Synthesis of Chromene 4 Aldehyde and 6-Phenyl-6h-Chromeno [4,3-B] Quinoline Derivatives as Anticancer and Apoptosis Inducing Agents

A series of novel chromene 3-aldehyde and quinoline derivatives have been synthesized using diversely substituted nitroarenes in the presence of In, dil. HCl, H2O (reductive amination) and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity in three different cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-453, MCF-7, A549 and PC3). The synthetic strategy utilized to access these hybrids is operationally simple and works with great substrate scope. Interestingly, compound 6i was induced apoptosis to a significant extent in MDA-MB-453 cell lines. And these selected compounds 6i was led to morphological changes after treatment with MDA-MB-453 cell lines and found clear destabilization of mitochondrial membrane potential behind the observed anticancer activity. This strategy is operationally simple and works with a diverse range of substrates and warrants future investigations for further anticancer drug development.

Urea-functionalized organoselenium compounds as promising anti-HepG2 and apoptosis-inducing agents

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat type of cancer. Incorporating urea functionality into the backbone of organoselenium compounds is expected to develop promising chemotherapeutic leads against liver cancer. Methods: Urea-functionalized organoselenium compounds were synthesized in good yields, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated against HepG2 cells. Results: 1,1′-(Diselanediylbis(4,1-phenylene))bis(3-phenylurea) (14) exhibited efficient anti-HepG2 activity in sub-micromolar concentrations, with no toxicity to normal human skin fibroblasts. The molecular mechanisms of the diselenide-based urea 14 were evaluated using colony formation, wound healing, 3D spheroid invasion assays, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis induction. Its redox properties were also assessed by using different bioassays. Conclusion: Our study revealed promising anticancer, antimigratory and anti-invasiveness properties of 1,1′-(diselanediylbis(4,1-phenylene))bis(3-phenylurea) (14) against HepG2.

Targeting the Myeloid Lineages and the Immune Microenvironment in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Novel and Evolving Therapeutic Strategies

Objective: To discuss the recent and emerging data for novel targeted therapies in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Data Sources: A literature search from January 2015 to June 2021 was performed using the key terms targeted therapies, myelodysplastic syndromes, DNA repair, erythroid differentiation therapy, epigenetic inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, and apoptosis-inducing agents. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant clinical trials and articles in the English language were identified and reviewed. Data Synthesis: MDS are a heterogeneous group of malignant blood disorders affecting the bone marrow (BM), ultimately leading to BM failure, acute leukemia, and death. Selection of treatment is influenced by the severity of symptoms, cytopenia, cytogenetics, prognostic category, medical fitness, and patient preferences. Although current therapies such as erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) and hypomethylating agents (HMAs) help improve anemia and reduce transfusion burden, limited treatment options exist when patients experience treatment failure to ESAs or HMA. Recent regulatory approval of luspatercept, which targets the erythroid differentiation pathway, represents a major therapeutic advance in the management of anemia in MDS patients who are refractory to ESAs. Many investigational targeted therapies that aim at the myeloid lineage signaling pathway and the immune microenvironment are in active development. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This nonexhaustive review summarizes and describes the recent data for targeted therapies for MDS. Conclusion: The development of novel and investigational therapeutic agents continues to contribute to an improved understanding of tumor biology. The precise therapeutic role and timing of these agents remain to be elucidated.

Procaspase-Activating Compound-1 Synergizes with TRAIL to Induce Apoptosis in Established Granulosa Cell Tumor Cell Line (KGN) and Explanted Patient Granulosa Cell Tumor Cells In Vitro

Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) constitute only ~5% of ovarian neoplasms yet have significant consequences, as up to 80% of women with recurrent GCT will die of the disease. This study investigated the effectiveness of procaspase-activating compound 1 (PAC-1), an activator of procaspase-3, in treating adult GCT (AGCT) in combination with selected apoptosis-inducing agents. Sensitivity of the AGCT cell line KGN to these drugs, alone or in combination with PAC-1, was tested using a viability assay. Our results show a wide range in cytotoxic activity among the agents tested. Synergy with PAC-1 was most pronounced, both empirically and by mathematical modelling, when combined with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). This combination showed rapid kinetics of apoptosis induction as determined by caspase-3 activity, and strongly synergistic killing of both KGN as well as patient samples of primary and recurrent AGCT. We have demonstrated that the novel combination of two pro-apoptotic agents, TRAIL and PAC-1, significantly amplified the induction of apoptosis in AGCT cells, warranting further investigation of this combination as a potential therapy for AGCT.

Dithiocarbamation of spiro-aziridine oxindoles: a facile access to C3-functionalised 3-thiooxindoles as apoptosis inducing agents

Herein, we report the first dithiocarbamation of spiro-aziridine oxindoles involving regiospecific ring-opening by in situ generated nucleophilic dithiocarbamates as an instant source of sulfur. This approach afforded C3-functionalised-3-thiooxindoles in good...