Small Molecule Signal Transduction Inhibitors for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 347-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Leary ◽  
Stephen R. D. Johnston
Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 816
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Abrams ◽  
Shaw M. Akula ◽  
Akshaya K. Meher ◽  
Linda S. Steelman ◽  
Agnieszka Gizak ◽  
...  

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a regulator of signaling pathways. KRas is frequently mutated in pancreatic cancers. The growth of certain pancreatic cancers is KRas-dependent and can be suppressed by GSK-3 inhibitors, documenting a link between KRas and GSK-3. To further elucidate the roles of GSK-3β in drug-resistance, we transfected KRas-dependent MIA-PaCa-2 pancreatic cells with wild-type (WT) and kinase-dead (KD) forms of GSK-3β. Transfection of MIA-PaCa-2 cells with WT-GSK-3β increased their resistance to various chemotherapeutic drugs and certain small molecule inhibitors. Transfection of cells with KD-GSK-3β often increased therapeutic sensitivity. An exception was observed with cells transfected with WT-GSK-3β and sensitivity to the BCL2/BCLXL ABT737 inhibitor. WT-GSK-3β reduced glycolytic capacity of the cells but did not affect the basal glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. KD-GSK-3β decreased both basal glycolysis and glycolytic capacity and reduced mitochondrial respiration in MIA-PaCa-2 cells. As a comparison, the effects of GSK-3 on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, which have mutant PIK3CA, were examined. KD-GSK-3β increased the resistance of MCF-7 cells to chemotherapeutic drugs and certain signal transduction inhibitors. Thus, altering the levels of GSK-3β can have dramatic effects on sensitivity to drugs and signal transduction inhibitors which may be influenced by the background of the tumor.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-191
Author(s):  
Alexandra Höpfinger ◽  
Thomas Karrasch ◽  
Andreas Schäffler ◽  
Andreas Schmid

Recent data argue for a pro-inflammatory role of CAMP (cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide) in adipocytes and adipose tissue (AT) and for regulatory circuits involving TLRs. In order to investigate regulatory effects of TLR2 and TLR4, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with TLR2 agonistic lipopeptide MALP-2 and with TLR4 agonist LPS in presence or absence of signal transduction inhibitors. CAMP gene expression was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR in adipocytes and in murine AT compartments and cellular subfractions. CAMP expression was higher in gonadal than in subcutaneous AT and there was a gender-specific effect with higher levels in males. Adipocytes had higher CAMP expression than the stroma-vascular cell (SVC) fraction. MALP-2 up-regulated CAMP expression significantly, mediated by STAT3 and PI3K and potentially (non-significant trend) by NF-κB and MAPK, but not by raf-activated MEK-1/-2. Moreover, LPS proved to act as a potent inducer of CAMP via NF-κB, PI3K and STAT3, whereas specific inhibition of MAPK and MEK-1/-2 had no effect. In conclusion, activation of TLR2 and TLR4 by classical ligands up-regulates adipocyte CAMP expression involving classical signal transduction elements. These might represent future drug targets for pharmacological modulation of CAMP expression in adipocytes, especially in the context of metabolic and infectious diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3018-3018
Author(s):  
Michael S. Gordon ◽  
Richard D. Carvajal ◽  
Alexander I. Spira ◽  
Marilyn Huang ◽  
Paul Watkins ◽  
...  

3018 Background: PLX2853 is a potent, orally active small molecule BET inhibitor. Its unique pharmacokinetic (PK) profile is associated with less thrombocytopenia and improved tolerability by allowing transient target engagement with a prolonged pharmacodynamic (PD) response and time for recovery after dosing. Methods: We conducted a first-in-human 3+3 Ph1b/2a study of PLX2853 in adults with relapsed or refractory solid tumors and lymphoma to determine the safety, PK and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) (NCT03297424). Secondary endpoints included efficacy and PD. Results: As of 2 February 2021, 44 subjects (median age 65, range 39 - 84) received PLX2853 in escalating doses from 5mg to 120mg QD and 40mg to 60mg BID. Ovarian cancer (n = 11), uveal melanoma, colorectal, and prostate (n = 5 each) were the most represented tumor types. Adverse events (AE) occurring in ≥15% of subjects included nausea (41%), decrease appetite (39%), fatigue (27%), vomiting (25%), diarrhea (25%), dysgeusia (25%), dehydration (23%), anemia (20%), dry mouth (18%), dizziness (16%), abdominal pain (16%), and pyrexia (16%). Thrombocytopenia occurred in 11% of subjects. Most AEs ( > 85%) were grades (G) 1-2. Of all AEs, 40% were related. There were 5 treatment-related serious AEs in 2 subjects (n = 1 G4 thrombocytopenia, G4 ischemic stroke, G3 subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH], and G3 thromboembolic event; n = 1 G3 vomiting). Dose-limiting toxicities were observed at 120mg QD (G4 thrombocytopenia, G4 ischemic stroke, G3 thromboembolic event, and G3 SAH; asymptomatic G4 thrombocytopenia), 60mg BID (G3 thrombocytopenia with recovery > 7 days), and 40mg BID (dose reduction for transient G3 fatigue). PLX2853 systemic exposure was dose-proportional up to 120mg with a short terminal half-life ( < 3.5 hr). Plasma concentrations were above the IC90 in the MYC-responsive reporter assay for 9 hr at 80mg or higher doses. RNA-seq analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a dose-dependent modulation of BET target gene expression. One complete response (ongoing 9+ months) was seen in a patient with DLBCL, two patients had partial responses (1 uveal melanoma, 1 primary peritoneal cancer), and 14 patients had stable disease. The median PFS was 82.5 days (range: 51 – 209 days). Conclusions: PLX2853 shows encouraging signs of clinical activity and is well tolerated at the anticipated RP2D of 80 mg/day. PLX2853 is being evaluated as monotherapy and in combination. Clinical trial information: NCT03297424.


Biopolymers ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrence R. Burke ◽  
Zhu-Jun Yao ◽  
Ding-Guo Liu ◽  
Johannes Voigt ◽  
Yang Gao

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