Design and Evaluation of PEGylated Liposomal Formulation of a Novel Multikinase Inhibitor for Enhanced Chemosensitivity and Inhibition of Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

In silico study of novel niclosamide derivatives, SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins catalytic residue-targeting small molecules drug candidates

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-mediated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection remains a global pandemic and health emergency with overwhelming social and economic impacts throughout the world. Therapeutics for COVID-19 are limited to only remdesivir; therefore, there is a need for combined, multidisciplinary efforts to develop new therapeutic molecules and explore the effectiveness of existing drugs against SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we reported eight (SCOV-L-02, SCOV-L-09, SCOV-L-10, SCOV-L-11, SCOV-L-15, SCOV-L-18, SCOV-L-22, and SCOV-L-23) novel structurally related small-molecule derivatives of niclosamide (SCOV-L series) for their targeting potential against angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2), and SARS-COV-2 nonstructural proteins (NSPs) including NSP5 (3CLpro), NSP3 (PLpro), and RdRp. Our correlation analysis suggested that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 modulate host immune response via regulation of immune-infiltrating cells at the site of tissue/organs entries. In addition, we identified some TMPRSS2 and ACE2 microRNAs target regulatory networks in SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus open up a new window for microRNAs-based therapy for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our in vitro study revealed that with the exception of SCOV-L-11 and SCOV-L-23 which were non-active, the SCOV-L series exhibited strict antiproliferative activities and non-cytotoxic effects against ACE2- and TMPRSS2-expressing cells. Our molecular docking for the analysis of receptor-ligand interactions revealed that SCOV-L series demonstrated high ligand binding efficacies (at higher levels than clinical drugs) against the ACE2, TMPRSS2, and SARS-COV-2 NSPs. SCOV-L-18, SCOV-L-15, and SCOV-L-09 were particularly found to exhibit strong binding affinities with three key SARS-CoV-2's proteins: 3CLpro, PLpro, and RdRp. These compounds bind to the several catalytic residues of the proteins, and satisfied the criteria of drug-like candidates, having good adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) pharmacokinetic profile. Altogether, the present study suggests the therapeutic potential of SCOV-L series for preventing and managing SARs-COV-2 infection and are currently under detailed investigation in our lab.

Liposome-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the harshest and most challenging cancers to treat, often labeled as incurable. Chemotherapy continues to be the most popular treatment yet yields a very poor prognosis. The main barriers such as inefficient drug penetration and drug resistance, have led to the development of drug carrier systems. The benefits, ease of fabrication and modification of liposomes render them as ideal future drug delivery systems. This review delves into the versatility of liposomes to achieve various mechanisms of treatment for pancreatic cancer. Not only are there benefits of loading chemotherapy drugs and targeting agents onto liposomes, as well as mRNA combined therapy, but liposomes have also been exploited for immunotherapy and can be programmed to respond to photothermal therapy. Multifunctional liposomal formulations have demonstrated significant pre-clinical success. Functionalising drug-encapsulated liposomes has resulted in triggered drug release, specific targeting, and remodeling of the tumor environment. Suppressing tumor progression has been achieved, due to their ability to more efficiently and precisely deliver chemotherapy. Currently, no multifunctional surface-modified liposomes are clinically approved for pancreatic cancer thus we aim to shed light on the trials and tribulations and progress so far, with the hope for liposomal therapy in the future and improved patient outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Considering that conventional treatments for pancreatic cancer are highly associated with sub-optimal performance and systemic toxicity, the development of novel therapeutic strategies holds outmost relevance for pancreatic cancer management. Liposomes are being increasingly considered as promising nanocarriers for providing not only an early diagnosis but also effective, highly specific, and safer treatment, improving overall patient outcome. This manuscript is the first in the last 10 years that revises the advances in the application of liposome-based formulations in bioimaging, chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, combination therapies, and emergent therapies for pancreatic cancer management. Prospective insights are provided regarding several advantages resulting from the use of liposome technology in precision strategies, fostering new ideas for next-generation diagnosis and targeted therapies of pancreatic cancer.

Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of the Anti-Cancer Drugs: A Review

Abstract:

Cancer is one of the main reasons for mortality worldwide. Chemotherapeutic agents have been effectively designed to increase certain patients' survival rates, but ordinarily designed chemotherapeutic agents necessarily deliver toxic chemotherapeutic drugs to healthy tissues, resulting in serious side effects. Cancer cells can often acquire drug resistance after repeated dosing of current chemotherapeutic agents, restricting their efficacy. Given such obstacles, investigators have attempted to distribute chemotherapeutic agents using targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs), especially nanotechnology-based DDSs. Lipid-Based Nanoparticles (LBNPs) are a large and complex class of substances that have been utilized to manage a variety of diseases, mostly cancer. Liposomes seem to be the most frequently employed LBNPs, owing to their high biocompatibility, bioactivity, stability, and flexibility; howbeit Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) and Non-structured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) have lately received a lot of interest. Besides that, there are several reports that concentrate on novel therapies via LBNPs to manage various forms of cancer. In the present research, the latest improvements in the application of LBNPs have been shown to deliver different therapeutic agents to cancerous cells and have been demonstrated LBNPs also can be a quite successful candidate in cancer therapy for subsequent use.

Liposome-encapsulated anthraquinone improves efficacy and safety in triple negative breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and a leading cause of death worldwide. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype which is the most challenging to treat. Due to heterogeneity and a lack of specific molecular targets, small molecule-based chemotherapy is the preferred course of treatment. However, these drugs have high toxicity due to off-target effects on healthy tissues, and tumors may develop resistance. Here, we present a polyethylene glycol-modified nanoscale liposomal formulation (LipoRV) of a new anthraquinone derivative which has potent effects on multiple TNBC cell lines. LipoRV readily inhibited the cell cycle, induced cell apoptosis, and reduced long-term proliferative potential of TNBC cells. In a xenograft animal model, LipoRV successfully cleared tumors and demonstrated a good safety profile, without detrimental effects on biochemical markers. Finally, RNA sequencing of LipoRV-treated TNBC cells was carried out, indicating that LipoRV may have immunomodulatory properties. These findings demonstrate that a liposomal anthraquinone-based molecule has excellent promise for TNBC therapy in the future.

Role of PLEXIND1/TGFβ Signaling Axis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression Correlates with the Mutational Status of KRAS

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal cancers. The expression of PLEXIND1, a receptor, is upregulated in many cancers (including pancreatic cancer). Traditionally, PLEXIND1 is known to be involved in neuron development and mediate semaphorin signaling. However, its role and signaling in cancer is not fully understood. In our study, we present a new mechanism through which PLEXIND1 mediates its roles in cancer. For the first time, we demonstrate that it can function as a transforming growth factor beta coreceptor and modulate SMAD3 signaling. Around 90% of pancreatic cancer patients have mutant KRAS. Our work suggests that PLEXIND1 functions differently in pancreatic cancer cell lines, and the difference correlates with KRAS mutational status. Additionally, we demonstrate a novel peptide based therapeutic approach to target PLEXIND1 in cancer cells. Our work is valuable to both neuroscience and cancer fields, as it demonstrates an association between two previously unrelated signaling pathways.

Abstract

PLEXIND1 is upregulated in several cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is an established mediator of semaphorin signaling, and neuropilins are its known coreceptors. Herein, we report data to support the proposal that PLEXIND1 acts as a transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) coreceptor, modulating cell growth through SMAD3 signaling. Our findings demonstrate that PLEXIND1 plays a pro-tumorigenic role in PDAC cells with oncogenic KRAS (KRAS^mut). We show in KRAS^mut PDAC cell lines (PANC-1, AsPC-1,4535) PLEXIND1 downregulation results in decreased cell viability (in vitro) and reduced tumor growth (in vivo). Conversely, PLEXIND1 acts as a tumor suppressor in the PDAC cell line (BxPC-3) with wild-type KRAS (KRAS^wt), as its reduced expression results in higher cell viability (in-vitro) and tumor growth (in vivo). Additionally, we demonstrate that PLEXIND1-mediated interactions can be selectively disrupted using a peptide based on its C-terminal sequence (a PDZ domain-binding motif), an outcome that may possess significant therapeutic implications. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that (1) PLEXIND1 acts as a TGFβ coreceptor and mediates SMAD3 signaling, and (2) differential roles of PLEXIND1 in PDAC cell lines correlate with KRAS^mut and KRAS^wt status.

In-Silico Evaluation of Genetic Alterations in Ovarian Carcinoma and Therapeutic Efficacy of NSC777201, as a Novel Multi-Target Agent for TTK, NEK2, and CDK1

Ovarian cancer is often detected at the advanced stages at the time of initial diagnosis. Early-stage diagnosis is difficult due to its asymptomatic nature, where less than 30% of 5-year survival has been noticed. The underlying molecular events associated with the disease’s pathogenesis have yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, the identification of prognostic biomarkers as well as developing novel therapeutic agents for targeting these markers become relevant. Herein, we identified 264 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) common in four ovarian cancer datasets (GSE14407, GSE18520, GSE26712, GSE54388), respectively. We constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) interaction network with the overexpressed genes (72 genes) and performed gene enrichment analysis. In the PPI networks, three proteins; TTK Protein Kinase (TTK), NIMA Related Kinase 2 (NEK2), and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1) with higher node degrees were further evaluated as therapeutic targets for our novel multi-target small molecule NSC777201. We found that the upregulated DEGs were enriched in KEGG and gene ontologies associated with ovarian cancer progression, female gamete association, otic vesicle development, regulation of chromosome segregation, and therapeutic failure. In addition to the PPI network, ingenuity pathway analysis also implicate TTK, NEK2, and CDK1 in the elevated salvage pyrimidine and pyridoxal pathways in ovarian cancer. The TTK, NEK2, and CDK1 are over-expressed, demonstrating a high frequency of genetic alterations, and are associated with poor prognosis of ovarian cancer cohorts. Interestingly, NSC777201 demonstrated anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activities (GI₅₀ = 1.6 µM~1.82 µM and TGI₅₀ = 3.5 µM~3.63 µM) against the NCI panels of ovarian cancer cell lines and exhibited a robust interaction with stronger affinities for TTK, NEK2, and CDK1, than do the standard drug, paclitaxel. NSC777201 displayed desirable properties of a drug-like candidate and thus could be considered as a novel small molecule for treating ovarian carcinoma.

Enriched pharmacokinetic behavior and antitumor efficacy of thymoquinone by liposomal delivery

Background: Thymoquinone (TQ) has potential anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects but its clinical use is limited by its low solubility, poor bioavailability and rapid clearance. Aim: To enhance systemic bioavailability and tumor-specific toxicity of TQ. Materials & methods: Cationic liposomal formulation of TQ (D1T) was prepared via ethanol injection method and their physicochemical properties, anticancer effects in orthotopic xenograft pancreatic tumor model and pharmacokinetic behavior of D1T relative to TQ were evaluated. Results: D1T showed prominent inhibition of pancreatic tumor progression, significantly greater in vivo absorption, approximately 1.5-fold higher plasma concentration, higher bioavailability, reduced volume of distribution and improved clearance relative to TQ. Conclusion: Encapsulation of TQ in cationic liposomal formulation enhanced its bioavailability and anticancer efficacy against xenograft pancreatic tumor.

Photosensitizer Nanoparticles Boost Photodynamic Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Patients with pancreatic cancer (PCa) have a poor prognosis apart from the few suitable for surgery. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment modality whose efficacy and safety in treating unresectable localized PCa have been corroborated in clinic. Yet, it suffers from certain limitations during clinical exploitation, including insufficient photosensitizers (PSs) delivery, tumor-oxygenation dependency, and treatment escape of aggressive tumors. To overcome these obstacles, an increasing number of researchers are currently on a quest to develop photosensitizer nanoparticles (NPs) by the use of a variety of nanocarrier systems to improve cellular uptake and biodistribution of photosensitizers. Encapsulation of PSs with NPs endows them significantly higher accumulation within PCa tumors due to the increased solubility and stability in blood circulation. A number of approaches have been explored to produce NPs co-delivering multi-agents affording PDT-based synergistic therapies for improved response rates and durability of response after treatment. This review provides an overview of available data regarding the design, methodology, and oncological outcome of the innovative NPs-based PDT of PCa.

Targeted Dual Intervention-Oriented Drug-Encapsulated (DIODE) Nanoformulations for Improved Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Despite recent advancements, effective treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained elusive. The overall survival rate in PDAC patients has been dismally low due to resistance to standard therapies. In fact, the failure of monotherapies to provide long-term survival benefits in patients led to ascension of several combination therapies for PDAC treatment. However, these combination therapies provided modest survival improvements while increasing treatment-related adverse side effects. Hence, recent developments in drug delivery methods hold the potential for enhancing therapeutic benefits by offering cocktail drug loading and minimizing chemotherapy-associated side effects. Nanoformulations-aided deliveries of anticancer agents have been a success in recent years. Yet, improving the tumor-targeted delivery of drugs to PDAC remains a major hurdle. In the present paper, we developed several new tumor-targeted dual intervention-oriented drug-encapsulated (DIODE) liposomes. We successfully formulated liposomes loaded with gemcitabine (G), paclitaxel (P), erlotinib (E), XL-184 (c-Met inhibitor, X), and their combinations (GP, GE, and GX) and evaluated their in vitro and in vivo efficacies. Our novel DIODE liposomal formulations improved median survival in comparison with gemcitabine-loaded liposomes or vehicle. Our findings are suggestive of the importance of the targeted delivery for combination therapies in improving pancreatic cancer treatment.

EGFR Blockade Reverses Cisplatin Resistance in Human Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells

Background:

EOC is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide. Although the majority of EOC patients achieve clinical remission after induction therapy, over 80% relapse and succumb to the chemoresistant disease. Previous investigations have demonstrated the association of EGFR with resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapies, hormone therapy, and radiotherapy in the cancers. These studies have highlighted the role of EGFR as an attractive therapeutic target in cisplatin-resistant EOC cells.

Methods:

The human ovarian cell lines (SKOV3 and OVCAR3) were cultured according to ATCC recommendations. The MTT assay was used to determine the chemosensitivity of the cell lines in exposure to cisplatin and erlotinib. The qRT-PCR was applied to analyze the mRNA expression of the desired genes.

Results:

Erlotinib in combination with cisplatin reduced the cell proliferation in the chemoresistant EOC cells in comparison to monotherapy of the drugs (p < 0.05). Moreover, erlotinib/cisplatin combination synergistically decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic and also increased pro-apoptotic genes expression (p < 0.05). Cisplatin alone could increase the expression of MDR genes. The data suggested that EGFR and cisplatin drive chemoresistance in the EOC cells through MEKK signal transduction as well as through EGFR/MEKK pathways in the cells, respectively.

Conclusion:

Our findings propose that EGFR is an attractive therapeutic target in chemoresistant EOC to be exploited in translational oncology, and erlotinib/cisplatin combination treatment is a potential anti-cancer approach to overcome chemoresistance and inhibit the proliferation of the EOC cells.

Structural And Computational Perspectives of Selectively Targeting Mutant Proteins

Diseases are often caused by mutant proteins. Many drugs have limited effectiveness and/or toxic side effects because of a failure to selectively target the disease-causing mutant variant, rather than the functional wild type protein. Otherwise, the drugs may even target different proteins with similar structural features. Designing drugs that successfully target mutant proteins selectively represents a major challenge. Decades of cancer research have led to an abundance of potential therapeutic targets, often touted to be "master regulators". For many of these proteins, there are no FDA-approved drugs available; for others, off-target effects result in dose-limiting toxicity. Cancer-related proteins are an excellent medium to carry the story of mutant-specific targeting, as the disease is both initiated and sustained by mutant proteins; furthermore, current chemotherapies generally fail at adequate selective distinction. This review discusses some of the challenges associated with selective targeting from a structural biology perspective, as well as some of the developments in algorithm approach and computational workflow that can be applied to address those issues. One of the most widely researched proteins in cancer biology is p53, a tumor suppressor. Here, p53 is discussed as a specific example of a challenging target, with contemporary drugs and methodologies used as examples of burgeoning successes. The oncogene KRAS, which has been described as "undruggable", is another extensively investigated protein in cancer biology. This review also examines KRAS to exemplify progress made towards selective targeting of diseasecausing mutant proteins. Finally, possible future directions relevant to the topic are discussed.