Non-cancer to anti-cancer: investigation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channel inhibitors as potential therapeutics

Background The expression of hERG K+ channels is observed in various cancer cells including epithelial, neuronal, leukemic, and connective tissue. The role of hERG potassium channels in regulating the growth and death of cancer cells include cell proliferation, survival, secretion of proangiogenic factors, invasiveness, and metastasis. Methods In the reported study, an attempt has been made to investigate some non-cancer hERG blockers as potential cancer therapeutics using a computational drug repurposing strategy. Preliminary investigation for hERG blockers/non-blockers has identified 26 potential clinically approved compounds for further studies using molecular modeling. Results The interactions at the binding pockets have been investigated along with the prioritization based on the binding score. Some of the identified potential hERG inhibitors, i.e., Bromocriptine, Darglitazone, and Troglitazone, have been investigated to derive the mechanism of cancer inhibition. Conclusions The proposed mechanism for anti-cancer properties via hERG blocking for some of the potential compounds is required to be explored using other experimental methodologies. The drug repurposing approach applied to investigate anti-cancer therapeutics may direct to provide a therapeutic solution to late-stage cancer and benefit a significant population of patients.

Analysis of Long Noncoding RNAs in Aila-Induced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Inhibition

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has the highest morbidity and mortality among all carcinomas. However, it is difficult to diagnose in the early stage, and current therapeutic efficacy is not ideal. Although numerous studies have revealed that Ailanthone (Aila), a natural product, can inhibit multiple cancers by reducing cell proliferation and invasion and inducing apoptosis, the mechanism by which Aila represses NSCLC progression in a time-dependent manner remains unclear. In this study, we observed that most long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were either notably up- or downregulated in NSCLC cells after treatment with Aila. Moreover, alterations in lncRNA expression induced by Aila were crucial for the initiation and metastasis of NSCLC. Furthermore, in our research, expression of DUXAP8 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC cells after treatment with Aila and regulated expression levels of EGR1. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that Aila is a potent natural suppressor of NSCLC by modulating expression of DUXAP8 and EGR1.

Prognostic biomarkers for primary Sjögren's syndrome-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

e19563 Background: Bidirectional relationship between non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) has been recognized in large-scale cohort studies. We identified significant differentially expressed genes for SS-associated NHLs, and evaluated whether these genes could serve as a prognostic biomarker of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: RNA-sequencing data from whole-transcriptome expression profiling were compared in a canonical pathway analysis using z-score and p-value visualization to identify significant differentially expressed genes and underlying cellular mechanisms for SS-associated NHLs including Burkitt lymphoma (BL), DLBCL, follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Collected biopsies included lymphoma biopsies for BL (n = 59), DLBCL (n = 88), FL (n = 65), MCL (n = 43), and MZL (n = 23), sorted B cells from healthy donors (n = 10), as well as parotid gland tissues for SS (n = 17). RNA-seq data with P values less than 0.05 or -log10(P) larger than 1.3 were considered significant, and positive z-scores indicated up-regulation while negative z-scores indicated down-regulation. After screening potential biomarkers through canonical pathway analysis, significant differentially expressed genes were subjected to survival analysis with genomic and clinical data of 420 DLBCL patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using a log-rank test. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was derived to validate the predictive ability of the survival model. Results: Among all genes involved in SS-associated NHLs, 16 genes were significantly differentially expressed in all types of NHLs. These genes included CXCL13, SEPP1, COL1A1, RGS13, IGFBP7, COL3A1, SPARCL1, GABBR1, SLC40A1, CXCL14, CXCL12, CXCL9, CCL19, VCAM1, C3, and CLU. The fold changes of the 16 genes for DLBCL were 465.67, 209.68, 436.94, 366.94, 189.59, 456.09, 195.37, 152.05, 90.29, 26.29, 215.18, 72.06, 51.09, 91.91, 74.70, and 20.88, respectively. Among all SS-associated pathways underlying NHL pathogenesis, the endocannabinoid system-driven cancer inhibition pathways were most significantly altered in SS-associated NHLs. The z-scores of the cancer inhibition pathway were -0.14 for BL (-log10(P) = 4.54), -1.298 for DLBCL (-log10(P) = 3.00), -0.33 for FL (-log10(P) = 4.67), -0.87 for MCL (-log10(P) = 3.77), and -2.61 for MZL (-log10(P) = 4.31). Survival analysis revealed that together the 16 genes may serve as a prognostic biomarker of DLBCL (hazard ratio = 3.57, 95% CI = 2.53–5.03), which was statistically significant (log rank test P < 0.0001) and reliable (AUC = 0.897). Conclusions: Significant differentially expressed genes underlying the pathogenesis for SS-associated NHLs may be used as a biomarker for predicting the survival rate of DLBCL. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the functional association between these differentially expressed genes.

Screening ,development of Transglutaminase-2 Inhibitors and its derivative as anti-lung cancer agent by insilico and invitro approach

Aim: Screening and development of TG2 inhibitors as anti lung cancer agent. Background: Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is multifunctional and ubiquitously expressed protein from transglutaminase family. It takes part in various cellular processes and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, neurodegerative and also cancer. Background: Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is multifunctional and ubiquitously expressed protein from transglutaminase family. It takes part in various cellular processes and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, neurodegerative and also cancer. Objective : The of proposed study is to focused on screening of potent inhibitors of TG2 by in-silico method and synthesis its derivative as well as analysis of its activity by invitro approach. Material and Methods: Molecular docking studies have been carried on the different classes of TG2 inhibitors against the target protein. Nearly thirty TG2 inhibitors were selected from literature and docking was performed against transglutaminase 2. The computational ADME property screening was also carried out to check their pharmacokinetic properties. The compounds which exhibited positive ADME properties with good interaction with possessing least binding energy were further validated for their anti-lung cancer inhibition property against A549 cell lines by cytotoxicity studies. Results: The results of present study indicate that the docked complex formed by cystamine showed better binding affinity towards target protein so, this derivative of cystamine is formed using 2,5 dihydrobenzoic acid. Invitro results revealed that both molecule proved good cytotoxic agent against A549 lung cancer (875.10, 553.22 µg/ml) respectively. Further its activity should be validated on TG2 expressing lung cancer. Conclusion : Cystamine and its derivative can be act as potential therapeutic target for lung cancer but further its activity should be validated on TG2 expressing lung cancer.