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Serra M, Rubes D, Schinelli S, Paolillo M. Small Molecules against Metastatic Tumors: Concrete Perspectives and Shattered Dreams. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4173. [PMID: 37627201 PMCID: PMC10453213 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of anti-cancer therapy failure, leading to unfavorable prognosis for patients. The true challenge to increase cancer patient life expectancy by making cancer a chronic disease with periodic but manageable relapses relies on the development of efficient therapeutic strategies specifically directed against key targets in the metastatic process. Traditional chemotherapy with classical alkylating agents, microtubule inhibitors, and antimetabolites has demonstrated its limited efficacy against metastatic cells due to their capacity to select chemo-resistant cell populations that undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thus promoting the colonization of distant sites that, in turn, sustain the initial metastatic process. This scenario has prompted efforts aimed at discovering a wide variety of small molecules and biologics as potential anti-metastatic drugs directed against more specific targets known to be involved in the various stages of metastasis. In this short review, we give an overview of the most recent advances related to important families of antimetastatic small molecules: intracellular tyrosine kinase inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, KRAS inhibitors, and integrin antagonists. Although the majority of these small molecules are not yet approved and not available in the drug market, any information related to their stage of development could represent a precious and valuable tool to identify new targets in the endless fight against metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Serra
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.R.); (S.S.); (M.P.)
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Singh AK, Singh SV, Kumar R, Kumar S, Senapati S, Pandey AK. Current therapeutic modalities and chemopreventive role of natural products in liver cancer: Progress and promise. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:1-18. [PMID: 36744169 PMCID: PMC9896505 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a severe concern for public health officials since the clinical cases are increasing each year, with an estimated 5-year survival rate of 30%–35% after diagnosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes a significant subtype of liver cancer (approximate75%) and is considered primary liver cancer. Treatment for liver cancer mainly depends on the stage of its progression, where surgery including, hepatectomy and liver transplantation, and ablation and radiotherapy are the prime choice. For advanced liver cancer, various drugs and immunotherapy are used as first-line treatment, whereas second-line treatment includes chemotherapeutic drugs from natural and synthetic origins. Sorafenib and lenvatinib are first-line therapies, while regorafenib and ramucirumab are second-line therapy. Various metabolic and signaling pathways such as Notch, JAK/ STAT, Hippo, TGF-β, and Wnt have played a critical role during HCC progression. Dysbiosis has also been implicated in liver cancer. Drug-induced toxicity is a key obstacle in the treatment of liver cancer, necessitating the development of effective and safe medications, with natural compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, diallyl sulfide, and others emerging as promising anticancer agents. This review highlights the current status of liver cancer research, signaling pathways, therapeutic targets, current treatment strategies and the chemopreventive role of various natural products in managing liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar Singh
- Department of Botany, Government Naveen Girls College, Balod (Hemchand Yadav University), Durg, Chattisgarh, India
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shiv Vardan Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Shashank Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Sabyasachi Senapati
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Abhay K Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Limpachayaporn P, Nuchpun S, Sirirak J, Charoensuksai P, Wongprayoon P, Chuaypen N, Tangkijvanich P, Suksamrarn A. meta-Ureidophenoxy-1,2,3-triazole hybrid as a novel scaffold for promising HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma inhibitors: Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 74:117048. [PMID: 36270111 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.117048] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-one meta-ureidophenoxymethyl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives were designed and synthesized via nucleophilic addition, nucleophilic substitution and copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The evaluation of their cytotoxicity using MTT assay indicated that almost all derivatives exhibited significantly superior inhibitory activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 compared to the parental molecule sorafenib (1). Among the series, 5r was the most potent anti-HepG2 agent with IC50 = 1.04 µM, which was almost 5-fold more active than sorafenib (IC50 = 5.06 µM), while the cytotoxic activity against human embryonal lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5 remained comparable to sorafenib. The synthetic derivative 5r, thus, possessed 5.2-time higher selectivity index (SI) than that of sorafenib. Molecular docking studies revealed an efficient interaction of 5r at the same sorafenib's binding region in both B-Raf and VEGFR-2 with lower binding energies than those of sorafenib, consistent with its cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, 5r was proven to induce apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner similar to sorafenib. In addition, the prediction using SwissADME suggested that 5r possessed appropriate drug properties conforming to Veber's studies. These findings revealed that the newly designed meta-ureidophenoxy-1,2,3-triazole hybrid scaffold was a promising structural feature for an efficient inhibition of HepG2. Moreover, derivative 5r emerged as a promising candidate for further development as a targeted anti-cancer agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Panupun Limpachayaporn
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand.
| | - Sopon Nuchpun
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Jitnapa Sirirak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Purin Charoensuksai
- Department of Biomedicine and Health Informatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Pawaris Wongprayoon
- Department of Biomedicine and Health Informatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Natthaya Chuaypen
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Apichart Suksamrarn
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok 10240, Thailand
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Wang S, Wang Y, Yu J, Wu H, Zhou Y. Lenvatinib as First-Line Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225525. [PMID: 36428618 PMCID: PMC9688932 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib was approved in 2018 as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide the most updated evidence about the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib as a first-line treatment for unresectable HCC. An electronic search of the PubMed database, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library was undertaken to identify all relevant studies up to May 2022. The pooled effect sizes were calculated based on the random-effects model. One phase III randomized controlled trial and 23 retrospective studies of 2438 patients were eligible for analysis. For patients treated with lenvatinib as first-line treatment, the pooled median overall survival (OS), median progression-free survival (PFS), 1-year OS rate, 1-year PFS rate, objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were 11.36 months, 6.68 months, 56.0%, 27.0%, 36.0% and 75.0%, respectively. Lenvatinib showed a significantly superior efficacy compared with sorafenib (HR for OS, 0.85 and HR for PFS, 0.72; OR for ORR, 4.25 and OR for DCR, 2.23). The current study demonstrates that lenvatinib can provide better tumor responses and survival benefits than sorafenib as a first-line treatment for unresectable HCC, with a comparable incidence of adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Wang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Yiting Wang
- Department of Stomatology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, People’s Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Jiangtao Yu
- Department of General Surgery, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, People’s Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Huaxing Wu
- Department of Oncological Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Yanming Zhou
- Department of Oncological Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0592-2139708
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Hou W, Bridgeman B, Malnassy G, Ding X, Cotler S, Dhanarajan A, Qiu W. Integrin subunit beta 8 contributes to lenvatinib resistance in HCC. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:1786-1802. [PMID: 35238496 PMCID: PMC9234648 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib is a multikinase inhibitor approved as a first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the development of drug resistance is common, and the underlying mechanisms governing this resistance are largely unknown. In this study, we established two lenvatinib-resistant (LR) HCC cell lines and identified integrin subunit beta 8 (ITGB8) as a critical contributor to lenvatinib resistance in HCC. The elevated expression of ITGB8 was observed in LR HCC cells. Furthermore, silencing of ITGB8 reversed lenvatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo, whereas ectopic expression of ITGB8 in lenvatinib-sensitive parental HCC cells exhibited increased resistance to lenvatinib. Mechanistically, ITGB8 regulated lenvatinib resistance through an HSP90-mediated stabilization of AKT and enhanced AKT signaling. In support of this model, either an AKT inhibitor MK-2206 or an HSP90 inhibitor 17-AAG resensitized LR HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. Conclusion: Collectively, our results establish a crucial role of ITGB8 in lenvatinib resistance, and suggest that targeting the ITGB8/HSP90/AKT axis is a promising therapeutic strategy in patients with HCC exhibiting lenvatinib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hou
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Bryan Bridgeman
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Greg Malnassy
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of PathologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Scott J. Cotler
- Department of MedicineLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of MedicineLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
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Jiang W, Zhao T, Zhen X, Jin C, Li H, Ha J. Rapid Determination of 9 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Human Plasma by QuEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:920436. [PMID: 35800447 PMCID: PMC9253689 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.920436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A reliable and rapid method employing QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) pretreatment coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was successfully developed and validated for the analysis of nine tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in human plasma. Biological samples were extracted with acetonitrile and salted out with 350 mg of anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), followed by purification with 40 mg of ethyl enediamine-N-propylsilane (PSA) adsorbents. All analytes and internal standards (IS) were separated on the Hypersil GOLD VANQUISH C18 (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.9 μM) column using the mobile phases composed of acetonitrile (phase A) and 0.1% formic acid in water (phase B) for 8.0 min. Detection was performed by selection reaction monitoring (SRM) in the positive ion electrospray mode. Lenvatinib, sorafenib, cabozantinib, apatinib, gefitinib, regorafenib, and anlotinib rendered good linearity over the range of 0.1–10 ng/ml, and 1–100 ng/ml for tivantinib and galunisertib. All linear correlation coefficients for all standard curves were ≥ 0.9966. The limits of detection (LOD) and the limits of quantitation (LOQ) ranged from 0.003 to 0.11 ng/ml and 0.01–0.37 ng/ml, respectively. The method was deemed satisfactory with an accuracy of -7.34–6.64%, selectivity, matrix effect (ME) of 90.48–107.77%, recovery, and stability. The proposed method is simple, efficient, reliable, and applicable for the detection of TKIs in human plasma samples as well as for providing a reference for the clinical adjustment of drug administration regimen by monitoring the drug concentrations in the plasma of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaolan Zhen
- Hebei Institute of Drug and Medical Device Inspection, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chengcheng Jin
- College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hui Li
- Hebei Institute of Drug and Medical Device Inspection, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Li, ; Jing Ha,
| | - Jing Ha
- College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Li, ; Jing Ha,
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Matrone A, Gambale C, Prete A, Elisei R. Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Towards a Precision Medicine. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:864253. [PMID: 35422765 PMCID: PMC9004483 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.864253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neuroendocrine malignant tumor originating from parafollicular C-cells producing calcitonin. Most of cases (75%) are sporadic while the remaining (25%) are hereditary. In these latter cases medullary thyroid carcinoma can be associated (multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIA and IIB) or not (familial medullary thyroid carcinoma), with other endocrine diseases such as pheochromocytoma and/or hyperparathyroidism. RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in MTC tumorigenesis, both in sporadic and in hereditary cases. Total thyroidectomy with prophylactic/therapeutic central compartment lymph nodes dissection is the initial treatment of choice. Further treatments are needed according to tumor burden and rate of progression. Surgical treatments and local therapies are advocated in the case of single or few local or distant metastasis and slow rate of progression. Conversely, systemic treatments should be initiated in cases with large metastatic and rapidly progressive disease. In this review, we discuss the details of systemic treatments in advanced and metastatic sporadic MTC, focusing on multikinase inhibitors, both those already used in clinical practice and under investigation, and on emerging treatments such as highly selective RET inhibitors and radionuclide therapy.
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