Exploration of 1-(3-chloro-4-(4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl)phenyl)-3-phenylurea derivatives as selective dual inhibitors of Raf1 and JNK1 kinases for anti-tumor treatment

Unraveling the Design and Discovery of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors and Their Therapeutic Potential in Human Diseases

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, are encoded by three genes: jnk1, jnk2, and jnk3. JNKs are involved in the pathogenesis and development of many diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancers. Therefore, JNKs have become important therapeutic targets. Many JNK inhibitors have been discovered, and some have been introduced into clinical trials. However, the study of isoform-selective JNK inhibitors is still a challenging task. To further develop novel JNK inhibitors with clinical value, a comprehensive understanding of JNKs and their corresponding inhibitors is required. In this Perspective, we introduced the JNK signaling pathways and reviewed different chemical types of JNK inhibitors, focusing on their structure-activity relationships and biological activities. The challenges and strategies for the development of JNK inhibitors are also discussed. It is hoped that this Perspective will provide valuable references for the development of novel selective JNK inhibitors.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and its Trafficking Regulation by Acetylation: Implication in Resistance and Exploring the Newer Therapeutic Avenues in Cancer

BACKGROUND

The EGFR is overexpressed in numerous cancers. So, it becomes one of the most favorable drug targets. Single-acting EGFR inhibitors on prolong use induce resistance and side effects. Inhibition of EGFR and/or its interacting proteins by dual/combined/multitargeted therapies can deliver more efficacious drugs with less or no resistance.

OBJECTIVE

The review delves deeper to cover the aspects of EGFR mediated endocytosis, leading to its trafficking, internalization, and crosstalk(s) with HDACs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This review is put forth to congregate relevant literature evidenced on EGFR, its impact on cancer prognosis, inhibitors, and its trafficking regulation by acetylation along with the current strategies involved in targeting these proteins (EGFR and HDACs) successfully by involving dual/hybrid/combination chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The current information on cross-talk of EGFR and HDACs would likely assist researchers in designing and developing dual or multitargeted inhibitors through combining the required pharmacophores.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Camptothecin Conjugated with NSAIDs as Novel Dual-actin Antitumor Agents

Objective:

The single-agent therapy was unable to provide an effective control of the malignant process, a well-established strategy to improve the efficacy of antitumor therapy is the rational design of drug combinations aimed at achieving synergistic effects.

Objective:

The objective of this study is generating the new potential anticancer agents with synergistic activity. Owing to the unique mechanism of action of Camptothecin (CPT), it has shown abroad spectrum of anti-cancer activity against human malignancies, and growing evidence revealed that Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the risk of different kinds of cancers. So four CPT-NSAIDs conjugates were synthesized and evaluated.

Methods:

In this study, a series of novel CPT - NSAIDs derivatives were synthesized by esterification. These new compounds were evaluated for in vitro antitumor activity against tumor cell lines A549, Hela, HepG2, HCT116 by MTT assay. To probe the required stabilities as prodrugs, stability tests were studied in human plasma. To further evaluate the stability of Ketoprofen-CPT in vivo, the female SD rats were used to determine the pharmacokinetics following a single oral dose.

Results:

In vitro results showed that Ketoprofen-CPT and Naproxen-CPT conjugates possessed nice efficacy. In a molecular docking model, the two conjugates interacted with Topo I-DNA through hydrogen bonds, <pi>-<pi> stacking and so on.In human plasma results showed that the prodrug was converted to ketoprofen and another compound. The female SD rats were used to determine the pharmacokinetics following a single oral dose, the half-life (t1/2) of Ketoprofen-CPT was approximately 12 h which was much longer than that of CPT.

Conclusion:

Good activity was noted for some compounds will be helpful for the design of dualaction agents with most promising anti-cancer activity.