogenes, and tumor resistance mechanisms for targeted therapy. In addition, drug repurposing combined with the use of CRISPR-dCas9-based ATFs could be an alternative cancer treatment to reduce cancer mortality. The aim of this review is to describe the potential of the repurposed drugs combined with CRISPR-dCas9-based ATFs to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment, discussing the possible advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Martinez-Escobar
- Environmental Cytopathology Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Luna-Callejas
- Environmental Cytopathology Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eva Ramón-Gallegos
- Environmental Cytopathology Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
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18
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Liu M, Liu W, Qin Y, Xu X, Yu X, Zhuo Q, Ji S. Regulation of metabolic reprogramming by tumor suppressor genes in pancreatic cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00179-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Pancreatic cancer continues to be one of the most aggressive malignant tumors. Work in recent years in cancer molecular biology has revealed that metabolic reprogramming is an additional hallmark of cancer that is involved in the pathogenesis of cancers, and is intricately linked to gene mutations.
Main text
However, though oncogenes such as KRAS and c-Myc play important roles in the process, and have been extensively studied, no substantial improvements in the prognosis of pancreatic cancer have seen. Therefore, some scientists have tried to explain the mechanisms of abnormal cancer metabolism from the perspective of tumor suppressor genes. In this paper, we reviewed researches about how metabolic reprogramming was regulated by tumor suppressor genes in pancreatic cancer and their clinical implications.
Conclusion
Abnormal metabolism and genetic mutations are mutually causal and complementary in tumor initiation and development. A clear understanding of how metabolic reprogramming is regulated by the mutated genes would provide important insights into the pathogenesis and ultimately treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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19
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Barillari G. The Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 on the Sequential Steps of the Metastatic Process. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124526. [PMID: 32630531 PMCID: PMC7350258 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In industrialized countries, cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Most cancer patients die because of metastases, which consist of the self-transplantation of malignant cells in anatomical sites other than the one from where the tumor arose. Disseminated cancer cells retain the phenotypic features of the primary tumor, and display very poor differentiation indices and functional regulation. Upon arrival at the target organ, they replace preexisting, normal cells, thereby permanently compromising the patient's health; the metastasis can, in turn, metastasize. The spread of cancer cells implies the degradation of the extracellular matrix by a variety of enzymes, among which the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is particularly effective. This article reviews the available published literature concerning the important role that MMP-9 has in the metastatic process. Additionally, information is provided on therapeutic approaches aimed at counteracting, or even preventing, the development of metastasis via the use of MMP-9 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 1 via Montpellier, 00133 Rome, Italy
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20
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Barillari G. The Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Drugs. Front Oncol 2020; 10:806. [PMID: 32528888 PMCID: PMC7253758 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and metastasis of malignant tumors benefit from the formation of blood vessels within the tumor area. There, new vessels originate from angiogenesis (the sprouting of pre-existing neighboring vessels) and/or vasculogenesis (the mobilization of bone marrow-derived endothelial cell precursors which incorporate in tumor vasculature and then differentiate into mature endothelial cells). These events are induced by soluble molecules (the angiogenic factors) and modulated by endothelial cell interactions with the perivascular matrix. Given angiogenesis/vasculogenesis relevance to tumor progression, anti-angiogenic drugs are often employed to buttress surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Most of the anti-angiogenic drugs have been developed to functionally impair the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor: however, this leaves other angiogenic factors unaffected, hence leading to drug resistance and escape. Other anti-angiogenic strategies have exploited classical inhibitors of enzymes remodeling the perivascular matrix. Disappointingly, these inhibitors have been found toxic and/or ineffective in clinical trials, even though they block angiogenesis in pre-clinical models. These findings are stimulating the identification of other anti-angiogenic compounds. In this regard, it is noteworthy that drugs utilized for a long time to counteract human immune deficiency virus (HIV) can directly and effectively hamper molecular pathways leading to blood vessel formation. In this review the mechanisms leading to angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and their susceptibility to anti-HIV drugs will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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21
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Kaushik I, Ramachandran S, Prasad S, Srivastava SK. Drug rechanneling: A novel paradigm for cancer treatment. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 68:279-290. [PMID: 32437876 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer continues to be one of the leading contributors towards global disease burden. According to NIH, cancer incidence rate per year will increase to 23.6 million by 2030. Even though cancer continues to be a major proportion of the disease burden worldwide, it has the lowest clinical trial success rate amongst other diseases. Hence, there is an unmet need for novel, affordable and effective anti-neoplastic medications. As a result, a growing interest has sparkled amongst researchers towards drug repurposing. Drug repurposing follows the principle of polypharmacology, which states, "any drug with multiple targets or off targets can present several modes of action". Drug repurposing also known as drug rechanneling, or drug repositioning is an economic and reliable approach that identifies new disease treatment of already approved drugs. Repurposing guarantees expedited access of drugs to the patients as these drugs are already FDA approved and their safety and toxicity profile is completely established. Epidemiological studies have identified the decreased occurrence of oncological or non-oncological conditions in patients undergoing treatment with FDA approved drugs. Data from multiple experimental studies and clinical observations have depicted that several non-neoplastic drugs have potential anticancer activity. In this review, we have summarized the potential anti-cancer effects of anti-psychotic, anti-malarial, anti-viral and anti-emetic drugs with a brief overview on their mechanism and pathways in different cancer types. This review highlights promising evidences for the repurposing of drugs in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itishree Kaushik
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sharavan Ramachandran
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sahdeo Prasad
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sanjay K Srivastava
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA.
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22
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Feng J, Liu Q, Ru X, Xi N, Sun J. Occurrence and distribution of priority pharmaceuticals in the Yellow River and the Huai River in Henan, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:16816-16826. [PMID: 32141007 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence and spatial distribution of priority pharmaceuticals (PPs) in water samples from the Yellow River and the Huai River in the Henan region of China were investigated in this study. The concentration of the total PPs (ΣPPs; sum of the 10 observed PPs) ranged from not detected to 3474 ng L-1 in samples from the Yellow River and from 4.35 to 146 ng L-1 in samples from the Huai River. The level of the ΣPPs in the Huai River was much lower than that found in the Yellow River. The composition of the PPs differed between the two rivers. Norfloxacin, carbamazepine, and 5,5-diphenylhydantoin were detected at high concentrations in the Yellow River, whereas sulfamethazine, ampicillin trihydrate, carbamazepine, and 5,5-diphenylhydantoin were the dominant species in the Huai River, suggesting there were different pollution sources. In comparison to other studies around China, most of the PPs in water samples from the Yellow River and the Huai River were at low concentrations, except for norfloxacin and ofloxacin. There were significant seasonal variations among the PPs in water samples from the Huai River, whereas spatial distinctions were recorded among the PPs in the Yellow River. Dissolved organic carbon content did not correlate with the PPs in the studied area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglan Feng
- Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qi Liu
- Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangli Ru
- Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Nannan Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhui Sun
- Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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Wang T, Huang Z, Huang N, Peng Y, Gao M, Wang X, Feng W. Inhibition of KPNB1 Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells Through Regulation of E2F1. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10455-10467. [PMID: 31819526 PMCID: PMC6896920 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s210048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Karyopherin-β1 (KPNB1) belongs to the karyopherin superfamily, which functions as shuttling proteins from the cytoplasm to nuclear. A high level of KPNB1 has been reported in various cancers which promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. However, the role of KPNB1 in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remains uncertain. Methods Expression level of KPNB1 in CML patient samples and cell lines was analyzed by Western blotting. The proliferation assays and colony formation assay were used to study the CML cell proliferation when KPNB1 knockdown in vitro. Next, Western blotting was used to evaluate the effects of KPNB1 on E2F1 and other cell cycle regulators. Then, the location of E2F1 was detected by immunofluorescence. Finally, flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of KPNB1 inhibitor importazole (IPZ) on CML cells. Results In this study, we firstly showed that KPNB1 is over-expressed in CML cells. Targeting KPNB1 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and IPZ reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis of CML cells. The underlying mechanisms were also investigated that E2F1 nuclear transport was blocked after inhibiting KPNB1 with siRNA, suggesting KPNB1 over-expression mediates the excessive nuclear transport of E2F1 in CML cells. Moreover, the expression of the E2F1 targeted molecule such as c-Myc and KPNA2 was markedly reduced. The IPZ arrested CML cells at G2/M phase and induced cell apoptosis. Conclusion In summary, our results clearly showed that KPNB1 is over-expressed in CML cells and mediates the translocation of E2F1 into the nucleus of CML cells, thereby inhibition of KPNB1 reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis of CML cells which provides new insights for targeted CML therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wang
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenglan Huang
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningshu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhang Peng
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenli Feng
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
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Papanagnou P, Papadopoulos GE, Stivarou T, Pappas A. Toward fully exploiting the therapeutic potential of marketed pharmaceuticals: the use of octreotide and chloroquine in oncology. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 12:319-339. [PMID: 30643430 PMCID: PMC6317484 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s182685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleiotropy in biological systems and their targeting allows many pharmaceuticals to be used for multiple therapeutic purposes. Fully exploiting the therapeutic properties of drugs that are already marketed would be highly advantageous. This is especially the case in the field of oncology, where the ineffectiveness of typical anticancer agents is a common issue, while the development of novel anticancer agents is a costly and particularly time-consuming process. Octreotide and chloroquine are two pharmaceuticals that exhibit profound antitumorigenic activities. However, the current therapeutic use of octreotide is restricted primarily to the management of acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors, both of which are rare medical conditions. Similarly, chloroquine is used mainly for the treatment of malaria, which is designated as a rare disease in Western countries. This limited exploitation contradicts the experimental findings of numerous studies outlining the possible expansion of the use of octreotide to include the treatment of common human malignancies and the repositioning of chloroquine in oncology. Herein, we review the current knowledge on the antitumor function of these two agents stemming from preclinical or clinical experimentation. In addition, we present in silico evidence on octreotide potentially binding to multiple Wnt-pathway components. This will hopefully aid in the design of new efficacious anticancer therapeutic regimens with minimal toxicity, which represents an enormous unmet demand in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Theodora Stivarou
- Immunology Laboratory, Immunology Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios Pappas
- Department of Urology, Agios Savvas Cancer Hospital, Athens 11522, Greece,
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Kim I, Choi YS, Song JH, Choi EA, Park S, Lee EJ, Rhee JK, Kim SC, Chang S. A drug-repositioning screen for primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells identifies 6-thioguanine as an effective therapeutic agent for TPMT-low cancer cells. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:1526-1539. [PMID: 30055072 PMCID: PMC6120251 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to cure due to the lack of early diagnostic tools and effective therapeutic agents. In this study, we aimed to isolate new bioactive compounds that effectively kill pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, but not untransformed, human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) cells. To this end, we established four primary PDAC cell lines and screened 4141 compounds from four bioactive-compound libraries. Initial screening yielded 113 primary hit compounds that caused over a 50% viability reduction in all tested PDAC cells. Subsequent triplicate, dose-dependent analysis revealed three compounds with a tumor cell-specific cytotoxic effect. We found that these three compounds fall into a single category of thiopurine biogenesis. Among them, 6-thioguanine (6-TG) showed an IC50 of 0.39-1.13 μm toward PDAC cells but had no effect on HPDE cells. We propose that this cancer selectivity is due to differences in thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) expression between normal and cancer cells. This enzyme is responsible for methylation of thiopurine, which reduces its cytotoxicity. We found that TPMT levels were lower in all four PDAC cell lines than in HPDE or Panc1 cells, and that knockdown of TPMT in HPDE or Panc1 cells sensitized them to 6-TG. Lastly, we used a patient-derived xenograft model to confirm that 6-TG has a significant antitumor effect in combination with gemcitabine. Overall, our study presents 6-TG as a strong candidate for use as a therapeutic agent against PDAC with low levels of TPMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inki Kim
- Convergence Medicine Research Center (CREDIT)/Biomedical Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeon-Sook Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hwi Song
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun A Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sojung Park
- Convergence Medicine Research Center (CREDIT)/Biomedical Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Je-Keun Rhee
- Cancer Research Institute, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Song Cheol Kim
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suhwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Physiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Barillari G, Monini P, Sgadari C, Ensoli B. The Impact of Human Papilloma Viruses, Matrix Metallo-Proteinases and HIV Protease Inhibitors on the Onset and Progression of Uterine Cervix Epithelial Tumors: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1418. [PMID: 29747434 PMCID: PMC5983696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of uterine cervix epithelial cells by the Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) is associated with the development of dysplastic/hyperplastic lesions, termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). CIN lesions may regress, persist or progress to invasive cervical carcinoma (CC), a leading cause of death worldwide. CIN is particularly frequent and aggressive in women infected by both HPV and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), as compared to the general female population. In these individuals, however, therapeutic regimens employing HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PI) have reduced CIN incidence and/or clinical progression, shedding light on the mechanism(s) of its development. This article reviews published work concerning: (i) the role of HPV proteins (including HPV-E5, E6 and E7) and of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) in CIN evolution into invasive CC; and (ii) the effect of HIV-PI on events leading to CIN progression such as basement membrane and extracellular matrix invasion by HPV-positive CIN cells and the formation of new blood vessels. Results from the reviewed literature indicate that CIN clinical progression can be monitored by evaluating the expression of MMPs and HPV proteins and they suggest the use of HIV-PI or their derivatives for the block of CIN evolution into CC in both HIV-infected and uninfected women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 1 via Montpellier, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo Monini
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 299 viale Regina Elena, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Cecilia Sgadari
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 299 viale Regina Elena, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Barbara Ensoli
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 299 viale Regina Elena, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Fujishima H, Fumoto S, Shibata T, Nishiki K, Tsukamoto Y, Etoh T, Moriyama M, Shiraishi N, Inomata M. A 17-molecule set as a predictor of complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil in esophageal cancer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188098. [PMID: 29136005 PMCID: PMC5685591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (NAC-DCF) was identified as a novel strong regimen with a high rate of pathological complete response (pCR) in advanced esophageal cancer in Japan. Predicting pCR will contribute to the therapeutic strategy and the prevention of surgical invasion. However, a predictor of pCR after NAC-DCF has not yet been developed. The aim of this study was to identify a novel predictor of pCR in locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with NAC-DCF. Patients and methods A total of 32 patients who received NAC-DCF followed by esophagectomy between June 2013 and March 2016 were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into the following 2 groups: pCR group (9 cases) and non-pCR group (23 cases), and compared gene expressions between these groups using DNA microarray data and KeyMolnet. Subsequently, a validation study of candidate molecular expression was performed in 7 additional cases. Results Seventeen molecules, including transcription factor E2F, T-cell-specific transcription factor, Src (known as “proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase of sarcoma”), interferon regulatory factor 1, thymidylate synthase, cyclin B, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4, CDK, caspase-1, vitamin D receptor, histone deacetylase, MAPK/ERK kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, runt-related transcription factor 1, PR domain zinc finger protein 1, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and interleukin 1, were identified as candidate molecules. The molecules were mainly associated with pathways, such as transcriptional regulation by SMAD, RB/E2F, and STAT. The validation study indicated that 12 of the 17 molecules (71%) matched the trends of molecular expression. Conclusions A 17-molecule set that predicts pCR after NAC-DCF for locally advanced esophageal cancer was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Fujishima
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Shoichi Fumoto
- Department of Surgery, Oita Nakamura Hospital, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Kohei Nishiki
- Department of Surgery, Oita Nakamura Hospital, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Tsukamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Etoh
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Moriyama
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Norio Shiraishi
- Comprehensive Surgery for Community Medicine, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Masafumi Inomata
- Department of Gastroenterological and Pediatric Surgery, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
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Abstract
Cancer is a major health issue worldwide, and the global burden of cancer is expected to increase in the coming years. Whereas the limited success with current therapies has driven huge investments into drug development, the average number of FDA approvals per year has declined since the 1990s. This unmet need for more effective anti-cancer drugs has sparked a growing interest for drug repurposing, i.e. using drugs already approved for other indications to treat cancer. As such, data both from pre-clinical experiments, clinical trials and observational studies have demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy for compounds within a wide range of drug classes other than cancer. Whereas some of them induce cancer cell death or suppress various aspects of cancer cell behavior in established tumors, others may prevent cancer development. Here, we provide an overview of promising candidates for drug repurposing in cancer, as well as studies describing the biological mechanisms underlying their anti-neoplastic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sleire
- Oncomatrix Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Hilde Elise Førde
- Oncomatrix Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Inger Anne Netland
- Oncomatrix Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Lina Leiss
- Oncomatrix Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Bente Sandvei Skeie
- Oncomatrix Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen, Norway; Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei, 71, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Per Øyvind Enger
- Oncomatrix Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen, Norway; Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei, 71, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
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pH induced single step shift of hydrophobic patches followed by formation of an MG state and an amyloidogenic intermediate in Lima Bean Trypsin Inhibitor (LBTI). Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 103:111-119. [PMID: 28501599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Lima Bean Trypsin Inhibitor (LBTI) is 83 residues monomeric protein of 9.0 KDa, consisting of six antiparallel β-strands and can undergo concentration dependant dimerization. We have tried to characterize folding intermediates of LBTI under equilibrium denaturation conditions. We have used various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to understand the folding and misfolding pathways. LBTI forms molten globule structure at pH 2 and amyloidiogenic intermediate state (Ia) at pH 4. pH induced Shifting of surface exposed hydrophobic patches and that followed by withdrawal of the lone tyrosine residue (Y69) towards nonpolar environment have been reported. Denaturation profile of native and molten globule (MG) states of LBTI in presence of guanidine hydrochloride show sigmoidal curves with non-coincidental and irreversible behaviour in both states. Concentration dependent amyloid fibril formation was confirmed by Thioflavin T and Congo Red binding and its morphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This is the first report on biophysical characterization of folding intermediates of LBTI and its aggregation behaviour to the best of our knowledge.
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Bacigalupo I, Palladino C, Leone P, Toschi E, Sgadari C, Ensoli B, Barillari G. Inhibition of MMP-9 expression by ritonavir or saquinavir is associated with inactivation of the AKT/Fra-1 pathway in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia cells. Oncol Lett 2017; 13:2903-2908. [PMID: 28521396 PMCID: PMC5431249 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.5835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A reduced incidence and decreased clinical progression of uterine cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) has been observed in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treated with HIV-protease inhibitors (PIs). The HIV-PIs saquinavir (SQV) and ritonavir (RTV) have been demonstrated to efficiently inhibit invasion of human primary CIN cells by downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. The present study further investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of SQV and RTV in CIN. The results of the present study indicate that the treatment of human primary CIN cells with SQV or RTV directly impairs events leading to MMP-9 expression, including the phosphorylation of AKT and the nuclear localisation of the Fos-related antigen transcription factor. In addition, neither SQV nor RTV affected the expression of human papilloma virus proteins, such as E6 or E7. In view of the important role that the AKT/Fra-1/MMP-9 signalling pathway serves in CIN progression to invasive cervical carcinoma, these data further support the use of HIV-PIs in the treatment of CIN in women infected with HIV and women who are not infected with HIV. Furthermore, the present study identified a molecular mechanism underlying the anti-invasive effects of SQV/RTV, providing useful information for the development of SQV/RTV derivatives, which may be employed as novel anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bacigalupo
- National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Center, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Clelia Palladino
- National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Center, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Center, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Toschi
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Sgadari
- National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Center, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Ensoli
- National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Center, National Institute of Health, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, I-00133 Rome, Italy
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Waibel S, Bissinger R, Bouguerra G, Abbès S, Lang F. Ritonavir-Induced Suicidal Death of Human Erythrocytes. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2016; 119:51-7. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Waibel
- Department of Physiology; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
| | - Rosi Bissinger
- Department of Physiology; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
| | - Ghada Bouguerra
- Department of Physiology; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
- Molecular & Cellular Hematology Laboratory; Pasteur Institute of Tunis; University of Tunis-El Manar; El Manar Tunisia
| | - Salem Abbès
- Molecular & Cellular Hematology Laboratory; Pasteur Institute of Tunis; University of Tunis-El Manar; El Manar Tunisia
| | - Florian Lang
- Department of Physiology; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
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Kast RE, Ramiro S, Lladó S, Toro S, Coveñas R, Muñoz M. Antitumor action of temozolomide, ritonavir and aprepitant against human glioma cells. J Neurooncol 2015; 126:425-31. [PMID: 26603162 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-015-1996-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In the effort to find better treatments for glioblastoma we tested several currently marketed non-chemotherapy drugs for their ability to enhance the standard cytotoxic drug currently used to treat glioblastoma- temozolomide. We tested four antiviral drugs- acyclovir, cidofovir, maraviroc, ritonavir, and an anti-emetic, aprepitant. We found no cytotoxicity of cidofovir and discussed possible reasons for discrepancy from previous findings of others. We also found no cytotoxicity from acyclovir or maraviroc also in contradistinction to predictions. Cytotoxicity to glioma cell line GAMG for temozolomide alone was 14%, aprepitant alone 7%, ritonavir alone 14%, while temozolomide + aprepitant was 19%, temozolomide + ritonavir 34%, ritonavir + aprepitant 64 %, and all three, temozolomide + ritonavir + aprepitant 78%. We conclude that a remarkable synergy exists between aprepitant and ritonavir. Given the long clinical experience with these two well-tolerated drugs in treating non-cancer conditions, and the current median survival of glioblastoma of 2 years, a trial is warranted of adding these two simple drugs to current standard treatment with temozolomide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Kast
- IIAIGC Headquarters, Dean of Studies, 22 Church St, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA.
| | - Susana Ramiro
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Sandra Lladó
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Salvador Toro
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems (Lab. 14), Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Miguel Muñoz
- Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain.
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Kast RE, Karpel-Massler G, Halatsch ME. CUSP9* treatment protocol for recurrent glioblastoma: aprepitant, artesunate, auranofin, captopril, celecoxib, disulfiram, itraconazole, ritonavir, sertraline augmenting continuous low dose temozolomide. Oncotarget 2015; 5:8052-82. [PMID: 25211298 PMCID: PMC4226667 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CUSP9 treatment protocol for recurrent glioblastoma was published one year ago. We now present a slight modification, designated CUSP9*. CUSP9* drugs--aprepitant, artesunate, auranofin, captopril, celecoxib, disulfiram, itraconazole, sertraline, ritonavir, are all widely approved by regulatory authorities, marketed for non-cancer indications. Each drug inhibits one or more important growth-enhancing pathways used by glioblastoma. By blocking survival paths, the aim is to render temozolomide, the current standard cytotoxic drug used in primary glioblastoma treatment, more effective. Although esthetically unpleasing to use so many drugs at once, the closely similar drugs of the original CUSP9 used together have been well-tolerated when given on a compassionate-use basis in the cases that have come to our attention so far. We expect similarly good tolerability for CUSP9*. The combined action of this suite of drugs blocks signaling at, or the activity of, AKT phosphorylation, aldehyde dehydrogenase, angiotensin converting enzyme, carbonic anhydrase -2,- 9, -12, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, cathepsin B, Hedgehog, interleukin-6, 5-lipoxygenase, matrix metalloproteinase -2 and -9, mammalian target of rapamycin, neurokinin-1, p-gp efflux pump, thioredoxin reductase, tissue factor, 20 kDa translationally controlled tumor protein, and vascular endothelial growth factor. We believe that given the current prognosis after a glioblastoma has recurred, a trial of CUSP9* is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg Karpel-Massler
- University of Ulm, Department of Neurosurgery, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marc-Eric Halatsch
- University of Ulm, Department of Neurosurgery, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, Ulm, Germany
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Sato A. The human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor ritonavir is potentially active against urological malignancies. Onco Targets Ther 2015; 8:761-8. [PMID: 25914545 PMCID: PMC4399512 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s79776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor ritonavir has recently been shown to have antineoplastic activity, and its use in urological malignancies is under investigation with an eye toward drug repositioning. Ritonavir is thought to exert its antineoplastic activity by inhibiting multiple signaling pathways, including the Akt and nuclear factor-kappaB pathways. It can increase the amount of unfolded proteins in the cell by inhibiting both the proteasome and heat shock protein 90. Combinations of ritonavir with agents that increase the amount of unfolded proteins, such as proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, therefore, induce endoplasmic reticulum stress cooperatively and thereby kill cancer cells effectively. Ritonavir is also a potent cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein inhibitor, increasing the intracellular concentration of combined drugs by inhibiting their degradation and efflux from cancer cells and thereby enhancing their antineoplastic activity. Furthermore, riotnavir’s antineoplastic activity includes modulation of immune system activity. Therapies using ritonavir are thus an attractive new approach to cancer treatment and, due to their novel mechanisms of action, are expected to be effective against malignancies that are refractory to current treatment strategies. Further investigations using ritonavir are expected to find new uses for clinically available drugs in the treatment of urological malignancies as well as many other types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinori Sato
- Department of Urology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
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