Interaction Analysis of MRP1 with Anticancer Drugs Used in Ovarian Cancer: In Silico Approach

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major therapeutic challenges that limits the efficacy of chemotherapeutic response resulting in poor prognosis of ovarian cancer (OC). The multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) is a membrane-bound ABC transporter involved in cross resistance to many structurally and functionally diverse classes of anticancer drugs including doxorubicin, taxane, and platinum. In this study, we utilize homology modelling and molecular docking analysis to determine the binding affinity and the potential interaction sites of MRP1 with Carboplatin, Gemcitabine, Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel, and Topotecan. We used AutoDock Vina scores to compare the binding affinities of the anticancer drugs against MRP1. Our results depicted Carboplatin < Gemcitabine < Topotecan < Doxorubicin < Paclitaxel as the order of binding affinities. Paclitaxel has shown the highest binding affinity whereas Carboplatin displayed the lowest affinity to MRP1. Interestingly, our data showed that Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Topotecan bind specifically to Asn510 residue in the transmembrane domains 1 of the MRP1. Our results suggest that Carboplatin could be an appropriate therapeutic choice against MRP1 in OC as it couples weakly with Carboplatin. Further, our findings also recommend opting Carboplatin with Gemcitabine as a combinatorial chemotherapeutic approach to overcome MDR phenotype associated with recurrent OC.

Effect of novel IL-8 gene mutation on its protein structure and stability among ovarian cancer patients in Saudi Arabia

Despite advancements in therapeutics, early diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OC) remains a challenge due to its asymptomatic progression and it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory chemokine with angiogenic activity, plays a pivotal role in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the association between IL-8 polymorphisms and OC risk. A novel non-synonymous SNP (nsSNP, c.193G>A; p.Glu65Leu) was identified in exon 2 of the IL-8 gene in 5 patients, 3 with stage III and 2 with stage II tumor. Structural analysis suggested that the p.Glu65Leu mutation alters the IL-8 protein conformation showing functional impairment. Thus, data shows that IL-8 c.193 G >A (Glu65Leu) polymorphism may contribute to tumor susceptibility. However, further studies are warranted to understand the role of IL-8 polymorphism in OC.