1
|
Thomas C, Wurzer L, Malle E, Ristow M, Madreiter-Sokolowski CT. Modulation of Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis as a Pleiotropic Effect of Commonly Used Drugs. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:905261. [PMID: 35821802 PMCID: PMC9261327 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.905261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Age-associated diseases represent a growing burden for global health systems in our aging society. Consequently, we urgently need innovative strategies to counteract these pathological disturbances. Overwhelming generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with age-related damage, leading to cellular dysfunction and, ultimately, diseases. However, low-dose ROS act as crucial signaling molecules and inducers of a vaccination-like response to boost antioxidant defense mechanisms, known as mitohormesis. Consequently, modulation of ROS homeostasis by nutrition, exercise, or pharmacological interventions is critical in aging. Numerous nutrients and approved drugs exhibit pleiotropic effects on ROS homeostasis. In the current review, we provide an overview of drugs affecting ROS generation and ROS detoxification and evaluate the potential of these effects to counteract the development and progression of age-related diseases. In case of inflammation-related dysfunctions, cardiovascular- and neurodegenerative diseases, it might be essential to strengthen antioxidant defense mechanisms in advance by low ROS level rises to boost the individual ROS defense mechanisms. In contrast, induction of overwhelming ROS production might be helpful to fight pathogens and kill cancer cells. While we outline the potential of ROS manipulation to counteract age-related dysfunction and diseases, we also raise the question about the proper intervention time and dosage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Thomas
- Laboratory of Energy Metabolism Institute of Translational Medicine Department of Health Sciences and Technology ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Lia Wurzer
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ernst Malle
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Ristow
- Laboratory of Energy Metabolism Institute of Translational Medicine Department of Health Sciences and Technology ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Corina T. Madreiter-Sokolowski
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- *Correspondence: Corina T. Madreiter-Sokolowski,
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tyagi A, Haq S, Ramakrishna S. Redox regulation of DUBs and its therapeutic implications in cancer. Redox Biol 2021; 48:102194. [PMID: 34814083 PMCID: PMC8608616 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as a double-edged sword in cancer, where low levels of ROS are beneficial but excessive accumulation leads to cancer progression. Elevated levels of ROS in cancer are counteracted by the antioxidant defense system. An imbalance between ROS generation and the antioxidant system alters gene expression and cellular signaling, leading to cancer progression or death. Post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitination, phosphorylation, and SUMOylation, play a critical role in the maintenance of ROS homeostasis by controlling ROS production and clearance. Recent evidence suggests that deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs)-mediated ubiquitin removal from substrates is regulated by ROS. ROS-mediated oxidation of the catalytic cysteine (Cys) of DUBs, leading to their reversible inactivation, has emerged as a key mechanism regulating DUB-controlled cellular events. A better understanding of the mechanism by which DUBs are susceptible to ROS and exploring the ways to utilize ROS to pharmacologically modulate DUB-mediated signaling pathways might provide new insight for anticancer therapeutics. This review assesses the recent findings regarding ROS-mediated signaling in cancers, emphasizes DUB regulation by oxidation, highlights the relevant recent findings, and proposes directions of future research based on the ROS-induced modifications of DUB activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Apoorvi Tyagi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Saba Haq
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oxidative Stress-Inducing Anticancer Therapies: Taking a Closer Look at Their Immunomodulating Effects. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9121188. [PMID: 33260826 PMCID: PMC7759788 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9121188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to normal cells as a result of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. However, cancer cells maintain their redox balance due to their high antioxidant capacity. Recently, a high level of oxidative stress is considered a novel target for anticancer therapy. This can be induced by increasing exogenous ROS and/or inhibiting the endogenous protective antioxidant system. Additionally, the immune system has been shown to be a significant ally in the fight against cancer. Since ROS levels are important to modulate the antitumor immune response, it is essential to consider the effects of oxidative stress-inducing treatments on this response. In this review, we provide an overview of the mechanistic cellular responses of cancer cells towards exogenous and endogenous ROS-inducing treatments, as well as the indirect and direct antitumoral immune effects, which can be both immunostimulatory and/or immunosuppressive. For future perspectives, there is a clear need for comprehensive investigations of different oxidative stress-inducing treatment strategies and their specific immunomodulating effects, since the effects cannot be generalized over different treatment modalities. It is essential to elucidate all these underlying immune effects to make oxidative stress-inducing treatments effective anticancer therapy.
Collapse
|
4
|
Free Radicals as a Double-Edged Sword: The Cancer Preventive and Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225390. [PMID: 33217990 PMCID: PMC7698794 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Free radicals, generally composed of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), are generated in the body by various endogenous and exogenous systems. The overproduction of free radicals is known to cause several chronic diseases including cancer. However, increased production of free radicals by chemotherapeutic drugs is also associated with apoptosis in cancer cells, indicating the dual nature of free radicals. Among various natural compounds, curcumin manifests as an antioxidant in normal cells that helps in the prevention of carcinogenesis. It also acts as a prooxidant in cancer cells and is associated with inducing apoptosis. Curcumin quenches free radicals, induces antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase), and upregulates antioxidative protein markers-Nrf2 and HO-1 that lead to the suppression of cellular oxidative stress. In cancer cells, curcumin aggressively increases ROS that results in DNA damage and subsequently cancer cell death. It also sensitizes drug-resistant cancer cells and increases the anticancer effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, curcumin shows beneficial effects in prevention, treatment and chemosensitization of cancer cells. In this review, we will discuss the dual role of free radicals as well as the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of curcumin and its analogues against cancer.
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Significance: Mitochondria undergo constant morphological changes through fusion, fission, and mitophagy. As the key organelle in cells, mitochondria are responsible for numerous essential cellular functions such as metabolism, regulation of calcium (Ca2+), generation of reactive oxygen species, and initiation of apoptosis. Unsurprisingly, mitochondrial dysfunctions underlie many pathologies including cancer. Recent Advances: Currently, the gold standard for cancer treatment is chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, the efficacy of these treatments varies across different cancer cells. It has been suggested that mitochondria may be at the center of these diverse responses. In the past decade, significant advances have been made in understanding distinct types of mitochondrial dysfunctions in cancer. Through investigations of underlying mechanisms, more effective treatment options are developed. Critical Issues: We summarize various mitochondria dysfunctions in cancer progression that have led to the development of therapeutic options. Current mitochondrial-targeted therapies and challenges are discussed. Future Directions: To address the "root" of cancer, utilization of mitochondrial-targeted therapy to target cancer stem cells may be valuable. Investigation of other areas such as mitochondrial trafficking may offer new insights into cancer therapy. Moreover, common antibiotics could be explored as mitocans, and synthetic lethality screens can be utilized to overcome the plasticity of cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin Yao Chiu
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Emmy Xue Yun Tay
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Derrick Sek Tong Ong
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Understanding of ROS-Inducing Strategy in Anticancer Therapy. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:5381692. [PMID: 31929855 PMCID: PMC6939418 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5381692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Redox homeostasis is essential for the maintenance of diverse cellular processes. Cancer cells have higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than normal cells as a result of hypermetabolism, but the redox balance is maintained in cancer cells due to their marked antioxidant capacity. Recently, anticancer therapies that induce oxidative stress by increasing ROS and/or inhibiting antioxidant processes have received significant attention. The acceleration of accumulative ROS disrupts redox homeostasis and causes severe damage in cancer cells. In this review, we describe ROS-inducing cancer therapy and the anticancer mechanism employed by prooxidative agents. To understand the comprehensive biological response to certain prooxidative anticancer drugs such as 2-methoxyestradiol, buthionine sulfoximine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, imexon, and motexafin gadolinium, we propose and visualize the drug-gene, drug-cell process, and drug-disease interactions involved in oxidative stress induction and antioxidant process inhibition as well as specific side effects of these drugs using pathway analysis with a big data-based text-mining approach. Our review will be helpful to improve the therapeutic effects of anticancer drugs by providing information about biological changes that occur in response to prooxidants. For future directions, there is still a need for pharmacogenomic studies on prooxidative agents as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of the prooxidants and/or antioxidant-inhibitor agents for effective anticancer therapy through selective killing of cancer cells.
Collapse
|
7
|
Theoretical investigation of the self-association of antitumor drug imexon. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-019-01014-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
8
|
Srinivas US, Tan BWQ, Vellayappan BA, Jeyasekharan AD. ROS and the DNA damage response in cancer. Redox Biol 2019; 25:101084. [PMID: 30612957 PMCID: PMC6859528 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2018.101084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 960] [Impact Index Per Article: 192.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a group of short-lived, highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules that can induce DNA damage and affect the DNA damage response (DDR). There is unequivocal pre-clinical and clinical evidence that ROS influence the genotoxic stress caused by chemotherapeutics agents and ionizing radiation. Recent studies have provided mechanistic insight into how ROS can also influence the cellular response to DNA damage caused by genotoxic therapy, especially in the context of Double Strand Breaks (DSBs). This has led to the clinical evaluation of agents modulating ROS in combination with genotoxic therapy for cancer, with mixed success so far. These studies point to context dependent outcomes with ROS modulator combinations with Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, indicating a need for additional pre-clinical research in the field. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on the effect of ROS in the DNA damage response, and its clinical relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bryce W Q Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Anand D Jeyasekharan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Corso CR, Acco A. Glutathione system in animal model of solid tumors: From regulation to therapeutic target. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 128:43-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
|
10
|
Synthesis and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Aziridine Derivatives of Urea and Thiourea. Molecules 2017; 23:molecules23010045. [PMID: 29295572 PMCID: PMC5943925 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present paper, we report the synthesis and evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activities of aziridine-thiourea derivatives. A series of aziridines in reaction with isocyanates and isothiocyanates to obtain urea and thiourea derivatives were used. The structures of all new products were confirmed based on spectroscopic data (¹H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HR-MS). These compounds were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains of bacteria. Six of the tested compounds appeared to be promising agents against reference strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Subsequently, compounds exhibiting promising antibacterial activity were tested against twelve clinical isolates of S. aureus from three different sources of infection. The most bactericidal compounds (MIC = 16-32 µg/mL) showed better antibacterial activity against MRSA than ampicillin and streptomycin. The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis on L929 murine fibroblast and HeLa human tumor cell line using the MTT assay allowed us to select the least toxic compounds for future investigation.
Collapse
|
11
|
Redox Homeostasis and Cellular Antioxidant Systems: Crucial Players in Cancer Growth and Therapy. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2016; 2016:6235641. [PMID: 27418953 PMCID: PMC4932173 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6235641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their products are components of cell signaling pathways and play important roles in cellular physiology and pathophysiology. Under physiological conditions, cells control ROS levels by the use of scavenging systems such as superoxide dismutases, peroxiredoxins, and glutathione that balance ROS generation and elimination. Under oxidative stress conditions, excessive ROS can damage cellular proteins, lipids, and DNA, leading to cell damage that may contribute to carcinogenesis. Several studies have shown that cancer cells display an adaptive response to oxidative stress by increasing expression of antioxidant enzymes and molecules. As a double-edged sword, ROS influence signaling pathways determining beneficial or detrimental outcomes in cancer therapy. In this review, we address the role of redox homeostasis in cancer growth and therapy and examine the current literature regarding the redox regulatory systems that become upregulated in cancer and their role in promoting tumor progression and resistance to chemotherapy.
Collapse
|
12
|
Landowski TH, Guntle GP, Zhao D, Jagadish B, Mash EA, Dorr RT, Raghunand N. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Identifies Differential Response to Pro-Oxidant Chemotherapy in a Xenograft Model. Transl Oncol 2016; 9:228-35. [PMID: 27267841 PMCID: PMC4907896 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of oxidative stress is a key component of cancer therapy. Pro-oxidant drugs have been demonstrated to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. An emerging concept is that therapeutic outcomes are dictated by the differential redox buffering reserve in subpopulations of malignant cells, indicating the need for noninvasive biomarkers of tumor redox that can be used for dose identification and response assessment in a longitudinal setting. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhanced with the thiol-binding contrast agent Gd-LC6-SH, and hemodynamic response imaging (HRI) in combination with hypercapnia and hyperoxia were investigated as biomarkers of the pharmacodynamics of the small molecule pro-oxidant imexon (IMX). Human multiple myeloma cell lines 8226/S and an IMX-resistant variant, 8226/IM10, were established as contralateral tumors in SCID mice. T1slope, an MRI measure of the washout rate of Gd-LC6-SH, was significantly lower post-IMX therapy in 8226/S tumors compared with vehicle controls, indicating treatment-related oxidization of the tumor microenvironment, which was confirmed by analysis of tumor tissue for thiols. T1slope and ex vivo assays for thiols both indicated a more reduced microenvironment in 8226/IM10 tumors following IMX therapy. HRI with hypercapnia challenge revealed IMX inhibition of vascular dilation in 8226/S tumors but not 8226/IM10 tumors, consistent with decreased immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin in treated 8226/S tumors. MRI enhanced with Gd-LC6-SH, and HRI coupled with a hypercapnic challenge provide noninvasive biomarkers of tumor response to the redox modulator imexon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terry H Landowski
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Gerald P Guntle
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Dezheng Zhao
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Bhumasamudram Jagadish
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Eugene A Mash
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Robert T Dorr
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Phase 2 study of imexon, a prooxidant molecule, in relapsed and refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Blood 2014; 124:1259-65. [PMID: 25016003 PMCID: PMC4141515 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-04-570044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphoma cells are subject to higher levels of oxidative stress compared with their normal counterparts and may be vulnerable to manipulations of the cellular redox balance. We therefore designed a phase 2 study of imexon (Amplimexon/NSC-714597), a prooxidant molecule, in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Imexon was administered at 1000 mg/m(2) IV daily for 5 days in 21-day cycles. Gene expression analysis performed on pretreatment tumor specimens included 13 transcripts used to generate a redox signature score, previously demonstrated to correlate with lymphoma prognosis. Twenty-two patients were enrolled having follicular (n = 9), diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) (n = 5), mantle cell (n = 3), transformed follicular (n = 2), small lymphocytic (n = 2), and Burkitt (n = 1) lymphoma. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were anemia (14%) and neutropenia (9%). The overall response rate was 30%, including responses in follicular lymphoma (4 of 9) and DLBCL (2 of 5). Gene expression analyses revealed CD68 and the redox-related genes, GPX1 and SOD2, as well as a higher redox score to correlate with clinical responses. Therefore, pretreatment markers of oxidative stress may identify patients likely to respond to this therapeutic approach. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01314014.
Collapse
|
14
|
Figueira TR, Barros MH, Camargo AA, Castilho RF, Ferreira JCB, Kowaltowski AJ, Sluse FE, Souza-Pinto NC, Vercesi AE. Mitochondria as a source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: from molecular mechanisms to human health. Antioxid Redox Signal 2013; 18:2029-74. [PMID: 23244576 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2012.4729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrially generated reactive oxygen species are involved in a myriad of signaling and damaging pathways in different tissues. In addition, mitochondria are an important target of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Here, we discuss basic mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal and the main factors affecting mitochondrial redox balance. We also discuss the interaction between mitochondrial reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and the involvement of these oxidants in mitochondrial diseases, cancer, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago R Figueira
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
The vulnerability of some cancer cells to oxidative signals is a therapeutic target for the rational design of new anticancer agents. In addition to their well characterized effects on cell division, many cytotoxic anticancer agents can induce oxidative stress by modulating levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as the superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. Tumour cells are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress as they typically have persistently higher levels of ROS than normal cells due to the dysregulation of redox balance that develops in cancer cells in response to increased intracellular production of ROS or depletion of antioxidant proteins. In addition, excess ROS levels potentially contribute to oncogenesis by the mediation of oxidative DNA damage. There are several anticancer agents in development that target cellular redox regulation. The overall cellular redox state is regulated by three systems that modulate cellular redox status by counteracting free radicals and ROS, or by reversing the formation of disulfides; two of these are dependent on glutathione and the third on thioredoxin. Drugs targeting S-glutathionylation have direct anticancer effects via cell signalling pathways and inhibition of DNA repair, and have an impact on a wide range of signalling pathways. Of these agents, NOV-002 and canfosfamide have been assessed in phase III trials, while a number of others are undergoing evaluation in early phase clinical trials. Alternatively, agents including PX-12, dimesna and motexafin gadolinium are being developed to target thioredoxin, which is overexpressed in many human tumours, and this overexpression is associated with aggressive tumour growth and poorer clinical outcomes. Finally, arsenic derivatives have demonstrated antitumour activity including antiproliferative and apoptogenic effects on cancer cells by pro-oxidant mechanisms, and the induction of high levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis by an as yet undefined mechanism. In this article we review anticancer drugs currently in development that target cellular redox activity to treat cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J Montero
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, FL, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dorr RT, Wisner L, Samulitis BK, Landowski TH, Remers WA. Anti-tumor activity and mechanism of action for a cyanoaziridine-derivative, AMP423. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2011; 69:1039-49. [PMID: 22186884 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-011-1784-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preclinical studies evaluated the anti-tumor activity and mechanism of action of AMP423, a naphthyl derivative of 2-cyanoaziridine-1-carboxamide with structural similarity to the pro-oxidant anti-tumor agent imexon. METHODS The cytotoxic potency was evaluated in vitro against a variety of human cancer cell lines. Mechanism-of-action studies were performed in the human 8226/S myeloma cell line and its imexon-resistant variant, 8226/IM10. In vivo activity was evaluated against human myeloma and lymphoma xenografts in SCID mice. Pharmacokinetics and toxicology were investigated in non-tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS The 72-h IC(50)s for all cell types ranged from 2 to 36 μM, across a wide variety of human cancer cell lines. AMP423 was active in SCID mice bearing 8226/S myeloma and SU-DHL-6 B-cell lymphoma tumors, with a median tumor growth delay (T-C) of 21 days (P = 0.0002) and 5 days (P = 0.004), respectively, and a median tumor growth inhibition (T/C) of 33.3% (P = 0.03) and 82% (P = 0.01), respectively. In non-tumor-bearing mice, AMP423 was not myelosuppressive. Mechanistic studies show that AMP423's mode of cell death is a mixture of necrosis and apoptosis, with generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of protein synthesis, and a decrease in reduced sulfhydryl levels, but no alkylation of nucleophiles. Unlike its structural analog imexon, which causes cell cycle arrest in G(2)/M, AMP423 induces the accumulation of cells in S-phase. CONCLUSIONS AMP423 has pro-oxidant effects similar to imexon, has greater cytotoxic potency in vitro, and has anti-tumor activity in hematologic tumors in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert T Dorr
- The University of Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, 1515 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724-5024, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cheung LLW, He Z, Decker SM, Yudin AK. Skeletal Fusion of Small Heterocycles with Amphoteric Molecules. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:11798-802. [PMID: 21990009 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201106024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence L W Cheung
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cheung LLW, He Z, Decker SM, Yudin AK. Skeletal Fusion of Small Heterocycles with Amphoteric Molecules. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201106024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
19
|
Smith DG, Magwere T, Burchill SA. Oxidative stress and therapeutic opportunities: focus on the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2011; 11:229-49. [PMID: 21342042 DOI: 10.1586/era.10.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive by-products of energy production that can have detrimental as well as beneficial effects. Unchecked, high levels of ROS result in an imbalance of cellular redox state and oxidative stress. High levels of ROS have been detected in most cancers, where they promote tumor development and progression. Many anticancer agents work by further increasing cellular levels of ROS, to overcome the antioxidant detoxification capacity of the cancer cell and induce cell death. However, adaptation of the level of cellular antioxidants can lead to drug resistance. The challenge for the design of effective cancer therapeutics exploiting oxidative stress is to tip the cellular redox balance to induce ROS-dependent cell death but without increasing the antioxidant activity of the cancer cell or inducing toxicity in normal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle G Smith
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Janku F, Tsimberidou AM, Wang X, Hong DS, Naing A, Gong J, Garrido-Laguna I, Parsons HA, Zinner RG, Kurzrock R. Outcomes of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated in a phase I clinic. Oncologist 2011; 16:327-35. [PMID: 21339262 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outcomes of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated in phase I clinical trials have not been systematically analyzed. METHODS We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC who were treated in the Phase I Clinical Trials Program at MD Anderson from August 2004 to May 2009. RESULTS Eighty-five patients (51 men, 34 women) treated on various phase I protocols were identified. The median age was 62 years (range, 30-85). The median number of previous systemic therapies was two (range, 0-5). A partial response was observed in eight patients (9.5%) and stable disease lasting >4 months was observed in 16 patients (19%). The median overall survival time was 10.6 months and median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 2.8 months, which was 0.6 months shorter than the median PFS of 3.4 months following prior second-line therapy. Factors predicting longer survival in the univariate analysis were an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) score of 0-1, no prior smoking, two or fewer organ systems involved, a hemoglobin level ≥ 12 g/dL, liver metastases, a history of thromboembolism, and a platelets count > 440 × 10(9)/L. In the multivariate analysis, a PS score of 0-1 and history negative for smoking predicted longer survival. Sixty-two (73%) patients had grade ≤ 2 toxicity, and there were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION Phase I clinical trials were well tolerated by selected patients with advanced NSCLC treated at M.D. Anderson. Nonsmokers and patients with a good PS survived longer. PFS in our population was shorter in smokers/ex-smokers and patients with a PS score of 2. It is reasonable to refer pretreated patients with a good PS to phase I clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filip Janku
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
Mitochondria are the cells' powerhouse, but also their suicidal weapon store. Dozens of lethal signal transduction pathways converge on mitochondria to cause the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane, leading to the cytosolic release of pro-apoptotic proteins and to the impairment of the bioenergetic functions of mitochondria. The mitochondrial metabolism of cancer cells is deregulated owing to the use of glycolytic intermediates, which are normally destined for oxidative phosphorylation, in anabolic reactions. Activation of the cell death machinery in cancer cells by inhibiting tumour-specific alterations of the mitochondrial metabolism or by stimulating mitochondrial membrane permeabilization could therefore be promising therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fulda
- University Children's Hospital, Ulm University, Eythstrasse 24, D-89075 Ulm, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cohen SJ, Zalupski MM, Modiano MR, Conkling P, Patt YZ, Davis P, Dorr RT, Boytim ML, Hersh EM. A phase I study of imexon plus gemcitabine as first-line therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2009; 66:287-94. [PMID: 19855966 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-009-1162-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2009] [Accepted: 10/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Imexon is an aziridine-derived iminopyrrolidone which has synergy with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Gemcitabine is a standard therapy for pancreatic cancer. We performed a phase I trial of imexon and gemcitabine to evaluate safety, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS Patients with untreated locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma received therapy in sequential cohorts on regimen A (n = 19; imexon 200 or 280 mg/m(2) intravenously (IV) over 30 min days 1-5, 15-19 and gemcitabine 800 or 1,000 mg/m(2) IV over 30 min on days 1,8,15 every 28 days) or regimen B (n = 86; imexon 280-1,300 mg/m(2) IV over 30-60 min days 1, 8, and 15 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) IV over 30 min on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days). RESULTS One hundred five patients received 340 treatment cycles (median 2, range 1-16). PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS median age 63, 61% male, ECOG PS 0/1 50%/50%, 93% metastatic. DLT was abdominal cramping and pain, often with transient, acute diarrhea. Best response was confirmed partial response (PR) in 11.4%, 8.9% unconfirmed PR, and 48.1% with stable disease. There was a dose proportional increase in imexon AUC across the doses tested with terminal half life 69 min at the MTD and no alteration of gemcitabine pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS The recommended phase II dose of imexon is 875 mg/m(2) with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2). DLT was acute abdominal pain and cramping. Encouraging antitumor responses support further evaluation of this combination in advanced pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cohen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Room C307, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|