Recent advances of targeting nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) for cancer drug discovery

Regulation of Stem Cell Function by NAD. Physiology (Bethesda) 2025;40:0. [PMID: 39907078 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00052.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme in cellular metabolism, has never ceased to capture the fascination of scientists since its discovery in 1906. The expansion of NAD+'s function from cellular metabolism to DNA repair, gene regulation, cell signaling, and aging reflects the central role of cellular metabolism in orchestrating the diverse cellular pathways. In the past decade, NAD+ has emerged as a key regulator of stem cells, opening the door to potential approaches for regenerative medicine. Here we reflect on how the field of NAD+ regulation of stem cells has evolved since a decade ago, when sirtuins, NAD+-dependent enzymes, were shown to be critical regulators of stem cells. We review the recent development on how NAD+ is regulated in stem cells to influence fate decision. We discuss the difference in NAD+ regulation of normal and cancer stem cells. Finally, we consider the consequences of NAD+ regulation of stem cells for health and diseases.

Discovery of Potent PDEδ/NAMPT Dual Inhibitors: Preclinical Evaluation in KRAS Mutant Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) mutations are a common type of oncogenic mutation, widely observed in various cancers. The trafficking chaperone PDE6D (or PDEδ) has been proposed as an alternative target for KRAS, which has led to the preclinical evaluation of PDEδ inhibitors for targeting KRAS mutant cancers. In this study, inspired by the synergistic effect between PDEδ and nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT), we report the discovery of the first PDEδ/NAMPT dual inhibitors, which may serve as an interesting starting point for targeting KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines (MiaPaca-2). Among these, a highly potent dual inhibitor (17d) was identified, exhibiting balanced and robust activity against PDEδ (KD = 0.410 nM) and NAMPT (IC50 = 2.21 nM). Notably, 17d demonstrated superior antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo compared to either PDEδ or NAMPT inhibitors alone or in combination, highlighting the potential of PDEδ/NAMPT dual inhibitors in treating KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Discovery of dual PARP/NAMPT inhibitors for the treatment of BRCA wild-type triple-negative breast cancer

Simultaneous inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) has been shown to be synergistically effective against breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA) wild-type triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) through synthetic lethality, which may be explored to broaden the clinical utility of PARP inhibitors. Herein, we report the discovery of dual PARP/NAMPT inhibitors through a pharmacophore linking approach. The lead compound 13j with potent inhibitory activity against both PARP1 and NAMPT (IC50 = 0.8 and 18 nM, respectively) effectively inhibited the proliferation of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells with wild-type BRCA at submicromolar level. Mechanically, 13j disrupted the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway, caused the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and ultimately induced apoptotic cell death. In addition, this compound exhibited potent inhibitory potency on the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. This study demonstrates that compound 13j is a promising lead compound for the development of better PARP/NAMPT inhibitors to treat TNBC with wild-type BRCA.

The Role of Visfatin in Gastric and Esophageal Cancer: From Biomarker to Therapeutic Target

Background: Gastric and esophageal cancers are among the most lethal malignancies worldwide, necessitating improved biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes. Visfatin, also known as nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is a metabolic enzyme and adipokine with emerging significance in cancer progression. It has been implicated in tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and chemotherapy resistance, yet its clinical relevance in upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remains unclear. This review aims to explore visfatin's biochemical properties, its role in the pathogenesis of upper GI cancers, and its implications for potential therapeutic interventions. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the role of visfatin in gastric and esophageal cancer. We analyzed studies investigating visfatin expression in tumor tissues, blood, and adipose tissue, its prognostic significance, and its potential as a therapeutic target. Preclinical and clinical studies evaluating visfatin inhibitors were also reviewed. Results: Visfatin promotes tumor progression through the activation of key oncogenic pathways leading to increased angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune suppression. Elevated visfatin levels are associated with advanced tumor stage, reduced response to chemotherapy, and poor prognosis in both gastric and esophageal cancers. Therapeutic agents targeting visfatin, such as the inhibitor FK866, have shown promising results in reducing tumor proliferation by >50%, improving chemoresistance, and restoring antitumor immunity in preclinical studies. However, clinical translation remains limited due to toxicity concerns and the need for more targeted therapies. Conclusions: Visfatin is a promising biomarker and potential therapeutic target in gastric and esophageal cancer. However, its precise role and mechanisms require further investigation. The standardization of measurement techniques and large-scale clinical studies is needed to validate its prognostic and predictive value. Future research should focus on optimizing visfatin-targeted therapies, particularly in the context of obesity-associated malignancies and chemoresistant tumors.

Mechanisms of resistance to NAMPT inhibitors in cancer

A common barrier to the development of effective anticancer agents is the development of drug resistance. This obstacle remains a challenge to successful clinical translation, particularly for targeted agents. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors represent a clinically applicable drug class that exploits the increased dependence of cancer cells on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme essential to metabolism and other cellular functions. NAMPT catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the NAD+ salvage pathway of mammalian cells and is overexpressed in numerous types of cancers. Preclinical research has demonstrated that pharmacological targeting of NAMPT may be an effective strategy against certain cancers, and while several early-phase clinical trials testing NAMPT inhibitors in refractory cancers have been completed, drug resistance is a concern. Preclinical work in a variety of cancer models has demonstrated the emergence of resistance to multiple NAMPT inhibitors through several recurrent mechanisms. This review represents the first article summarizing the current state of knowledge regarding the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance to NAMPT inhibitors with a particular focus on upregulation of the compensatory NAD+ production enzymes nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) and quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT), acquired mutations in NAMPT, metabolic reprogramming, and altered expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporter ABCB1. An understanding of how these mechanisms interact with the biology of each given cancer cell type to predispose to the acquisition of NAMPT inhibitor resistance will be necessary to develop strategies to optimize the use of these agents moving forward.

Nampt: a new therapeutic target for modulating NAD+ levels in metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases

NAD+ is an important cofactor involved in regulating many biochemical processes in cells. An imbalance in NAD+/NADH ratio is linked to many diseases. NAD+ is depleted in diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and in aging, and is increased in tumor cells. NAD+ is generated in cells via the de novo, Preiss-Handler, and salvage pathways. Most of the cellular NAD+ is generated through Nampt activation, a key rate-limiting enzyme that is involved in the salvage pathway. Restoration of NAD+/NADH balance offers therapeutic advantages for improving tissue homeostasis and function. NAD+ is known to benefit and restore the body's physiological mechanisms, including DNA replication, chromatin and epigenetic modifications, and gene expression. Recent studies elucidate the role of NAD+ in cells utilizing transgenic mouse models. Translational new therapeutics are positioned to utilize the NAD+ restoration strategies for overcoming the drawbacks that exist in the pharmacological toolkit. The present review highlights the significance of Nampt-NAD+ axis as a major player in energy metabolism and provides an overview with insights into future strategies, providing pharmacological advantages to address current and future medical needs.

Effects of quercetin and derivatives on NAMPT/Sirtuin-1 metabolic pathway in neuronal cells: an approach to mitigate chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND

 The cognitive alterations observed in individuals undergoing cancer treatments have garnered more attention recently. Chemotherapy can reduce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels by inhibiting nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT). This reduction can make cancer cells more susceptible to oxidative damage and death and may also affect non-cancerous cells, particularly the brain cells. During chemotherapy-induced suppression, the downregulation of the NAMPT-mediated NAD+/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway may cause dyscognition. Objective: This study aimed to assess the role of quercetin and analogues in chemobrain and the associated mechanisms. Methods: The potential of quercetin and its derivatives interaction with NAMPT and SIRT1 proteins was performed using computational studies followed by their in vitro evaluation in SH-SY5Y cells. Molecular docking and simulation studies of human SIRT1 and NAMPT proteins with quercetin and its derivatives were performed. Differentiated SH-SY5Y cell lines were treated with quercetin and selected derivatives against Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil (MF) toxicity, by subjecting to cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, and RT-PCR analysis. Results: Quercetin, Rutin, and Isoquercetin showed interactions necessary in the activation process of both proteins. Cytotoxicity and flow cytometric studies demonstrated that the phytochemicals shield the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells from MF toxicity. As determined by RT-PCR investigations, NAMPT and SIRT1 gene mRNA expression was higher in test drug-treated cells at quercetin (0.12, 0.6 µM), rutin, and isoquercetin (16, 80 µM) and lower in MF-treated cells. Conclusion: The treatment of phytochemicals alleviated CICI by targeting NAMPT and SIRT1 proteins, which could lead to the identification of effective treatment strategies for the chemobrain.

Differential Mitochondrial Redox Responses to the Inhibition of NAD+ Salvage Pathway of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Background/Objectives: Cancer cells rely on metabolic reprogramming that is supported by altered mitochondrial redox status and an increased demand for NAD+. Over expression of Nampt, the rate-limiting enzyme of the NAD+ biosynthesis salvage pathway, is common in breast cancer cells, and more so in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Targeting the salvage pathway has been pursued for cancer therapy. However, TNBC cells have heterogeneous responses to Nampt inhibition, which contributes to the diverse outcomes. There is a lack of imaging biomarkers to differentiate among TNBC cells under metabolic stress and identify which are responsive. We aimed to characterize and differentiate among a panel of TNBC cell lines under NAD-deficient stress and identify which subtypes are more dependent on the NAD salvage pathway. Methods: Optical redox imaging (ORI), a label-free live cell imaging microscopy technique was utilized to acquire intrinsic fluorescence intensities of NADH and FAD-containing flavoproteins (Fp) thus the mitochondrial redox ratio Fp/(NADH + Fp) in a panel of TNBC cell lines. Various fluorescence probes were then added to the cultures to image the mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial mass, and cell number. Results: Various TNBC subtypes are sensitive to Nampt inhibition in a dose- and time-dependent manner, they have differential mitochondrial redox responses; furthermore, the mitochondrial redox indices linearly correlated with mitochondrial ROS induced by various doses of a Nampt inhibitor. Moreover, the changes in the redox indices correlated with growth inhibition. Additionally, the redox state was found fully recovered after removing the Nampt inhibitor. Conclusions: This study supports the utility of ORI in rapid metabolic phenotyping of TNBC cells under NAD-deficient stress to identify responsive cells and biomarkers of treatment response, facilitating combination therapy strategies.

Biological Functions and Therapeutic Potential of NAD+ Metabolism in Gynecological Cancers

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an important cofactor for both metabolic and signaling pathways, with the dysregulation of NAD+ levels acting as a driver for diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancers, and metabolic diseases. NAD+ plays an essential role in regulating the growth and progression of cancers by controlling important cellular processes including metabolism, transcription, and translation. NAD+ regulates several metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, the citric acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid oxidation by acting as a cofactor for redox reactions. Additionally, NAD+ acts as a cofactor for ADP-ribosyl transferases and sirtuins, as well as regulating cellular ADP-ribosylation and deacetylation levels, respectively. The cleavage of NAD+ by CD38-an NAD+ hydrolase expressed on immune cells-produces the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine. As a result, metabolizing and maintaining NAD+ levels remain crucial for the function of various cells found in the tumor microenvironment, hence its critical role in tissue homeostasis. The NAD+ levels in cells are maintained by a balance between NAD+ biosynthesis and consumption, with synthesis being controlled by the Preiss-Handler, de novo, and NAD+ salvage pathways. The primary source of NAD+ synthesis in a variety of cell types is directed by the expression of the enzymes central to the three biosynthesis pathways. In this review, we describe the role of NAD+ metabolism and its synthesizing and consuming enzymes' control of cancer cell growth and immune responses in gynecologic cancers. Additionally, we review the ongoing efforts to therapeutically target the enzymes critical for NAD+ homeostasis in gynecologic cancers.

NAMPT enhances LOX expression and promotes metastasis in human chondrosarcoma cells by inhibiting miR-26b-5p synthesis

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that emerges from abnormalities in cartilaginous tissue and is related with lung metastases. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is an adipocytokine reported to enhance tumor metastasis. Our results from clinical samples and the Gene Expression Omnibus data set reveal that NAMPT levels are markedly higher in chondrosarcoma patients than in normal individuals. NAMPT stimulation significantly increased lysyl oxidase (LOX) production in chondrosarcoma cells. Additionally, NAMPT increased LOX-dependent cell migration and invasion in chondrosarcoma by suppressing miR-26b-5p generation through the c-Src and Akt signaling pathways. Overexpression of NAMPT promoted chondrosarcoma metastasis to the lung in vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of LOX counteracted NAMPT-facilitated metastasis. Thus, the NAMPT/LOX axis presents a novel target for treating the metastasis of chondrosarcoma.

Dual-targeted NAMPT inhibitors as a progressive strategy for cancer therapy

In mammals, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a crucial enzyme in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis pathway catalyzing the condensation of nicotinamide (NAM) with 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) to produce nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Given the pivotal role of NAD+ in a range of cellular functions, including DNA synthesis, redox reactions, cytokine generation, metabolism, and aging, NAMPT has become a promising target for many diseases, notably cancer. Therefore, various NAMPT inhibitors have been reported and classified as first and second-generation based on their chemical structures and design strategies, dual-targeted being one. However, most NAMPT inhibitors suffer from several limitations, such as dose-dependent toxicity and poor pharmacokinetic properties. Consequently, there is no clinically approved NAMPT inhibitor. Hence, research on discovering more effective and less toxic dual-targeted NAMPT inhibitors with desirable pharmacokinetic properties has drawn attention recently. This review summarizes the previously reported dual-targeted NAMPT inhibitors, focusing on their design strategies and advantages over the single-targeted therapies.

Synthesis, and biological evaluation of EGFR/HER2-NAMPT conjugates for tumor treatment

Throughout the reported applications of EGFR inhibitors, it is usually employed with HDAC or other targets to design multi-target inhibitors for cancer treatment. In this paper, we designed a drug conjugate that targeted EGFR&HER2 and had inhibitory activity of NAMPT simultaneously. Compound 20c significantly inhibited the EGFR&HER2 and NAMPT enzyme activities, and had comparable or even higher anti-proliferative activity than lapatinib in various cancer cells with over-expressed EGFR and HER2. Importantly, 20c was expected to increase sensitivity to EGFR inhibitor-resistant cells. In Osimertinib-resistant cells (NCI-1975 cells with the L858R/T790M/C797S triple mutation and Ba/F3 cells with the Del19/T790M/C797S triple mutation), the anti-proliferative activity of compound 20c was increased by more than twofold compared with Osimertinib, so as to obtain better curative effect. This strategy is a promising method of embedding multiple pharmacophores into a single molecule, which lays a good foundation for the design and synthesis of small molecule drug conjugates with strong targeting ability and high cytotoxicity.

NAMPT Overexpression Drives Cell Growth in Polycystic Liver Disease through Mitochondrial Metabolism Regulation

A group of genetic diseases known as polycystic liver disease (PLD) are distinguished by the gradual development of fluid-filled hepatic cysts formed from cholangiocytes and commonly related to primary cilia defects. The NAD salvage pathway, which sustains cellular bioenergetics and supplies a required substrate for tasks important to rapidly multiplying cells, has a rate-limiting phase that is mediated by nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). In this study, the efficacy and mechanisms of action of FK866, a novel, high-potency NAMPT inhibitor with a good toxicity profile, were assessed. NAMPT-siRNA and FK866 reduced NAD levels and inhibited the proliferation of PLD cells in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, this pharmacologic and siRNA-mediated suppression of NAMPT was less effective in normal cells at the same concentrations. The addition of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a byproduct of NAMPT that restores NAD concentration, rescued the cellular viability of PLD cells and verified the on-target action of FK866. In FK866-treated PLD cells, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production were impaired and reactive oxygen species production was induced. Importantly, FK866 treatment was associated with improved effects of octreotide, a drug used for PLD treatment. As a result, the use of NAMPT inhibitors, including FK866 therapy, offers the possibility of a further targeted strategy for the therapeutic treatment of PLD.

Targeting NAD Metabolism: Rational Design, Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of NAMPT/PARP1 Dual-Target Inhibitors as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents

The malignancy of breast cancer poses a global challenge, with existing treatments often falling short of desired efficacy. Extensive research has underscored the effectiveness of targeting the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a pivotal molecule crucial for cancer cell survival and growth, as a promising anticancer strategy. Within mammalian cells, sustaining optimal NAD concentrations relies on two key enzymes, namely nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymer 1 (PARP1). Recent studies have accentuated the potential benefits of combining NAMPT inhibitors and PARP1 inhibitors to enhance therapeutic outcomes, particularly in breast cancer. In this study, we designed and synthesized eleven novel NAMPT/PARP1 dual-target inhibitors. Among them, compound DDY02 exhibited acceptable inhibitory activities against both NAMPT and PARP1, with IC50 values of 0.01 and 0.05 µM, respectively. Moreover, in vitro evaluations revealed that treatment with DDY02 resulted in proliferation inhibition, NAD depletion, DNA damage, apoptosis, and migration inhibition in MDA-MB-468 cells. These results posit DDY02, by targeting NAD metabolism through inhibiting both NAMPT and PARP1, as a promising lead compound for the development of breast cancer therapy.

Discovery of potent and novel dual NAMPT/BRD4 inhibitors for efficient treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

The NAPRT-induced increase in NAD+ levels was proposed as a mechanism contributing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resistance to NAMPT inhibitors. Thus, concurrently targeting NAMPT and NAPRT could be considered to overcome drug resistance. A BRD4 inhibitor downregulates the expression of NAPRT in HCC, and the combination of NAMPT inhibitors with BRD4 inhibitors simultaneously blocks NAD+ generation via salvage and the PH synthesis pathway. Moreover, the combination of the two agents significantly downregulated the expression of tumor-promoting genes and strongly promoted apoptosis. The present work identified various NAMPT/BRD4 dual inhibitors based on the multitargeted drug rationale. Among them, compound A2, which demonstrated the strongest effect, exhibited potent inhibition of NAMPT and BRD4 (IC50 = 35 and 58 nM, respectively). It significantly suppressed the growth and migration of HCC cells and facilitated their apoptosis. Furthermore, compound A2 also manifested a robust anticancer effect in HCCLM3 xenograft mouse models, with no apparent toxic effects. Our findings in this study provide an effective approach to target NAD+ metabolism for HCC treatment.

Single-cell RNA sequencing explores the evolution of the ecosystem from leukoplakia to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

It has been found that progression from leukoplakia to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a long-term process that may involve changes in the multicellular ecosystem. We acquired scRNA-seq samples information from gene expression omnibus and UCSC Xena database. The BEAM function was used to construct the pseudotime trajectory and analyze the differentially expressed genes in different branches. We used the ssGSEA method to explore the correlation between each cell subgroup and survival time, and obtained the cell subgroup related to prognosis. During the progression from leukoplakia to HNSCC, we found several prognostic cell subgroups, such as AURKB + epithelial cells, SFRP1 + fibroblasts, SLC7A8 + macrophages, FCER1A + CD1C + dendritic cells, and TRGC2 + NK/T cells. All cell subgroups had two different fates, one tending to cell proliferation, migration, and enhancement of angiogenesis capacity, and the other tending to inflammatory immune response, leukocyte chemotaxis, and T cell activation. Tumor-promoting genes such as CD163 and CD209 were highly expressed in the myeloid cells, and depletion marker genes such as TIGIT, LAG3 were highly expressed in NK/T cells. Our study may provide a reference for the molecular mechanism of HNSCC and theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Drug discovery targeting nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT): Updated progress and perspectives

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) salvage pathway, primarily catalyzing the synthesis of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) from nicotinamide (NAM), phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Metabolic diseases, aging-related diseases, inflammation, and cancers can lead to abnormal expression levels of NAMPT due to the pivotal role of NAD+ in redox metabolism, aging, the immune system, and DNA repair. In addition, NAMPT can be secreted by cells as a cytokine that binds to cell membrane receptors to regulate intracellular signaling pathways. Furthermore, NAMPT is able to reduce therapeutic efficacy by enhancing acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Recently, a few novel activators and inhibitors of NAMPT for neuroprotection and anti-tumor have been reported, respectively. However, NAMPT activators are still in preclinical studies, and only five NAMPT inhibitors have entered the clinical stage, unfortunately, three of which were terminated or withdrawn due to safety concerns. Novel drug design strategies such as proteolytic targeting chimera (PROTAC), antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and dual-targeted inhibitors also provide new directions for the development of NAMPT inhibitors. In this perspective, we mainly discuss the structure, biological function, and role of NAMPT in diseases and the currently discovered activators and inhibitors. It is our hope that this work will provide some guidance for the future design and optimization of NAMPT activators and inhibitors.

New Analogues of the Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Inhibitor FK866 as Potential Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Agents

BACKGROUND

During the past two decades, many nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors were prepared and tested because this enzyme is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. Although FK866 is a well-known, strong NAMPT inhibitor, it suffers severe drawbacks.

OBJECTIVE

Our work aimed to synthesize efficient NAMPT inhibitors featuring better pharmacokinetic properties than the pyridine-containing FK866. To this aim, the new anticancer agents were based on benzene, pyridazine, or benzothiazole moieties as a cap group instead of the pyridine unit found in FK866 and other NAMPT inhibitors.

METHODS

The new compounds, prepared exploiting standard heterocycle chemistry and coupling reactions (e.g., formation of amides, ureas, and cyanoguanidines, copper-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition), have been fully characterized using NMR and HRMS analyses. Their activity has been evaluated using cytotoxicity and intracellular NAD depletion assays in the human pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2.

RESULTS

Among the 14 products obtained, compound 28, bearing a pyridazine unit as the cap group and a thiophene moiety as the tail group, showed 6.7 nanomolar inhibition activity in the intracellular NAD depletion assay and 43 nanomolar inhibition in the MiaPaCa-2 cells cytotoxicity assay, comparable to that observed for FK866.

CONCLUSION

The positive results observed for some newly synthesized molecules, particularly those carrying a thiophene unit as a tail group, indicate that they could act as in vivo anti-pancreatic cancer agents.