CBIO-07. ST-401: A BRAIN-PENETRANT MICROTUBULE-TARGETING AGENT THAT KILLS CANCER CELLS IN INTERPHASE

Abstract Microtubule targeting agents (MTAs) are indispensable medicines to treat a wide range of cancers, and evidence suggests that glioblastoma is sensitive to disruptions in microtubule (MT) functions; but most MTAs do not cross the blood brain barrier. To address this limitation, we developed a brain-penetrant MTA, ST-401, that inhibited the growth of human glioblastoma in culture at nanomolar concentrations (Horne et al. (2020) Neuro-Onc Adv. 3(1): vdaa165). Of note, ST-401 binds to the colchicine site, inhibits tubulin assembly and reversibly reduces MT dynamics in cells with a milder activity compared to the reference MTA, nocodazole. Pharmacokinetic analysis of ST-401 in mice shows brain penetration reaching antitumor concentrations, and in vivo testing of ST-401 demonstrated significant antitumor and radiosensitizing activities. Testing of ST-401 on the NCI 60 cancer cell panel indicated that its anti-tumor activity 1) did not correlate with any of the compounds tested thus far and 2) only weakly correlated with MTAs that act through alternate mechanisms [Taxol and Vinblastine]. Thus, ST-401 may kill cancer cells through a novel mechanism related to disruption of MT function that is different from MTAs tested thus far on the NCI 60 cancer cell panel. As initial step to discover this novel mechanism of action, we studied the anti-tumor activity of ST-401 and nocodazole in HCT116 cells in culture. As expected, low concentrations (30 and 100 nM) of nocodazole killed HCT116 cells in mitosis and increased p-P53; by contrast these low concentrations of ST-401 killed HCT116 cells in interphase and did not increase p-P53. Our study shows that the brain-penetrant MTA, ST-401, kills cancers in interphase, a response that contrasts with the activity of the reference MTA nocodazole. ST-401 represents a promising chemical scaffold to develop brain-penetrant therapeutics for the treatment of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma.

Download Full-text

EXTH-53. A BRAIN-PENETRANT MICROTUBULE-TARGETING AGENT THAT DISRUPTS HALLMARKS OF GLIOMA TUMORIGENESIS

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.407 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii98-ii99

Author(s):

Eric Horne ◽

Juan J Vicente Ruiz ◽

Patrick Cimino ◽

Erik Jung ◽

Cong Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Xenograft Model ◽

Cancer Therapeutics ◽

Pharmacokinetic Analysis ◽

Enhanced Sensitivity ◽

Microtubule Targeting Agents ◽

Wide Range ◽

In Vivo Testing ◽

Anti Tumor Activity ◽

The Brain

Abstract Most cancer therapeutics developed to date are excluded from the brain and are therefore ineffective in treating glioma, the most devastating type of brain cancer in adults. Microtubule targeting agents (MTAs) are indispensable medicines to treat a wide range of solid and hematopoietic tumors, and evidence suggests that glioma is sensitive to MTAs; but most MTAs do not cross the blood-brain-barrier. To address this limitation, we developed a brain-penetrant MTA, ST-401, that inhibited the growth of human glioma in culture at nanomolar concentrations. ST-401 bound to the colchicine site, inhibited tubulin assembly and reversibly reduced microtubule (MT) dynamics. Testing of ST-401 on the NCI 60 cancer cell panel indicated that its anti-tumor activity does not correlate with any of the compounds tested thus far through this platform but showed weak correlations for two MTA that work through distinct mechanisms: taxol (p=0.46) and vinblastine (p=0.34). Thus, ST-401 may kill cancer cells through a novel mechanism related to disruption of MT function. We discovered that ST-401 killed patient-derived (PD) glioma isolates in both mitosis and interphase, and inhibited the formation of tumor microtubes, MT-rich structures that connects glioma cells to a network that is resistant to standard therapies. Pharmacokinetic analysis of ST-401 in mice shows brain penetration reaching antitumor concentrations, and in vivo testing of ST-401 in a xenograft model demonstrated significant antitumor activity. In an immunocompetent mouse model of platelet-derived growth factor B-driven glioma, ST-401 significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacies of standard care therapies temozolomide and radiation therapy. Our study identified novel aspects of glioma tumorigenesis that exhibit enhanced sensitivity to MTAs and shows that the brain-penetrant MTA, ST-401, represents a promising chemical scaffold to develop therapeutics for the treatment of patients diagnosed with glioma.

Download Full-text

Differences in the Central Energy Metabolism of Cancer Cells between Conventional 2D and Novel 3D Culture Systems

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22041805 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 1805

Author(s):

Ryo Ikari ◽

Ken-ichi Mukaisho ◽

Susumu Kageyama ◽

Masayuki Nagasawa ◽

Shigehisa Kubota ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Culture ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Culture System ◽

3D Culture ◽

Cell Culture System ◽

Metabolome Analysis ◽

Wide Range

The conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture is available as an in vitro experimental model. However, the culture system reportedly does not recapitulate the in vivo cancer microenvironment. We recently developed a tissueoid cell culture system using Cellbed, which resembles the loose connective tissue in living organisms. The present study performed 2D and three-dimensional (3D) culture using prostate and bladder cancer cell lines and a comprehensive metabolome analysis. Compared to 3D, the 2D culture had significantly lower levels of most metabolites. The 3D culture system did not impair mitochondrial function in the cancer cells and produce energy through the mitochondria simultaneously with aerobic glycolysis. Conversely, ATP production, biomass (nucleotides, amino acids, lipids and NADPH) synthesis and redox balance maintenance were conducted in 3D culture. In contrast, in 2D culture, biomass production was delayed due to the suppression of metabolic activity. The 3D metabolome analysis using the tissueoid cell culture system capable of in vivo cancer cell culture yielded results consistent with previously reported cancer metabolism theories. This system is expected to be an essential experimental tool in a wide range of cancer research fields, especially in preclinical stages while transitioning from in vitro to in vivo.

Download Full-text

A Novel Triazole Derivative Drug Presenting In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Properties

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026618666180917100640 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 1483-1493

Author(s):

Ricardo Imbroisi Filho ◽

Daniel T.G. Gonzaga ◽

Thainá M. Demaria ◽

João G.B. Leandro ◽

Dora C.S. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Line ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Cancer Cell Line ◽

Hepatic Function ◽

Anticancer Properties ◽

Mcf 7

Background: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide, despite many different drugs available to treat the disease. This high mortality rate is largely due to the complexity of the disease, which results from several genetic and epigenetic changes. Therefore, researchers are constantly searching for novel drugs that can target different and multiple aspects of cancer. Experimental: After a screening, we selected one novel molecule, out of ninety-four triazole derivatives, that strongly affects the viability and proliferation of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, with minimal effects on non-cancer cells. The drug, named DAN94, induced a dose-dependent decrease in MCF-7 cells viability, with an IC50 of 3.2 ± 0.2 µM. Additionally, DAN94 interfered with mitochondria metabolism promoting reactive oxygen species production, triggering apoptosis and arresting the cancer cells on G1/G0 phase of cell cycle, inhibiting cell proliferation. These effects are not observed when the drug was tested in the non-cancer cell line MCF10A. Using a mouse model with xenograft tumor implants, the drug preventing tumor growth presented no toxicity for the animal and without altering biochemical markers of hepatic function. Results and Conclusion: The novel drug DAN94 is selective for cancer cells, targeting the mitochondrial metabolism, which culminates in the cancer cell death. In the end, DAN94 has been shown to be a promising drug for controlling breast cancer with minimal undesirable effects.

Download Full-text

Circular RNA FLNA acts as a sponge of miR-486-3p in promoting lung cancer progression via regulating XRCC1 and CYP1A1

Cancer Gene Therapy ◽

10.1038/s41417-021-00293-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jiongwei Pan ◽

Gang Huang ◽

Zhangyong Yin ◽

Xiaoping Cai ◽

Enhui Gong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Lung Cancer Cells ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Related Factors

AbstractSignificantly high-expressed circFLNA has been found in various cancer cell lines, but not in lung cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the role of circFLNA in the progression of lung cancer. The target gene of circFLNA was determined by bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay. Viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of the transfected cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, wound-healing, and transwell assays, respectively. A mouse subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model was established, and the expressions of circFLNA, miR-486-3p, XRCC1, CYP1A1, and related genes in the cancer cells and tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot, or immunohistochemistry. The current study found that miR-486-3p was low-expressed in lung cancer. MiR-486-3p, which has been found to target XRCC1 and CYP1A1, was regulated by circFLNA. CircFLNA was located in the cytoplasm and had a high expression in lung cancer cells. Cancer cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were promoted by overexpressed circFLNA, XRCC1, and CYP1A1 but inhibited by miR-486-3p mimic and circFLNA knockdown. The weight of the xenotransplanted tumor was increased by circFLNA overexpression yet reduced by miR-486-3p mimic. Furthermore, miR-486-3p mimic reversed the effect of circFLNA overexpression on promoting lung cancer cells and tumors and regulating the expressions of miR-486-3p, XRCC1, CYP1A1, and metastasis/apoptosis/proliferation-related factors. However, overexpressed XRCC1 and CYP1A1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-486-3p mimic on cancer cells and tumors. In conclusion, circFLNA acted as a sponge of miR-486-3p to promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating XRCC1 and CYP1A1.

Download Full-text

620 Tumor cell-intrinsic STING pathway is activated in the presence of cues from immune cells and contributes to the anti-tumor activity of tumor cell-targeted STING agonist antibody-drug conjugates

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-sitc2020.0620 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽

pp. A656-A656

Author(s):

Naniye Malli Cetinbas ◽

Travis Monnell ◽

Winnie Lee ◽

Kalli Catcott ◽

Chen-Ni Chin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tumor Cell ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Antibody Drug Conjugates ◽

Drug Conjugates ◽

Primary Monocyte ◽

Sting Pathway ◽

Anti Tumor Activity ◽

Antibody Drug

BackgroundSTING pathway agonism has emerged as a potential therapeutic mechanism to stimulate an innate anti-tumor immune response. While in principle systemic administration of a STING agonist would have many therapeutic benefits, including the delivery of STING to all tumor lesions, such an approach may be limited by toxicity. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) constitute a proven therapeutic modality that is ideally suited to allow systemic administration while stimulating the innate immunity in a targeted manner. We have previously demonstrated that targeted delivery of a STING agonist with an ADC induces robust anti-tumor immune responses.MethodsHerein we investigated the mechanism of action of tumor cell-targeted STING agonist ADCs. We evaluated STING pathway activation and anti-tumor activity elicited by ADCs harboring either wild type (wt) or mutant Fc deficient in Fcγ receptor (FcγR) binding in wt or STING knockout (ko) cancer cell mono-cultures, immune cell co-cultures, and in in vivo tumor models.ResultsConsistent with previous reports, the majority of cancer cell lines tested failed to induce STING pathway following STING agonist payload treatment in mono-cultures. In cancer cell:THP1 monocytic cell co-cultures, tumor-targeted STING agonist ADCs with wt Fc exhibited robust STING activation, whereas Fc-mutant ADCs or non-targeted control ADCs had minimal activity. Similar results were obtained when THP1 cells were treated in plates coated with target antigen without cancer cells, demonstrating STING activation in THP1 cells following FcγR-mediated uptake of antigen-bound ADCs. Tumor-targeted Fc-wt ADCs led to marked induction of STING pathway and cancer cell-killing in cancer cell:PBMC or primary monocyte co-cultures, and complete tumor regressions in in vivo tumors. Surprisingly, while at reduced levels relative to the Fc-wt ADCs, Fc-mutant ADCs exhibited significant activity in these in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting that tumor cell-intrinsic STING pathway may be activated in the presence of cues from immune cells. Consistently, STING agonist payload treatment in the presence of conditioned media from PBMC and primary monocyte but not from THP1 cultures, led to STING activation in cancer cell mono-cultures. Moreover, Fc-mutant ADCs had diminished activity in STING ko cancer cell:PBMC or primary monocyte co-cultures, demonstrating the contribution of tumor cell-intrinsic STING activation to the anti-tumor activity elicited by tumor cell-targeted STING agonist ADCs.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we demonstrated that tumor cell-targeted STING agonist ADCs induce robust anti-tumor activity through mechanisms involving both FcγR and tumor antigen-mediated ADC internalization and subsequent induction of STING pathway in immune cells and tumor cells.

Download Full-text

The potential oncogenic and MLN4924-resistant effects of CSN5 on cervical cancer cells

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-02078-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huilin Zhang ◽

Ping He ◽

Qing Zhou ◽

Yan Lu ◽

Bingjian Lu

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Cervical Cancer Cell ◽

Cervical Cancers ◽

Cervical Cancer Cells

Abstract Background CSN5, a member of Cop9 signalosome, is essential for protein neddylation. It has been supposed to serve as an oncogene in some cancers. However, the role of CSN5 has not been investigated in cervical cancer yet. Methods Data from TCGA cohorts and GEO dataset was analyzed to examine the expression profile of CSN5 and clinical relevance in cervical cancers. The role of CSN5 on cervical cancer cell proliferation was investigated in cervical cancer cell lines, Siha and Hela, through CSN5 knockdown via CRISPR–CAS9. Western blot was used to detect the effect of CSN5 knockdown and overexpression. The biological behaviors were analyzed by CCK8, clone formation assay, 3-D spheroid generation assay and cell cycle assay. Besides, the role CSN5 knockdown in vivo was evaluated by xenograft tumor model. MLN4924 was given in Siha and Hela with CSN5 overexpression. Results We found that downregulation of CSN5 in Siha and Hela cells inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and the inhibitory effects were largely rescued by CSN5 overexpression. Moreover, deletion of CSN5 caused cell cycle arrest rather than inducing apoptosis. Importantly, CSN5 overexpression confers resistance to the anti-cancer effects of MLN4924 (pevonedistat) in cervical cancer cells. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that CSN5 functions as an oncogene in cervical cancers and may serve as a potential indicator for predicting the effects of MLN4924 treatment in the future.

Download Full-text

A Novel Benzopyrane Derivative Targeting Cancer Cell Metabolic and Survival Pathways

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13112840 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 2840

Author(s):

Dana M. Zaher ◽

Wafaa S. Ramadan ◽

Raafat El-Awady ◽

Hany A. Omar ◽

Fatema Hersi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Dna Damage ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Mitochondrial Metabolism ◽

High Dose ◽

Anticancer Effect ◽

Safety Margins ◽

Wide Range

(1) Background: Today, the discovery of novel anticancer agents with multitarget effects and high safety margins represents a high challenge. Drug discovery efforts indicated that benzopyrane scaffolds possess a wide range of pharmacological activities. This spurs on building a skeletally diverse library of benzopyranes to identify an anticancer lead drug candidate. Here, we aim to characterize the anticancer effect of a novel benzopyrane derivative, aiming to develop a promising clinical anticancer candidate. (2) Methods: The anticancer effect of SIMR1281 against a panel of cancer cell lines was tested. In vitro assays were performed to determine the effect of SIMR1281 on GSHR, TrxR, mitochondrial metabolism, DNA damage, cell cycle progression, and the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, SIMR1281 was evaluated in vivo for its safety and in a xenograft mice model. (3) Results: SIMR1281 strongly inhibits GSHR while it moderately inhibits TrxR and modulates the mitochondrial metabolism. SIMR1281 inhibits the cell proliferation of various cancers. The antiproliferative activity of SIMR1281 was mediated through the induction of DNA damage, perturbations in the cell cycle, and the inactivation of Ras/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Furthermore, SIMR1281 induced apoptosis and attenuated cell survival machinery. In addition, SIMR1281 reduced the tumor volume in a xenograft model while maintaining a high in vivo safety profile at a high dose. (4) Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the anticancer multitarget effect of SIMR1281, including the dual inhibition of glutathione and thioredoxin reductases. These findings support the development of SIMR1281 in preclinical and clinical settings, as it represents a potential lead compound for the treatment of cancer.

Download Full-text

Osteoblast-Derived Paracrine and Juxtacrine Signals Protect Disseminated Breast Cancer Cells from Stress

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13061366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1366

Author(s):

Russell Hughes ◽

Xinyue Chen ◽

Natasha Cowley ◽

Penelope D. Ottewell ◽

Rhoda J. Hawkins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Metastatic Breast ◽

Accessory Cell ◽

Cancer Cell Survival

Metastatic breast cancer in bone is incurable and there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic approaches to improve survival. Key to this is understanding the mechanisms governing cancer cell survival and growth in bone, which involves interplay between malignant and accessory cell types. Here, we performed a cellular and molecular comparison of the bone microenvironment in mouse models representing either metastatic indolence or growth, to identify mechanisms regulating cancer cell survival and fate. In vivo, we show that regardless of their fate, breast cancer cells in bone occupy niches rich in osteoblastic cells. As the number of osteoblasts in bone declines, so does the ability to sustain large numbers of breast cancer cells and support metastatic outgrowth. In vitro, osteoblasts protected breast cancer cells from death induced by cell stress and signaling via gap junctions was found to provide important juxtacrine protective mechanisms between osteoblasts and both MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) and MCF7 (ER+) breast cancer cells. Combined with mathematical modelling, these findings indicate that the fate of DTCs is not controlled through the association with specific vessel subtypes. Instead, numbers of osteoblasts dictate availability of protective niches which breast cancer cells can colonize prior to stimulation of metastatic outgrowth.

Download Full-text

Synergistic Effect Induced by Gold Nanoparticles with Polyphenols Shell during Thermal Therapy: Macrophage Inflammatory Response and Cancer Cell Death Assessment

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13143610 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 3610

Author(s):

Valeria De Matteis ◽

Mariafrancesca Cascione ◽

Loris Rizzello ◽

Daniela Erminia Manno ◽

Claudia Di Guglielmo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Calcium Release ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Chemical Route ◽

Au Nps ◽

Anticancer Properties ◽

Cancer Cell Death ◽

Combined Strategy

Background: In recent decades, gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-based cancer therapy has been heavily debated. The physico-chemical properties of AuNPs can be exploited in photothermal therapy, making them a powerful tool for selectively killing cancer cells. However, the synthetic side products and capping agents often induce a strong activation of the inflammatory pathways of macrophages, thus limiting their further applications in vivo. Methods: Here, we described a green method to obtain stable polyphenol-capped AuNPs (Au NPs@polyphenols), as polyphenols are known for their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. These NPs were used in human macrophages to test key inflammation-related markers, such as NF-κB, TNF-α, and interleukins-6 and 8. The results were compared with similar NPs obtained by a traditional chemical route (without the polyphenol coating), proving the potential of Au NPs@polyphenols to strongly promote the shutdown of inflammation. This was useful in developing them for use as heat-synergized tools in the thermal treatment of two types of cancer cells, namely, breast cancer (MCF-7) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. The cell viability, calcium release, oxidative stress, HSP-70 expression, mitochondrial, and DNA damage, as well as cytoskeleton alteration, were evaluated. Results: Our results clearly demonstrate that the combined strategy markedly exerts anticancer effects against the tested cancer cell, while neither of the single treatments (only heat or only NPs) induced significant changes. Conclusions: Au NP@polyphenols may be powerful agents in cancer treatment.

Download Full-text

CYT-Rx20 Inhibits Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Migration Through Oxidative Stress-Induced DNA Damage, Cell Apoptosis, and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Inhibition

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1097/igc.0000000000001033 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 1306-1317

Author(s):

Yen-Yun Wang ◽

Pei-Wen Hsieh ◽

Yuk-Kwan Chen ◽

Stephen Chu-Sung Hu ◽

Ya-Ling Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Dna Damage ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Cervical Cancer Cell ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Cervical Cancer Cells

ObjectiveThe β-nitrostyrene family has been reported to possess anticancer properties. However, the anticancer activity of β-nitrostyrenes on cervical cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms involved remain unexplored. In this study, a β-nitrostyrene derivative CYT-Rx20 (3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-β-methyl-β-nitrostyrene) was synthesized, and its anticancer activity on cervical cancer cells and the mechanisms involved were investigated.MethodsThe effect of CYT-Rx20 on human cervical cancer cell growth was evaluated using cell viability assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and annexin V staining were detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved poly (ADPribose) polymerase, γH2AX, β-catenin, Vimentin, and Twist were measured by Western blotting. DNA double-strand breaks were determined by γ-H2AX foci formation and neutral comet assay. Migration assay was used to determine cancer cell migration. Nude mice xenograft was used to investigate the antitumor effects of CYT-Rx20 in vivo.ResultsCYT-Rx20 induced cytotoxicity in cervical cancer cells by promoting cell apoptosis via ROS generation and DNA damage. CYT-Rx20-induced cell apoptosis, ROS generation, and DNA damage were reversed by thiol antioxidants. In addition, CYT-Rx20 inhibited cervical cancer cell migration by regulating the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers. In nude mice, CYT-Rx20 inhibited cervical tumor growth accompanied by increased expression of DNA damage marker γH2AX and decreased expression of mesenchymal markers β-catenin and Twist.ConclusionsCYT-Rx20 inhibits cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and has the potential to be further developed into an anti-cervical cancer drug clinically.

Download Full-text