Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents) - Volume 22, Issue 12, 2022

Thiazoles, triazoles, and thiosemicarbazones function as efficient scaffolds in compounds for the treatment of several illnesses, including cancers. In this review article, we have demonstrated various studies involving these three pharmacophore classes (thiazoles, triazoles, and thiosemicarbazones) in medicinal chemistry over the last decade (2011-2021) with a focus on MCF-7 adenocarcinoma breast cancer cells. Our objective is to facilitate drug discovery of novel chemotherapeutic agents by detailing anti-proliferative compounds.

Recently, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been studied as an alternative to treat cancer diseases under different activation therapies. The aim of this review was to describe the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on some cancer cell lines and their interaction with phototherapies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and ultraviolet therapy (UV) for anticancer treatment. The use of TiO2 combined with PDT, PTT, SDT, or UV has shown a remarkable capacity to enhance the killing of cancer cells through reactive oxygen species formation. Thus, the combination of TiO2 and activation therapies exhibited great potential and could be a viable anticancer treatment strategy. However, more studies on phototherapies in combination with TiO2 and their effects under different experimental conditions (TiO2 concentration, type of cancer cells, and intensity and frequency of therapies) are necessary to guarantee the safe use of this kind of therapy.

Background: At present, tumors are leading cause of death. Biomimetic nanocarriers for precision cancer therapy are attracting increasing attention. Nanocarriers with a good biocompatible surface could reduce the recognition and elimination of nanoparticles as foreign substances by the immune system, offer specific targeting, and improve the efficacy of precision medicine for tumors, thereby providing outstanding prospects for application in cancer therapy. In particular, cell membrane biomimetic camouflaged nanocarriers have become a research hotspot because of their excellent biocompatibility, prolonged circulation in the blood, and tumor targeting. Objective: The objective of this study is to summarize the biological targeting mechanisms of different cell membraneencapsulated nanocarriers in cancer therapy. In this article, the characteristics, applications, and stages of progress of bionic encapsulated nanocarriers for different cell membranes are discussed, as are the field’s developmental prospects. Methods: The findings on the characteristics of bionic encapsulated nanocarriers for different cell membranes and tumor treatment have been analyzed and summarized. Results: Biomimetic nanosystems based on various natural cell and hybrid cell membranes have been shown to efficiently control targeted drug delivery systems. They can reduce immune system clearance, prolong blood circulation time, and improve drug loading and targeting, thereby enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of tumors and reducing the spread of CTCs. Conclusion: With advances in the development of biomimetic nanocarrier DDSs, novel ideas for tumor treatment and drug delivery have been emerged. However, there are still some problems in biomimetic nanosystems. Therefore, it needs to be optimized through further research, from the laboratory to the clinic to benefit a wide range of patients.

Background: SH3-domain-binding glutamic acid-rich protein-like protein (SH3BGRL) is downregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinically, DNA demethylating drug decitabine (DAC) combined with traditional chemotherapies reveals better efficacy on AML patients than the conventional chemotherapies alone. Our previous results revealed that human SH3-domain-binding glutamic acid-rich protein-like protein (SH3BGRL) plays a tumor suppressive role in AML but whether there is a connection between DAC and SH3BGRL expression remains elusive. Methods: Here, we tentatively treated AML cell lines U937, MV4, and HL-60 with DAC and Western Blots, RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of SH3BGRL. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using Annexin V/7- AAD staining. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of SH3BGRL mRNA and protein. Methylation-specific PCR was used to quantify the DNA methylation in AML cell lines. Results: DAC had cytotoxicity in HL-60, MV4, and U937. In U937 cell lines, treatment with DAC showed the upregulation of cleaved caspase3, PARP, and SH3BGRL. Upon treatment, up-regulation of SH3BGRL mRNA and protein was dose-dependent and this activity was partially inhibited in endogenous SH3BGRL knockdown cell lines. Conclusion: Thus, our results demonstrated a possibly cytotoxic role of DAC on AML cells by upregulation of SH3BGRL expression at epigenetic modulation level and the methylation status in the SH3BGRL promoter region could be a supplemental diagnostic marker to the precise administration of DAC to AML patients.

Background: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common tumor and has the third-highest mortality rate among various malignant tumors, and the survival rate of patients is low. Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE) has been shown to inhibit the activity of a variety of tumors. In this study, we examined the inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in gastric cancer cells by COE through the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Methods: COE was first diluted to various concentrations and then used to treat SGC-7901, BGC-823, MGC-803, and AGS cells. Cell proliferation was assessed by an MTT (thiazole blue) assay. Transwell assays were used to assess cell invasion and migration. The high-content imaging technology was used to further observe the effects of the drug on cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was used to assess the effects of the drug on the expression of EMT and Smad2/3 signaling pathway-related proteins. Results: We found that COE inhibited the migration and invasion of AGS gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, COE decreased the expression of EMT-related proteins and proteins related to the Smad2/3 signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells, inhibiting the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and this effect occurred through the TGF-β signaling pathway. Conclusion: We investigated that COE could inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and inhibit invasion and metastasis by inhibiting the EMT process at the molecular level and its effect on the TGF-β signaling pathway.

Background: The study aimed to investigate the augmented cytotoxic effects of polymer-coated (polylactic- co-glycolic acid-PLGA) gold nanoparticles (GNPs) carrying 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the management of lung cancer. Methods: In this study, several formulations were prepared using a double emulsion (water-oil-water) method and evaluated for drug release behavior, compatibility, cell line toxicity (A549), and apoptosis assessment. Results: Characterization results showed spherical polydispersed particles with size 29.11-178.21 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) 0.191-292, and zeta potential (ZP) 11.19-29.21 (-mV), respectively. Compared to others, the optimized polymer-coated 5-FU loaded gold nanoparticles (PFGNPs) illustrated a maximum drug loading (93.09±10.75%). The percent cumulative drug release of polymer-coated 5-FU loaded nanoparticles (PFNPs), 5-FU loaded gold nanoparticles (FGNPs), (PFGNPs) and 5-FU solution were 47.87±1.5, 41.09±1.8, 56.31±1.05, and 98.8±4.2%, respectively, over 10 h. following zero-order release kinetics (except 5-FU solution). From the MTT results, the cytotoxic effect of PFGNPs on the A549 cells was 82.89% compared to the 5-FU solution (74.91 %). EGFR and KRAS gene expression analysis under the influence of PFNPs, FGNPs, PFGNPs, and 5-FU was studied and observed maximum potency for PFNPs. Conclusion: PLGA coated biogenic gold nanoparticles have a combined effect to achieve high drug loading, sustained delivery, improved efficacy, and enhanced permeation. Conclusively, the approach may be promising to control lung cancer with reduced toxicity and improved efficacy.

Aims: The study aims to synthesize hybrid molecules containing pyrazole and aryldiazenyl/arylhydrazono fragments with promising anticancer activity. Background: The clinical effectiveness of anticancer drugs is limited by their adverse side effects and patient resistance. Therefore, the development of safer classes of drugs through rational drug design is imperative. Objective: Considering the anticancer potential of the pyrazole moiety, the study was carried out with the objective of synthesizing some hybrid pyrazole derivatives with anticancer potential. Methods: The anticancer potential of these pyrazolyl analogues were evaluated by sulforhodamine B assay using three cancer cell lines MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT-116. Results: HCT-116 was the most sensitive cell line against these pyrazolyl analogues. Among these newly synthesised derivatives, 1-(4-((4-bromophenyl)diazenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)ethan-1-one (5e) emerged as a promising anticancer agent (IC50 3.6-24.6 μM), having a xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect (IC50 10.87 μM). To obtain further insights into the binding interactions of these molecules, molecular docking studies were also carried out. Conclusion: In summary, our findings suggest that these hybrid pyrazolyl derivatives can be considered as potential lead molecules for anticancer agents.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is among the leading causes of death in women worldwide. Medical interest has focused on quinazolinone derivatives approved and utilized in antitumor medications. Objective: Novel quinazolinone-based oxobutanenitrile derivatives were designed, synthesized, and screened for in vitro anti-breast cancer activity. Methods: The antiproliferative activities were determined using MTT assay against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. EGFR, ARO, and caspase-9 enzymes were selected to explore the mechanism of action of the most potent compounds. Results: Tested compounds showed better EGFRIs than ARIs. In addition, significant overexpression of caspase-9 level in treated MCF-7 breast cell line samples was observed with the most active compounds. The thienyl derivative 5 induced the greatest activation in caspase-9 level in treated MCF-7 breast cancer samples. The o-tolylhydrazone 3b, exhibiting promising ARO inhibition and weak EGFR inhibition, produced a noticeable high overexpression of caspase- 9 and showed pre-G1 apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase for MCF-7 cells and at S-phase for MDA-MB- 231 cells. Docking results revealed that 3b elicited binding affinities to ARO comparable to those of letrozole. Conclusion: The obtained results support the therapeutic importance of some of these compounds as anti-breast cancer agents in light of the simple methodology used for their synthesis. Their design offered a way for the optimization and development of apoptotic quinazolinone-based ARO and EGFR inhibitors.

Background: Due to their biological applications, many tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazole derivatives were considered the most important class of heterocyclic compounds. There are many drugs known in the market containing the thiazole moiety responsible for the high drug activity. Objective: This work aimed to produce novel heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazole, isoxazole, thiophene, chromeno[ 7,8-d]thiazole, and thiazolo[4,5-h]quinoline derivatives. The newly synthesized heterocyclic compounds were evaluated against anticancer cell lines followed by c-Met enzymatic activity and tyrosine kinases inhibition for the most active compounds. Methods: In this work, the 3-phenyl-2-thioxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazol-7(4H)-one (3) was synthesized through the reaction of cyclohexane-1,3-dione with phenyl isothiocyanate and elemental sulfur. Compound 3 showed interesting activity toward some chemical reagents producing new heterocyclic compounds that can not be obtained another way. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated towards the six cancer cell lines. The most active compounds were selected and tested toward the c-Met enzyme by taking foretinib as the positive control. Also, the inhibitions toward the PC-3 cell line using the reference SGI-1776 were measured. Finally, the inhibitions towards the five tyrosine kinases were also tested. Results: The synthesized quinoline and chromene derivatives were evaluated toward the c-Met enzyme using foretinib as the positive control. The obtained results showed that twelve compounds exhibited IC50 values less than 1.30 nM. On the other hand, sixteen compounds showed higher inhibitions than the reference SGI-1776 (IC50 4.86 nM) toward the PC-3 cell line. Conclusion: Novel, heterocyclic compounds were synthesized with a high impact on biological activities. All synthesized compounds were screened for their anti-proliferative effect, and most of them revealed high potent effects. In addition, the c-Met and prostate cancer cell line PC-3 inhibitions for the most active compounds showed that these compounds exhibited high inhibitions. Anti-proliferative activity of selected compounds toward cancer cell lines classified according to the disease showed that most compounds exhibited high inhibitions.

Background: New chalcones have been developed from the insertion of organic groups, among them sulfonamides, presenting varied biological activity. Objective: The aim of this work was to determine the antitumor potential of a new synthetic sulfonamide chalcone (SSC185) against a colorectal metastatic lymph node-derived colorectal cancer cell line (SW-620). Methods: Synthesis and characterization, including crystallography, of SSC185 were performed. SSC185 showed a selective cytotoxic effect against colorectal cancer cell lines. Therefore, the cytotoxic effect of SSC185 against SW- 620 was further investigated. We used optical and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and Western blot to determine the antitumor effects of SSC185. Results: SSC185 induced cytotoxicity in SW-620 cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Cell cycle progression was disrupted, with increased G2/M cell number and consequent cell death, with morphological alterations associated with apoptosis and necrosis. Cell death was associated with the activation and cleavage of PARP, and with reduced expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and caspase 8, depending on the SSC185 concentration tested. Expression of the necroptosis pathway proteins RIP and MLKL was also reduced. These proteins are phosphorylated during the process of necroptosis. Conclusion: We suggest that the mechanism involved in the cytotoxic effect of SSC185 against SW-620 in vitro may be related to the induction of cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and cell death by apoptosis or necroptosis, depending on the concentration used.