Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents) - Online First

Doxorubicin, a first-line chemotherapeutic agent, often faces resistance in breast cancer subtypes, leading to treatment failure. HSPs (Heat shock proteins), especially HSP90, and their pseudogenes like HSP90AB4P have been implicated in fostering resistance mechanisms by regulating apoptotic and survival pathways in cancer cells. The aim of this study is to investigate how inhibiting HSPs using a novel pyro-salicylic acid derivative (7A) can sensitize doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF-7/ADR) to chemotherapy.

The potential role of HSP inhibitor with doxorubicin at different concentrations was tested to reveal synergetic and additive effects by combination index (CI) analysis. Cell cycle analysis, apoptosis assays, and gene expression profiling via PCR arrays supported the impact of 7A over MCF-7/ADR cells' molecular pathways.

HSP inhibitor efficiently suppressed doxorubicin resistance over invasive breast ductal carcinoma and has a synergetic effect. The inhibitor decreases HSP90AB4P and small HSPB1 expression efficiently.

Our findings demonstrate that 7A suppresses doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells by reducing the expression of HSP90AB4P and small HSPB1, leading to an increase in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The combination of 7A and doxorubicin exhibits a synergistic effect (CI < 1), enhancing cytotoxicity and overcoming resistance mechanisms. The cells are driven to apoptosis and the inhibitor significantly decreases doxorubicin resistance.

Targeting HSPB1 and its pseudogene HSP90AB4P with 7A offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer.

Heterocyclic compounds serve as the structural framework for many commercially available drugs and are well known for their antitumor properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects, apoptosis induction, changes in cell cycle progression, and gene expression alterations of new heterocyclic compounds and their precursors against the acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 through in vitro experimentation and computational approaches.

The study employed cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometry analyses, gene expression evaluations, oral bioavailability studies, and molecular modeling. Among the compounds tested, 6, 25, and 26 demonstrated the greatest potency and selectivity, exhibiting substantially increased cytotoxicity (1.18 μM < IC50 < 7.66 μM) against the THP-1 cell line. Investigations into apoptosis induction and cell cycle changes revealed that these compounds primarily caused an increase in the number of THP-1 cells undergoing apoptosis after 48 hours of treatment. Additionally, compounds 6 and 25 induced an accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase in the same cell line.

Regarding gene expression, a shift in the expression profile of genes associated with apoptotic mechanisms was observed. Furthermore, in silico analysis revealed that these three active compounds potentially interact with histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8), a protein known to be associated with cancer.

These findings underscore the potential of these compounds as candidates for the development of novel therapeutic approaches in oncology.

Cancer is a complex disease marked by changes in the levels and functions of key cellular proteins, including oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Proteomics technology enables the identification of crucial protein targets and signaling pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Various proteomics techniques have been employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cancer, aiding in the confirmation and characterization of heritable disorders.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar with search terms like “Cancer and proteomics” and “Mass spectrometry in oncology,” utilizing Boolean operators for refinement. Selection criteria included peer-reviewed articles in English on MS-based biomarker detection, tumor-specific proteins, and drug resistance markers, excluding non-peer-reviewed works and pre-2000 publications unless foundational. Extracted data focused on MS methodologies, biomarker sensitivity, and clinical applications, particularly advances in detecting low-abundance biomarkers and monitoring treatment response. Methodological quality was assessed using PRISMA, evaluating study design, sample size, reproducibility, and statistical analysis. Ethical approval was not required, but adherence to systematic review guidelines and proper citation were ensured.

In this review, we highlighted the advanced analytical technique for cancer diagnosis and management of cancer, and described the objective of novel cancer biomarkers. Mass spectrometry (MS) is transforming cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine by enabling precise biomarker detection and monitoring. Unlike traditional antibody-based methods, MS provides high-throughput, quantitative analysis of tumor-specific proteins in clinical samples like blood and tissue. Advanced MS techniques improve sensitivity, allowing for the identification of low-abundance biomarkers and tumor-associated proteoforms, including post-translational modifications and drug resistance markers. In research, MS-based proteomics supports multi-center biomarker validation studies with standardized protocols, enhancing reproducibility. The integration of proteomic data with genomic and transcriptomic datasets through proteogenomics is refining precision oncology strategies. These advancements are bridging the gap between research and clinical application, making MS a critical tool for early cancer detection, prognosis, and therapy selection.

Advancements in technology and analytical techniques have helped to produce more accurate and sensitive cancer-specific biomarkers. These methods are advancing rapidly, and developing high-throughput platforms has yielded great results. However, the substantial variation in protein concentrations makes cancer protein profiling extremely complicated. This shows that more technical developments are required in the future to improve proteome broad screening of cancer cells.

Breast cancer is an abnormal cell growth that develops in the breast and spreads throughout the body. Despite cancer being the second leading cause of death, survival rates are increasing as a result of progress in cancer screening and therapy. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer type among women, but in most cases, there are no obvious symptoms. Screening mammograms can be used for early detection of cancer. The size of the tumor and the extent of cancer spread determine the type of needed treatment. There are different forms of treatment, where targeted therapy is generally the least harmful. It targets specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective targeted treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer. A newer class has emerged, cyclin dependent kinase (CDK4/6), which is used to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Although CDK4/6 inhibitors class of therapy has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, some patients showed resistance and decreased efficacy. This study is the first to propose innovative computational strategies to improve the effectiveness and pharmacokinetic properties of existing HER2/CDK4/6 inhibitors anti-cancer agents. Through computer-aided drug design, the activity of existing breast cancer drug candidates has been tested. Structural modifications have been applied for in-silico optimization of their biological activity.

In this research, twenty-two analogues of the tested compounds have been proposed. Their biological activity and pharmacokinetic properties (ADMET) have been tested using BIOVIA Discovery Studio software.

Out of the designed analogous compounds, seven proposed structures demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the original drugs. The research study docking studies revealed that modifications to lapatinib and tucatinib improved binding affinity to HER2 by 15-25%, with docking scores of -18.34 kcal/mol and -1.04 kcal/mol, respectively. Similarly, CDK4/6 inhibitors exhibited enhanced selectivity, with abemaciclib showing the highest binding energy of -13.2 kcal/mol. ADMET predictions suggested improved solubility and reduced toxicity risks compared to the original drugs.

The research study results demonstrate that the synthesis of more lipophilic analogues of lapatinib or tucatinib and, likewise designing of fluorinated derivatives of CDK4/6 inhibitors play a crucial role in improving the efficacy of these anti-cancer agents. These findings highlight the potential of the proposed modifications as promising candidates for further pharmacological and in vitro and in vivo clinical validation.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of natural compounds in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. Baicalin, a bioactive compound from Scutellaria baicalensis, exhibits significant anticancer properties.

This study aimed to investigate the role of baicalin in modulating lung cancer cell behavior through the arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12)-mediated ferroptosis pathway.

We employed cyber pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to predict and validate the interaction between baicalin and ALOX12. In vitro experiments were conducted on A549 lung cancer cells to assess the effects of baicalin on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The expression levels of ALOX12, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ferroptosis markers, such as Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member 4 (ACSL4), were measured.

Baicalin treatment significantly upregulated ALOX12 expression in lung cancer cells, and this upregulation was associated with a reduction in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, baicalin-induced ferroptosis was characterized by increased ROS levels, iron accumulation, and elevated expression of GPX4 and ACSL4. These findings suggest that baicalin enhances ferroptosis through ALOX12 activation, synergistically inhibiting cancer cell growth.

Baicalin significantly upregulated ALOX12 expression, promoted ferroptosis, and inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 lung cancer cells. This finding provides evidence for the potential use of baicalin as a therapeutic agent for lung cancer and highlights the importance of ALOX12 in lung cancer treatment strategies.

This study explores the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa L. and its key bioactive compound, thymoquinone (TQ).

Pancreatic cancer presents a significant health challenge due to its aggressiveness and limited treatment options. N. sativa and its component TQ have demonstrated anticancer properties in other cancers, warranting exploration in pancreatic cancer models.

To assess the antiproliferative, apoptotic, and anti-invasive effects of N. sativa extracts and TQ on pancreatic cancer cells, with a focus on modulating the NRF2/HO-1 and TNF-α signaling pathways.

MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with essential and fixed oils, methanol extracts (from Türkiye and Syria), and TQ. Cell viability, apoptosis, and invasiveness were assessed via XTT, Annexin V, and Matrigel assays, respectively. Gene expression and cytokine levels were evaluated using RT-qPCR and ELISA. HPLC was conducted to confirm TQ concentrations in extracts.

The methanol extract of Türkiye-originated N. sativa seeds (TM) exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect, reducing cell viability in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 at 0.05 mg/mL, while TQ significantly decreased viability at 20 µM. TM reduced MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 invasiveness (42 ± 1.23 and 35 ± 0.73, respectively) and contained a higher concentration of TQ (7.9168 ± 0.0561%) compared to the Syria-originated extract (SM).

The findings suggest that TM and TQ exhibit strong anticancer potential by modulating key signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer cells, supporting their potential for further development as therapeutic agents in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Cancer is a global health burden. Despite advances in early detection and therapeutics, cancer prevalence continues to increase, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Dysregulation of cell death mechanisms is a hallmark of cancer that can lead to apoptosis evasion, which strongly contributes to tumor progression and therapy resistance. Isothiouronium salts have attracted attention as promising antitumor agents. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antitumor effect of an isothiouronium salt (IS-MF08) on the B16F10 melanoma cell line.

The antitumor properties of IS-MF08 were investigated by incubating B16F10 cells with the compound at different concentrations. Cytotoxicity was determined by the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay, cell cycle arrest and cell death mechanisms by flow cytometry, and morphological alterations by transmission electron microscopy. Physicochemical parameters related to drug-likeness were predicted in silico using the SwissADME tool.

IS-MF08 was cytotoxic to melanoma cells, triggering cell cycle arrest and disrupting mitosis. The mechanism of cell death was compatible with apoptosis, as indicated by annexin V-FITC experiments and the relevant morphological changes in cell structure observed by transmission electron microscopy. SwissADME predicted that IS-MF08 has good physicochemical properties related to absorption and permeation.

The numerous mechanisms of cell death triggered by IS-MF08 and its drug-likeness make it an interesting molecule in the search for new antitumor compounds, contributing to therapies targeting the dysregulation of cellular mechanisms such as apoptosis.