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Karki SS, Das U, Balzarini J, De Clercq E, Sakagami H, Uesawa Y, Roayapalley PK, Dimmock JR. Does Ortho-Substitution Enhance Cytotoxic Potencies in a Series of 3,5-Bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones? MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:19. [PMID: 39584969 PMCID: PMC11587156 DOI: 10.3390/medicines11080019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 10/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/25/2024] [Indexed: 11/26/2024]
Abstract
Background: A series of 3,5-benzylidene-4-piperidones, 1a-n, were prepared to evaluate the hypothesis that the placement of different groups in the ortho-location of the aryl rings led to compounds with greater cytotoxic potencies than structural analogs. Methods: The bioevaluation of 1a-n was undertaken using human Molt/4C8 and CEM cells as well as murine L1210 cells. Correlations were sought between the interplanar angles θA and θB and the cytotoxic potencies. A QSAR analysis was also undertaken. In order to evaluate whether these compounds demonstrated greater toxicity to neoplasms than non-malignant cells, 1a-n were evaluated against HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and HL60 neoplasms as well as non-malignant HGF, HPC and HPLF cells. Results: A positive correlation was noted between the interplanar angle θA of one of the aryl rings and the adjacent olefinic linkage with IC50 values in the Molt4/C8 screens. The QSAR analysis revealed a positive correlation between the Hansch pi (π) value of the aryl substituents and the IC50 values of the compounds towards the Molt4/C8 and CEM cells. The dienones in series 1 demonstrated higher tumor-selective toxicity towards HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4 and HL-60 neoplasms than HGF, HPC and HPLF cells. Conclusions: The bioevaluations revealed some support for greater cytotoxic potencies to be displayed by compounds having ortho-substituents.
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2
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Ford A, Mullins ND, Balzarini J, Maguire AR. Synthesis and Evaluation of Prodrugs of α-Carboxy Nucleoside Phosphonates. J Org Chem 2022; 87:14793-14808. [PMID: 36283025 PMCID: PMC9639015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A range of lipophilic prodrugs of α-carboxy nucleoside phosphonates, potent inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase without requiring prior phosphorylation, were synthesized to evaluate their in vivo potency against HIV in cell culture. A series of prodrug derivatives bearing a free carboxylic acid where the phosphonate was masked with bispivaloyloxymethyl, diisopropyloxycarbonyloxymethyl, bisamidate, aryloxyphosphoramidate, hexadecyloxypropyl, CycloSal, and acycloxybenzyl moieties were synthesized, adapting existing methodologies for phosphonate protection to accommodate the adjacent carboxylic acid moiety. The prodrugs were assayed for anti-HIV activity in CEM cell cultures─the bispivaloyloxymethyl free acid monophosphonate prodrug exhibited some activity (inhibitory concentration-50 (IC50) 59 ± 17 μM), while the other prodrugs were inactive at 100 μM. A racemic bispivaloyloxymethyl methyl ester monophosphonate prodrug was also prepared to assess the suitability of the methyl ester as a carboxylic acid prodrug. This compound exhibited no activity against HIV in cellular assays.
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3
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Djuidje EN, Barbari R, Baldisserotto A, Durini E, Sciabica S, Balzarini J, Liekens S, Vertuani S, Manfredini S. Benzothiazole Derivatives as Multifunctional Antioxidant Agents for Skin Damage: Structure–Activity Relationship of a Scaffold Bearing a Five-Membered Ring System. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020407. [PMID: 35204288 PMCID: PMC8869097 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin diseases often give multifactorial damages; therefore, the development of multifunctional compounds represents a suitable approach especially against disorders that are induced by oxidative stress. Thus, taking into account the successful results we achieved on benzimidazoles, we have devised a new series of isosteric benzothiazoles and investigated their antioxidant, photoprotective, antifungal and antiproliferative activity. Particular attention has been paid to synergistic antioxidant and photoprotective properties. For compounds 9a and 10a, a multifunctional profile was outlined, supported by an excellent filtering capacity, mainly UVB, which has higher capacities than those of the reference PBSA which is currently in the market as a UV sunscreen filter. The two compounds were also the best in terms of growth inhibition of dermatophytes and Candida albicans, and 10a also showed good antioxidant activity. Furthermore, 9a was also effective on melanoma tumor cells (SK-Mel 5), making these compounds good candidates in the development of new skin protective and preventive agents.
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4
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Kraevaya OA, Novikov AV, Shestakov AF, Ershova ES, Savinova EA, Kameneva LV, Veiko NN, Schols D, Balzarini J, Kostyuk SV, Troshin PA. Water-soluble fullerene-based nanostructures with promising antiviral and myogenic activity. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 56:10203-10206. [PMID: 32748905 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc03928d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here we report a straightforward method for the synthesis of a water-soluble C60 fullerene derivative decorated with five residues of phosphonic acid. Self-assembly of the synthesized compound in aqueous solution leads to the formation of nanostructures with unprecedented myogenic and antiviral activity.
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5
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Zhao C, Weber S, Schols D, Balzarini J, Meier C. Prodrugs of γ-Alkyl-Modified Nucleoside Triphosphates: Improved Inhibition of HIV Reverse Transcriptase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:22063-22071. [PMID: 32379948 PMCID: PMC7756582 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202003073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The development of nucleoside triphosphate prodrugs is one option to apply nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Herein, we report the synthesis and evaluation of d4TTP analogues, in which the γ-phosphate was modified covalently by lipophilic alkyl residues, and acyloxybenzyl prodrugs of these γ-alkyl-modified d4TTPs, with the aim of delivering of γ-alkyl-d4TTP into cells. Selective formation of γ-alkyl-d4TTP was proven with esterase and in CD4+ -cell extracts. In contrast to d4TTP, γ-alkyl-d4TTPs proved highly stable against dephosphorylation. Primer extension assays with HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) and DNA-polymerases α, β or γ showed that γ-alkyl-d4TTPs were substrates for HIV-RT only. In antiviral assays, compounds were highly potent inhibitors of HIV-1 and HIV-2 also in thymidine-kinase-deficient T-cell cultures (CEM/TK- ). Thus, the intracellular delivery of such γ-alkyl-nucleoside triphosphates may potentially lead to nucleoside triphosphates with a higher selectivity towards the viral polymerase that can act in virus-infected cells.
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6
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Zhao C, Weber S, Schols D, Balzarini J, Meier C. Prodrugs of γ‐Alkyl‐Modified Nucleoside Triphosphates: Improved Inhibition of HIV Reverse Transcriptase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202003073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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7
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Nack T, Dinis de Oliveira T, Weber S, Schols D, Balzarini J, Meier C. γ-Ketobenzyl-Modified Nucleoside Triphosphate Prodrugs as Potential Antivirals. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13745-13761. [PMID: 33186038 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The antiviral activity of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors is often hampered by insufficient phosphorylation. Nucleoside triphosphate analogues are presented, in which the γ-phosphate was covalently modified by a non-bioreversible, lipophilic 4-alkylketobenzyl moiety. Interestingly, primer extension assays using human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT) and three DNA-polymerases showed a high selectivity of these γ-modified nucleoside triphosphates to act as substrates for HIV-RT, while they proved to be nonsubstrates for DNA-polymerases α, β, and γ. In contrast to d4TTP, the γ-modified d4TTPs showed a high resistance toward dephosphorylation in cell extracts. A series of acyloxybenzyl-prodrugs of these γ-ketobenzyl nucleoside triphosphates was prepared. The aim was the intracellular delivery of a stable γ-modified nucleoside triphosphate to increase the selectivity of such compounds to act in infected versus noninfected cells. Delivery of γ-ketobenzyl-d4TTPs was proven in T-lymphocyte cell extracts. The prodrugs were potent inhibitors of HIV-1/2 in cultures of infected CEM/0 cells and more importantly in thymidine kinase-deficient CD4+ T-cells.
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8
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Zhao C, Jia X, Schols D, Balzarini J, Meier C. γ-Non-Symmetrically Dimasked TriPPPro Prodrugs as Potential Antiviral Agents against HIV. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:499-512. [PMID: 33089929 PMCID: PMC7894357 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and nucleoside analogue monophosphate prodrugs are used in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). The design of antivirally active nucleoside triphosphate prodrugs is a recent and an important advancement in the field of nucleoside analogue drug development. Here, we report on TriPPPro‐derivatives of nucleoside analogue triphosphates (NTPs) that comprised two different acyloxybenzyl‐masks at the γ‐phosphate of the NTP aiming to achieve the metabolic bypass. Thus, γ‐non‐symmetrically dimasked TriPPPro‐compounds (γ‐(AB,ab)‐d4TTPs) were synthesized and they proved to be active against HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 in cultures of infected wild‐type human CD4+ T‐lymphocyte (CEM/0) cells and more importantly also in thymidine kinase‐deficient CD4+ T‐cells (CEM/TK‐). From hydrolysis studies both in phosphate buffer (PB, pH 7.3) and CEM cell extracts, there was surprisingly no differentiation in the cleavage of the two acyloxybenzyl prodrug‐masks. However, if within one of the two acyloxybenzyl groups a short PEG‐type methoxytriglycol group was introduced, the “standard” acyloxybenzyl‐mask was cleaved with high preference.
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9
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Djuidje EN, Durini E, Sciabica S, Serra E, Balzarini J, Liekens S, Manfredini S, Vertuani S, Baldisserotto A. Skin Damages-Structure Activity Relationship of Benzimidazole Derivatives Bearing a 5-Membered Ring System. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184324. [PMID: 32967192 PMCID: PMC7570844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the search for scaffolds for multifunctional compounds we investigated the structure activity relationship of a class of benzimidazole derivatives bearing 5-membered ring. The newly synthesized and the already known compounds were divided into three classes that present different substituent at 5 position of the benzimidazole ring (-H, -COOH or –SO3H) and different heterocycle at position 2 (thiophene, furan or pyrrole). All the derivatives were synthesized and tested to determine their photoprotective profile against UV rays, in vitro antioxidant capacity against different radicals (DPPH and FRAP test), antifungal inhibitory activity (dermatophytes and Candida albicans), antiviral and antiproliferative activity. A Structure-Activity Relationship study indicated compound 10, bearing a pyrrole heterocycle on the benzimidazole ring, as the best multifunctional derivative of the series and as potential candidate for the development of drugs especially in case of melanoma.
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10
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Djuidje EN, Sciabica S, Buzzi R, Dissette V, Balzarini J, Liekens S, Serra E, Andreotti E, Manfredini S, Vertuani S, Baldisserotto A. Design, synthesis and evaluation of benzothiazole derivatives as multifunctional agents. Bioorg Chem 2020; 101:103960. [PMID: 32559579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is the product or aetiology of various multifactorial diseases; on the other hand, the development of multifunctional compounds is a recognized strategy for the control of complex diseases. To this end, a series of benzothiazole derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their multifunctional effectiveness as antioxidant, sunscreen (filter), antifungal and antiproliferative agents. Compounds were easily synthesized via condensation reaction between 2-aminothiophenols and different benzaldehydes. SAR study, particularly in position 2 and 6 of benzothiazoles, led to the identification of 4g and 4k as very interesting potential compounds for the design of multifunctional drugs. In particular, compound 4g is the best blocker of hERG potassium channels expressed in HEK 293 cells exhibiting 60.32% inhibition with IC50 = 4.79 μM.
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11
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Voronov II, Martynenko VM, Chernyak AV, Godovikov I, Peregudov AS, Balzarini J, Shestakov AF, Schols D, Troshin PA. Synthesis, characterization and anti-HIV activity of polycarboxylic [60]fullerene derivatives obtained in the reaction of C60Cl6 with a hydroquinone ether. Tetrahedron Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2020.151598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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12
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Romagnoli R, Prencipe F, Oliva P, Kimatrai Salvador M, Brancale A, Ferla S, Hamel E, Viola G, Bortolozzi R, Persoons L, Balzarini J, Liekens S, Schols D. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3-anilinoindoles as a new class of potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. Bioorg Chem 2020; 97:103665. [PMID: 32086053 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A new class of inhibitors of tubulin polymerization based on the 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyanilino)indole molecular skeleton was synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity, inhibition of tubulin polymerization and cell cycle effects. The results presented show that the methoxy substitution and location on the indole nucleus plays an important role in inhibition of cell growth, and the most favorable position for the substituent was at C-6. In addition, a small-size ester function (methoxy/ethoxycarbonyl) at the 2-position of the indole core was desirable. Also, analogues that were alkylated with methyl, ethyl or n-propyl groups or had a benzyl moiety on the N-1 indolic nitrogen retained activity equivalent to those observed in the parent N-1H analogues. The most promising compounds of the series were 2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3',4'.5'-trimethoxyanilino)-5-methoxyindole 3f and 1-methyl-2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3',4'.5'-trimethoxyanilino)-6-methoxy-indole 3w, both of which target tubulin at the colchicine site with antitubulin activities comparable to that of the reference compound combretastatin A-4.
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13
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Kraevaya OA, Peregudov AS, Godovikov IA, Shchurik EV, Martynenko VM, Shestakov AF, Balzarini J, Schols D, Troshin PA. Direct arylation of C 60Cl 6 and C 70Cl 8 with carboxylic acids: a synthetic avenue to water-soluble fullerene derivatives with promising antiviral activity. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:1179-1182. [PMID: 31868184 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc08400b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We report unprecedented Friedel-Crafts arylation of chlorofullerenes C60Cl6 and C70Cl8 with unprotected carboxylic acids as an efficient single-step synthesis of the inherently stable water-soluble fullerene derivatives. Using this method, a series of previously unaccessible compounds was obtained without chromatographic purification in almost quantitative yields. Promising anti-HIV activity comparable to characteristics of commercial drugs was demonstrated for some of these compounds.
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14
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Ngoc TD, Dehaen W, Meervelt LV, Balzarini J. Synthesis of Heterocyclic Triterpene Derivatives with Biological Activities via Click Reaction. CURR ORG CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1385272823666191212110411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
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Grignard reactions were applied to synthesize 2-ethynyl-2-hydroxylallobetulin
5 from 2-oxoallobetulin 4. The compound plays an important role as starting material to
synthesize heterocyclic triterpenes using the click reaction. A series of new 1,2,3-triazole
derivatives derived from 2-oxoallobetulin were successfully obtained. Under similar reaction
conditions, only one compound 6 kept the hydroxyl functional group, while in the
other compounds 7, 8 and 9, water was eliminated. The structures of obtained compounds
were confirmed by 2D-NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray analysis of 5 indicated that only one
isomer was obtained and in this compound, the hydroxyl group is situated on the same side
as the ether group, the ethynyl group being situated at the opposite side. All products were
also evaluated for their cytostatic activity in cell culture including L1210, CEM and Hela.
Several compounds showed measurable cytostatic activity in the micromolar range.
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15
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Gondim ACS, Roberta da Silva S, Mathys L, Noppen S, Liekens S, Holanda Sampaio A, Nagano CS, Renata Costa Rocha C, Nascimento KS, Cavada BS, Sadler PJ, Balzarini J. Potent antiviral activity of carbohydrate-specific algal and leguminous lectins from the Brazilian biodiversity. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:390-398. [PMID: 30996857 PMCID: PMC6430086 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00508g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Brazil has one of the largest biodiversities in the world. The search for new natural products extracted from the Brazilian flora may lead to the discovery of novel drugs with potential to treat infectious and other diseases. Here, we have investigated 9 lectins extracted and purified from the Northeastern Brazilian flora, from both leguminous species: Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr), C. maritima (ConM), Dioclea lasiocarpa (DLasiL) and D. sclerocarpa (DSclerL), and algae Amansia multifida (AML), Bryothamniom seaforthii (BSL), Hypnea musciformis (HML), Meristiella echinocarpa (MEL) and Solieria filiformis (SfL). They were exposed to a panel of 18 different viruses, including HIV and influenza viruses. Several lectins showed highly potent antiviral activity, often within the low nanomolar range. DSclerL and DLasiL exhibited EC50 values (effective concentration of lectin required to inhibit virus-induced cytopathicity by 50%) of 9 nM to 46 nM for HIV-1 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), respectively, DLasiL also inhibited feline corona virus at an EC50 of 5 nM, and DSclerL, ConBr and ConM showed remarkably low EC50 values ranging from 0.4 to 6 nM against influenza A virus strain H3N2 and influenza B virus. For HIV, evidence pointed to the blockage of entry of the virus into its target cells as the underlying mechanism of antiviral action of these lectins. Overall, the most promising lectins based on their EC50 values were DLasiL, DSclerL, ConBr, ConM, SfL and HML. These novel findings indicate that lectins from the Brazilian flora may provide novel antiviral compounds with therapeutic potential.
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Van Rompay KKA, Hassounah S, Keele BF, Lifson JD, Ardeshir A, Watanabe J, Pham HT, Chertova E, Sowder R, Balzarini J, Mesplède T, Wainberg MA. Dolutegravir Monotherapy of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques Selects for Several Patterns of Resistance Mutations with Variable Virological Outcomes. J Virol 2019; 93:e01189-18. [PMID: 30381490 PMCID: PMC6321921 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01189-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance remains a major concern for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment. To date, very few resistance mutations have emerged in first-line combination therapy that includes the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir (DTG). In vitro, DTG selects for several primary mutations that induce low-level DTG resistance; secondary mutations, while increasing the level of resistance, however, further impair replication fitness, which raised the idea that DTG monotherapy may be feasible. The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) rhesus macaque model of HIV infection can be useful to explore this concept. Nine macaques were infected with virulent SIVmac251 and started on DTG monotherapy during either acute (n = 2) or chronic infection (n = 7). Within 4 weeks of treatment, all animals demonstrated a reduction in viremia of 0.8 to 3.5 log RNA copies/ml plasma. Continued treatment led to overall sustained benefits, but the outcome after 10 to 50 weeks of treatment was highly variable and ranged from viral rebound to near pretreatment levels to sustained suppression, with viremia being 0.5 to 5 logs lower than expected based on pretreatment viremia. A variety of mutations previously described to confer low-level resistance of HIV-1 to DTG or other INSTI were detected, and these were sometimes followed by mutations believed to be compensatory. Some mutations, such as G118R, previously shown to severely impair the replication capacity in vitro, were associated with more sustained virological and immunological benefits of continued DTG therapy, while other mutations, such as E92Q and G140A/Q148K, were associated with more variable outcomes. The observed variability of the outcomes in macaques warrants avoidance of DTG monotherapy in HIV-infected people.IMPORTANCE A growing number of anti-HIV drug combinations are effective in suppressing virus replication in HIV-infected persons. However, to reduce their cost and risk for toxicity, there is considerable interest in simplifying drug regimens. A major concern with single-drug regimens is the emergence of drug-resistant viral mutants. It has been speculated that DTG monotherapy may be a feasible option, because DTG may have a higher genetic barrier for the development of drug resistance than other commonly used antiretrovirals. To explore treatment initiation with DTG monotherapy, we started SIV-infected macaques on DTG during either acute or chronic infection. Although DTG initially reduced virus replication, continued treatment led to the emergence of a variety of viral mutations previously described to confer low-level resistance of HIV-1 to DTG, and this was associated with variable clinical outcomes. This unpredictability of mutational pathways and outcomes warns against using DTG monotherapy as initial treatment for HIV-infected people.
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17
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Karaküçük-İyidoğan A, Aydınöz B, Taşkın-Tok T, Oruç-Emre EE, Balzarini J. Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Ligand Based Pharmacophore Modeling of New Aromatic Thiosemicarbazones as Potential Anticancer Agents. Pharm Chem J 2019; 53:139-149. [PMID: 32214540 PMCID: PMC7089137 DOI: 10.1007/s11094-019-01968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two series of new aromatic thiosemicarbazone derivatives were synthesized by condensation of N-(4-cyanophenyl)hydrazine carbothioamide (I) and N-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)hydrazine carbothioamide (II) with appropriate aromatic aldehydes in order to investigate their antiviral and cytostatic potency. The chemical structures of all compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The results of the bioassays indicated that compounds Id, Ie, If and IIf proved inhibitory against influenza virus A (EC50 = 13 – 27 μg/mL for strain H1N1 and 9.3 – 18 μg/mL for strain H3N2). Compounds Ig and IIg were the most cytostatic compounds with inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation at an IC50 = 0.3 μg/mL for Ig and 1.9 μg/mL for IIg. Especially, compound Ig showed the highest cytostatic activity with IC50 of 0.30, 0.70 and 2.50 μg/mL against HeLa, CEM and L1210 cell lines, respectively. This inhibition range was within the same order of magnitude as that for cisplatin. Furthermore, molecular modeling was carried out to examine the cytostatic activity and determine the best pharmacophore model as a guide for the design and development of potential prodrugs in future studies.
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18
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Slusarczyk M, Ferrari V, Serpi M, Gönczy B, Balzarini J, McGuigan C. Symmetrical Diamidates as a Class of Phosphate Prodrugs to Deliver the 5′‐Monophosphate Forms of Anticancer Nucleoside Analogues. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:2305-2316. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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19
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Voronov II, Martynenko VM, Chernyak AV, Balzarini J, Schols D, Troshin PA. Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Water-Soluble Polycarboxylic Derivatives of [60]Fullerene Loaded with 3,4-Dichlorophenyl Units. Chem Biodivers 2018; 15:e1800293. [PMID: 30168652 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201800293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We have synthesized a series of water-soluble polycarboxylic derivatives of [60]fullerene with a gradually changed polarity by combining three to five polar (ionic) malonate addends with two to zero hydrophobic dichlorobenzene units and explored their antiviral activity. It has been shown that decreasing the number of the ionogenic carboxylic groups in the molecules enhanced their antiviral activity against HIV-1 and suppressed their action against HIV-2. The obtained results implied that the charged states and hydrophobicity of the water-soluble polycarboxylic fullerene derivatives affect significantly their biological properties.
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20
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Das S, Gul HI, Das U, Balzarini J, Dimmock SG, Dimmock JR. Novel Conjugated Unsaturated Ketones with Submicromolar Potencies Towards some Leukemic and Colon Cancer Cells. Med Chem 2018; 15:430-438. [PMID: 30324886 DOI: 10.2174/1573406414666181015142633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer continues to be the major health burden worldwide. There is an urgent need for the development of novel antineoplastic compounds to treat this devastating condition. Various alkylating anticancer drugs have been employed in the clinic for treating cancers. Unsaturated conjugated ketones are a group of alkylators which are of significant interest as potent antineoplastic agents. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to discover unsaturated conjugated ketones which are novel potent cytotoxins displaying growth-inhibitory properties towards neoplasms and also to serve as cytotoxic warheads in drug development. METHODS A variety of 3,5-bis (benzylidene)-4-piperidones 2a-n were synthesized and evaluated against a number of neoplastic cell lines. The short-term neurotoxicity of 2a-k, n was evaluated in mice by i.p. administration using doses level of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. Statistical correlations for determining structure-activity relationships were performed using an SPSS software. RESULTS A number of compounds display cytotoxic potencies in the region of 10-7 to 10-8 M and some of the structural features contributing to the cytotoxicity were identified. Compounds 2a-d, 2h demonstrated substantially higher cytotoxic potencies compared to melphalan and 5- fluorouracil against a panel of leukemic and colon cancer cell lines. These lead cytotoxins comply with drug-likeness properties. In general, the antineoplastics 2 are well tolerated in mice using a short-term neurotoxicity screening. CONCLUSION In general, this group of compounds comprises excellent cytotoxic agents, which warrant their further development as cytotoxic warheads.
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Preti D, Romagnoli R, Rondanin R, Cacciari B, Hamel E, Balzarini J, Liekens S, Schols D, Estévez-Sarmiento F, Quintana J, Estévez F. Design, synthesis, in vitro antiproliferative activity and apoptosis-inducing studies of 1-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(2'-alkoxycarbonylindolyl)-2-propen-1-one derivatives obtained by a molecular hybridisation approach. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 33:1225-1238. [PMID: 30141353 PMCID: PMC6116705 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2018.1493473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of microtubule function using tubulin targeting agents has received growing attention in the last several decades. The indole scaffold has been recognized as an important scaffold in the design of novel compounds acting as antimitotic agents. Indole-based chalcones, in which one of the aryl rings was replaced by an indole, have been explored in the last few years for their anticancer potential in different cancer cell lines. Eighteen novel (3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-indolyl-propenone derivatives with general structure 9 were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of four different human cancer cell lines. The highest IC50 values were obtained against the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line. This series of chalcone derivatives was characterized by the presence of a 2-alkoxycarbonyl indole ring as the second aryl system attached at the carbonyl of the 3-position of the 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one framework. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) of the indole-based chalcone derivatives was investigated by varying the position of the methoxy group, by the introduction of different substituents (hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or benzyl) at the N-1 position and by the activity differences between methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl moieties at the 2-position of the indole nucleus. The antiproliferative activity data of the novel synthesized compounds revealed that generally N-substituted indole analogues exhibited considerably reduced potency as compared with their parent N-unsubstituted counterparts, demonstrating that the presence of a hydrogen on the indole nitrogen plays a decisive role in increasing antiproliferative activity. The results also revealed that the position of the methoxy group on the indole ring is a critical determinant of biological activity. Among the synthesized derivatives, compound 9e, containing the 2-methoxycarbonyl-6-methoxy-N-1H-indole moiety exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity, with IC50 values of 0.37, 0.16 and 0.17 μM against HeLa, HT29 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, respectively, and with considerably lower activity against HL-60 cells (IC50: 18 μM). This derivative also displayed cytotoxic properties (IC50 values ∼1 μM) in the human myeloid leukemia U-937 cell line overexpressing human Bcl-2 (U-937/Bcl-2) via cell cycle progression arrest at the G2-M phase and induction of apoptosis. The results obtained also demonstrated that the antiproliferative activity of this molecule is related to inhibition of tubulin polymerisation. The presence of a methoxy group at the C5- or C6-position of the indole nucleus, as well as the absence of substituents at the N-1-indole position, contributed to the optimal activity of the indole-propenone-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl scaffold.
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Maguire NM, Ford A, Balzarini J, Maguire AR. Synthesis of Guanine α-Carboxy Nucleoside Phosphonate (G-α-CNP), a Direct Inhibitor of Multiple Viral DNA Polymerases. J Org Chem 2018; 83:10510-10517. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b01124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Petrova MI, van den Broek MFL, Spacova I, Verhoeven TLA, Balzarini J, Vanderleyden J, Schols D, Lebeer S. Engineering Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and GR-1 to express HIV-inhibiting griffithsin. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2018; 52:599-607. [PMID: 30040991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Probiotic bacteria are being explored for the in situ delivery of various therapeutic agents. In this study, we aimed to express two HIV-inhibiting lectins, actinohivin (AH) and griffithsin (GRFT), in the probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and L. rhamnosus GR-1 for gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosal delivery, respectively. Constructs were generated for the intracellular and extracellular production of AH and GRFT under the control of the promoter of their Major Secreted Protein Msp1. Also, intracellular expression of GRFT was investigated under the control of the nisA promoter from the inducible nisin-controlled expression (NICE) system. For the extracellular localization, the signal leader peptide of Msp1/p75 from L. rhamnosus GG was translationally fused with the genes encoding AH and GRFT. Construction of recombinant strains expressing the AH monomer and dimer was unsuccessful, probably due to the intracellular toxicity of AH for the lactobacilli. On the other hand, recombinant strains for intra- and extracellular production of GRFT by L. rhamnosus GG and GR-1 were successfully constructed. The highest expression levels of recombinant GRFT were observed for the constructs under the control of the inducible nisA promoter and we demonstrated anti-HIV activity against an M-tropic and a T-tropic HIV-1 strain. We can conclude that recombinant Lactobacillus expressing anti-HIV lectins could contribute to the development of enhanced probiotic strains that are able to inhibit HIV transmission and subsequent replication, although further research and development are required.
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El-Gazzar A, Noppen S, Thomas J, Dehaen W, Balzarini J, Liekens S. 2-Amino-3-methylcarboxy-5-heptyl-thiophene (TJ191) is a selective anti-cancer small molecule that targets low TβRIII-expressing malignant T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 9:6259-6269. [PMID: 29464070 PMCID: PMC5814210 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Current chemotherapy regimens often include non-specific cytostatic/cytotoxic drugs, which do not distinguish between normal and tumor cells, therefore causing considerable systemic toxicity. We previously reported the synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of a novel synthetic 2-aminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid ester derivative TJ191 that selectively targets certain cancer cells without affecting the proliferation of other cancer cells or normal fibroblasts or immune cells (over 600-fold selectivity). In a panel of ten human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we now found that transforming growth factor β type III receptor (TβRIII) expression correlates inversely with TJ191 sensitivity, but not with sensitivity against classical chemotherapeutic drugs, thus serving as a predictive marker for TJ191 sensitivity. Accordingly, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-out of TβRIII partially restored the susceptibility of TJ191-resistant cells to this novel compound. Our findings highlight TJ191 as a potent and selective anti-cancer molecule with pronounced activity against human malignant T-cells expressing low levels of TβRIII.
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Romagnoli R, Kimatrai Salvador M, Schiaffino Ortega S, Baraldi PG, Oliva P, Baraldi S, Lopez-Cara LC, Brancale A, Ferla S, Hamel E, Balzarini J, Liekens S, Mattiuzzo E, Basso G, Viola G. 2-Alkoxycarbonyl-3-arylamino-5-substituted thiophenes as a novel class of antimicrotubule agents: Design, synthesis, cell growth and tubulin polymerization inhibition. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 143:683-698. [PMID: 29220790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.11.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules are recognized as crucial components of the mitotic spindle during cell division, and, for this reason, the microtubule system is an attractive target for the development of anticancer agents. Continuing our search strategy for novel tubulin targeting-compounds, a new series of 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyanilino)-5-aryl/heteroarylthiophene derivatives was designed, synthesized and demonstrated to act as tubulin polymerization inhibitors at the colchicine site. A structure-activity relationship study on the phenyl at the 5-position of the thiophene ring was performed by introducing a variety of substituents containing electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing groups, with the 2-alkoxycarbonyl-3-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyanilino)thiophene scaffold being the minimum structural requirement for activity. Of the tested compounds, derivatives 4a, 4c, 4i and 4k possessed the highest overall potency and displayed high antiproliferative activities at submicromolar concentrations, with IC50 values ranging from 0.13 to 0.84 μM against four different cancer cell lines. Three agents (4a, 4c and 4i) in the present series had similar effects, and these were comparable to those of the reference compound combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) as inhibitors of tubulin assembly. The antitubulin effects correlated with the cytostatic activities and indicate that these compounds inhibit cell growth through inhibition of tubulin polymerization by binding at the colchicine site. Compound 4c, containing the 2'-thienyl ring at the 5-position of the 2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyanilino)thiophene scaffold, exhibited substantial antiproliferative activity with a mean IC50 value of 140 nM, inhibited tubulin polymerization with an IC50 value of 1.2 μM, similar to that of CA-4 (IC50: 1.1 μM), and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells.
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