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Azevedo A, Coelho MP, Pinho JO, Soares PIP, Reis CP, Borges JP, Gaspar MM. An alternative hybrid lipid nanosystem combining cytotoxic and magnetic properties as a tool to potentiate antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil. Life Sci 2024; 344:122558. [PMID: 38471621 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Colorectal cancer is the third most frequent type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The majority of cases are diagnosed at a later stage, leading to the need for more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), known for its high cytotoxic properties has emerged as a chemotherapeutic agent. However, it presents several drawbacks such as lack of specificity and short half-life. To reduce these drawbacks, several strategies have been designed namely chemical modification or association to drug delivery systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS Current research was focused on the design, physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation of a lipid-based system loaded with 5-FU. Furthermore, aiming to maximize preferential targeting and release at tumour sites, a hybrid lipid-based system, combining both therapeutic and magnetic properties was developed and validated. For this purpose, liposomes co-loaded with 5-FU and iron oxide (II, III) nanoparticles were accomplished. KEY FINDINGS The characterization of the developed nanoformulation was performed in terms of incorporation parameters, mean size and surface charge. In vitro studies assessed in a murine colon cancer cell line confirmed that 5-FU antiproliferative activity was preserved after incorporation in liposomes. In same model, iron oxide (II, III) nanoparticles did not exhibit cytotoxic properties. Additionally, the presence of these nanoparticles was shown to confer magnetic properties to the liposomes, allowing them to respond to external magnetic fields. SIGNIFICANCE Overall, a lipid nanosystem loading a chemotherapeutic agent displaying magnetic characteristics was successfully designed and physicochemically characterized, for further in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afonso Azevedo
- i3N/CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Mariana P Coelho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula I P Soares
- i3N/CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Catarina P Reis
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; IBEB, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João P Borges
- i3N/CENIMAT, Department of Materials Science, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; IBEB, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Pinho JO, Ferreira M, Coelho M, Pinto SN, Aguiar SI, Gaspar MM. Liposomal Rifabutin-A Promising Antibiotic Repurposing Strategy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:470. [PMID: 38675432 PMCID: PMC11053623 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (M RSA) infections, in particular biofilm-organized bacteria, remain a clinical challenge and a serious health problem. Rifabutin (RFB), an antibiotic of the rifamycins class, has shown in previous work excellent anti-staphylococcal activity. Here, we proposed to load RFB in liposomes aiming to promote the accumulation of RFB at infected sites and consequently enhance the therapeutic potency. Two clinical isolates of MRSA, MRSA-C1 and MRSA-C2, were used to test the developed formulations, as well as the positive control, vancomycin (VCM). RFB in free and liposomal forms displayed high antibacterial activity, with similar potency between tested formulations. In MRSA-C1, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for Free RFB and liposomal RFB were 0.009 and 0.013 μg/mL, respectively. Minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations able to inhibit 50% biofilm growth (MBIC50) for Free RFB and liposomal RFB against MRSA-C1 were 0.012 and 0.008 μg/mL, respectively. Confocal microscopy studies demonstrated the rapid internalization of unloaded and RFB-loaded liposomes in the bacterial biofilm matrix. In murine models of systemic MRSA-C1 infection, Balb/c mice were treated with RFB formulations and VCM at 20 and 40 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. The in vivo results demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial burden and growth index in major organs of mice treated with RFB formulations, as compared to Control and VCM (positive control) groups. Furthermore, the VCM therapeutic dose was two fold higher than the one used for RFB formulations, reinforcing the therapeutic potency of the proposed strategy. In addition, RFB formulations were the only formulations associated with 100% survival. Globally, this study emphasizes the potential of RFB nanoformulations as an effective and safe approach against MRSA infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta O. Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.O.P.); (M.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Magda Ferreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.O.P.); (M.F.); (M.C.)
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana Coelho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.O.P.); (M.F.); (M.C.)
| | - Sandra N. Pinto
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and Associate Laboratory i4HB−Institute for Health and Bioeconomy at Department of Bioengineering, Instituto SuperiorTécnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Sandra I. Aguiar
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.O.P.); (M.F.); (M.C.)
- IBEB, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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3
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Pinho JO, Matias M, Godinho-Santos A, Amaral JD, Mendes E, Jesus Perry M, Paula Francisco A, Rodrigues CMP, Manuela Gaspar M. A step forward on the in vitro and in vivo assessment of a novel nanomedicine against melanoma. Int J Pharm 2023; 640:123011. [PMID: 37146952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. To overcome current treatment limitations, a hybrid molecule (HM) combining a triazene and a ʟ-tyrosine analogue, was recently synthesized, incorporated in long blood circulating liposomes (LIP HM) and validated in an immunocompetent melanoma model. The present work constitutes a step forward in the therapeutic assessment of HM formulations. Here, human melanoma cells, A375 and MNT-1, were used and dacarbazine (DTIC), a triazene drug clinically available as first-line treatment for melanoma, constituted the positive control. In cell cycle analysis, A375 cells, after 24-h incubation with HM (60 μM) and DTIC (70 μM), resulted in a 1.2 fold increase (related to control) in the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase. The therapeutic activity was evaluated in a human murine melanoma model (subcutaneously injected with A375 cells) to most closely resemble the human pathology. Animals treated with LIP HM exhibited the highest antimelanoma effect resulting in a 6-, 5- and 4-fold reduction on tumor volume compared to negative control, Free HM and DTIC groups, respectively. No toxic side effects were detected. Overall, these results constitute another step forward in the validation of the antimelanoma activity of LIP HM, using a murine model that more accurately simulates the pathology that occurs in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Matias
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Ana Godinho-Santos
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Joana D Amaral
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria Jesus Perry
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Ana Paula Francisco
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Pinho JO, Matias M, Marques V, Eleutério C, Fernandes C, Gano L, Amaral JD, Mendes E, Perry MJ, Moreira JN, Storm G, Francisco AP, Rodrigues CMP, Gaspar MM. Preclinical validation of a new hybrid molecule loaded in liposomes for melanoma management. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:114021. [PMID: 36399831 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggressiveness of melanoma and lack of effective therapies incite the discovery of novel strategies. Recently, a new dual acting hybrid molecule (HM), combining a triazene and a ʟ-tyrosine analogue, was synthesized. HM was designed to specifically be activated by tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin biosynthesis and overexpressed in melanoma. HM displayed remarkable superior antiproliferative activity towards various cancer cell lines compared with temozolomide (TMZ), a triazene drug in clinical use, that acts through DNA alkylation. In B16-F10 cells, HM induced a cell cycle arrest at phase G0/G1 with a 2.8-fold decrease in cell proliferation index. Also, compared to control cells, HM led to a concentration-dependent reduction in tyrosinase activity and increase in caspase 3/7 activity. To maximize the therapeutic performance of HM in vivo, its incorporation in long blood circulating liposomes, containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) at their surface, was performed for passively targeting tumour sites. HM liposomes (LIP HM) exhibited high stability in biological fluids. Preclinical studies demonstrated its safety for systemic administration and in a subcutaneous murine melanoma model, significantly reduced tumour progression. In a metastatic murine melanoma model, a superior antitumour effect was also observed for mice receiving LIP HM, with markedly reduction of lung metastases compared to positive control group (TMZ). Biodistribution studies using 111In-labelled LIP HM demonstrated its ability for passively targeting tumour sites, thus correlating with the high therapeutic effect observed in the two experimental murine melanoma models. Overall, our proposed nanotherapeutic strategy was validated as an effective and safe alternative against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana Matias
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vanda Marques
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla Eleutério
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Célia Fernandes
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares and Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Lurdes Gano
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares and Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Joana D Amaral
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Jesus Perry
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Nuno Moreira
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology (CNC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra (Univ Coimbra), CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Biomaterial Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Ana Paula Francisco
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Ribeiro N, Farinha PF, Pinho JO, Luiz H, Mészáros JP, Galvão AM, Costa Pessoa J, Enyedy ÉA, Reis CP, Correia I, Gaspar MM. Metal Coordination and Biological Screening of a Schiff Base Derived from 8-Hydroxyquinoline and Benzothiazole. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122583. [PMID: 36559078 PMCID: PMC9785144 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Designing new metallodrugs for anticancer therapy is a driving force in the scientific community. Aiming to contribute to this field, we hereby report the development of a Schiff base (H2L) derived from the condensation of 2-carbaldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole and its complexation with transition metal ions. All compounds were characterised by analytical and spectroscopic techniques, which disclosed their structure: [Cu(HL)Cl], [Cu(HL)2], [Ni(HL)(acetate)], [Ni(HL)2], [Ru(HL)Cl(DMSO)], [VO(HL)2] and [Fe(HL)2Cl(H2O)]. Different binding modes were proposed, showing the ligand’s coordination versatility. The ligand proton dissociation constants were determined, and the tested compounds showed high lipophilicity and light sensitivity. The stability of all complexes in aqueous media and their ability to bind to albumin were screened. Based on an antiproliferative in vitro screening, [Ni(HL)(acetate)] and [Ru(HL)Cl(DMSO)] were selected for further studies aiming to investigate their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential towards colon cancer. The complexes displayed IC50 < 21 μM towards murine (CT-26) and human (HCT-116) colon cancer cell lines. Importantly, both complexes exhibited superior antiproliferative properties compared to the clinically approved 5-fluorouracil. [Ni(HL)(acetate)] induced cell cycle arrest in S phase in CT-26 cells. For [Ru(HL)Cl(DMSO)] this effect was observed in both colon cancer cell lines. Additionally, both compounds significantly inhibited cell migration particularly in the human colon cancer cell line, HCT-116. Overall, the therapeutic potential of both metal complexes was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nádia Ribeiro
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro F. Farinha
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O. Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hugo Luiz
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - János P. Mészáros
- MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Adelino M. Galvão
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Costa Pessoa
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Éva A. Enyedy
- MTA-SZTE Lendület Functional Metal Complexes Research Group, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Catarina Pinto Reis
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Correia
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences and Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (M.M.G.)
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (I.C.); (M.M.G.)
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Abstract
Worldwide, colon cancer (CC) represents the fourth most common type of cancer and the fifth major cause of cancer-associated deaths. Surgical resection is considered the standard therapeutic choice for CC in early stages. However, in latter stages of the disease, adjuvant chemotherapy is essential for an appropriate management of this pathology. Metal-based complexes displaying cytotoxic properties towards tumor cells emerge as potential chemotherapeutic options. One metallodrug, oxaliplatin, was already approved for clinical use, playing an important role in the treatment of CC patients. Unfortunately, most of the newly designed metal-based complexes exhibit lack of selectivity against cancer cells, low solubility and permeability, high dose-limiting toxicity, and emergence of resistances. Nanodelivery systems enable the incorporation of metallodrugs at adequate payloads, solving the above-referred drawbacks. Moreover, drug delivery systems, depending on their physicochemical properties, are able to release the incorporated material preferentially at affected tissues/organs, enhancing the therapeutic activity in vivo, with concomitant fewer side effects. In this review, the general features and therapeutic management of CC will be addressed, with a special focus on preclinical or clinical studies using metal-based compounds. Furthermore, the use of different nanodelivery systems will also be described as tools to potentiate the therapeutic index of metallodrugs for the management of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Farinha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O Pinho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana Matias
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Granada M, Mendes E, Perry MJ, Penetra MJ, Gaspar MM, Pinho JO, Serra S, António CT, Francisco AP. Sulfur Analogues of Tyrosine in the Development of Triazene Hybrid Compounds: A New Strategy against Melanoma. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1669-1677. [PMID: 34795855 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the major cause of death from skin cancer. Treatment of metastatic melanoma remains an enormous challenge. In this study we developed hybrid compounds and studied their potential use in malignant melanoma chemotherapy. They were designed to act by a double mechanism of action, being composed of two pharmacophores: the tyrosine sulfur analogue 4-S-cysteaminylphenol (4-S-CAP, 10), with immunomodulatory properties and specific melanocytotoxic activity, and triazene 4, with DNA alkylating properties. The design of these compounds aims to achieve selective activation by the enzyme tyrosinase overexpressed in melanoma cells. Compounds 11a-e, 13a, and 13b were found to be excellent tyrosinase substrates (0.5 min ≤ t 1/2 ≤ 3.7 min). Furthermore, derivatives 11 and 13 were evaluated for their molecular properties, hepatotoxicity, in vivo toxicity profile, and assessment of cytotoxic activity in melanoma and non-melanoma cell lines. The results were compared with those obtained for temozolomide, a triazene used in melanoma therapy. It was discovered that the hybrids are selective and effective drugs, representing a valuable model for the development of new multitarget melanoma therapy. In particular, compound 10 may be an important component for these strategies that use a metabolic pathway of melanin synthesis. Molecular hybridization of 10 with triazenes 4 renders the hybrids (11 and 13) unexpectedly devoid of hepatotoxicity while maintaining cytotoxic activity in malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Granada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Jesus Perry
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Penetra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O. Pinho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Serra
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Ana Paula Francisco
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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Matias M, Pinho JO, Penetra MJ, Campos G, Reis CP, Gaspar MM. The Challenging Melanoma Landscape: From Early Drug Discovery to Clinical Approval. Cells 2021; 10:3088. [PMID: 34831311 PMCID: PMC8621991 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is recognized as the most dangerous type of skin cancer, with high mortality and resistance to currently used treatments. To overcome the limitations of the available therapeutic options, the discovery and development of new, more effective, and safer therapies is required. In this review, the different research steps involved in the process of antimelanoma drug evaluation and selection are explored, including information regarding in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, as well as clinical trial phases. Details are given about the most used cell lines and assays to perform both two- and three-dimensional in vitro screening of drug candidates towards melanoma. For in vivo studies, murine models are, undoubtedly, the most widely used for assessing the therapeutic potential of new compounds and to study the underlying mechanisms of action. Here, the main melanoma murine models are described as well as other animal species. A section is dedicated to ongoing clinical studies, demonstrating the wide interest and successful efforts devoted to melanoma therapy, in particular at advanced stages of the disease, and a final section includes some considerations regarding approval for marketing by regulatory agencies. Overall, considerable commitment is being directed to the continuous development of optimized experimental models, important for the understanding of melanoma biology and for the evaluation and validation of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Matias
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Penetra
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Campos
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pinto Reis
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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9
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Pinho JO, da Silva IV, Amaral JD, Rodrigues CMP, Casini A, Soveral G, Gaspar MM. Therapeutic potential of a copper complex loaded in pH-sensitive long circulating liposomes for colon cancer management. Int J Pharm 2021; 599:120463. [PMID: 33711474 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma is a complex malignancy and current therapies are hampered by systemic toxicity and tumor resistance to treatment. In the field of cancer therapy, copper (Cu) compounds hold great promise, with some reaching clinical trials. However, the anticancer potential of Cu complexes has not yet been fully disclosed due to speciation in biological systems, leading to inactivation and/or potential side effects. This is the case of the widely studied Cu(II) complexes featuring phenanthroline ligands, with potent antiproliferative effects in vitro, but often failing in vivo. Aiming to overcome these limitations and maximize its anticancer effects in vivo, the Cu(II) complex (Cu(1,10-phenanthroline)Cl2) (Cuphen), displaying IC50 values <6 μM against different tumor cell lines, was loaded in long circulating liposomes with pH-sensitive properties (F1, DMPC:CHEMS:DSPE-PEG; F2, DOPE:CHEMS:DMPC:DSPE-PEG). This enabled a pH-dependent Cuphen release, with F1 and F2 releasing 36/78% and 47/94% of Cuphen at pH 6/4.5, respectively. The so formed nanoformulations preserved Cuphen effects towards cancer cell lines, with F2 presenting IC50 of 2.7 μM and 4.9 μM towards colon cancer CT-26 and HCT-116 cells, respectively. Additional in vitro studies confirmed that Cuphen antiproliferative activity towards colon cancer cells does not rely on cell cycle effect. Furthermore, in these cells, Cuphen reduced glycerol permeation and impaired cell migration. At 24 h incubation, wound closure was reduced by Cuphen, with migration values of 29% vs 54% (control) and 45% (1,10-phenanthroline) in CT-26 cells, and 33% vs ~44% (control and 1,10-phenanthroline) in HCT-116 cells. These effects were probably due to inhibition of aquaglyceroporins, membrane water and glycerol channels that are often abnormally expressed in tumors. In a syngeneic murine colon cancer model, F2 significantly reduced tumor progression, compared to the control group and to mice treated with free Cuphen or with the ligand, 1,10-phenanthroline, without eliciting toxic side effects. F2 led to a tumor volume reduction of ca. 50%. This was confirmed by RTV analysis, where F2 reached a value of 1.3 vs 4.4 (Control), 5.8 (Phen) and 3.8 (free Cuphen). These results clearly demonstrated the important role of the Cu(II) for the observed biological activity that was maximized following the association to a lipid-based nanosystem. Overall, this study represents a step forward in the development of pH-sensitive nanotherapeutic strategies of metallodrugs for colon cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês V da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana D Amaral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching b. München, Germany.
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - M Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
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10
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Pimpão C, da Silva IV, Mósca AF, Pinho JO, Gaspar MM, Gumerova NI, Rompel A, Aureliano M, Soveral G. The Aquaporin-3-Inhibiting Potential of Polyoxotungstates. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2467. [PMID: 32252345 PMCID: PMC7177757 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyoxometalates (POMs) are of increasing interest due to their proven anticancer activities. Aquaporins (AQPs) were found to be overexpressed in tumors bringing particular attention to their inhibitors as anticancer drugs. Herein, we report for the first time the ability of polyoxotungstates (POTs), such as of Wells-Dawson P2W18, P2W12, and P2W15, and Preyssler P5W30 structures, to affect aquaporin-3 (AQP3) activity and impair melanoma cell migration. The tested POTs were revealed to inhibit AQP3 function with different effects, with P2W18, P2W12, and P5W30 being the most potent (50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 0.8, 2.8, and 3.2 µM), and P2W15 being the weakest (IC50 > 100 µM). The selectivity of P2W18 toward AQP3 was confirmed in yeast cells transformed with human aquaglyceroporins. The effect of P2W12 and P2W18 on melanoma cells that highly express AQP3 revealed an impairment of cell migration between 55% and 65% after 24 h, indicating that the anticancer properties of these compounds may in part be due to the blockage of AQP3-mediated permeability. Altogether, our data revealed that P2W18 strongly affects AQP3 activity and cancer cell growth, unveiling its potential as an anticancer drug against tumors where AQP3 is highly expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Pimpão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.P.); (I.V.d.S.); (A.F.M.); (J.O.P.); (M.M.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês V. da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.P.); (I.V.d.S.); (A.F.M.); (J.O.P.); (M.M.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia F. Mósca
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.P.); (I.V.d.S.); (A.F.M.); (J.O.P.); (M.M.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O. Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.P.); (I.V.d.S.); (A.F.M.); (J.O.P.); (M.M.G.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.P.); (I.V.d.S.); (A.F.M.); (J.O.P.); (M.M.G.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nadiia I. Gumerova
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.I.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Annette Rompel
- Universität Wien, Fakultät für Chemie, Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (N.I.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Manuel Aureliano
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT), CCMar, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.P.); (I.V.d.S.); (A.F.M.); (J.O.P.); (M.M.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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Pinho JO, Amaral JD, Castro RE, Rodrigues CMP, Casini A, Soveral G, Gaspar MM. Copper complex nanoformulations featuring highly promising therapeutic potential in murine melanoma models. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:835-850. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Preclinical evaluation of a cytotoxic copper (II) complex formulated in long circulating nanoliposomes for melanoma treatment. Materials & methods: Liposomal nanoformulations of the copper complex were characterized in terms of thermodynamic behavior (differential scanning calorimeter), pH-sensitivity (spectrophotometry) and antiproliferative effects against murine melanoma B16F10 cells in vitro. Preclinical studies were performed in a C57BL/6 syngeneic melanoma model. Results: Nanoformulations were thermodynamically stable, and CHEMS-containing nanoliposomes were pH-sensitive and preserved the antiproliferative properties of the copper compound. These nanoformulations significantly impaired tumor progression in vivo, devoid of toxic side effects, compared with control mice or mice treated with the free metallodrug. Conclusion: Copper complex-containing nanoliposomes demonstrate high anticancer efficacy and safety, constituting a step forward to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana D Amaral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui E Castro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cecília MP Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Angela Casini
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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