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Perez-Lopez R, Ghaffari Laleh N, Mahmood F, Kather JN. A guide to artificial intelligence for cancer researchers. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:427-441. [PMID: 38755439 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00694-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been commoditized. It has evolved from a specialty resource to a readily accessible tool for cancer researchers. AI-based tools can boost research productivity in daily workflows, but can also extract hidden information from existing data, thereby enabling new scientific discoveries. Building a basic literacy in these tools is useful for every cancer researcher. Researchers with a traditional biological science focus can use AI-based tools through off-the-shelf software, whereas those who are more computationally inclined can develop their own AI-based software pipelines. In this article, we provide a practical guide for non-computational cancer researchers to understand how AI-based tools can benefit them. We convey general principles of AI for applications in image analysis, natural language processing and drug discovery. In addition, we give examples of how non-computational researchers can get started on the journey to productively use AI in their own work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Perez-Lopez
- Radiomics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Narmin Ghaffari Laleh
- Else Kroener Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Faisal Mahmood
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cancer Data Science Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Data Science Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakob Nikolas Kather
- Else Kroener Fresenius Center for Digital Health, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumour Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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da Silva RGL. The advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation: challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. Global Health 2024; 20:44. [PMID: 38773458 PMCID: PMC11107016 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01049-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), algorithm optimization and high-throughput experiments has enabled scientists to accelerate the discovery of new chemicals and materials with unprecedented efficiency, resilience and precision. Over the recent years, the so-called autonomous experimentation (AE) systems are featured as key AI innovation to enhance and accelerate research and development (R&D). Also known as self-driving laboratories or materials acceleration platforms, AE systems are digital platforms capable of running a large number of experiments autonomously. Those systems are rapidly impacting biomedical research and clinical innovation, in areas such as drug discovery, nanomedicine, precision oncology, and others. As it is expected that AE will impact healthcare innovation from local to global levels, its implications for science and technology in emerging economies should be examined. By examining the increasing relevance of AE in contemporary R&D activities, this article aims to explore the advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation, highlighting its implications, challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. AE presents an opportunity for stakeholders from emerging economies to co-produce the global knowledge landscape of AI in health. However, asymmetries in R&D capabilities should be acknowledged since emerging economies suffers from inadequacies and discontinuities in resources and funding. The establishment of decentralized AE infrastructures could support stakeholders to overcome local restrictions and opens venues for more culturally diverse, equitable, and trustworthy development of AI in health-related R&D through meaningful partnerships and engagement. Collaborations with innovators from emerging economies could facilitate anticipation of fiscal pressures in science and technology policies, obsolescence of knowledge infrastructures, ethical and regulatory policy lag, and other issues present in the Global South. Also, improving cultural and geographical representativeness of AE contributes to foster the diffusion and acceptance of AI in health-related R&D worldwide. Institutional preparedness is critical and could enable stakeholders to navigate opportunities of AI in biomedical research and health innovation in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Gonçalves Leonel da Silva
- Health Ethics and Policy Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Hottingerstrasse 10, HOA 17, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland.
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3
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Wossnig L, Furtmann N, Buchanan A, Kumar S, Greiff V. Best practices for machine learning in antibody discovery and development. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104025. [PMID: 38762089 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
In the past 40 years, therapeutic antibody discovery and development have advanced considerably, with machine learning (ML) offering a promising way to speed up the process by reducing costs and the number of experiments required. Recent progress in ML-guided antibody design and development (D&D) has been hindered by the diversity of data sets and evaluation methods, which makes it difficult to conduct comparisons and assess utility. Establishing standards and guidelines will be crucial for the wider adoption of ML and the advancement of the field. This perspective critically reviews current practices, highlights common pitfalls and proposes method development and evaluation guidelines for various ML-based techniques in therapeutic antibody D&D. Addressing challenges across the ML process, best practices are recommended for each stage to enhance reproducibility and progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Wossnig
- LabGenius Ltd, The Biscuit Factory, 100 Drummond Road, London SE16 4DG, UK; Department of Computer Science, University College London, 66-72 Gower St, London WC1E 6EA, UK.
| | - Norbert Furtmann
- R&D Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi Deutschland GmbH, Industriepark Höchst, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Andrew Buchanan
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Computational Protein Design and Modeling Group, Computational Science, Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department of Immunology and Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sun X, Zhang J, Han X, Li S, Zhang X, Bi X. Preparation of imidazole-modified paper membrane for selective extraction of gallic acid and its structural and functional analogues from Pomegranate Peel. RSC Adv 2024; 14:14202-14213. [PMID: 38690107 PMCID: PMC11058456 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08576g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In the search for pharmaceutically active compounds from natural products, it is crucial and challenging to develop separation methods that target not only structurally similar compounds but also a class of compounds with desired pharmaceutical functions. To achieve both structure-oriented and function-oriented selectivity, the choice of functional monomers with broad interactions or even biomimetic roles towards targeted compounds is essential. In this work, an imidazole (IM)-functionalized paper membrane was synthesized to realize selectivity. The IM was selected based on its capability to provide multiple interactions, participation in several bioprocesses, and experimental verification of adsorption performance. Using gallic acid as a representative component of Pomegranate Peel, the preparation conditions and extraction parameters were systematically investigated. The optimal membrane solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method allowed for enrichment of gallic acid from the complex matrix of Pomegranate Peel, enabling facile quantitative analysis with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 ng mL-1. Furthermore, with the aid of cheminformatics, the extracted compounds were found to be similar in both their structures and pharmaceutical functions. This work offers a novel approach to preparing a readily synthesized extraction membrane capable of isolating compounds with similar structures and pharmaceutical effects, and provides an MSPE-based analytical method for natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan 250117 Shandong China
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan 250117 Shandong China
| | - Xiaohui Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan 250117 Shandong China
| | - Shumin Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan 250117 Shandong China
| | - Xuerui Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan 250117 Shandong China
| | - Xiaodong Bi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan 250117 Shandong China
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drugs of National Health Commission (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences) Jinan 250117 Shandong China
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Khalighi S, Reddy K, Midya A, Pandav KB, Madabhushi A, Abedalthagafi M. Artificial intelligence in neuro-oncology: advances and challenges in brain tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and precision treatment. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:80. [PMID: 38553633 PMCID: PMC10980741 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00575-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This review delves into the most recent advancements in applying artificial intelligence (AI) within neuro-oncology, specifically emphasizing work on gliomas, a class of brain tumors that represent a significant global health issue. AI has brought transformative innovations to brain tumor management, utilizing imaging, histopathological, and genomic tools for efficient detection, categorization, outcome prediction, and treatment planning. Assessing its influence across all facets of malignant brain tumor management- diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy- AI models outperform human evaluations in terms of accuracy and specificity. Their ability to discern molecular aspects from imaging may reduce reliance on invasive diagnostics and may accelerate the time to molecular diagnoses. The review covers AI techniques, from classical machine learning to deep learning, highlighting current applications and challenges. Promising directions for future research include multimodal data integration, generative AI, large medical language models, precise tumor delineation and characterization, and addressing racial and gender disparities. Adaptive personalized treatment strategies are also emphasized for optimizing clinical outcomes. Ethical, legal, and social implications are discussed, advocating for transparency and fairness in AI integration for neuro-oncology and providing a holistic understanding of its transformative impact on patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirvan Khalighi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kartik Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abhishek Midya
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Krunal Balvantbhai Pandav
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anant Madabhushi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Malak Abedalthagafi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- The Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Puhl AC, Lewicki SA, Gao ZG, Pramanik A, Makarov V, Ekins S, Jacobson KA. Machine learning-aided search for ligands of P2Y 6 and other P2Y receptors. Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-10003-4. [PMID: 38526670 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The P2Y6 receptor, activated by uridine diphosphate (UDP), is a target for antagonists in inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders, yet few potent and selective antagonists are known to date. This prompted us to use machine learning as a novel approach to aid ligand discovery, with pharmacological evaluation at three P2YR subtypes: initially P2Y6 and subsequently P2Y1 and P2Y14. Relying on extensive published data for P2Y6R agonists, we generated and validated an array of classification machine learning model using the algorithms deep learning (DL), adaboost classifier (ada), Bernoulli NB (bnb), k-nearest neighbors (kNN) classifier, logistic regression (lreg), random forest classifier (rf), support vector classification (SVC), and XGBoost (XGB) classifier models, and the common consensus was applied to molecular selection of 21 diverse structures. Compounds were screened using human P2Y6R-induced functional calcium transients in transfected 1321N1 astrocytoma cells and fluorescent binding inhibition at closely related hP2Y14R expressed in CHO cells. The hit compound ABBV-744, an experimental anticancer drug with a 6-methyl-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine scaffold, had multifaceted interactions with the P2YR family: hP2Y6R inhibition in a non-surmountable fashion, suggesting that noncompetitive antagonism, and hP2Y1R enhancement, but not hP2Y14R binding inhibition. Other machine learning-selected compounds were either weak (experimental anti-asthmatic drug AZD5423 with a phenyl-1H-indazole scaffold) or inactive in inhibiting the hP2Y6R. Experimental drugs TAK-593 and GSK1070916 (100 µM) inhibited P2Y14R fluorescent binding by 50% and 38%, respectively, and all other compounds by < 20%. Thus, machine learning has led the way toward revealing previously unknown modulators of several P2YR subtypes that have varied effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Puhl
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc, 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Sarah A Lewicki
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Zhan-Guo Gao
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Asmita Pramanik
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Vadim Makarov
- Research Center of Biotechnology RAS, Leninsky Prospekt 33-2, 119071, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc, 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA.
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Wu X, Lin H, Bai R, Duan H. Deep learning for advancing peptide drug development: Tools and methods in structure prediction and design. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116262. [PMID: 38387334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Peptides can bind challenging disease targets with high affinity and specificity, offering enormous opportunities for addressing unmet medical needs. However, peptides' unique features, including smaller size, increased structural flexibility, and limited data availability, pose additional challenges to the design process compared to proteins. This review explores the dynamic field of peptide therapeutics, leveraging deep learning to enhance structure prediction and design. Our exploration encompasses various facets of peptide research, ranging from dataset curation handling to model development. As deep learning technologies become more refined, we channel our efforts into peptide structure prediction and design, aligning with the fundamental principles of structure-activity relationships in drug development. To guide researchers in harnessing the potential of deep learning to advance peptide drug development, our insights comprehensively explore current challenges and future directions of peptide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, PR China
| | - Huitian Lin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, PR China
| | - Renren Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China.
| | - Hongliang Duan
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, 999078, PR China.
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8
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Mock M, Langmead CJ, Grandsard P, Edavettal S, Russell A. Recent advances in generative biology for biotherapeutic discovery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:255-267. [PMID: 38378385 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Generative biology combines artificial intelligence (AI), advanced life sciences technologies, and automation to revolutionize the process of designing novel biomolecules with prescribed properties, giving drug discoverers the ability to escape the limitations of biology during the design of next-generation protein therapeutics. Significant hurdles remain, namely: (i) the inherently complex nature of drug discovery, (ii) the bewildering number of promising computational and experimental techniques that have emerged in the past several years, and (iii) the limited availability of relevant protein sequence-function data for drug-like molecules. There is a need to focus on computational methods that will be most practically effective for protein drug discovery and on building experimental platforms to generate the data most appropriate for these methods. Here, we discuss recent advances in computational and experimental life sciences that are most crucial for impacting the pace and success of protein drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Mock
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | | | - Peter Grandsard
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Suzanne Edavettal
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Alan Russell
- Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
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Liu GY, Yu D, Fan MM, Zhang X, Jin ZY, Tang C, Liu XF. Antimicrobial resistance crisis: could artificial intelligence be the solution? Mil Med Res 2024; 11:7. [PMID: 38254241 PMCID: PMC10804841 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-024-00510-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a priority list of the most threatening pathogens against which novel antibiotics need to be developed. The discovery and introduction of novel antibiotics are time-consuming and expensive. According to WHO's report of antibacterial agents in clinical development, only 18 novel antibiotics have been approved since 2014. Therefore, novel antibiotics are critically needed. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly applied to drug development since its recent technical breakthrough and has dramatically improved the efficiency of the discovery of novel antibiotics. Here, we first summarized recently marketed novel antibiotics, and antibiotic candidates in clinical development. In addition, we systematically reviewed the involvement of AI in antibacterial drug development and utilization, including small molecules, antimicrobial peptides, phage therapy, essential oils, as well as resistance mechanism prediction, and antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yu Liu
- Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Immunoregulation of Hangzhou, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Dan Yu
- National Key Discipline of Pediatrics Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Dermatology, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, 100045, China
| | - Mei-Mei Fan
- Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Immunoregulation of Hangzhou, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Ze-Yu Jin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christoph Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Xiao-Fen Liu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Clinical Research Centre for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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Sobhani N, Tardiel-Cyril DR, Chai D, Generali D, Li JR, Vazquez-Perez J, Lim JM, Morris R, Bullock ZN, Davtyan A, Cheng C, Decker WK, Li Y. Artificial intelligence-powered discovery of small molecules inhibiting CTLA-4 in cancer. BJC REPORTS 2024; 2:4. [PMID: 38312352 PMCID: PMC10838660 DOI: 10.1038/s44276-023-00035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Checkpoint inhibitors, which generate durable responses in many cancer patients, have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. However, their therapeutic efficacy is limited, and immune-related adverse events are severe, especially for monoclonal antibody treatment directed against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), which plays a pivotal role in preventing autoimmunity and fostering anticancer immunity by interacting with the B7 proteins CD80 and CD86. Small molecules impairing the CTLA-4/CD80 interaction have been developed; however, they directly target CD80, not CTLA-4. SUBJECTS/METHODS In this study, we performed artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual screening of approximately ten million compounds to identify those targeting CTLA-4. We validated the hits molecules with biochemical, biophysical, immunological, and experimental animal assays. RESULTS The primary hits obtained from the virtual screening were successfully validated in vitro and in vivo. We then optimized lead compounds and obtained inhibitors (inhibitory concentration, 1 micromole) that disrupted the CTLA-4/CD80 interaction without degrading CTLA-4. CONCLUSIONS Several compounds inhibited tumor development prophylactically and therapeutically in syngeneic and CTLA-4-humanized mice. Our findings support using AI-based frameworks to design small molecules targeting immune checkpoints for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Sobhani
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | | | - Dafei Chai
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniele Generali
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34147 Trieste, Italy
| | - Jian-Rong Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan Vazquez-Perez
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jing Ming Lim
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rachel Morris
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Zaniqua N. Bullock
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aram Davtyan
- Atomwise Inc., 717 Market St, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - William K. Decker
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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11
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AI's potential to accelerate drug discovery needs a reality check. Nature 2023; 622:217. [PMID: 37817040 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-03172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
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