1
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Cassioli ML, Fay M, Turyanska L, Bradshaw TD, Thomas NR, Pordea A. Encapsulation of copper phenanthroline within horse spleen apoferritin: characterisation, cytotoxic activity and ability to retain temozolomide. RSC Adv 2024; 14:14008-14016. [PMID: 38686295 PMCID: PMC11056943 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07430g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein capsules are promising drug delivery vehicles for cancer research therapies. Apoferritin (AFt) is a self-assembling 12 nm diameter hollow nanocage with many desirable features for drug delivery, however, control of drug retention inside the protein cage remains challenging. Here we report the encapsulation of copper(ii)-1,10-phenanthroline (Cu(phen)) within the horse spleen AFt (HSAFt) nanocage, by diffusion of the metal through the pores between the protein subunits. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of organised copper adducts inside HSAFt, without affecting protein integrity. These structures proved stable during storage (>4 months at -20 °C). Exposure to physiologically relevant conditions (37 °C) showed some selectivity in cargo release after 24 h at pH 5.5, relevant to the internalisation of AFt within the endosome (60% release), compared to pH 7.4, relevant to the bloodstream (40% release). Co-encapsulation of temozolomide, a prodrug used to treat glioblastoma multiforme, and Cu(phen) enabled entrapment of an average of 339 TMZ molecules per cage. In vitro results from MTT and clonogenic assays identified cytotoxic activity of the Cu(phen), HSAFt-Cu(phen) and HSAFt-Cu(phen)-TMZ adducts against colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and glioblastoma cells (U373V, U373M). However, the presence of the metal also contributed to more potent activity toward healthy MRC5 fibroblasts, a result that requires further investigation to assess the clinical viability of this system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Fay
- Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | | | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Neil R Thomas
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Anca Pordea
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
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2
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Musa M, Abid M, Bradshaw TD, Boocock DJ, Coveney C, Argent SP, Woodward S. Probing the Mechanism of Action of Bis(phenolato) Amine (ONO Donor Set) Titanium(IV) Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2024; 67:2732-2744. [PMID: 38331433 PMCID: PMC10895680 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The need for anticancer therapies that overcome metallodrug resistance while minimizing adverse toxicities is targeted, herein, using titanium coordination complexes. Octahedral titanium(IV) trans,mer-[Ti{R1N(CH2-2-MeO-4-R1-C6H2)2}2] [R1 = Et, allyl, n-Pr, CHO, F, CH2(morpholino), the latter from the formyl derivative; R2 = Me, Et; not all combinations] are attained from Mannich reactions of commercial 2-methoxyphenols (27-74% overall yield, 2 steps). These crystalline (four X-ray structures) Ti(IV)-complexes are active against MCF-7, HCT-116, HT-29, PANC-1, and MDA-MB-468 cancer cell lines (GI50 = 0.5-38 μM). Their activity and cancer selectivity (vs nontumor MRC-5 cells) typically exceeds that of cisplatin (up to 16-fold). Proteomic analysis (in MCF-7) supported by other studies (G2/M cell cycle arrest, ROS generation, γH2AX production, caspase activation, annexin positivity, western blot, and kinase screens in MCF-7 and HCT-116) suggest apoptosis elicited by more than one mechanism of action. Comparison of these data to the modes of action proposed for salan Ti(IV) complexes is made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Musa
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2TU, U.K
| | - Mohammed Abid
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Anbar, Anbarshire 31001, Iraq
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- BDI, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - David J Boocock
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Clare Coveney
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Stephen P Argent
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Simon Woodward
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2TU, U.K
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3
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Abuzaid H, Abdelrazig S, Ferreira L, Collins HM, Kim DH, Lim KH, Kam TS, Thomas NR, Turyanska L, Bradshaw TD. Correction to "Apoferritin-Encapsulated Jerantinine A for Transferrin Receptor Targeting and Enhanced Selectivity in Breast Cancer Therapy". ACS Omega 2024; 9:2012. [PMID: 38222495 PMCID: PMC10785055 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00997.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Haneen Abuzaid
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Salah Abdelrazig
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Lenny Ferreira
- School of
Chemistry, Biodiscovery Institute, The University
of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Hilary M. Collins
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Dong-Hyun Kim
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- The
University of Nottingham Malaysia, Block B, Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Toh-Seok Kam
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University
of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Neil R. Thomas
- School of
Chemistry, Biodiscovery Institute, The University
of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- Faculty
of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Additive Manufacturing Building,
Jubilee Campus, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
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4
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Summers HS, Lewis W, Williams HEL, Bradshaw TD, Moody CJ, Stevens MFG. Discovery of new imidazotetrazinones with potential to overcome tumor resistance. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115507. [PMID: 37262998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115507] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We describe the design, organic synthesis, and characterization, including X-ray crystallography, of a series of novel analogues of the clinically used antitumor agent temozolomide, together with their in vitro biological evaluation. The work has resulted in the discovery of a new series of anticancer imidazotetrazines that offer the potential to overcome the resistance mounted by tumors against temozolomide. The rationally designed compounds that incorporate a propargyl alkylating moiety and a thiazole ring as isosteric replacement for a carboxamide, are readily synthesized (gram-scale), exhibit defined solid-state structures, and enhanced growth-inhibitory activity against human tumor cell lines, including MGMT-expressing and MMR-deficient lines, molecular features that confer tumor resistance. The cell proliferation data were confirmed by clonogenic cell survival assays, and DNA flow cytometry analysis was undertaken to determine the effects of new analogues on cell cycle progression. Detailed 1H NMR spectroscopic studies showed that the new agents are stable in solution, and confirmed their mechanism of action. The propargyl and thiazole substituents significantly improve potency and physicochemical, drug metabolism and permeability properties, suggesting that the thiazole 13 should be prioritized for further preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen S Summers
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - William Lewis
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Huw E L Williams
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Christopher J Moody
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Malcolm F G Stevens
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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5
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Brookes A, Jewell A, Feng W, Bradshaw TD, Butler J, Gershkovich P. Oral lipid-based formulations alter delivery of cannabidiol to different anatomical regions in the brain. Int J Pharm 2023; 635:122651. [PMID: 36720447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122651] [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: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Delivery to the brain is a challenging task due to its protection by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Lipids and fatty acids are reported to affect the permeability of the BBB, although this has not been reported following oral administration. Cannabidiol (CBD) has high therapeutic potential in the brain, therefore, this work investigated CBD delivery to anatomical brain regions following oral administration in lipid-based and lipid-free vehicles. All formulations resulted in a short brain Tmax (1 h) and brain-plasma ratios ≥ 3.5, with retention up to 18 h post administration. The highest CBD delivery was observed in the olfactory bulb and striatum, and the medulla pons and cerebellum the lowest. The lipid-free vehicle led to the highest levels of CBD in the whole brain. However, when each anatomical region was assessed individually, the long chain triglyceride-rich rapeseed oil formulation commonly showed optimal performance. The medium chain triglyceride-rich coconut oil formulation did not result in the highest CBD concentration in any brain region. Overall, differences in CBD delivery to the whole brain and various brain regions were observed following administration in different formulations, indicating that the oral formulation selection may be important for optimal delivery to specific regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Brookes
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Adelaide Jewell
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Wanshan Feng
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - James Butler
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Park Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 0DP, UK
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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6
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Humphreys J, Malagreca F, Hume PA, Davies ES, Argent SP, Bradshaw TD, Amabilino DB. Highly electron deficient diketopyrrolopyrroles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1613-1616. [PMID: 36632697 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc06770f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis, spectroelectrochemical and structural characteristics of highly electron-accepting diketopyrrrolopyrrole (DPP) molecules with adjoining pyridinium rings is reported, along with an assessment of their toxicity, which is apparently low. The compounds show reversible electrochemistry and in one subfamily a massive increase in molar extinction coefficient upon electrochemical reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Humphreys
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK
| | - Ferdinando Malagreca
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.,School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Paul A Hume
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology and School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6010, New Zealand
| | - E Stephen Davies
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stephen P Argent
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David B Amabilino
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.,Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Campus Universitari de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain.
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7
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Mehmood H, Musa M, Woodward S, Hossan MS, Bradshaw TD, Haroon M, Nortcliffe A, Akhtar T. Design, and synthesis of selectively anticancer 4-cyanophenyl substituted thiazol-2-ylhydrazones. RSC Adv 2022; 12:34126-34141. [PMID: 36540407 PMCID: PMC9704493 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra03226k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 04/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclization of substituted thiosemicarbazones with α-bromo-4-cyanoacetophenone allows rapid single-step sustainable syntheses of 4-cyanophenyl-2-hydrazinylthiazoles libraries (30 examples, 66-79%). All show anticancer efficacy against HCT-116 and MCF-7 carcinoma cell lines with the majority being more active than cisplatin positive controls. The compounds 2-(2-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazole (3f) and 2-(2-((pentafluorophenyl)methylene)-hydrazinyl)-4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazole (3a') show optimal GI50 values (1.0 ± 0.1 μM and 1.7 ± 0.3 μM) against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Against colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells, (2-(2-(3-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)hydrazinyl)-4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazole (3b'), 2-(2-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazole (3f), 2-(2-(2,6-dichlorobenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazole (3n) and 2-(2-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)-4-(4-cyanophenyl)thiazole (3w) are the most active (GI50 values: 1.6 ± 0.2, 1.6 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.5 and 1.5 ± 0.8 μM respectively). Control studies with MRC-5 cells indicate appreciable selectivity towards the cancer cells targeted. Significant (p < 0.005) growth inhibition and cytotoxicity effects for the thiazoles 3 were corroborated by cell count and clonogenic assays using the same cancer cell lines at 5 and 10 μM agent concentrations. Cell cycle, caspase activation and Western blot assays demonstrated that compounds 3b' and 3f induce cancer cell death via caspase-dependent apoptosis. The combination of straight forward synthesis and high activity makes the thiazoles 3 an interesting lead for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasnain Mehmood
- Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) 10250-Mirpur (AJK) Pakistan
| | - Mustapha Musa
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham Triumph Road Nottingham NG7 2TU UK
| | - Simon Woodward
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham Triumph Road Nottingham NG7 2TU UK
| | - Md Shahadat Hossan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Muhammad Haroon
- Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) 10250-Mirpur (AJK) Pakistan
| | - Andrew Nortcliffe
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Tashfeen Akhtar
- Department of Chemistry, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) 10250-Mirpur (AJK) Pakistan
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8
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Abuzaid H, Abdelrazig S, Ferreira L, Collins HM, Kim DH, Lim KH, Kam TS, Turyanska L, Bradshaw TD. Apoferritin-Encapsulated Jerantinine A for Transferrin Receptor Targeting and Enhanced Selectivity in Breast Cancer Therapy. ACS Omega 2022; 7:21473-21482. [PMID: 35785302 PMCID: PMC9244903 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The O-acetyl (or acetate) derivative of the Aspidosperma alkaloid Jerantinine A (JAa) elicits anti-tumor activity against cancer cell lines including mammary carcinoma cell lines irrespective of receptor status (0.14 < GI50 < 0.38 μM), targeting microtubule dynamics. By exploiting breast cancer cells' upregulated transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) expression and apoferritin (AFt) recognition, we sought to develop an AFt JAa-delivery vehicle to enhance tumor-targeting and reduce systemic toxicity. Optimizing pH-mediated reassembly, ∼120 JAa molecules were entrapped within AFt. Western blot and flow cytometry demonstrate TfR1 expression in cancer cells. Enhanced internalization of 5-carboxyfluorescein-conjugated human AFt in SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells is observed compared to MRC5 fibroblasts. Accordingly, AFt-JAa delivers significantly greater intracellular JAa levels to SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cells than naked JAa (0.2 μM) treatment alone. Compared to naked JAa (0.2 μM), AFt-JAa achieves enhanced growth inhibition (2.5-14-fold; <0.02 μM < GI50 < 0.15 μM) in breast cancer cells; AFt-JAa treatment results in significantly reduced clonal survival, more profound cell cycle perturbation including G2/M arrest, greater reduction in cell numbers, and increased apoptosis compared to the naked agent (p < 0.01). Decreased PLK1 and Mcl-1 expression, together with the appearance of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, corroborate the augmented potency of AFt-JAa. Hence, we demonstrate that AFt represents a biocompatible vehicle for targeted delivery of JAa, offering potential to minimize toxicity and enhance JAa activity in TfR1-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haneen Abuzaid
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Salah Abdelrazig
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Lenny Ferreira
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Hilary M. Collins
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Dong-Hyun Kim
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- The
University of Nottingham Malaysia, Block B, Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Toh-Seok Kam
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University
of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- Faculty
of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Additive Manufacturing Building,
Jubilee Campus, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School
of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, The
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
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9
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Sousa A, Bradshaw TD, Ribeiro D, Fernandes E, Freitas M. Pro-inflammatory effects of silver nanoparticles in the intestine. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:1551-1571. [PMID: 35296919 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03270-w] [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: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a promising technology of the twenty-first century, being a rapidly evolving field of research and industrial innovation widely applied in our everyday life. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are considered the most commercialized nanosystems worldwide, being applied in diverse sectors, from medicine to the food industry. Considering their unique physical, chemical and biological properties, AgNP have gained access into our daily life, with an exponential use in food industry, leading to an increased inevitable human oral exposure. With the growing use of AgNP, several concerns have been raised, in recent years, about their potential hazards to human health, more precisely their pro-inflammatory effects within the gastrointestinal system. Therefore a review of the literature has been undertaken to understand the pro-inflammatory potential of AgNP, after human oral exposure, in the intestine. Despite the paucity of information reported in the literature about this issue, existing studies indicate that AgNP exert a pro-inflammatory action, through generation of oxidative stress, accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, interference with transcription factors and production of cytokines. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanistic pathways and molecular targets involved in the intestinal pro-inflammatory effects of AgNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Sousa
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Daniela Ribeiro
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Agrarian Sciences and Environment, University of the Azores, 9700-042, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Fernandes
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Marisa Freitas
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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10
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Brookes A, Ji L, Bradshaw TD, Stocks M, Gray D, Butler J, Gershkovich P. Is Oral Lipid-Based Delivery for Drug Targeting to the Brain Feasible? Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2022; 172:112-122. [PMID: 35149190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review outlines the feasibility of oral lipid-based targeted delivery of drugs to the brain, including permeation of the central nervous system's (CNS) protective blood-brain barrier (BBB). The structure of the BBB and disruption caused by varying disease states highlights the need for disease-specific approaches to alter permeation. Disruption during disease state, and the effects of certain molecules on the barrier, demonstrate the possibility of exploiting such BBB disruption for drug delivery. Many administration methods can be used to target the brain, but oral administration is considered ideal for chronic, long-term illnesses. Several lipids that have been shown to facilitate drug delivery into the brain after systemic administration, but could also be delivered orally are discussed, including oleic acid, triolein, alkylglycerol, and conjugates of linoleic and myristic acids. Current data reveal the potential for the use of such lipids as part of oral formulations for delivery to the brain by reaching sufficient plasma levels after administration to increase the permeability of the BBB. However, gaps in the literature remain regarding the concentrations and form of most lipids required to produce the desired effects. The use of lipids via oral delivery for brain targeting has not been investigated thoroughly enough to determine with certainty if similar permeability-enhancing effects would be observed as for parenteral administration. In conclusion, further research to fill research gaps is needed, but the limited evidence suggests that oral lipid-based drug delivery for brain targeting is potentially feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Brookes
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK, NG7 2RD
| | - Liuhang Ji
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK, NG7 2RD
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK, NG7 2RD
| | - Michael Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK, NG7 2RD
| | - David Gray
- Division of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK, LE12 5RD
| | - James Butler
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Park Road, Ware, Hertfordshire, UK, SG12 0DP
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK, NG7 2RD.
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11
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Al-Ani AW, Zamberlan F, Ferreira L, Bradshaw TD, Thomas NR, Turyanska L. Near-infrared PbS quantum dots functionalized with affibodies and ZnPP for targeted imaging and therapeutic applications. Nano Ex 2021. [DOI: 10.1088/2632-959x/ac33b8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We report a new theranostic device based on lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) with optical emission in the near infrared wavelength range decorated with affibodies (small 6.5 kDa protein-based antibody replacements) specific to the cancer biomarker human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and zinc(II) protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) to combine imaging, targeting and therapy within one nanostructure. Colloidal PbS QDs were synthesized in aqueous solution with a nanocrystal diameter of ∼5 nm and photoluminescence emission in the near infrared wavelength range. The ZHER2:432 affibody, mutated through the introduction of two cysteine residues at the C-terminus (Afb2C), was used as capping ligand to form Afb2C-PbS QDs that have a high binding affinity for HER2, which is overexpressed in several types of cancer including breast cancer. Afb2C-PbS QDs were further modified by conjugation with ZnPP, which acts as an anticancer agent. The biological activity of these QDs was tested against SKBR3 (HER2-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (HER2-normal) breast cancer cells, with results showing that ZnPP-Afb2C-functionalized PbS QDs were successfully targeted to the HER2-overexpressing cancer cells and induced cell apoptosis thanks to the conjugation with ZnPP. These results expand the use of the QD nanoplatform with the formulation of novel nanomaterials for targeted delivery and combined imaging and therapy via direct surface-protein interaction.
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Al-Hayali M, Garces A, Stocks M, Collins H, Bradshaw TD. Concurrent Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Aneuploidy Induction Contribute to Thymoquinone Anticancer Activity. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175136. [PMID: 34500570 PMCID: PMC8433634 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main biologically active constituent of Nigella sativa. Many studies have confirmed its anticancer actions. Herein, we investigated the different anticancer activities of, and considered resistance mechanisms to, TQ. MTT and clonogenic data showed TQ’s ability to suppress breast MDA-MB-468 and T-47D proliferation at lower concentrations compared to other cancer and non-transformed cell lines tested (GI50 values ≤ 1.5 µM). Flow-cytometric analyses revealed that TQ consistently induced MDA-MB-468 and T-47D cell-cycle perturbation, specifically inducing pre-G1 populations. In comparison, less sensitive breast MCF-7 and colon HCT-116 cells exhibited only transient increases in pre-G1 events. Annexin V/PI staining confirmed apoptosis induction in MDA-MB-468 and HCT-116 cells, which was continuous in the former and transient in the latter. Experiments revealed the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and aneuploidy induction in MDA-MB-468 cells within the first 24 h of treatment. The ROS-scavenger NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone 1) (NQO1; DT-diaphorase) and glutathione (GSH) were implicated in resistance to TQ. Indeed, western blot analyses showed that NQO1 is expressed in all cell lines in this study, except those most sensitive to TQ-MDA-MB-468 and T-47D. Moreover, TQ treatment increased NQO1 expression in HCT-116 in a concentration-dependent fashion. Measurement of GSH activity in MDA-MB-468 and HCT-116 cells found that GSH is similarly active in both cell lines. Furthermore, GSH depletion rendered these cells more sensitive to TQ’s antiproliferative actions. Therefore, to bypass putative inactivation of the TQ semiquinone metabolite, the benzylamine analogue was designed and synthesised following modification of TQ’s carbon-3 atom. However, the structural modification negatively impacted potency against MDA-MB-468 cells. In conclusion, we disclose the following: (i) The anticancer activity of TQ may be a consequence of ROS generation and aneuploidy; (ii) Early GSH depletion could substantially enhance TQ’s anticancer activity; (iii) Benzylamine substitution at TQ’s carbon-3 failed to enhance anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Hayali
- Al-Mosul General Hospital, Mosul University Post Office, P.O. Box 11104, Mosul 41002, Iraq
- Correspondence: (M.A.-H.); (T.D.B.)
| | - Aimie Garces
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (A.G.); (M.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Michael Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (A.G.); (M.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Hilary Collins
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (A.G.); (M.S.); (H.C.)
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (A.G.); (M.S.); (H.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.-H.); (T.D.B.)
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Heravi Shargh V, Luckett J, Bouzinab K, Paisey S, Turyanska L, Singleton WGB, Lowis S, Gershkovich P, Bradshaw TD, Stevens MFG, Bienemann A, Coyle B. Chemosensitization of Temozolomide-Resistant Pediatric Diffuse Midline Glioma Using Potent Nanoencapsulated Forms of a N(3)-Propargyl Analogue. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:35266-35280. [PMID: 34310112 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c04164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The lack of clinical response to the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) in pediatric diffuse midline/intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) has been associated with O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) expression and mismatch repair deficiency. Hence, a potent N(3)-propargyl analogue (N3P) was derived, which not only evades MGMT but also remains effective in mismatch repair deficient cells. Due to the poor pharmacokinetic profile of N3P (t1/2 < 1 h) and to bypass the blood-brain barrier, we proposed convection enhanced delivery (CED) as a method of administration to decrease dose and systemic toxicity. Moreover, to enhance N3P solubility, stability, and sustained distribution in vivo, either it was incorporated into an apoferritin (AFt) nanocage or its sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin complex was loaded into nanoliposomes (Lip). The resultant AFt-N3P and Lip-N3P nanoparticles (NPs) had hydrodynamic diameters of 14 vs 93 nm, icosahedral vs spherical morphology, negative surface charge (-17 vs -34 mV), and encapsulating ∼630 vs ∼21000 N3P molecules per NP, respectively. Both NPs showed a sustained release profile and instant uptake within 1 h incubation in vitro. In comparison to the naked drug, N3P NPs demonstrated stronger anticancer efficacy against 2D TMZ-resistant DIPG cell cultures [IC50 = 14.6 (Lip-N3P) vs 32.8 μM (N3P); DIPG-IV) and (IC50 = 101.8 (AFt-N3P) vs 111.9 μM (N3P); DIPG-VI)]. Likewise, both N3P-NPs significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited 3D spheroid growth compared to the native N3P in MGMT+ DIPG-VI (100 μM) and mismatch repair deficient DIPG-XIX (50 μM) cultures. Interestingly, the potency of TMZ was remarkably enhanced when encapsulated in AFt NPs against DIPG-IV, -VI, and -XIX spheroid cultures. Dynamic PET scans of CED-administered zirconium-89 (89Zr)-labeled AFt-NPs in rats also demonstrated substantial enhancement over free 89Zr radionuclide in terms of localized distribution kinetics and retention within the brain parenchyma. Overall, both NP formulations of N3P represent promising approaches for treatment of TMZ-resistant DIPG and merit the next phase of preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stephen Paisey
- Wales Research and Diagnostic PET Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, United Kingdom
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - William G B Singleton
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Alison Bienemann
- Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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Hossan MS, Break MKB, Bradshaw TD, Collins HM, Wiart C, Khoo TJ, Alafnan A. Novel Semi-Synthetic Cu (II)-Cardamonin Complex Exerts Potent Anticancer Activity against Triple-Negative Breast and Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the Akt Signaling Pathway. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26082166. [PMID: 33918814 PMCID: PMC8069646 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082166] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardamonin is a polyphenolic natural product that has been shown to possess cytotoxic activity against a variety of cancer cell lines. We previously reported the semi-synthesis of a novel Cu (II)–cardamonin complex (19) that demonstrated potent antitumour activity. In this study, we further investigated the bioactivity of 19 against MDA-MB-468 and PANC-1 cancer cells in an attempt to discover an effective treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Results revealed that 19 abolished the formation of MDA-MB-468 and PANC-1 colonies, exerted growth-inhibitory activity, and inhibited cancer cell migration. Further mechanistic studies showed that 19 induced DNA damage resulting in gap 2 (G2)/mitosis (M) phase arrest and microtubule network disruption. Moreover, 19 generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may contribute to induction of apoptosis, corroborated by activation of caspase-3/7, PARP cleavage, and downregulation of Mcl-1. Complex 19 also decreased the expression levels of p-Akt and p-4EBP1, which indicates that the compound exerts its activity, at least in part, via inhibition of Akt signalling. Furthermore, 19 decreased the expression of c-Myc in PANC-1 cells only, which suggests that it may exert its bioactivity via multiple mechanisms of action. These results demonstrate the potential of 19 as a therapeutic agent for TNBC and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shahadat Hossan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
- Correspondence: (M.S.H.); (M.K.B.B.); (T.D.B.); Tel.: +44-115-823-2017 (M.S.H.); +96-692-000-5995 (ext. 1668) (M.K.B.B.); +44-115-951-5033 (T.D.B.)
| | - Mohammed Khaled Bin Break
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81411, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.S.H.); (M.K.B.B.); (T.D.B.); Tel.: +44-115-823-2017 (M.S.H.); +96-692-000-5995 (ext. 1668) (M.K.B.B.); +44-115-951-5033 (T.D.B.)
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
- Correspondence: (M.S.H.); (M.K.B.B.); (T.D.B.); Tel.: +44-115-823-2017 (M.S.H.); +96-692-000-5995 (ext. 1668) (M.K.B.B.); +44-115-951-5033 (T.D.B.)
| | - Hilary M. Collins
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Christophe Wiart
- Centre for Natural and Medicinal Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia; (C.W.); (T.-J.K.)
| | - Teng-Jin Khoo
- Centre for Natural and Medicinal Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia; (C.W.); (T.-J.K.)
| | - Ahmed Alafnan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81411, Saudi Arabia;
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Shao H, Foley DW, Huang S, Abbas AY, Lam F, Gershkovich P, Bradshaw TD, Pepper C, Fischer PM, Wang S. Structure-based design of highly selective 2,4,5-trisubstituted pyrimidine CDK9 inhibitors as anti-cancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113244. [PMID: 33581551 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a family of Ser/Thr kinases involved in cell cycle and transcriptional regulation. CDK9 regulates transcriptional elongation and this unique property has made it a potential target for several diseases. Due to the conserved ATP binding site, designing selective CDK9 inhibitors has been challenging. Here we report our continued efforts in the optimization of 2,4,5-tri-substituted pyrimidine compounds as potent and selective CDK9 inhibitors. The most selective compound 30m was >100-fold selective for CDK9 over CDK1 and CDK2. These compounds showed broad anti-proliferative activities in various solid tumour cell lines and patient-derived chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells. Decreased phosphorylation of the carboxyl terminal domain (CTD) of RNAPII at Ser-2 and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 were confirmed in both the ovarian cancer model A2780 and patient-derived CLL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Shao
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David W Foley
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Shiliang Huang
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Abdullahi Y Abbas
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Frankie Lam
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Chris Pepper
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9PX, UK
| | - Peter M Fischer
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Shudong Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
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Bouzinab K, Thomas NR, Turyanska L, Gershkovich P, Weston N, Ashford MB, Bradshaw TD. Abstract 1727: Challenging resistance to temozolomide in glioblastoma by drug encapsulation in apoferritin. Cancer Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2020-1727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Temozolomide (TMZ) is a DNA alkylating prodrug used for the treatment of malignant, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors. Yet, TMZ therapy is blighted by resistance systems in GBM that thwart eradication of all cancer cells remaining after surgery and radiotherapy. Resistance mechanisms include drug efflux by P-glycoprotein 1 (Pgp), present on the blood brain barrier (BBB) and on GBM cells, overexpression of O6-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT), which removes cytotoxic O6-methylated guanine (O6-MeG) lesions caused by TMZ, and deficiency in mismatch repair (MMR), which leads to tolerance of O6-MeG lesions. Nanoscale delivery systems are proposed as a strategy to enhance drug targeting and accumulation under systemically tolerable conditions. Apoferritin (AFt), a hollow protein capsule, has been used to deliver anticancer agents. Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) binding sites on the AFt cage has reportedly been shown to allow AFt to cross the BBB and accumulate in GBM cells, as both BBB endothelial and GBM (but not glial) cells express TfR1. Thus, we use AFt for targeted delivery, specific uptake and controlled release of TMZ in GBM.
Methods: TMZ was encapsulated into AFt via molecular diffusion through the channels in the AFt cage. Encapsulation efficiency and stability for this formulation were assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-vis spectroscopy. In vitro assays were conducted (MTT, live cell count, clonogenic, flow cytometry and ELISA) against isogenic GBM cell lines, U373V (vector control) and U373M (MGMT overexpressing), as well as MMR deficient and Pgp overexpressing HCT116 (colorectal carcinoma) and healthy MRC-5 (lung fibroblasts) cells. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and confocal microscopy were further employed to assess morphological changes to the cells after treatment.
Results: Encapsulation of > 500 molecules of TMZ per AFt cage was achieved, with encapsulation efficiency > 70%. MTT assays demonstrated significantly increased activity of AFt-TMZ compared to TMZ alone in all cancer cell lines, with 50% growth inhibition (GI50) in resistant cancer cell lines at < 15 μM, compared to > 200 μM for TMZ alone. Clonogenic and flow cytometric cell cycle and DNA damage analyses further corroborate these findings. Additionally, ELISA quantification demonstrated significantly (P < 0.001) elevated O6-MeG levels following treatment of U373V and U373M cells with AFt-TMZ compared to naked TMZ, correlating with enhanced γ-H2AX burden in cells following exposure to AFt-TMZ. Against MRC-5, lower activity was observed, with GI50 for AFt-TMZ > 70 μM. Furthermore, cell shrinkage and blebbing were observed in GBM cells following 24 h treatment with AFt-TMZ.
Conclusions: TMZ delivered by AFt demonstrated enhanced potency. Overcoming resistance by enhancing TMZ intracellular accumulation, may prove to be a turning point in enhancing drug efficacy in GBM.
Citation Format: Kaouthar Bouzinab, Neil R. Thomas, Lyudmila Turyanska, Pavel Gershkovich, Nicola Weston, Marianne B. Ashford, Tracey D. Bradshaw. Challenging resistance to temozolomide in glioblastoma by drug encapsulation in apoferritin [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1727.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicola Weston
- 1University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Alhuthali HM, Bradshaw TD, Lim KH, Kam TS, Seedhouse CH. The natural alkaloid Jerantinine B has activity in acute myeloid leukemia cells through a mechanism involving c-Jun. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:629. [PMID: 32635894 PMCID: PMC7341637 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous hematological malignancy with poor long-term survival. New drugs which improve the outcome of AML patients are urgently required. In this work, the activity and mechanism of action of the cytotoxic indole alkaloid Jerantinine B (JB), was examined in AML cells. METHODS We used a combination of proliferation and apoptosis assays to assess the effect of JB on AML cell lines and patient samples, with BH3 profiling being performed to identify early effects of the drug (4 h). Phosphokinase arrays were adopted to identify potential driver proteins in the cellular response to JB, the results of which were confirmed and extended using western blotting and inhibitor assays and measuring levels of reactive oxygen species. RESULTS AML cell growth was significantly impaired following JB exposure in a dose-dependent manner; potent colony inhibition of primary patient cells was also observed. An apoptotic mode of death was demonstrated using Annexin V and upregulation of apoptotic biomarkers (active caspase 3 and cleaved PARP). Using BH3 profiling, JB was shown to prime cells to apoptosis at an early time point (4 h) and phospho-kinase arrays demonstrated this to be associated with a strong upregulation and activation of both total and phosphorylated c-Jun (S63). The mechanism of c-Jun activation was probed and significant induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was demonstrated which resulted in an increase in the DNA damage response marker γH2AX. This was further verified by the loss of JB-induced C-Jun activation and maintenance of cell viability when using the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). CONCLUSIONS This work provides the first evidence of cytotoxicity of JB against AML cells and identifies ROS-induced c-Jun activation as the major mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayaa Moeed Alhuthali
- Blood Cancer and Stem Cells, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Room B209, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.,College of Applied Medical Science, Taif University, Ta'if, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Toh-Seok Kam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Claire H Seedhouse
- Blood Cancer and Stem Cells, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Room B209, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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Itkin B, Breen A, Turyanska L, Sandes EO, Bradshaw TD, Loaiza-Perez AI. New Treatments in Renal Cancer: The AhR Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3551. [PMID: 32443455 PMCID: PMC7279047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney cancer rapidly acquires resistance to antiangiogenic agents, such as sunitinib, developing an aggressive migratory phenotype (facilitated by c-Metsignal transduction). The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has recently been postulated as a molecular target for cancer treatment. Currently, there are two antitumor agent AhR ligands, with activity against renal cancer, that have been tested clinically: aminoflavone (AFP 464, NSC710464) and the benzothiazole (5F 203) prodrug Phortress. Our studies investigated the action of AFP 464, the aminoflavone pro-drug currently used in clinical trials, and 5F 203 on renal cancer cells, specifically examining their effects on cell cycle progression, apoptosis and cell migration. Both compounds caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis but only 5F 203 potently inhibited the migration of TK-10, Caki-1 and SN12C cells as well as the migration signal transduction cascade, involving c-Met signaling, in TK-10 cells. Current investigations are focused on the development of nano-delivery vehicles, apoferritin-encapsulated benzothiazoles 5F 203 and GW610, for the treatment of renal cancer. These compounds have shown improved antitumor effects against TK-10 cells in vitro at lower concentrations compared with a naked agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Itkin
- Department of Oncology, Hospital General de Agudos Juan Fernandez, C1425 CABA Buenos Aires, Argentina;
| | - Alastair Breen
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG72RD, Nottinghamshire, UK; (A.B.); (T.D.B.)
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG72RD, Nottinghamshire, UK;
| | - Eduardo Omar Sandes
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Oncología Ángel H. Roffo (IOAHR), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Área Investigación, Av. San Martin 5481, C1417 DTB Buenos Aires, Argentina;
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG72RD, Nottinghamshire, UK; (A.B.); (T.D.B.)
| | - Andrea Irene Loaiza-Perez
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Oncología Ángel H. Roffo (IOAHR), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Área Investigación, Av. San Martin 5481, C1417 DTB Buenos Aires, Argentina;
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Summers HS, Foreiter MB, Lewis W, Moody CJ, Bradshaw TD, Stevens MFG. Modulation of the acidity of the 8-carboxamide group in the temozolomide family of antitumor imidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazines. ARKIVOC 2020. [DOI: 10.24820/ark.5550190.p011.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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20
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Bouzinab K, Summers HS, Stevens MFG, Moody CJ, Thomas NR, Gershkovich P, Weston N, Ashford MB, Bradshaw TD, Turyanska L. Delivery of Temozolomide and N3-Propargyl Analog to Brain Tumors Using an Apoferritin Nanocage. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:12609-12617. [PMID: 32073826 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c01514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV astrocytoma, which is the most aggressive form of brain tumor. The standard of care for this disease includes surgery, radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Poor accumulation of TMZ at the tumor site, tumor resistance to drug, and dose-limiting bone marrow toxicity eventually reduce the success of this treatment. Herein, we have encapsulated >500 drug molecules of TMZ into the biocompatible protein nanocage, apoferritin (AFt), using a "nanoreactor" method (AFt-TMZ). AFt is internalized by transferrin receptor 1-mediated endocytosis and is therefore able to facilitate cancer cell uptake and enhance drug efficacy. Following encapsulation, the protein cage retained its morphological integrity and surface charge; hence, its cellular recognition and uptake are not affected by the presence of this cargo. Additional benefits of AFt include maintenance of TMZ stability at pH 5.5 and drug release under acidic pH conditions, encountered in lysosomal compartments. MTT assays revealed that the encapsulated agents displayed significantly increased antitumor activity in U373V (vector control) and, remarkably, the isogenic U373M (MGMT expressing TMZ-resistant) GBM cell lines, with GI50 values <1.5 μM for AFt-TMZ, compared to 35 and 376 μM for unencapsulated TMZ against U373V and U373M, respectively. The enhanced potency of AFt-TMZ was further substantiated by clonogenic assays. Potentiated G2/M cell cycle arrest following exposure of cells to AFt-TMZ indicated an enhanced DNA damage burden. Indeed, increased O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) adducts in cells exposed to AFt-TMZ and subsequent generation of γH2AX foci support the hypothesis that AFt significantly enhances the delivery of TMZ to cancer cells in vitro, overwhelming the direct O6-MeG repair conferred by MGMT. We have additionally encapsulated >500 molecules of the N3-propargyl imidazotetrazine analog (N3P), developed to combat TMZ resistance, and demonstrated significantly enhanced activity of AFt-N3P against GBM and colorectal carcinoma cell lines. These studies support the use of AFt as a promising nanodelivery system for targeted delivery, lysosomal drug release, and enhanced imidazotetrazine potency for treatment of GBM and wider-spectrum malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaouthar Bouzinab
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Helen S Summers
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Malcolm F G Stevens
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | | | - Neil R Thomas
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Nicola Weston
- Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Marianne B Ashford
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R & D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield SK10 2NA, U.K
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
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21
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Garces AE, Al-Hayali M, Lee JB, Li J, Gershkovich P, Bradshaw TD, Stocks MJ. Codrug Approach for the Potential Treatment of EML4-ALK Positive Lung Cancer. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:316-321. [PMID: 32184963 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on the synergistic effect of PI3K inhibition with ALK inhibition for the possible treatment of EML4-ALK positive lung cancer. We have brought together ceritinib (ALK inhibitor) and pictilisib (PI3K inhibitor) into a single bivalent molecule (a codrug) with the aim of designing a molecule for slow release drug delivery that targets EML4-ALK positive lung cancer. We have joined the two drugs through a new, pH-sensitive linker where the resulting codrugs are hydrolytically stable at lower pH (pH 6.4) but rapidly cleaved at higher pH (pH 7.4). Compound (19), which was designed for optimal lung retention, demonstrated clean liberation of the drug payloads in vitro and represents a novel approach to targeted lung delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimie E Garces
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Mohammed Al-Hayali
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Jong Bong Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Jiaxin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Michael J Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
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22
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Tang T, Luo Y, Stevens MFG, Cheng X, Yang Y, Shi D, Zhang J, Bradshaw TD. The antitumour activity of 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole in human gastric cancer models is mediated by AhR signalling. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 24:1750-1759. [PMID: 31876059 PMCID: PMC6991636 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide. Identification of novel molecular therapeutic targets and development of novel treatments are critical. Against a panel of gastric carcinoma cell lines, the activity of 2‐(4‐amino‐3‐methylphenyl)‐5‐fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203) was investigated. Adopting RT‐PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical techniques, we sought to determine molecular pharmacodynamic (PD) markers of sensitivity and investigate arylhydrocarbon (AhR) receptor‐mediated signal transduction activation by 5F 203. Potent (IC50 ≤ 0.09 μmol/L), selective (>250‐fold) in vitro antitumour activity was observed in MKN‐45 and AGS carcinoma cells. Exposure of MKN‐45 cells to 5F 203 triggered cytosolic AhR translocation to nuclei, inducing CYP1A1 (>50‐fold) and CYP2W1 (~20‐fold) transcription and protein (CYP1A1 and CYP2W1) expression. G2/M arrest and γH2AX expression preceded apoptosis, evidenced by PARP cleavage. In vivo, significant (P < .01) 5F 203 efficacy was observed against MKN‐45 and AGS xenografts. In mice‐bearing 5F 203‐sensitive MKN‐45 and 5F 203‐insensitive BGC‐823 tumours in opposite flanks, CYP1A1, CYP2W1 and γH2AX protein in MKN‐45 tumours only following treatment of mice with 5F 203 (5 mg/kg) revealed PD biomarkers of sensitivity. 5F 203 evokes potent, selective antitumour activity in vitro and in vivo in human gastric cancer models. It triggers AhR signal transduction, CYP‐catalysed bioactivation to electrophilic species causing lethal DNA double‐strand breaks exclusively in sensitive cells. 5F 203 represents a novel therapeutic agent with a mechanism of action distinct from current clinical drugs, exploiting novel molecular targets pertinent to gastric tumourigenesis: AhR, CYP1A1 and CYP2W1. PD markers of 5F 203 sensitivity that could guide patient selection have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tao Tang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ying Luo
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Malcolm F G Stevens
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Xi Cheng
- Atom Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Atom Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zhenjiang, China
| | - Dongfang Shi
- Atom Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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23
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Liu Z, Turyanska L, Zamberlan F, Pacifico S, Bradshaw TD, Moro F, Fay MW, Williams HEL, Thomas NR. Synthesis of folic acid functionalized gold nanoclusters for targeting folate receptor-positive cells. Nanotechnology 2019; 30:505102. [PMID: 31509807 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab437c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We report on the synthesis of water-soluble gold nanoclusters capped with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based ligands and further functionalized with folic acid for specific cellular uptake. The dihydrolipoic acid-PEG-based ligands terminated with -OMe, -NH2 and -COOH functional groups are produced and used for surface passivation of Au nanoclusters (NCs) with diameters <2 nm. The produced sub 2 nm Au NCs possess long-shelf life and are stable in physiologically relevant environments (temperature and pH), are paramagnetic and biocompatible. The paramagnetism of Au NCs in solution is also reported. The functional groups on the capping ligands are used for direct conjugation of targeting molecules onto Au NCs without the need for post synthesis modification. Folic acid (FA) is attached via an amide group and effectively target cells expressing the folate receptor. The combination of targeting ability, biocompatibility and paramagnetism in FA-functionalized Au NCs is of relevance for their exploitation in nanomedicine for targeted imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Liu
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG72D, United Kingdom
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24
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Breen AF, Scurr D, Cassioli ML, Wells G, Thomas NR, Zhang J, Turyanska L, Bradshaw TD. Protein Encapsulation of Experimental Anticancer Agents 5F 203 and Phortress: Towards Precision Drug Delivery. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:9525-9534. [PMID: 31824148 PMCID: PMC6901036 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s226293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advancement of novel anticancer drugs into clinical use is frequently halted by their lack of solubility, reduced stability under physiological conditions, and non-specific uptake by normal tissues, causing systemic toxicity. Their progress to use in the clinic could be accelerated by the development of new formulations employing suitable and complementary drug delivery vehicles. METHODS A robust method for apoferritin (AFt)-encapsulation of antitumour benzothiazoles has been developed for enhanced activity against and drug delivery to benzothiazole-sensitive cancers. RESULTS More than 70 molecules of benzothiazole 5F 203 were encapsulated per AFt cage. Post-encapsulation, the size and integrity of the protein cages were retained as evidenced by dynamic light scattering. ToF-SIMS depth profiling using an argon cluster beam confirmed 5F 203 exclusively within the AFt cavity. Improved encapsulation of benzothiazole lysyl-amide prodrugs was achieved (~130 molecules of Phortress per AFt cage). Transferrin receptor 1, TfR1, was detected in lysates prepared from most cancer cell lines studied, contributing to enhanced anticancer potency of the AFt-encapsulated benzothiazoles (5F 203, Phortress, GW 610, GW 608-Lys). Nanomolar activity was demonstrated by AFt-formulations in breast, ovarian, renal and gastric carcinoma cell lines, whereas GI50 >50 µM was observed in non-tumourigenic MRC-5 fibroblasts. Intracellular 5F 203, a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, and inducible expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 were detected following exposure of sensitive cells to AFt-5F 203, confirming that the activity of benzothiazoles was not compromised following encapsulation. CONCLUSION Our results show enhanced potency and selectivity of AFt-encapsulated 5F 203 against carcinomas derived from breast, ovarian, renal, colorectal as well as gastric cancer models, and offer realistic prospects for potential refinement of tumour-targeting and treatment, and merit further in vivo investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair F Breen
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2RD, UK
| | - David Scurr
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2RD, UK
| | - Maria Letizia Cassioli
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2RD, UK
| | - Geoffrey Wells
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Neil R Thomas
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2RD, UK
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25
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Bouzinab K, Thomas NR, Turyanska L, Gershkovich P, Weston N, Ashford MB, Bradshaw TD. Targeting brain tumours: apoferritin nanocage for delivery of novel analogues of temozolomide. Neuro Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz167.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) consists of surgery, radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Nevertheless, patient prognosis remains poor; in England 5-year survival is < 10%. Resistance to TMZ is a major obstacle thwarting successful treatment, due to overexpression of the O6-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) and deficiency in mismatch repair (MMR). To overcome resistance, novel N3-substituted analogues of TMZ have been developed. An N3-propargyl analogue, T3, has promising activity irrespective of MGMT or MMR status. However, poor brain drug bioavailability and systemic toxicity remain to be resolved. We use apoferritin (AFt) as a biocompatible nano-delivery system for encapsulation of therapeutic agents via molecular diffusion, through channels in the AFt cage. Around 520 molecules of TMZ and T3 per AFt cage were encapsulated. AFt`s small size (diameter: 12 nm) and numerous transferrin receptor recognition sites on its surface; alongside enhanced expression of transferrin receptors (TfR1; which sequester AFt) on the membranes of cancer cells, offer a dual targeting approach towards greater cancer-selectivity. The encapsulated agents have demonstrated significantly increased anti-tumour activity in brain cancer GBM cell lines, U373V (vector control) and U373M (MGMT over-expressing), with growth inhibition GI50 values < 1 μM, compared to > 30 μM for naked drugs. Clonogenic and cell cycle analyses further corroborate these findings. Hence, the AFt nano-delivery system offers a promising route for enhanced specificity, selectivity and potency of TMZ analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil R Thomas
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nicola Weston
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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26
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Yang Z, Wei D, Dai X, Stevens MFG, Bradshaw TD, Luo Y, Zhang J. C8-Substituted Imidazotetrazine Analogs Overcome Temozolomide Resistance by Inducing DNA Adducts and DNA Damage. Front Oncol 2019; 9:485. [PMID: 31263673 PMCID: PMC6584802 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard of care chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. Cytotoxic O6-methylguaine lesions formed by TMZ are repaired by O6-methyl-guanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a DNA repair protein that removes alkyl groups located at the O6-position of guanine. Response to TMZ requires low MGMT expression and functional mismatch repair. Resistance to TMZ conferred by MGMT, and tolerance to O6-methylguanine lesions conferred by deficient MMR severely limit TMZ clinical applications. Therefore, development of new TMZ derivatives that can overcome TMZ-resistance is urgent. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor mechanism of action of two novel TMZ analogs: C8-imidazolyl (377) and C8-methylimidazole (465) tetrazines. We found that analogs 377 and 465 display good anticancer activity against MGMT-overexpressing glioma T98G and MMR deficient colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cell lines with IC50 value of 62.50, 44.23, 33.09, and 25.37 μM, respectively. Analogs induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M, DNA double strand break damage and apoptosis irrespective of MGMT and MMR status. It was established that analog 377, similar to TMZ, is able to ring-open and hydrolyze under physiological conditions, and its intermediate product is more stable than MTIC. Moreover, DNA adducts of 377 with calf thymus DNA were identified: N7-methylguanine, O6-methylguanine, N3-methyladenine, N3-methylthymine, and N3-methylcytidine deoxynucleotides. We conclude that C8 analogs of TMZ share a mechanism of action similar to TMZ and are able to methylate DNA generating O6-methylguanine adducts, but unlike TMZ are able at least in part to thwart MGMT- and MMR-mediated resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikuan Yang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Danping Wei
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoli Dai
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Malcolm F G Stevens
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Luo
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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27
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Abid M, Nouch R, Bradshaw TD, Lewis W, Woodward S. Tripodal O-N-O Bis
-Phenolato Amine Titanium(IV) Complexes Show High in vitro Anti-Cancer Activity. Eur J Inorg Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201900510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Abid
- Department of Chemistry; College of Science; University of Anbar; Western side of Ramadi City Anbarshire Republic of Iraq
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry; University of Nottingham; Triumph Road Nottingham NG7 2TU United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Nouch
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry; University of Nottingham; Triumph Road Nottingham NG7 2TU United Kingdom
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences; College of Science; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - William Lewis
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry; University of Nottingham; Triumph Road Nottingham NG7 2TU United Kingdom
| | - Simon Woodward
- GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry; University of Nottingham; Triumph Road Nottingham NG7 2TU United Kingdom
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28
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Štaka I, Cadete A, Surikutchi BT, Abuzaid H, Bradshaw TD, Alonso MJ, Marlow M. A novel low molecular weight nanocomposite hydrogel formulation for intra-tumoural delivery of anti-cancer drugs. Int J Pharm 2019; 565:151-161. [PMID: 31029659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.04.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Herein, an injectable formulation composed of a low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) based hydrogel and drug-loaded polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) is described. The NCs, made of hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid and loaded with C14-Gemcitabine (GEM C14), showed a size of 40 and 80 nm and a encapsulation efficiency >90%. These NCs exhibited a capacity to control the release of the encapsulated drug for >1 month. GEM C14-loaded NCs showed activity against various cancer cell lines in vitro; cell growth inhibition by 50% (GI50) values of 15 ± 6, 10 ± 9, 13 ± 3 and 410 ± 463 nM were obtained in HCT 116, MIA PaCa-2, Panc-1 and Panc-1 GEM resistant cell lines respectively. Nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared using the LMWG - N4-octanoyl-2'-deoxycytidine and loaded for the first time with polymeric NCs. 2% and 4% w/v nanocapsule concentrations as compared to 8% w/v NC concentrations with 2% and 3% w/v gelator concentrations gave mechanically stronger gels as determined by oscillatory rheology. Most importantly, the nanocomposite formulation reformed instantly into a gel after injection through a needle. Based on these properties, the nanocomposite gel formulation has potential for the intratumoural delivery of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Štaka
- CIMUS Research University, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Campus Vida, Spain; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Boots Science Building, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ana Cadete
- CIMUS Research University, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Campus Vida, Spain
| | | | - Haneen Abuzaid
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Maria J Alonso
- CIMUS Research University, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Campus Vida, Spain.
| | - Maria Marlow
- Boots Science Building, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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29
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Hossan MS, Chan ZY, Collins HM, Shipton FN, Butler MS, Rahmatullah M, Lee JB, Gershkovich P, Kagan L, Khoo TJ, Wiart C, Bradshaw TD. Cardiac glycoside cerberin exerts anticancer activity through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal transduction inhibition. Cancer Lett 2019; 453:57-73. [PMID: 30930233 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [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: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Natural products possess a significant role in anticancer therapy and many currently-used anticancer drugs are of natural origin. Cerberin (CR), a cardenolide isolated from the fruit kernel of Cerbera odollam, was found to potently inhibit cancer cell growth (GI50 values < 90 nM), colony formation and migration. Significant G2/M cell cycle arrest preceded time- and dose-dependent apoptosis-induction in human cancer cell lines corroborated by dose-and time-dependent PARP cleavage and caspase 3/7 activation, in addition to reduced Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 expression. CR potently inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling depleting polo-like kinase 1 (PLK-1), c-Myc and STAT-3 expression. Additionally, CR significantly increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing DNA double strand breaks. Preliminary in silico biopharmaceutical assessment of CR predicted >60% bioavailability and rapid absorption; doses of 1-10 mg/kg CR were predicted to maintain efficacious unbound plasma concentrations (>GI50 value). CR's potent and selective anti-tumour activity, and its targeting of key signalling mechanisms pertinent to tumourigenesis support further preclinical evaluation of this cardiac glycoside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shahadat Hossan
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Zi-Yang Chan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hilary M Collins
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Fiona N Shipton
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mark S Butler
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mohammed Rahmatullah
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Jong Bong Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Leonid Kagan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Teng-Jin Khoo
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Christophe Wiart
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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30
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Breen AF, Wells G, Turyanska L, Bradshaw TD. Development of novel apoferritin formulations for antitumour benzothiazoles. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2019; 2:e1155. [PMID: 32721126 PMCID: PMC7941424 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benzothiazole structure is important in medicinal chemistry, and 5-fluoro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) benzothiazole (GW 610) is of particular interest as it shows outstanding anticancer activity in sensitive breast and colorectal carcinoma cell lines via generation of lethal DNA adducts in sensitive cancer cells. Despite promising activity, poor water solubility limits its applications. The apoferritin (AFt) protein cage has been proposed as a robust and biocompatible drug delivery vehicle. AIMS Here, we aim to enhance solubility of GW 610 by developing amino acid prodrug conjugates and utilizing the AFt capsule as drug delivery vessel. METHODS AND RESULTS The potent experimental antitumour agent, GW 610, has been successfully encapsulated within AFt with more than 190 molecules per AFt cage. The AFt-GW 610 complex exhibits dose-dependent growth inhibition and is more potent than GW 610 alone in 5/7 cancer cell lines. To enhance both aqueous solubility and encapsulation efficiency, a series of amino acid esters of GW 608 prodrug were synthesized via N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ester coupling to produce molecules with different polarity. A dramatic increase in encapsulation efficiency was achieved, with more than 380 molecules of GW 608-Lys molecules per AFt cage. Release studies show sustained release of the cargo over 12 hours at physiologically relevant pH. The AFt-encapsulated amino acid modified GW 608 complexes are sequestered more rapidly and exhibit more potent anticancer activity than unencapsulated agent. CONCLUSION These results indicate that AFt-encapsulation of GW 610 prodrug provides a biocompatible delivery option for this potent, selective experimental antitumour agent and for amino acid-modified GW 608. Of particular interest is the encapsulation efficiency and in vitro antitumour activity of AFt-GW 608-Lys, which warrants further preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair F Breen
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Geoffrey Wells
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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31
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Bouzinab K, Summers H, Zhang J, Stevens MFG, Moody CJ, Turyanska L, Thomas NR, Gershkovich P, Ashford MB, Vitterso E, Storer LCD, Grundy R, Bradshaw TD. In search of effective therapies to overcome resistance to Temozolomide in brain tumours. CDR 2019; 2:1018-1031. [PMID: 35582280 PMCID: PMC9019207 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal brain tumour-type. The current standard of care includes Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. However, inherent and acquired resistance to TMZ thwart successful treatment. The direct repair protein methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) removes the cytotoxic O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) lesion delivered by TMZ and so its expression by tumours confers TMZ-resistance. DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is essential to process O6-MeG adducts and MMR-deficiency leads to tolerance of lesions, resistance to TMZ and further DNA mutations. In this article, two strategies to overcome TMZ resistance are discussed: (1) synthesis of imidazotetrazine analogues - designed to retain activity in the presence of MGMT or loss of MMR; (2) preparation of imidazotetrazine-nanoparticles to deliver TMZ preferably to the brain and tumour site. Our promising results encourage belief in a future where better prognoses exist for patients diagnosed with this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaouthar Bouzinab
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Helen Summers
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jihong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | | | - Lyudmila Turyanska
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Neil R. Thomas
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Marianne B. Ashford
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield SK10 4TF, UK
| | - Emily Vitterso
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Lisa C. D. Storer
- School of Medicine, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Richard Grundy
- School of Medicine, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Correspondence Address: Dr. Tracey D. Bradshaw, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. E-mail:
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32
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Quilles Junior JC, Carlos FDRR, Montanari A, Leitão A, Mignone VW, Arruda MA, Turyanska L, Bradshaw TD. Apoferritin encapsulation of cysteine protease inhibitors for cathepsin L inhibition in cancer cells. RSC Adv 2019; 9:36699-36706. [PMID: 35539052 PMCID: PMC9075514 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07161j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysteine proteases play a key role in tumorigenesis causing protein degradation and promoting invasive tumour growth. Cathepsin L is overexpressed in cancer cells and could provide a specific target for delivery of anticancer agents. We encapsulated novel dipeptidyl nitrile based cysteine protease inhibitors (Neq0551, Neq0554 and Neq0568) into biocompatible apoferritin (AFt) protein nanocages to achieve specific delivery to tumours and pH-induced drug release. AFt-encapsulated Neq0554 demonstrated ∼3-fold enhanced in vitro activity (GI50 = 79 μM) compared to naked agent against MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic carcinoma cells. Selectivity for cancer cells was confirmed by comparing their activity to non-tumourigenic human fibroblasts (GI50 > 200 μM). Transferrin receptor (TfR-1) expression, detected only in lysates prepared from carcinoma cells, may contribute to the cancer-selectivity. The G1 cell cycle arrest caused by AFt-Neq0554 resulting in cytostasis was corroborated by clonogenic assays. Superior and more persistent inhibition of cathepsin L up to 80% was achieved with AFt-encapsulated agent in HCT-116 cells following 6 h exposure to 50 μM agent. The selective anticancer activity of AFt-encapsulated cysteine protease inhibitor Neq0554 reported here warrants further preclinical in vivo evaluation. Novel apoferritin encapsulated cysteine protease inhibitors are developed with enhanced and selective uptake by cancer cells, and sustained pH-induced release of the agent. The persistent inhibition of cathepsin L is demonstrated in vitro.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- José C. Quilles Junior
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences
- School of Pharmacy
- University of Nottingham
- UK
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED)
| | | | - A. Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED)
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC)
- University of São Paulo
- Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED)
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC)
- University of São Paulo
- Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences
- School of Pharmacy
- University of Nottingham
- UK
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33
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Lee JB, Zgair A, Malec J, Kim TH, Kim MG, Ali J, Qin C, Feng W, Chiang M, Gao X, Voronin G, Garces AE, Lau CL, Chan TH, Hume A, McIntosh TM, Soukarieh F, Al-Hayali M, Cipolla E, Collins HM, Heery DM, Shin BS, Yoo SD, Kagan L, Stocks MJ, Bradshaw TD, Fischer PM, Gershkovich P. Lipophilic activated ester prodrug approach for drug delivery to the intestinal lymphatic system. J Control Release 2018; 286:10-19. [PMID: 30016732 PMCID: PMC6143478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal lymphatic system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases including lymphomas, cancer metastasis, autoimmune diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is thus an important compartment for delivery of drugs in order to treat diseases associated with the lymphatic system. Lipophilic prodrug approaches have been used in the past to take advantage of the intestinal lymphatic transport processes to deliver drugs to the intestinal lymphatics. Most of the approaches previously adopted were based on very bulky prodrug moieties such as those mimicking triglycerides (TG). We now report a study in which a lipophilic prodrug approach was used to efficiently deliver bexarotene (BEX) and retinoic acid (RA) to the intestinal lymphatic system using activated ester prodrugs. A range of carboxylic ester prodrugs of BEX were designed and synthesised and all of the esters showed improved association with chylomicrons, which indicated an improved potential for delivery to the intestinal lymphatic system. The conversion rate of the prodrugs to BEX was the main determinant in delivery of BEX to the intestinal lymphatics, and activated ester prodrugs were prepared to enhance the conversion rate. As a result, an 4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxol-2-one ester prodrug of BEX was able to increase the exposure of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) to BEX 17-fold compared to when BEX itself was administered. The activated ester prodrug approach was also applied to another drug, RA, where the exposure of the MLNs was increased 2.4-fold through the application of a similar cyclic activated prodrug. Synergism between BEX and RA was also demonstrated in vitro by cell growth inhibition assays using lymphoma cell lines. In conclusion, the activated ester prodrug approach results in efficient delivery of drugs to the intestinal lymphatic system, which could benefit patients affected by a large number of pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Bong Lee
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Atheer Zgair
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; College of Pharmacy, University of Anbar, Anbar 31001, Iraq
| | - Jed Malec
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; DMPK, Evotec, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RZ, UK
| | - Tae Hwan Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Daegu, Gyeongsan 38430, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Gi Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Joseph Ali
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Chaolong Qin
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Wanshan Feng
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Manting Chiang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Xizhe Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Gregory Voronin
- Comparative Medicine Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Aimie E Garces
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Chun Long Lau
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ting-Hoi Chan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Amy Hume
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | - Fadi Soukarieh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | | | - Elena Cipolla
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; School of Pharmacy, Universita di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Hilary M Collins
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David M Heery
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Beom Soo Shin
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Dong Yoo
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Leonid Kagan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Michael J Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Peter M Fischer
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Abstract
Autophagy is a tightly controlled process comprising lysosomal degradation and recycling of cellular proteins and organelles. In cancer, its paradoxical dual role of cytoprotection and cytotoxicity is context-dependent and controversial. Autophagy primarily acts as a mechanism of tumour suppression, by maintenance of genomic integrity and prevention of proliferation and inflammation. This, combined with immune-surveillance capabilities and autophagy's implicated role in cell death, acts to prevent tumour initiation. However, established tumours exploit autophagy to survive cellular stresses in the hostile tumour microenvironment. This can lead to therapy resistance, one of the biggest challenges facing current anti-cancer approaches. Autophagy modulation is an exciting area of clinical development, attempting to harness this fundamental process as an anti-cancer strategy. Autophagy induction could potentially prevent tumour formation and enhance anti-cancer immune responses. In addition, drug-induced autophagy could be used to kill cancer cells, particularly those in which the apoptotic machinery is defective. Conversely, autophagy inhibition may help to sensitise resistant cancer cells to conventional chemotherapies and specifically target autophagy-addicted tumours. Currently, hydroxychloroquine is in phase I and II clinical trials in combination with several standard chemotherapies, whereas direct, deliberate autophagy induction remains to be tested clinically. More comprehensive understanding of the roles of autophagy throughout different stages of carcinogenesis has potential to guide development of novel therapeutic strategies to eradicate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Bishop
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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35
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Smedley CJ, Stanley PA, Qazzaz ME, Prota AE, Olieric N, Collins H, Eastman H, Barrow AS, Lim KH, Kam TS, Smith BJ, Duivenvoorden HM, Parker BS, Bradshaw TD, Steinmetz MO, Moses JE. Sustainable Syntheses of (-)-Jerantinines A & E and Structural Characterisation of the Jerantinine-Tubulin Complex at the Colchicine Binding Site. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10617. [PMID: 30006510 PMCID: PMC6045569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28880-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The jerantinine family of Aspidosperma indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana corymbosa are potent microtubule-targeting agents with broad spectrum anticancer activity. The natural supply of these precious metabolites has been significantly disrupted due to the inclusion of T. corymbosa on the endangered list of threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This report describes the asymmetric syntheses of (-)-jerantinines A and E from sustainably sourced (-)-tabersonine, using a straight-forward and robust biomimetic approach. Biological investigations of synthetic (-)-jerantinine A, along with molecular modelling and X-ray crystallography studies of the tubulin-(-)-jerantinine B acetate complex, advocate an anticancer mode of action of the jerantinines operating via microtubule disruption resulting from binding at the colchicine site. This work lays the foundation for accessing useful quantities of enantiomerically pure jerantinine alkaloids for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Smedley
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Paul A Stanley
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Mohannad E Qazzaz
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Andrea E Prota
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Natacha Olieric
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Hilary Collins
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Harry Eastman
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Andrew S Barrow
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Toh-Seok Kam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brian J Smith
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | | | - Belinda S Parker
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Michel O Steinmetz
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Biozentrum, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John E Moses
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.
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36
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Roper SJ, Lloyd AF, Scotting PJ, Bradshaw TD, Coyle B. MBRS-46. JERANTININE: A NOVEL TUMOUR-SPECIFIC ALKALOID FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAEDIATRIC MEDULLOBLASTOMA. Neuro Oncol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noy059.491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie J Roper
- Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Amy F Lloyd
- Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Paul J Scotting
- Division of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Division of Biomolecular Science and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Beth Coyle
- Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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37
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Santos MS, Nortcliffe A, Lewis W, Bradshaw TD, Moody CJ. Frontispiece: Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,2-Diazetidin-3-ones, Small-Ring Scaffolds for Drug Discovery. Chemistry 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201883365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marilia S. Santos
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Nortcliffe
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - William Lewis
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Moody
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
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38
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Santos MS, Nortcliffe A, Lewis W, Bradshaw TD, Moody CJ. Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,2-Diazetidin-3-ones, Small-Ring Scaffolds for Drug Discovery. Chemistry 2018; 24:8325-8330. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marilia S. Santos
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Nortcliffe
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - William Lewis
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Moody
- School of Chemistry; University of Nottingham; University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom
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39
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Skilling KJ, Stocks MJ, Kellam B, Ashford M, Bradshaw TD, Burroughs L, Marlow M. Nucleoside-Based Self-Assembling Drugs for Localized Drug Delivery. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1098-1101. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barrie Kellam
- School of Pharmacy; University of Nottingham; Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
| | - Marianne Ashford
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, IMED Biotech; AstraZeneca; Macclesfield UK
| | | | | | - Maria Marlow
- School of Pharmacy; University of Nottingham; Nottingham NG7 2RD UK
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40
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Yang Z, Wei D, Liu F, Liu J, Wu X, Stevens MFG, Bradshaw TD, Luo Y, Zhang J. Temozolomide analog PMX 465 downregulates MGMT expression in HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:5350-5358. [PMID: 29331023 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) treatment for cancers is currently limited by inherent or the development of resistance, particularly, but not exclusively, due to the expression of the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in a significant proportion of tumors. We have found that TMZ analog C8-methyl imidazole tetrazine (PMX 465) displayed good anticancer activity against the colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells which are MGMT-overexpressing and mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient. In this study, we found that PMX 465 could downregulate the expression of MGMT in HCT116 cells at the protein and mRNA levels. We found that PMX 465 could reduce MGMT expression by increasing the binding of wild-type p53 to the MGMT promoter and reducing the binding of Sp1 to the MGMT promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikuan Yang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Danping Wei
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoming Wu
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | | | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ying Luo
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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41
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Citossi F, Smith T, Lee JB, Segal J, Gershkovich P, Stocks MJ, Bradshaw TD, Kellam B, Marlow M. Self-Assembling Benzothiazole-Based Gelators: A Mechanistic Understanding of in Vitro Bioactivation and Gelation. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:1578-1586. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b01106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Citossi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Thomas Smith
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Jong Bong Lee
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Joel Segal
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Michael J. Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Barrie Kellam
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Maria Marlow
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K
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42
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Kuruppu AI, Stocks MJ, Bradshaw TD. Abstract P1-03-11: Withdrawn. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs17-p1-03-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- AI Kuruppu
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - MJ Stocks
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - TD Bradshaw
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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43
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Break MKB, Hossan MS, Khoo Y, Qazzaz ME, Al-Hayali MZK, Chow SC, Wiart C, Bradshaw TD, Collins H, Khoo TJ. Discovery of a highly active anticancer analogue of cardamonin that acts as an inducer of caspase-dependent apoptosis and modulator of the mTOR pathway. Fitoterapia 2018; 125:161-173. [PMID: 29355749 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cardamonin is a natural chalcone that has been shown to exhibit high anticancer activity. In an attempt to discover analogues of cardamonin with enhanced anticancer activity, 19 analogues were synthesized and tested against A549 and HK1 cell lines. Results of the MTS cell viability assay showed that several derivatives possessed cytotoxic activities that were several-fold more potent than cardamonin. SAR analysis showed the importance of the ketone and alkene groups for bioactivity, while substituting cardamonin's phenolic groups with more polar moieties resulted in activity enhancement. As part of the SAR study and further exploration of chemical space, the effect of metal coordination on cytotoxicity was also investigated, but it was only possible to successfully obtain the Cu (II) complex of cardamonin (19). Compound 19 was the most active analogue possessing IC50 values of 13.2μM and 0.7μM against A549 and HK1 cells, corresponding to a 5- and 32-fold increase in activity, respectively. It was also able to significantly inhibit the migration of A549 and HK1 cells. Further mode of action studies have shown that the most active analogue, 19, induced DNA damage resulting in G2/M-phase cell- cycle arrest in both cell lines. These events further led to the induction of apoptosis by the compound via caspase-3/7 and caspase-9 activation, PARP cleavage and downregulation of Mcl-1 expression. Moreover, 19 inhibited the expression levels of p-mTOR and p-4EBP1, which indicated that it exerted its anticancer activity, at least in part, via inhibition of the mTOR signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Khaled Bin Break
- Centre for Natural and Medicinal Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 43500 Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Md Shahadat Hossan
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Yivonn Khoo
- Centre for Natural and Medicinal Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 43500 Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Mohannad Emad Qazzaz
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mohammed Z K Al-Hayali
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sek Chuen Chow
- School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 46150, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Christophe Wiart
- Centre for Natural and Medicinal Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 43500 Semenyih, Malaysia
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Hilary Collins
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Science, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Teng-Jin Khoo
- Centre for Natural and Medicinal Product Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, 43500 Semenyih, Malaysia.
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44
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Cousin D, Hummersone MG, Bradshaw TD, Zhang J, Moody CJ, Foreiter MB, Summers HS, Lewis W, Wheelhouse RT, Stevens MFG. Synthesis and growth-inhibitory activities of imidazo[5,1- d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazine-8-carboxamides related to the anti-tumour drug temozolomide, with appended silicon, benzyl and heteromethyl groups at the 3-position. Medchemcomm 2018; 9:545-553. [PMID: 30108945 DOI: 10.1039/c7md00554g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A series of 3-(benzyl-substituted)-imidazo[5,1-d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazines (13) and related derivatives with 3-heteromethyl groups has been synthesised and screened for growth-inhibitory activity in vitro against two pairs of glioma cell lines with temozolomide-sensitive and -resistant phenotypes dependent on the absence/presence of the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). In general the compounds had low inhibitory activity with GI50 values >50 μM against both sets of cell lines. Two silicon-containing derivatives, the TMS-methylimidazotetrazine (9) and the SEM-analogue (10), showed interesting differences: compound (9) had a profile very similar to that of temozolomide with the MGMT+ cell lines being 5 to 10-fold more resistant than MGMT- isogenic partners; the SEM-substituted compound (10) showed potency across all cell lines irrespective of their MGMT status.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cousin
- Pharminox Ltd , Biocity , Pennyfoot St. , Nottingham NG1 1GF , UK
| | | | | | - Jihong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy , University of Nottingham , NG7 2RD , UK . ;
| | | | | | - Helen S Summers
- School of Chemistry , University of Nottingham , NG7 2RD , UK .
| | - William Lewis
- School of Chemistry , University of Nottingham , NG7 2RD , UK .
| | - Richard T Wheelhouse
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics , School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences , University of Bradford , Bradford , BD7 1DP , UK
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45
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Perego P, Hempel G, Linder S, Bradshaw TD, Larsen AK, Peters GJ, Phillips RM. Cellular pharmacology studies of anticancer agents: recommendations from the EORTC-PAMM group. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2017; 81:427-441. [PMID: 29285635 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3502-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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46
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Luzzani GA, Callero MA, Kuruppu AI, Trapani V, Flumian C, Todaro L, Bradshaw TD, Loaiza Perez AI. In Vitro Antitumor Effects of AHR Ligands Aminoflavone (AFP 464) and Benzothiazole (5F 203) in Human Renal Carcinoma Cells. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:4526-4535. [PMID: 28471540 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We investigated activity and mechanism of action of two AhR ligand antitumor agents, AFP 464 and 5F 203 on human renal cancer cells, specifically examining their effects on cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and migration. TK-10, SN12C, Caki-1, and ACHN human renal cancer cell lines were treated with AFP 464 and 5F 203. We evaluated cytotoxicity by MTS assays, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis by flow cytometry and corroborated a mechanism of action involving AhR signal transduction activation. Changes in migration properties by wound healing assays were investigated: 5F 203-sensitive cells show decreased migration after treatment, therefore, we measured c-Met phosphorylation by Western blot in these cells. A 5F 203 induced a decrease in cell viability which was more marked than AFP 464. This cytotoxicity was reduced after treatment with the AhR inhibitor α-NF for both compounds indicating AhR signaling activation plays a role in the mechanism of action. A 5F 203 is sequestered by TK-10 cells and induces CYP1A1 expression; 5F 203 potently inhibited migration of TK-10, Caki-1, and SN12C cells, and inhibited c-Met receptor phosphorylation in TK-10 cells. AhR ligand antitumor agents AFP 464 and 5F 203 represent potential new candidates for the treatment of renal cancer. A 5F 203 only inhibited migration of sensitive cells and c-Met receptor phosphorylation in TK-10 cells. c-Met receptor signal transduction is important in migration and metastasis. Therefore, we consider that 5F 203 offers potential for the treatment of metastatic renal carcinoma. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4526-4535, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela A Luzzani
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo", Área Investigaciones, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana A Callero
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo", Área Investigaciones, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,National Scientific Council (CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Valentina Trapani
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Carolina Flumian
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo", Área Investigaciones, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Todaro
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo", Área Investigaciones, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,National Scientific Council (CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Andrea I Loaiza Perez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo", Área Investigaciones, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,National Scientific Council (CONICET), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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47
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Chung FFL, Tan PFTM, Raja VJ, Tan BS, Lim KH, Kam TS, Hii LW, Tan SH, See SJ, Tan YF, Wong LZ, Yam WK, Mai CW, Bradshaw TD, Leong CO. Jerantinine A induces tumor-specific cell death through modulation of splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1). Sci Rep 2017; 7:42504. [PMID: 28198434 PMCID: PMC5309811 DOI: 10.1038/srep42504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is catalyzed by a large ribonucleoprotein complex known as the spliceosome. Numerous studies have indicated that aberrant splicing patterns or mutations in spliceosome components, including the splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1), are associated with hallmark cancer phenotypes. This has led to the identification and development of small molecules with spliceosome-modulating activity as potential anticancer agents. Jerantinine A (JA) is a novel indole alkaloid which displays potent anti-proliferative activities against human cancer cell lines by inhibiting tubulin polymerization and inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest. Using a combined pooled-genome wide shRNA library screen and global proteomic profiling, we showed that JA targets the spliceosome by up-regulating SF3B1 and SF3B3 protein in breast cancer cells. Notably, JA induced significant tumor-specific cell death and a significant increase in unspliced pre-mRNAs. In contrast, depletion of endogenous SF3B1 abrogated the apoptotic effects, but not the G2/M cell cycle arrest induced by JA. Further analyses showed that JA stabilizes endogenous SF3B1 protein in breast cancer cells and induced dissociation of the protein from the nucleosome complex. Together, these results demonstrate that JA exerts its antitumor activity by targeting SF3B1 and SF3B3 in addition to its reported targeting of tubulin polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Vijay Joseph Raja
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Boon-Shing Tan
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Toh-Seok Kam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Si Hoey Tan
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sze-Jia See
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yuen-Fen Tan
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Li-Zhe Wong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai Keat Yam
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun Wai Mai
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Schwehm C, Kellam B, Garces AE, Hill SJ, Kindon ND, Bradshaw TD, Li J, Macdonald SJF, Rowedder JE, Stoddart LA, Stocks MJ. Design and Elaboration of a Tractable Tricyclic Scaffold To Synthesize Druglike Inhibitors of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4), Antagonists of the C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 5 (CCR5), and Highly Potent and Selective Phosphoinositol-3 Kinase δ (PI3Kδ) Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2017; 60:1534-1554. [PMID: 28128944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A novel molecular scaffold has been synthesized, and its incorporation into new analogues of biologically active molecules across multiple target classes will be discussed. In these studies, we have shown use of the tricyclic scaffold to synthesize potent inhibitors of the serine peptidase DPP-4, antagonists of the CCR5 receptor, and highly potent and selective PI3K δ isoform inhibitors. We also describe the predicted physicochemical properties of the resulting inhibitors and conclude that the tractable molecular scaffold could have potential application in future drug discovery programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Schwehm
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Barrie Kellam
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Aimie E Garces
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Stephen J Hill
- Institute of Cell Signalling, Medical School, University of Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Nicholas D Kindon
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K
| | - Jin Li
- Hitgen Ltd. , F7-10, Building B3, Tianfu Life Science Park, 88 South Kayuan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610041
| | - Simon J F Macdonald
- GlaxoSmithKline , Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - James E Rowedder
- GlaxoSmithKline , Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Leigh A Stoddart
- Institute of Cell Signalling, Medical School, University of Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2UH, U.K
| | - Michael J Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University Park Nottingham , Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K
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49
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Soo HC, Chung FFL, Lim KH, Yap VA, Bradshaw TD, Hii LW, Tan SH, See SJ, Tan YF, Leong CO, Mai CW. Cudraflavone C Induces Tumor-Specific Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells through Inhibition of the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K)-AKT Pathway. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170551. [PMID: 28107519 PMCID: PMC5249192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cudraflavone C (Cud C) is a naturally-occurring flavonol with reported anti-proliferative activities. However, the mechanisms by which Cud C induced cytotoxicity have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of Cud C on cell proliferation, caspase activation andapoptosis induction in colorectal cancer cells (CRC). We show that Cud C inhibits cell proliferation in KM12, Caco-2, HT29, HCC2998, HCT116 and SW48 CRC but not in the non-transformed colorectal epithelial cells, CCD CoN 841. Cud C induces tumor-selective apoptosis via mitochondrial depolarization and activation of the intrinsic caspase pathway. Gene expression profiling by microarray analyses revealed that tumor suppressor genes EGR1, HUWE1 and SMG1 were significantly up-regulated while oncogenes such as MYB1, CCNB1 and GPX2 were down-regulated following treatment with Cud C. Further analyses using Connectivity Map revealed that Cud C induced a gene signature highly similar to that of protein synthesis inhibitors and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT inhibitors, suggesting that Cud C might inhibit PI3K-AKT signaling. A luminescent cell free PI3K lipid kinase assay revealed that Cud C significantly inhibited p110β/p85α PI3K activity, followed by p120γ, p110δ/p85α, and p110α/p85α PI3K activities. The inhibition by Cud C on p110β/p85α PI3K activity was comparable to LY-294002, a known PI3K inhibitor. Cud C also inhibited phosphorylation of AKT independent of NFκB activity in CRC cells, while ectopic expression of myristoylated AKT completely abrogated the anti-proliferative effects, and apoptosis induced by Cud C in CRC. These findings demonstrate that Cud C induces tumor-selective cytotoxicity by targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of action of Cud C, and indicate that Cud C further development of Cud C derivatives as potential therapeutic agents is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Chuen Soo
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kuan-Hon Lim
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Veronica Alicia Yap
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Si-Hoey Tan
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sze-Jia See
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yuen-Fen Tan
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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50
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Saleh MM, Laughton CA, Bradshaw TD, Moody CJ. Correction: Development of a series of bis-triazoles as G-quadruplex ligands. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra90099f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Correction for ‘Development of a series of bis-triazoles as G-quadruplex ligands’ by Maysaa M. Saleh et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 47297–47308.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maysaa M. Saleh
- School of Pharmacy
- Centre of Bimolecular Science
- University of Nottingham
- Nottingham NG7 2RD
- UK
| | - Charles A. Laughton
- School of Pharmacy
- Centre of Bimolecular Science
- University of Nottingham
- Nottingham NG7 2RD
- UK
| | - Tracey D. Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy
- Centre of Bimolecular Science
- University of Nottingham
- Nottingham NG7 2RD
- UK
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