Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents) - Volume 21, Issue 12, 2021

A number of novel furo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives were designed and synthesized by introducing different substituted anilines and phenols to C4-position of furo[2,3-b]quinoline. All target compounds were evaluated in vitro against two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and one normal breast cell (MCF-10A) by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium broide, Thiazolyl blue) method. Most derivatives showed significant cytotoxic activity on the two breast cancer cells with IC50 values in the range of (5.60-26.24 μM) and a certain selectivity, especially in the inhibition of MDA-MB-231. More notably, they were less toxic to normal breast cell (MCF-7-10A). Compound I7 could be considered as an ideal selective candidate for further study. Mechanism studies showed that I7 could inhibit the proliferation of cells by arresting MDA-MB-231 cell cycle at G2/M phase. Overall, as a novel furo[2,3-b]quinoline derivative, I7 exhibited an excellent inhibitory effect in MDA-MB-231 cell and was worthy of in-depth study.

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most investigated nanostructures in recent years, which exhibit more challenging and promising qualities in different biomedical applications. The AgNPs synthesized by the green approach provide potential healthcare benefits over chemical approaches, including improvement of tissue restoration, drug delivery, diagnosis, being environmentally friendly, and a boon to cancer treatment. Objective: In the current scenario, the development of safe and effective drug delivery systems is the utmost concern of formulation development scientists as well as clinicians. Methods: Google, Web of Science, and PubMed portals have been searched for potentially relevant literature to get the latest developments and updated information related to different aspects of green synthesized AgNPs along with their biomedical applications, especially in the treatment of different types of cancers. Results: The present review highlights the latest published research regarding the different green approaches for the synthesis of AgNPs, their characterization techniques as well as various biomedical applications, particularly in cancer treatment. In this context, environment-friendly AgNPs are proving themselves as better candidates in terms of size, drug loading and release efficiency, targeting efficiency, minimal drug-associated side effects, pharmacokinetic profiling, and biocompatibility issues. Conclusion: With continuous efforts by multidisciplinary team approaches, nanotechnology-based AgNPs will shed new light on diagnostics and therapeutics in various disease treatments. However, the toxicity issues of AgNPs need greater attention as unanticipated toxic effects must be ruled out for their diversified applications.

Background: Tenosynovial giant cell tumor refers to a group of rarely occurring tumors that are formed in the joints, which are characterized by pain, swelling, and limitation of movement of the joint. Surgery is the main treatment strategy, but the tumor is likely to recur, especially in pigmented villonodular synovitis, which is the diffuse-type giant cell tumor. Pexidartinib was approved in August 2019 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a brand name TURALIO as the first systemic approved therapy for patients having Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors (TGCT). Objective: In this review, different aspects pertaining to pexidartinib have been summarized, including the pathophysiology of TGCT, chemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pexidartinib. Special attention is given to various reported clinical trials of pexidartinib. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the relevant databases to identify studies published in this field during recent years. Conclusion: Pexidartinib acts by inhibiting the Colony-Stimulating Factor (CSF1)/CSF1 receptor pathway, which leads to the inhibition of the cell lines proliferation and promotes the autophosphorylation process of the ligand-induced CSF1 receptor. Pexidartinib emerged as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of TGCT.

Hippo signalling pathway that is evolutionarily conserved affects diver’s pathology and physiology processes, including tissue repair, wound healing, tissue size and tissue regeneration. Epigenetic changes are post-translational modifications in DNA proteins and histones. Epigenetic changes including histone acetylation and deacetylation, miRNAs dysregulation, and aberrant DNA methylation, inflammatory genes actives abnormal in Hippo signaling pathway. Using some treatments, including Histone Deacetylases (HDACs), herbal composition, siRNAs and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) for suppressing cancer cells by targeting Hippo pathways, may open new views in cancer target therapy fields. The aim of this review study is firstly to demonstrate the importance of Hippo signalling and its association with epigenetic changes in cancer and then to demonstrate progress in targeting Hippo signalling in cancer therapy.

Background: Cancer is defined as an abnormal/uncontrolled cell growth that shows rapid cell division. This disease is annually recognized in more than ten million people. Nanomaterials can be used as new strategies for cancer therapy. Nanostructured devices have been developed for drug delivery and controlled release and created novel anticancer chemotherapies. Nanomaterials were taken into consideration because of their new properties, containing a large specific surface area and high reactivity. Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuONPs) have potential applications in many fields like heterogeneous catalysis, antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, imaging agents, and drug delivery agents in biomedicine. CuONPs display different physical properties, such as high-temperature superconductivity, electron correlation effects, and spin dynamics. NPs can be synthesized using different methods like physical, chemical, and biological methods. Methods: Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuONPs) have been suggested for its broad usage in biomedical applications. In this review, we tried to exhibit the results of significant anticancer activity of green synthesized CuONPs and their characterization by different analytical techniques such as UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, EDAX, DLS, SEM, and TEM. Results: The green method for the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles as eco-friendly, cost-effective, and facile method is the more effective method. Synthesized CuONPs from this method have an appropriate size and shape. The Green synthesized CuONPs exhibited high potential against several breast cancer (AMJ-13, MCF-7, and HBL-100 cell lines), cervical cancer (HeLa), colon cancer (HCT-116), gastric cancer (human adenocarcinoma AGS cell line), lung cancer (A549), leukemia cancer, and other cancers with the main toxicity approach of increasing ROS production. Conclusion: The present review confirms the importance of green synthesized CuO nanoparticles in medical science especially cancer therapy that exhibited high activity against different cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. The main toxicity approach of CuONPs is increasing the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). It needs to perform more studies about in vivo cancer therapy and following clinical trial testing in the future. We believe that green synthesized CuO nanoparticles can be used for the improvement of different diseases.

Background: G Protein-coupled Receptor 4 (GPR4) has been reported to play essential roles in regulating the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells. GPR4 is also suggested to play significant roles in the growth and angiogenesis of ovarian cancer. Objective: To explore the functions of GPR4 and Transcription Factor 7 (TCF7) in ovarian cancer. Methods: The expression levels of genes involved in Wnt signaling were validated by quantitative Real-Time- PCR (q-RT-PCR). The effects of GPR4 and TCF7 on ovarian cancer cell invasion and apoptosis were determined using soft agar, transwell assay and flow cytometric assay. Protein levels of beta-catenin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by Western blotting. Results: In this study, we found that GPR4 and TCF7 had the capacity to control cell division by altering cell cycle distribution, anchorage-independent growth, and directional cell motility of ovarian cancer cell A2780. Also, we showed that the knockdown of GPR4 and TCF7 in ovarian cancer cell A2780 induced significant inhibitition of cell growth and invasion, as well as the promotion of apoptosis. Downregulation of TCF7 resulted in the decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. Conclusion: The results implicate that GPR4 behaves like an oncogene and may function through WNT pathway molecule TCF7. Downregulation of GPR4 and TCF7 essentially inhibited cell growth and invasion and enhanced apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells, which may lay a foundation for ovarian cancer treatment.

Background: Enhanced expression and activation of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) are associated with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) progression, invasion and metastasis. Objective: To find a potential peptide inhibitor against MMP9, which, in turn, could inhibit MCL progression. Methods: We performed CCK8 assay, western blot, and transwell assays for RNAi activity. Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software was applied for structural optimization as MMP9 and peptides were docked. We used gelatin zymography and confocal microscopy to confirm that the peptides can inhibit MMP9 activity. We applied CCK8 and transwell assay to evaluate cell proliferation and metastasis, and flow cytometry to evaluate cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Results: High MMP9 expression was observed in 49 of 88 samples (55.7%). Patients with high MMP9 expression were more likely to present with high stage (Stage 3-4, P=0.01), bone marrow invasion (P=0.033), and high-level LDH (P=0.000). High MMP9 expression was associated with significantly shorter overall survival (OS, HR=2.378, P=0.012) and progression-free survival (PFS, HR=2.068, P=0.03). Multivariate analysis identified high MMP9 expression (P= 0.027), high-risk mantle cell lymphoma international prognostic index (MIPI, HR=2.327, P=0.023), and no radiation therapy (P=0.035) as adverse prognostic factors. The silencing of MMP9 in Jeko-1 cells by RNAi suppressed cells migration and invasion in vitro (P<0.05). According to the docking results, peptide M3 bound deeply in the binding pocket of MMP9 and had interaction with the active-site Zn²⁺ ion in the catalytic domain. M3 was not only compatible with MMP9, but also inhibited its activity. M3 inhibited Jeko-1 cells proliferation, metastasis, and cell cycle progression, and promoted cell apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Conclusion: We designed M3 through structure-based molecular docking, which can specifically bind to MMP9 and inhibit the activity of MMP9. M3 could be a potential antagonist in the treatment of MCL with MMP9 overexpression.

Background: Dysregulation of the cell cycle is one of the main causes of melanomagenesis. Genomewide studies showed that the expression of Aurora -A and -B significantly has been upregulated in melanoma. However, there is no FDA approved drug targeting aurora kinases in the treatment of melanoma. In addition, the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of melanoma and, as a result, the relapse due to heterogeneous cell groups in patients is a second phenomenon that causes treatment failure. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic alternatives targeting both melanoma and Melanoma Cancer Stem Cells (MCSCs) in treatments. At this stage, cell cycle regulators become promising targets. Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify the effects of Aurora kinase inhibitor CCT137690 on the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and colony formation and expression changes of genes related to proliferation, cell death and cell cycle in melanoma and melanoma cancer stem cell. In addition, we investigated the apoptotic and cytostatic effects of CCT137690 in normal fibroblast cells. Methods: We evaluated the cytotoxic effect of CCT137690 in MCSCs, NM2C5 referring as melanoma model cells and WI-38 cells by using the WST-1 test. The effect of CCT137690 on apoptosis was detected via Annexin V and JC-1 method; on cell cycle progression by cell cycle test; on gene expression by using RT-PCR, on migration activity by wound healing assay and clonal growth by clonogenic assay in NM2C5 cells and MCSCs. The effects of CCT137690 in WI-38, referring as healthy fibroblast cell, were assessed through Annexin V and cell cycle method. Results: CCT137690 was determined to have a cytotoxic and apoptotic effect in MCSCs and melanoma. It caused polyploidy and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in MCSCs and melanoma cells. The significant decrease in the expression of MMP2, MMP7, MMP10, CCNB1, IRAK1, PLK2 genes, and the increase in the expression of PTEN, CASP7, p53 genes were detected. Conclusion: Aurora kinases inhibitor CCT137690 displays promising anticancer activity in melanoma and especially melanoma cancer stem cells. The effect of CCT137690 on melanoma and MCSC may provide a new approach to treatment protocols.

Background: Repurposing drug is an efficient strategy as the drug discovery process is timeconsuming, laborious and costly. Memantine is already used in Alzheimer’s disease to prevent neurons from excess glutamate toxicity. As cancer cells benefit from higher amounts of cellular energetics like glucose and glutamine, we used memantine to interfere with the glutamate metabolism in order to restrict cancer cells' glutamine as a source for their growth. Objective: To investigate the potential antitumor effect of memantine by reducing glutamate levels in 4T1 mouse breast cancer model. Methods: 24 Balb/c female mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 4T1 cells. When tumors were palpable, memantine treatment was initiated as 5 and 10 mg/kg daily intraperitoneal injection. Tumor growth was recorded every 2–3 days. Tumor volumes, serum glutamate levels, spleen IL-6 levels, genome-wide DNA methylation levels and GSK3B. pGSK3B protein expressions were measured to enlighten the anticancer mechanism of action for memantine. Results: We found that both two doses (5 and 10mg/kg) decreased tumor growth rates and serum glutamate levels significantly (p<0.05). 10mg/kg treatment increased spleen IL-6 levels (p<0.05) and decreased genomewide DNA methylation levels. Memantine treatment decreased GSK3B protein expression levels in tumor tissue samples. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the antitumor activity of memantine in a breast cancer tumor model. Our results suggest a potent anticancer mechanism of the action for memantine. Memantine decreased genome wide methylation and serum glutamate levels that are associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, Memantine might be used for targeting glutamine metabolism in cancer treatment.

Background: A pentacyclic lupenane-type natural triterpenoid, betulin, has attracted attention in the field of medicinal chemistry since it exhibited a variety of biological activities, including anticancer activity. Objective: The aim of this present work was to obtain derivatives of betulin through bacterial biotransformation and investigate its anticancer activity against A549, HepG2 and 5RP7 cancer cell lines. Methods: Bacterial biotransformation studies were continued in an MBH broth medium for 7 days at 35oC. Anticancer activities of betulin against A549, HepG2 and 5RP7 cell lines were carried out using XTT assay, and their selectivity was determined using a healthy cell line of NIH/3T3. Cell proliferation ELISA, BRDU (colorimetric) assay was used for measuring proliferation in replicative cells in which DNA synthesis occurs. Flow cytometric analysis was used for measuring apoptotic cell percentages, caspase 3 activation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Results: Bacterial biotransformation studies with 7 bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Proteus vulgaris NRRL B-123, Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-4378, Streptomyces griseolus NRRL B-1062, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 and Bacillus velezensis NRRL B-14580 produced no metabolite. In in vitro anticancer activity studies, betulin was found to exert anticancer activity against A549, HepG2 and 5RP7 cell lines with IC50 values of 207.7, 125.0 and 28.3 μg/mL, whereas SI values were found to be 30, 50 and 223, respectively. Early and late apoptotic percentages of betulin were found as 9.6, 12.1 and 85.4% on A549, HepG2 and 5RP7, respectively, while caspase 3 positive cell percentages were 2.3, 28.7 and 13.3% for IC50 concentrations. In addition, betulin caused G1 cell cycle arrest (49.5%) on 5RP7 cell line. Conclusion: The results have been shown that betulin activities against A549 and HepG2 cell lines were nonselective and limited its cytotoxic activity against healthy cells, but it is possible to say that it exerted selective activity against 5RP7 cell (28.33±1.53 μg/mL). Betulin effects on apoptosis were found to be dosedependent, while its effect on caspase 3 activation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle arrest on G0/G1 phase was not dependent on doses. Therefore, betulin could be a good candidate for the treatment of H-ras active cancer types.

Background: Breast cancer is currently among the most common causes of mortality in women. Estrogen and its subsequent signaling pathways play an important role in the occurrence of breast cancer relapse. Tamoxifen is the most common breast cancer treatment option in ER+ patients, which acts as an adjuvant endocrinotherapy with X-ray and surgery. This approach is recommended as the first-line treatment and has increased the survival rate of breast cancer patients and reduced the relapse cases. However, we can observe resistance to tamoxifen and relapse cases in one-third of patients treated with this drug, which has become a major concern. Objective: The precise mechanisms of relapse and resistance to tamoxifen have not yet been identified and were explored in this study. Methods: Microarray profiles of relapse and relapse-free patients were investigated to explain the processes leading to relapse and possibly to tamoxifen resistance. Results: According to the preliminary analysis, 1460 genes showed increased expression while 1132 genes showed decreased expression. According to our default for inclusion (-2LogFC≥ + 2), 36 genes had increased expression (upregulated) while 33 genes had decreased expression (down-regulated). Conclusion: It seems that the mechanisms of resistance and relapse are multifactorial, and tumor cells induce relapse and resistance to tamoxifen through cell proliferation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix secretion, pump and membrane changes, and immune evasion.

Background: Several metal-based molecules that display cytotoxicity against multiple cell lines have been pursued in an attempt to fight against cancer and to overcome the typical side effects of drugs like cisplatin. In this scenario, ruthenium complexes have been extensively studied due to their activity in both in vitro and in vivo biological systems, including various cancer cell strains. Objective: We aimed to develop a method to synthesize novel [Ru(NO)(bpy)2L2]²⁺ complexes containing amino acid ligands by using an alternative Click Chemistry approach, namely the copper azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC reaction), to construct nitrosyl/nitrite complexes bearing a modified lysine residue. Methods: We synthesized a new ligand by Click Chemistry approach and new compounds bearing the unprecedented ligand. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the classical MTT colorimetric assay. MCF-7 and MDAMB- 231 cells were used as breast cancer cell models. MCF-10 was used as a model of healthy cells. Results: Amino acid ligands related to N3-Lys(Fmoc) and the new pyLys were successfully synthesized by the diazotransfer reaction and the CuAAC reaction, respectively. The latter reaction involves coupling between N3-Lys(Fmoc) and 3ethynylpyridine. Both N3-Lys(Fmoc) and the new pyLys were introduced into the ruthenium bipyridine complex I, or cis-[Ru^II(NO)(NO2)(bpy)2]²⁺, to generate the common nitro-based complex III, which was further converted to the final complex IV. Results of the MTT assay proved the cytotoxic effect of cis- [Ru^II(NO)(pyLysO-)(bpy)2](PF6)2 against the mammalian breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB231. Conclusion: The viability assays revealed that complex IV, bearing a NO group and a modified lysine residue, was able to release NO and cross tumor cell membranes. In this work, Complex IV was observed to be the most active ruthenium bipyridine complex against the mammalian breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB231: it was approximately twice as active as cisplatin, whilst complexes I-III proved to be less cytotoxic than complex IV. Additional tests using healthy MCF 10A cells showed that complexes II-IV were three- to sixfold less toxic than cisplatin, which suggested that complex IV was selective against cancer cells.

Background: This article concentrates on the processes occurring in the medium around the cancer cell and the transfer of glycoside amides through their cell membrane. They are obtained by modification of natural glycoside-nitriles (cyano-glycosides). Hydrolysis of starting materials in the blood medium and associated volume around physiologically active healthy and cancer cells, based on quantum-chemical semiempirical methods, are considered. Objective: Based on the fact that the cancer cell feeds primarily on carbohydrates, it is likely that organisms have adapted to take food containing nitrile glycosides and/or modified forms to counteract "external" bioactive activity. For their part, cancers have evolved to create conditions around their cells that eliminate their active apoptotic forms. This is far more appropriate for them than changing their entire enzyme regulation to counteract it. In this way, it protects itself and the gene sets and develops accordingly. Methods: Pedestal is derived that closely defines the processes of hydrolysis in the blood, the transfer of a specific molecular hydrolytic form to the cancer cell membrane and with the help of time-dependent densityfunctional quantum-chemical methods, its passage and the processes of re-hydrolysis within the cell itself, to bioactive forms causing chemical apoptosis of the cell-independent of its non-genetic set, which seeks to counteract the process. Results: Used in oncology, it could turn a cancer from a lethal to a chronic disease (such as diabetes). The causative agent and conditions for the development of the disease are not eliminated, but the amount of cancer cells could be kept low for a long time (even a lifetime). Conclusion: The amide derivatives of nitrile glycosides exhibit anticancer activity; the cancer cell probably seeks to displace hydrolysis of these derivatives in a direction that would not pass through its cell membrane and the amide-carboxyl derivatives of nitrile glycosides could deliver extremely toxic compounds within the cancer cell itself and thus block and/or permanently damage its normal physiology.