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Hayhow TG, Williamson B, Lawson M, Cureton N, Braybrooke EL, Campbell A, Carbajo RJ, Cheraghchi-Bashi A, Chiarparin E, Diène CR, Fallan C, Fisher DI, Goldberg FW, Hopcroft L, Hopcroft P, Jackson A, Kettle JG, Klinowska T, Künzel U, Lamont G, Lewis HJ, Maglennon G, Martin S, Gutierrez PM, Morrow CJ, Nikolaou M, Nissink JWM, O'Shea P, Polanski R, Schade M, Scott JS, Smith A, Weber J, Wilson J, Yang B, Crafter C. Metabolism-driven in vitro/in vivo disconnect of an oral ERɑ VHL-PROTAC. Commun Biol 2024; 7:563. [PMID: 38740899 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) pathway is validated in the clinic as an effective means to treat ER+ breast cancers. Here we present the development of a VHL-targeting and orally bioavailable proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader of ERα. In vitro studies with this PROTAC demonstrate excellent ERα degradation and ER antagonism in ER+ breast cancer cell lines. However, upon dosing the compound in vivo we observe an in vitro-in vivo disconnect. ERα degradation is lower in vivo than expected based on the in vitro data. Investigation into potential causes for the reduced maximal degradation reveals that metabolic instability of the PROTAC linker generates metabolites that compete for binding to ERα with the full PROTAC, limiting degradation. This observation highlights the requirement for metabolically stable PROTACs to ensure maximal efficacy and thus optimisation of the linker should be a key consideration when designing PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anne Jackson
- Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bin Yang
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
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2
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Wang H, Sun Y, Wang W, Wang X, Zhang J, Bai Y, Wang K, Luan L, Yan J, Qin L. Mapping the 5-HTergic neural pathways in perimenopausal mice and elucidating the role of oestrogen receptors in 5-HT neurotransmission. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27976. [PMID: 38510058 PMCID: PMC10951590 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) encompasses neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as hot flashes and depression, which are associated with alterations in the 5-HTergic neural pathway in the brain. However, the specific changes and mechanisms underlying these alterations remain unclear. In this study, ovariectomized mice were used to successfully establish a perimenopause model, and the changes in the expression of 5-HT and its receptors (5-HT1AR and 5-HT2AR) across 72 brain regions in these ovariectomized mice were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Although both 5-HT and 5-HT1AR were widely expressed throughout the brain, only a limited number of regions expressed 5-HT2AR. Notably, decreased expression of 5-HT was observed across almost all brain regions in the ovariectomy (OVX) group compared with the Sham group. Altered expression of both receptors was found within areas related to hot flashes (the preoptic area) or mood disorders (the amygdala). Additionally, reduced oestrogen receptor (ER)α/β expression was detected in cells in the raphe nucleus (RN), an area known to regulate body temperature. Results showed that ERα/β positively regulate the transcriptional activity of the enzymes TPH2/MAOA, which are involved in serotonin metabolism during perimenopause. This study revealed the changes in 5-HT neuropathways (5-HT, 5-HT1AR and 5-HT2AR) in perimenopausal mice, mainly in brain regions related to regulation of the body temperature, mood, sleep and memory. This study clarified that the expression of oestrogen receptor decreased in perimenopause, which regulated the transcription levels of TPH2 and MAOA, and ultimately led to the reduction of 5-HT content, providing a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment of perimenopausal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanfei Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yanrong Sun
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiangqiu Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jinglin Zhang
- Department of Dental Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Yuncheng Vocational Nursing College, Yuncheng, 044000, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liju Luan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lihua Qin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
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3
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Neupane N, Bawek S, Gurusinghe S, Ghaffary EM, Mirmosayyeb O, Thapa S, Falkson C, O’Regan R, Dhakal A. Oral SERD, a Novel Endocrine Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:619. [PMID: 38339371 PMCID: PMC10854647 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030619] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer accounts for a significant proportion of cases. While various treatments are available, endocrine therapies are often the first-line treatment for this type of breast cancer. However, the development of drug resistance poses a significant challenge in managing this disease. ESR1 mutations have been identified as a common mechanism of endocrine therapy resistance in ER+ breast cancer. The first-generation selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) fulvestrant has shown some activity against ESR1 mutant tumors. However, due to its poor bioavailability and need for intramuscular injection, it may not be the optimal therapy for patients. Second-generation SERDs were developed to overcome these limitations. These newer drugs have improved oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, making them more convenient and effective for patients. Several oral SERDs are now in phase III trials for early and advanced ER+ breast cancer. This review summarizes the background of oral SERD development, the current status, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Neupane
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY 14621, USA;
| | - Sawyer Bawek
- Department of Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (S.B.); (S.G.)
| | - Sayuri Gurusinghe
- Department of Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (S.B.); (S.G.)
| | - Elham Moases Ghaffary
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran; (E.M.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Omid Mirmosayyeb
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran; (E.M.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Sangharsha Thapa
- Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Carla Falkson
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (C.F.); (R.O.)
| | - Ruth O’Regan
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (C.F.); (R.O.)
| | - Ajay Dhakal
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (C.F.); (R.O.)
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4
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Nave O, Shor Y, Bar R, Segal EE, Sigron M. A new treatment for breast cancer using a combination of two drugs: AZD9496 and palbociclib. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1307. [PMID: 38225243 PMCID: PMC10789805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48305-z] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined a mathematical model of breast cancer (BC) treatment that combines an oral oestrogen receptor inhibitor, AZD9496 with Palbociclib, a selective inhibitor of cyclin- dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6. Treatment is described by analytical functions that enable us to control the dosage and time interval of the treatment, thus personalising the treatment for each patient. Initially, we investigated the effect of each treatment separately, and finally, we investigated the combination of both treatments. By applying numerical simulations, we confirmed that the combination of AZD9496 with palbociclib was the optimal treatment for BC. The dosage of AZD9496 increased and decreased throughout the treatment period, while the intervals were constant between treatments. Palbociclib changed almost cyclically, whereas the time intervals remained constant. To investigate the mathematical model, we applied the singularly perturbed homotopy analysis method, which is a numerical algorithm. The significant advantage of this method is that the mathematical model does not have to contain a small parameter (as is standard in perturbation theory). However, it is possible to artificially introduce a small parameter into the system of equations, making it possible to study the model using asymptotic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophir Nave
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT), Academic Level Centre, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Yehuda Shor
- Department of Computer Science, Jerusalem College of Technology (Mivchar), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raziel Bar
- Department of Computer Science, Jerusalem College of Technology (Mivchar), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eliezer Elimelech Segal
- Department of Computer Science, Jerusalem College of Technology (Mivchar), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moriah Sigron
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT), Academic Level Centre, Jerusalem, Israel
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5
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Hu B, Hu J. Complete elimination of estrogen receptor α by PROTAC estrogen receptor α degrader ERD-148 in breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 203:383-396. [PMID: 37847455 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07136-2] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) is a well-established therapeutic target for Estrogen Receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers. Both Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERD) and PROTAC ER degraders are synthetic compounds suppressing the ER activity through the degradation of ER. However, the differences between SERD and PROTAC ER degraders are far from clear. METHODS The effect of PROTAC ER degrader ERD-148 and SERD fulvestrant on protein degradation was evaluated by western blot analysis. The cell proliferation was tested by WST-8 assays and the gene expressions were assessed by gene microarray and real-time RT-PCR analysis after the compound treatment. RESULTS ERD-148 is a potent and selective PROTAC ERα degrader. It degrades not only unphosphorylated ERα but also the phosphorylated ERα in the cells. In contrast, the SERD fulvestrant showed much-reduced degradation potency on the phosphorylated ERα. The more complete degradation of ERα by ERD-148 translates into a greater maximum cell growth inhibition. However, ERD-148 and fulvestrant share a similar gene regulation profile except for the variation of regulation potency. Further studies indicate that ERD-148 degrades the ERα in fulvestrant-resistant cells. CONCLUSION PROTAC ER degrader has a different mechanism of action compared to SERD which may be used in treating fulvestrant-resistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, G349B, 520 NCRC, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Jiantao Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, G349B, 520 NCRC, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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6
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Dai R, Bao X, Zhang Y, Huang Y, Zhu H, Yang K, Wang B, Wen H, Li W, Liu J. Hot-Spot Residue-Based Virtual Screening of Novel Selective Estrogen-Receptor Degraders for Breast Cancer Treatment. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7588-7602. [PMID: 37994801 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The estrogen-receptor alfa (ERα) is considered pivotal for breast cancer treatment. Although selective estrogen-receptor degraders (SERDs) have been developed to induce ERα degradation and antagonism, their agonistic effect on the uterine tissue and poor pharmacokinetic properties limit further application of ERα; thus, discovering novel SERDs is necessary. The ligand preferentially interacts with several key residues of the protein (defined as hot-spot residues). Improving the interaction with hot-spot residues of ERα offers a promising avenue for obtaining novel SERDs. In this study, pharmacophore modeling, molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA), and amino-acid mutation were combined to determine several hot-spot residues. Focusing on the interaction with these hot-spot residues, hit fragments A1-A3 and A9 were virtually screened from two fragment libraries. Finally, these hit fragments were linked to generate compounds B1-B3, and their biological activities were evaluated. Remarkably, compound B1 exhibited potent antitumor activity against MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 4.21 nM), favorable ERα binding affinity (Ki = 14.6 nM), and excellent ERα degradative ability (DC50 = 9.7 nM), which indicated its potential to evolve as a promising SERD for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupeng Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xueting Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haohao Zhu
- The Affiliated Mental Health Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi Central Rehabilitation Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214151, China
| | - Kundi Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongmei Wen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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7
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Bai C, Lv Y, Xiong S, Wu S, Qi L, Ren S, Zhu M, Dong H, Shen H, Li Z, Zhu Y, Ye H, Hao H, Xiao Y, Xiang H, Luo G. X-ray crystallography study and optimization of novel benzothiophene analogs as potent selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs) with improved potency and safety profiles. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106919. [PMID: 37871388 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106919] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine therapy (ET) is a well-validated strategy for estrogen receptor α positive (ERα + ) breast cancer therapy. Despite the clinical success of current standard of care (SoC), endocrine-resistance inevitably emerges and remains a significant medical challenge. Herein, we describe the structural optimization and evaluation of a new series of selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs) based on benzothiophene scaffold. Among them, compounds 15b and 39d were identified as two highly potent covalent antagonists, which exhibits superior antiproliferation activity than positive controls against MCF-7 cells and shows high selectivity over ERα negative (ERα-) cells. More importantly, their mode of covalent engagement at Cys530 residue was accurately illustrated by a cocrystal structure of 15b-bound ERαY537S (PDB ID: 7WNV) and intact mass spectrometry, respectively. Further in vivo studies demonstrated potent antitumor activity in MCF-7 xenograft mouse model and an improved safety profile. Collectively, these compounds could be promising candidates for future development of the next generation SERCAs for endocrine-resistant ERα + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfeng Bai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yang Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shuangshuang Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shuangjie Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lin Qi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shengnan Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Meiqi Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haijuan Dong
- The Public Laboratory Platform, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hongtao Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhaoxing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yinxue Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hui Ye
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haiping Hao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yibei Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Hua Xiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Guoshun Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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8
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Lawson M, Cureton N, Ros S, Cheraghchi-Bashi A, Urosevic J, D'Arcy S, Delpuech O, DuPont M, Fisher DI, Gangl ET, Lewis H, Trueman D, Wali N, Williamson SC, Moss J, Montaudon E, Derrien H, Marangoni E, Miragaia RJ, Gagrica S, Morentin-Gutierrez P, Moss TA, Maglennon G, Sutton D, Polanski R, Rosen A, Cairns J, Zhang P, Sánchez-Guixé M, Serra V, Critchlow SE, Scott JS, Lindemann JP, Barry ST, Klinowska T, Morrow CJ, S Carnevalli L. The Next-Generation Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader Camizestrant (AZD9833) Suppresses ER+ Breast Cancer Growth and Overcomes Endocrine and CDK4/6 Inhibitor Resistance. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3989-4004. [PMID: 37725704 PMCID: PMC10690091 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Oral selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERD) could become the backbone of endocrine therapy (ET) for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, as they achieve greater inhibition of ER-driven cancers than current ETs and overcome key resistance mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the preclinical pharmacology and efficacy of the next-generation oral SERD camizestrant (AZD9833) and assessed ER-co-targeting strategies by combining camizestrant with CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR-targeted therapy in models of progression on CDK4/6i and/or ET. Camizestrant demonstrated robust and selective ER degradation, modulated ER-regulated gene expression, and induced complete ER antagonism and significant antiproliferation activity in ESR1 wild-type (ESR1wt) and mutant (ESR1m) breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Camizestrant also delivered strong antitumor activity in fulvestrant-resistant ESR1wt and ESR1m PDX models. Evaluation of camizestrant in combination with CDK4/6i (palbociclib or abemaciclib) in CDK4/6-naive and -resistant models, as well as in combination with PI3Kαi (alpelisib), mTORi (everolimus), or AKTi (capivasertib), indicated that camizestrant was active with CDK4/6i or PI3K/AKT/mTORi and that antitumor activity was further increased by the triple combination. The response was observed independently of PI3K pathway mutation status. Overall, camizestrant shows strong and broad antitumor activity in ER+ breast cancer as a monotherapy and when combined with CDK4/6i and PI3K/AKT/mTORi. SIGNIFICANCE Camizestrant, a next-generation oral SERD, shows promise in preclinical models of ER+ breast cancer alone and in combination with CDK4/6 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors to address endocrine resistance, a current barrier to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Lawson
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Cureton
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Susana Ros
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jelena Urosevic
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie D'Arcy
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Oona Delpuech
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle DuPont
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - David I. Fisher
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Eric T. Gangl
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Hilary Lewis
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn Trueman
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Neha Wali
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jennifer Moss
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Sladjana Gagrica
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Thomas A. Moss
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Maglennon
- Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Sutton
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Radoslaw Polanski
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Rosen
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan Cairns
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pei Zhang
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mònica Sánchez-Guixé
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Violeta Serra
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susan E. Critchlow
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James S. Scott
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Simon T. Barry
- The Discovery Centre, Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Klinowska
- Late Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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9
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Yao J, Tao Y, Hu Z, Li J, Xue Z, Zhang Y, Lei Y. Optimization of small molecule degraders and antagonists for targeting estrogen receptor based on breast cancer: current status and future. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1225951. [PMID: 37808197 PMCID: PMC10551544 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1225951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor (ER) is a classical receptor protein that plays a crucial role in mediating multiple signaling pathways in various target organs. It has been shown that ER-targeting therapies inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, enhance neuronal protection, and promote osteoclast formation. Several drugs have been designed to specifically target ER in ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, including selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) such as Tamoxifen. However, the emergence of drug resistance in ER+ breast cancer and the potential side effects on the endometrium which has high ER expression has posed significant challenges in clinical practice. Recently, novel ER-targeted drugs, namely, selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) and selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonist (SERCA) have shown promise in addressing these concerns. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the structural functions of ER and highlights recent advancements in SERD and SERCA-related small molecule drugs, especially focusing on their structural optimization strategies and future optimization directions. Additionally, the therapeutic potential and challenges of novel SERDs and SERCAs in breast cancer and other ER-related diseases have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Yao
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiran Tao
- West China-California Research Center for Predictive Intervention Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zelin Hu
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junjie Li
- Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province and Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ziyi Xue
- Department of Statistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Ya Zhang
- West China-California Research Center for Predictive Intervention Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Lei
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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10
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Rej RK, Thomas JE, Acharyya RK, Rae JM, Wang S. Targeting the Estrogen Receptor for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Recent Advances and Challenges. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37377342 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a well-established therapeutic target for the treatment of ER-positive (ER+) breast cancers. Despite the tremendous successes achieved with tamoxifen, a selective ER modulator, and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), resistance to these therapies is a major clinical problem. Therefore, induced protein degradation and covalent inhibition have been pursued as new therapeutic approaches to target ERα. This Perspective summarizes recent progress in the discovery and development of oral selective ER degraders (SERDs), complete estrogen receptor antagonists (CERANs), selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs), and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) ER degraders. We focus on those compounds which have been advanced into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Kalyan Rej
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Junius Eugene Thomas
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ranjan Kumar Acharyya
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - James Michael Rae
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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11
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Bhatia N, Hazra S, Thareja S. Selective Estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) for the treatment of breast cancer: An overview. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115422. [PMID: 37163948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115422] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Discovery of SERDs has changed the direction of anticancer research, as more than 70% of breast cancer cases are estrogen receptor positive (ER+). Therapies such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) and aromatase inhibitors (AI's) have been effective, but due to endocrine resistance, SERDs are now considered essential therapeutics for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer. The present review deliberates the pathophysiology of SERDs from the literature covering various molecules in clinical trials. Estrogen receptors active sites distinguishing characteristics and interactions with currently available FDA-approved drugs have also been discussed. Designing strategy of previously reported SERDs, their SAR analysis, in silico, and the biological efficacy have also been summarized along with appropriate examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Bhatia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151401, India
| | - Shreejita Hazra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151401, India
| | - Suresh Thareja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151401, India.
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12
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Targeting Breast Cancer: An Overlook on Current Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043643. [PMID: 36835056 PMCID: PMC9959993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most widely diagnosed cancers and a leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Globally, BC is the second most frequent cancer and first most frequent gynecological one, affecting women with a relatively low case-mortality rate. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the main treatments for BC, even though the latter are often not aways successful because of the common side effects and the damage caused to healthy tissues and organs. Aggressive and metastatic BCs are difficult to treat, thus new studies are needed in order to find new therapies and strategies for managing these diseases. In this review, we intend to give an overview of studies in this field, presenting the data from the literature concerning the classification of BCs and the drugs used in therapy for the treatment of BCs, along with drugs in clinical studies.
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13
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Fang J, Wang D, Kramer NI, Rietjens IMCM, Boogaard PJ, Kamelia L. The role of receptor-mediated activities of 4- and 5-ring unsubstituted and methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in developmental toxicity. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 43:845-861. [PMID: 36585251 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), and retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mediated activities of nine 4- and 5-ring unsubstituted and monomethylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using a series of Chemical-Activated LUciferase gene eXpression (CALUX) assays. The potential role of these aforementioned receptors in relation to the developmental toxicity of these PAHs was further assessed in the zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET). The results show that all nine tested PAHs were AhR agonists, benz[a]anthracene (BaA) and 8-methyl-benz[a]anthracene (8-MeBaA) were ER-α agonists, and none of the tested PAHs induced ER-α antagonistic or RAR (ant)agonistic activities. In the AhR CALUX assay, all the methylated PAHs showed higher potency (lower EC50) in activating the AhR than their respective unsubstituted PAHs, implying that the addition of a methyl substituent on the aromatic ring of PAHs could enhance their AhR-mediated activities. Co-exposure of zebrafish embryos with each individual PAH and an AhR antagonist (CH223191) counteracted the observed developmental retardations and embryo lethality to a certain extent, except for 8-methyl-benzo[a]pyrene (8-MeBaP). Co-exposure of zebrafish embryos with either of the two estrogenic PAHs (i.e., BaA and 8-MeBaA) and an ER-α antagonist (fulvestrant) neutralized embryo lethality induced by 50 μM BaA and the developmental retardations induced by 15 μM 8-MeBaA. Altogether, our findings suggest that the observed developmental retardations in zebrafish embryos by the PAH tested may partially be AhR- and/or ER-α-mediated, whereas the RAR seems not to be relevant for the PAH-induced developmental toxicity in the ZET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fang
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Danlei Wang
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Nynke I Kramer
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Ivonne M C M Rietjens
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Boogaard
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Lenny Kamelia
- Shell Global Solutions International B.V., The Hague, The Netherlands
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14
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Vallet A, El Ezzy M, Diennet M, Haidar S, Bouvier M, Mader S. The AF-2 cofactor binding region is key for the selective SUMOylation of estrogen receptor alpha by antiestrogens. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102757. [PMID: 36460099 PMCID: PMC9823126 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiestrogens (AEs) are used to treat all stages of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Selective estrogen receptor modulators such as tamoxifen have tissue-specific partial agonist activity, while selective estrogen receptor downregulators such as fulvestrant (ICI182,780) display a more complete antiestrogenic profile. We have previously observed that fulvestrant-induced ERα SUMOylation contributes to transcriptional suppression, but whether this effect is seen with other AEs and is specific to ERα is unclear. Here we show that several AEs induce SUMOylation of ERα, but not ERβ, at different levels. Swapping domains between ERα and ERβ indicates that the ERα identity of the ligand-binding domain helices 3 and 4 (H3-H4 region), which contribute to the static part of the activation function-2 (AF-2) cofactor binding groove, is sufficient to confer fulvestrant-induced SUMOylation to ERβ. This region does not contain lysine residues unique to ERα, suggesting that ERα-specific residues in H3-H4 determine the capacity of the AE-bound ERα ligand-binding domain to recruit the SUMOylation machinery. We also show that the SUMO E3 ligase protein inhibitor of activated STAT 1 increases SUMOylation of ERα and of ERβ containing the H3-H4 region of ERα, but not of ERβ. Together, these results shed new light on the molecular basis for the differential capacity of selective estrogen receptor modulators and selective estrogen receptor downregulators to suppress transcription by ERα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Vallet
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mohamed El Ezzy
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marine Diennet
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Salwa Haidar
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada,Département de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sylvie Mader
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada,Département de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada,For correspondence: Sylvie Mader
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15
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Reinert T, Cascelli F, de Resende CAA, Gonçalves AC, Godo VSP, Barrios CH. Clinical implication of low estrogen receptor (ER-low) expression in breast cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1015388. [PMID: 36506043 PMCID: PMC9729538 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1015388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and the estrogen receptor (ER) remains the most important biomarker in breast oncology. Most guidelines set a positive expression threshold of 1% staining in immunohistochemistry (IHC) to define ER positivity. However, different expression levels may be associated with diverse degrees of sensitivity to endocrine therapy as ER expression may impact breast cancer molecular biology as a continuous variable. ER-lo tumors, defined as those with 1-10% ER expression, represent a relatively small subgroup of breast cancer patients, with an estimated prevalence of 2-7%. These tumors are similar to ERneg disease in their molecular landscape, clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and response to therapy. Nevertheless, a proportion may retain some degree of ER signaling dependency, and the possibility of responding to some degree to endocrine therapy cannot be completely ruled out. This review article discusses the most important considerations regarding the definition of ER positivity, pathology assessment, prognosis, and therapeutic implication of ERlo breast cancer from the medical oncology perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Reinert
- Breast Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Breast Cancer Group, Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fanny Cascelli
- Breast Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Henrique Barrios
- Breast Medical Oncology, Oncoclínicas, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Breast Cancer Group, Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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16
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Donahue K, Xie H, Li M, Gao A, Ma M, Wang Y, Tipton R, Semanik N, Primeau T, Li S, Li L, Tang W, Xu W. Diptoindonesin G is a middle domain HSP90 modulator for cancer treatment. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102700. [PMID: 36395883 PMCID: PMC9771721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HSP90 inhibitors can target many oncoproteins simultaneously, but none have made it through clinical trials due to dose-limiting toxicity and induction of heat shock response, leading to clinical resistance. We identified diptoindonesin G (dip G) as an HSP90 modulator that can promote degradation of HSP90 clients by binding to the middle domain of HSP90 (Kd = 0.13 ± 0.02 μM) without inducing heat shock response. This is likely because dip G does not interfere with the HSP90-HSF1 interaction like N-terminal inhibitors, maintaining HSF1 in a transcriptionally silent state. We found that binding of dip G to HSP90 promotes degradation of HSP90 client protein estrogen receptor α (ER), a major oncogenic driver protein in most breast cancers. Mutations in the ER ligand-binding domain (LBD) are an established mechanism of endocrine resistance and decrease the binding affinity of mainstay endocrine therapies targeting ER, reducing their ability to promote ER degradation or transcriptionally silence ER. Because dip G binds to HSP90 and does not bind to the LBD of ER, unlike endocrine therapies, it is insensitive to ER LBD mutations that drive endocrine resistance. Additionally, we determined that dip G promoted degradation of WT and mutant ER with similar efficacy, downregulated ER- and mutant ER-regulated gene expression, and inhibited WT and mutant cell proliferation. Our data suggest that dip G is not only a molecular probe to study HSP90 biology and the HSP90 conformation cycle, but also a new therapeutic avenue for various cancers, particularly endocrine-resistant breast cancer harboring ER LBD mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Donahue
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Haibo Xie
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Miyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ang Gao
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Min Ma
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Yidan Wang
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rose Tipton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicole Semanik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tina Primeau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shunqiang Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lingjun Li
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Weiping Tang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,For correspondence: Wei Xu; Weiping Tang
| | - Wei Xu
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,For correspondence: Wei Xu; Weiping Tang
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17
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AKT-mTORC1 reactivation is the dominant resistance driver for PI3Kβ/AKT inhibitors in PTEN-null breast cancer and can be overcome by combining with Mcl-1 inhibitors. Oncogene 2022; 41:5046-5060. [PMID: 36241868 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02482-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The PI3K pathway is commonly activated in breast cancer, with PI3K-AKT pathway inhibitors used clinically. However, mechanisms that limit or enhance the therapeutic effects of PI3K-AKT inhibitors are poorly understood at a genome-wide level. Parallel CRISPR screens in 3 PTEN-null breast cancer cell lines identified genes mediating resistance to capivasertib (AKT inhibitor) and AZD8186 (PI3Kβ inhibitor). The dominant mechanism causing resistance is reactivated PI3K-AKT-mTOR signalling, but not other canonical signalling pathways. Deletion of TSC1/2 conferred resistance to PI3Kβi and AKTi through mTORC1. However, deletion of PIK3R2 and INPPL1 drove specific PI3Kβi resistance through AKT. Conversely deletion of PIK3CA, ERBB2, ERBB3 increased PI3Kβi sensitivity while modulation of RRAGC, LAMTOR1, LAMTOR4 increased AKTi sensitivity. Significantly, we found that Mcl-1 loss enhanced response through rapid apoptosis induction with AKTi and PI3Kβi in both sensitive and drug resistant TSC1/2 null cells. The combination effect was BAK but not BAX dependent. The Mcl-1i + PI3Kβ/AKTi combination was effective across a panel of breast cancer cell lines with PIK3CA and PTEN mutations, and delivered increased anti-tumor benefit in vivo. This study demonstrates that different resistance drivers to PI3Kβi and AKTi converge to reactivate PI3K-AKT or mTOR signalling and combined inhibition of Mcl-1 and PI3K-AKT has potential as a treatment strategy for PI3Kβi/AKTi sensitive and resistant breast tumours.
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18
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Furman C, Puyang X, Zhang Z, Wu ZJ, Banka D, Aithal KB, Albacker LA, Hao MH, Irwin S, Kim A, Montesion M, Moriarty AD, Murugesan K, Nguyen TV, Rimkunas V, Sahmoud T, Wick MJ, Yao S, Zhang X, Zeng H, Vaillancourt FH, Bolduc DM, Larsen N, Zheng GZ, Prajapati S, Zhu P, Korpal M. Covalent ERα Antagonist H3B-6545 Demonstrates Encouraging Preclinical Activity in Therapy-Resistant Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:890-902. [PMID: 35642432 PMCID: PMC9381127 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nearly 30% of patients with relapsed breast cancer present activating mutations in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) that confer partial resistance to existing endocrine-based therapies. We previously reported the development of H3B-5942, a covalent ERα antagonist that engages cysteine-530 (C530) to achieve potency against both wild-type (ERαWT) and mutant ERα (ERαMUT). Anticipating that the emergence of C530 mutations could promote resistance to H3B-5942, we applied structure-based drug design to improve the potency of the core scaffold to further enhance the antagonistic activity in addition to covalent engagement. This effort led to the development of the clinical candidate H3B-6545, a covalent antagonist that is potent against both ERαWT/MUT, and maintains potency even in the context of ERα C530 mutations. H3B-6545 demonstrates significant activity and superiority over standard-of-care fulvestrant across a panel of ERαWT and ERαMUT palbociclib sensitive and resistant models. In summary, the compelling preclinical activity of H3B-6545 supports its further development for the potential treatment of endocrine therapy-resistant ERα+ breast cancer harboring wild-type or mutant ESR1, as demonstrated by the ongoing clinical trials (NCT03250676, NCT04568902, NCT04288089). SUMMARY H3B-6545 is an ERα covalent antagonist that exhibits encouraging preclinical activity against CDK4/6i naïve and resistant ERαWT and ERαMUT tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Furman
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Authors: Craig Furman, H3 Biomedicine, 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139. E-mail: ; Manav Korpal, ; and Ping Zhu,
| | | | | | | | | | - Kiran B. Aithal
- Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Sean Irwin
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Amy Kim
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Shihua Yao
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Xun Zhang
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Hao Zeng
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ping Zhu
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Authors: Craig Furman, H3 Biomedicine, 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139. E-mail: ; Manav Korpal, ; and Ping Zhu,
| | - Manav Korpal
- H3 Biomedicine Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Authors: Craig Furman, H3 Biomedicine, 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139. E-mail: ; Manav Korpal, ; and Ping Zhu,
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19
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Feng LS, Cheng JB, Su WQ, Li HZ, Xiao T, Chen DA, Zhang ZL. Cinnamic acid hybrids as anticancer agents: A mini-review. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200052. [PMID: 35419808 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer, as a long-lasting and dramatic disease, affects almost one-third of human beings globally. Chemotherapeutics play an important role in cancer treatment, but multidrug resistance and severe adverse effects have already become the main causes of failure in tumor chemotherapy. Therefore, it is an urgent need to develop novel chemotherapeutics. Cinnamic acid contains a ubiquitous α,β-unsaturated acid moiety presenting potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer as these derivatives could act on cancer cells by diverse mechanisms of action. Accordingly, cinnamic acid derivatives are critical scaffolds in discovering novel anticancer agents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cinnamic acid hybrids as anticancer agents. The structure-activity relationship, as well as the mechanisms of action, are also discussed, covering articles published from 2012 to 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Shun Feng
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Wuhan, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Jin-Bo Cheng
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Wuhan, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Wen-Qi Su
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Wuhan, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Hong-Ze Li
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Tao Xiao
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - De-An Chen
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Wuhan, Peoples' Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Liu Zhang
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Shanghai, Peoples' Republic of China
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20
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Lu Z, Cao Y, Zhang D, Meng X, Guo B, Kong D, Yang Y. Discovery of Thieno[2,3- e]indazole Derivatives as Novel Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders with Highly Improved Antitumor Effect and Favorable Druggability. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5724-5750. [PMID: 35357160 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine therapies in the treatment of early and metastatic estrogen receptor α positive (ERα+) breast cancer (BC) are greatly limited by de novo and acquired resistance. Selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) like fulvestrant provide new strategies for endocrine therapy combinations due to unique mechanisms. Herein, we disclose our structure-based optimization of LSZ102 by replacing 6-hydroxybenzothiophene with 6H-thieno[2,3-e]indazole. Subsequent acrylic acid degron modifications led us to identify compound 40 as the preferred candidate. In general, compound 40 showed much better pharmacological profiles than the lead LSZ102, exhibiting growth inhibition of wild-type or tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells, potent ERα degradation, together with superior pharmacokinetic properties, directional target tissue distribution including the brain, and robust antitumor efficacy in the mice breast cancer xenograft model. Currently, 40 is being evaluated in preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yangzhi Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Deyu Kong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yushe Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
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21
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Bhurta D, Bharate SB. Styryl Group, a Friend or Foe in Medicinal Chemistry. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100706. [PMID: 35166041 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The styryl (Ph-CH=CH-R) group is widely represented in medicinally important compounds, including drugs, clinical candidates, and molecular probes as it positively impacts the lipophilicity, oral absorption, and biological activity. The analysis of matched molecular pairs (styryl vs. phenethyl, phenyl, methyl, H) for the biological activity indicates the superiority aspect of styryl compounds. However, the Michael acceptor site in the styryl group makes it amenable to the nucleophilic attack by biological nucleophiles and transformation to the toxic metabolites. One of the downsides of styryl compounds is isomerization that impacts the molecular conformation and directly affects biological activity. The impact of cis-trans isomerism and isosteric replacements on biological activity is exemplified. We also discuss the styryl group-bearing drugs, clinical candidates, and fluorescent probes. Overall, the present review reveals the utility of the styryl group in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deendyal Bhurta
- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Natural Products and medicinal chemistry, 180001, Jammu, INDIA
| | - Sandip Bibishan Bharate
- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine CSIR, Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry, Canal Road, 180001, Jammu, INDIA
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22
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Lloyd MR, Wander SA, Hamilton E, Razavi P, Bardia A. Next-generation selective estrogen receptor degraders and other novel endocrine therapies for management of metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: current and emerging role. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221113694. [PMID: 35923930 PMCID: PMC9340905 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221113694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy (ET) is a pivotal strategy to manage early- and advanced-stage estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. In patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), progression of disease inevitably occurs due to the presence of acquired or intrinsic resistance mechanisms. ET resistance can be driven by ligand-independent, ER-mediated signaling that promotes tumor proliferation in the absence of hormone, or ER-independent oncogenic signaling that circumvents endocrine regulated transcription pathways. Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mutations induce constitutive ER activity and upregulate ER-dependent gene transcription, provoking resistance to estrogen deprivation and aromatase inhibitor therapy. The role ESR1 mutations play in regulating response to other therapies, such as the selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) fulvestrant and the available CDK4/6 inhibitors, is less clear. Novel oral SERDs and other next-generation ETs are in clinical development for ER+ breast cancer as single agents and in combination with established targeted therapies. Recent results from the phase III EMERALD trial demonstrated improved outcomes with the oral SERD elacestrant compared to standard anti-estrogen therapies in ER+ MBC after prior progression on ET, and other agents have shown promise in both the laboratory and early-phase clinical trials. In this review, we will discuss the emerging data related to oral SERDs and other novel ET in managing ER+ breast cancer. As clinical data continue to mature on these next-generation ETs, important questions will emerge related to the optimal sequence of therapeutic options and the genomic and molecular landscape of resistance to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell R. Lloyd
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seth A. Wander
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erika Hamilton
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute/Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Pedram Razavi
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aditya Bardia
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 10 North Grove Street, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114-2621, USA
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23
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Clinical Translation: Targeting the Estrogen Receptor. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:297-309. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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Mihović N, Tomašević N, Matić S, Mitrović MM, Kostić DA, Sabatino M, Antonini L, Ragno R, Mladenović M. Human Estrogen Receptor α Antagonists. Part 1: 3-D QSAR-Driven Rational Design of Innovative Coumarin-Related Antiestrogens as Breast Cancer Suppressants through Structure-Based and Ligand-Based Studies. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5028-5053. [PMID: 34648283 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor α (ERα) represents a 17β-estradiol-inducible transcriptional regulator that initiates the RNA polymerase II-dependent transcriptional machinery, pointed for breast cancer (BC) development via either genomic direct or genomic indirect (i.e., tethered) pathway. To develop innovative ligands, structure-based (SB) three-dimensional (3-D) quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies have been undertaken from structural data taken from partial agonists, mixed agonists/antagonists (selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)), and full antagonists (selective ERα downregulators (SERDs)) correlated with either wild-type or mutated ERα receptors. SB and ligand-based (LB) alignments allow us to rule out guidelines for the SB/LB alignment of untested compounds. 3-D QSAR models for ERα ligands, coupled with SB/LB alignment, were revealed to be useful tools to dissect the chemical determinants for ERα-based anticancer activity as well as to predict their potency. The herein developed protocol procedure was verified through the design and potency prediction of 12 new coumarin-based SERMs, namely, 3DQ-1a to 3DQ-1e, that upon synthesis turned to be potent ERα antagonists by means of either in vitro or in vivo assays (described in the second part of this study).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nezrina Mihović
- Kragujevac Center for Computational Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovića 12, P.O. Box 60, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nevena Tomašević
- Kragujevac Center for Computational Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovića 12, P.O. Box 60, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Sanja Matić
- Institute for Informational Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Marina M Mitrović
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Danijela A Kostić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Manuela Sabatino
- Rome Center for Molecular Design, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Antonini
- Rome Center for Molecular Design, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rino Ragno
- Rome Center for Molecular Design, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Milan Mladenović
- Kragujevac Center for Computational Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Radoja Domanovića 12, P.O. Box 60, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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25
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Mahadik N, Bhattacharya D, Padmanabhan A, Sakhare K, Narayan KP, Banerjee R. Targeting steroid hormone receptors for anti-cancer therapy-A review on small molecules and nanotherapeutic approaches. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 14:e1755. [PMID: 34541822 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) among nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are steroid ligand-dependent transcription factors that play important roles in the regulation of transcription of genes promoted via hormone responsive elements in our genome. Aberrant expression patterns and context-specific regulation of these receptors in cancer, have been routinely reported by multiple research groups. These gave an window of opportunity to target those receptors in the context of developing novel, targeted anticancer therapeutics. Besides the development of a plethora of SHR-targeting synthetic ligands and the availability of their natural, hormonal ligands, development of many SHR-targeted, anticancer nano-delivery systems and theranostics, especially based on small molecules, have been reported. It is intriguing to realize that these cytoplasmic receptors have become a hot target for cancer selective delivery. This is in spite of the fact that these receptors do not fall in the category of conventional, targetable cell surface bound or transmembrane receptors that enjoy over-expression status. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is one such exciting SHR that in spite of it being expressed ubiquitously in all cells, we discovered it to behave differently in cancer cells, thus making it a truly druggable target for treating cancer. This review selectively accumulates the knowledge generated in the field of SHR-targeting as a major focus for cancer treatment with various anticancer small molecules and nanotherapeutics on progesterone receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor, and androgen receptor while selectively emphasizing on GR and estrogen receptor. This review also briefly highlights lipid-modification strategy to convert ligands into SHR-targeted cancer nanotherapeutics. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namita Mahadik
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Dwaipayan Bhattacharya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - Akshaya Padmanabhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kalyani Sakhare
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kumar Pranav Narayan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rajkumar Banerjee
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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26
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Altwegg KA, Vadlamudi RK. Role of estrogen receptor coregulators in endocrine resistant breast cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:385-400. [PMID: 34528025 PMCID: PMC8439438 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most ubiquitous cancer in women. Approximately 70–80% of BC diagnoses are positive for estrogen receptor (ER) alpha (ERα). The steroid hormone estrogen [17β-estradiol (E2)] plays a vital role both in the initiation and progression of BC. The E2-ERα mediated actions involve genomic signaling and non-genomic signaling. The specificity and magnitude of ERα signaling are mediated by interactions between ERα and several coregulator proteins called coactivators or corepressors. Alterations in the levels of coregulators are common during BC progression and they enhance ligand-dependent and ligand-independent ERα signaling which drives BC growth, progression, and endocrine therapy resistance. Many ERα coregulator proteins function as scaffolding proteins and some have intrinsic or associated enzymatic activities, thus the targeting of coregulators for blocking BC progression is a challenging task. Emerging data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that targeting coregulators to inhibit BC progression to therapy resistance is feasible. This review explores the current state of ERα coregulator signaling and the utility of targeting the ERα coregulator axis in treating advanced BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A Altwegg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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27
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Hernando C, Ortega-Morillo B, Tapia M, Moragón S, Martínez MT, Eroles P, Garrido-Cano I, Adam-Artigues A, Lluch A, Bermejo B, Cejalvo JM. Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs) as a Novel Breast Cancer Therapy: Present and Future from a Clinical Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157812. [PMID: 34360578 PMCID: PMC8345926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) is the most common subtype of breast cancer. Endocrine therapy is the fundamental treatment against this entity, by directly or indirectly modifying estrogen production. Recent advances in novel compounds, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i), or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors have improved progression-free survival and overall survival in these patients. However, some patients still develop endocrine resistance after or during endocrine treatment. Different underlying mechanisms have been identified as responsible for endocrine treatment resistance, where ESR1 gene mutations are one of the most studied, outstanding from others such as somatic alterations, microenvironment involvement and epigenetic changes. In this scenario, selective estrogen receptor degraders/downregulators (SERD) are one of the weapons currently in research and development against aromatase inhibitor- or tamoxifen-resistance. The first SERD to be developed and approved for ER+ breast cancer was fulvestrant, demonstrating also interesting activity in ESR1 mutated patients in the second line treatment setting. Recent investigational advances have allowed the development of new oral bioavailable SERDs. This review describes the evolution and ongoing studies in SERDs and new molecules against ER, with the hope that these novel drugs may improve our patients’ future landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Hernando
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (J.M.C.)
| | - Belén Ortega-Morillo
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Marta Tapia
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Santiago Moragón
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
| | - María Teresa Martínez
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Pilar Eroles
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Iris Garrido-Cano
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Anna Adam-Artigues
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Ana Lluch
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bermejo
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Miguel Cejalvo
- Hospital Clínico de València, Instituto de Investigación INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (B.O.-M.); (M.T.); (S.M.); (M.T.M.); (I.G.-C.); (A.A.-A.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (J.M.C.)
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28
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Rasha F, Sharma M, Pruitt K. Mechanisms of endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 532:111322. [PMID: 34000350 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The most commonly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) subtype is characterized by estrogen receptor (ER) expression. Treatment of this BC subtype typically involves modalities that either suppress the production of estrogen or impede the binding of estrgen to its receptors, constituting the basis for endocrine therapy. While many patients have benefitted from endocrine therapy with clear reduction in mortality and cancer recurrence, one of the clinical hurdles that remain involves overcoming intrinsic (de novo) or acquired resistance to endocrine therapy driven by diverse and complex changes occurring in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, such resistance may persist even after progression through additional antiestrogen therapies thus demonstrating the importance of further investigation of mechanisms of ER modulation. Here, we discuss a number of advances that provide a better understanding of the complex mechanistic basis for resistance to endocrine therapy as well as future therapeutic maneuvers that may break this resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahmida Rasha
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Monica Sharma
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Kevin Pruitt
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
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29
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Barghout SH. Targeted Protein Degradation: An Emerging Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:214-230. [PMID: 32275492 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200410082652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery in the scope of cancer therapy has been focused on conventional agents that nonselectively induce DNA damage or selectively inhibit the activity of key oncogenic molecules without affecting their protein levels. An emerging therapeutic strategy that garnered attention in recent years is the induction of Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) of cellular targets by hijacking the intracellular proteolysis machinery. This novel approach offers several advantages over conventional inhibitors and introduces a paradigm shift in several pharmacological aspects of drug therapy. While TPD has been found to be the major mode of action of clinically approved anticancer agents such as fulvestrant and thalidomide, recent years have witnessed systematic endeavors to expand the repertoire of proteins amenable to therapeutic ablation by TPD. Such endeavors have led to three major classes of agents that induce protein degradation, including molecular glues, Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) and Hydrophobic Tag (HyT)-based degraders. Here, we briefly highlight agents in these classes and key advances made in the field with a focus on clinical translation in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir H Barghout
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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30
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Liu X, Hu Q, Wang W, Ma H, Pu J, Cui J, Gong T, Wu Y, Lu W, Huang J. A protein-fragment complementation assay reveals that celastrol and gambogic acid suppress ERα mutants in breast cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 188:114583. [PMID: 33915156 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Somatic gain-of-function mutations within estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) are highly associated with hormone therapy resistance in breast cancer. However, current understanding of abnormal activity of ERα mutants and their relevant targeted intervention is still very limited. Herein, we developed a new, real-time, and reliably Gaussia luciferase-based protein-fragment complementation assay (GLPCA) for evaluating ERα mutants activities. We found that, compared with ER WT, ERα mutants (Y537S/N and D538G) exhibit high ligand-independent activity, suggesting the gain-of-function phenotype of these ERα mutants. Notably, Y537S, the most common ERα mutant type, has the highest intrinsic activation. We then collected and screened a natural product library for potential ERα antagonists via GLPCA and identified celastrol and gambogic acid as new antagonists of the ERα Y537S mutant. Moreover, interactions between these two compounds and the ERα Y537S mutant were confirmed by molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay. Importantly, we further demonstrated that celastrol and gambogic acid exhibit synergistic antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects when combined with an approved CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib in breast cancer cells expressing ERα Y537S. In summary, GLPCA provides a powerful platform for exploring innovative functional biology and drug discovery of antagonists targeting ERα mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Qian Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wanyan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiaqian Pu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiayan Cui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ting Gong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weiqiang Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Jin Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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31
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Zhang X, Wang Y, Li X, Wu J, Zhao L, Li W, Liu J. Dynamics-Based Discovery of Novel, Potent Benzoic Acid Derivatives as Orally Bioavailable Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders for ERα+ Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7575-7595. [PMID: 34056898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor α (ERα) is identified as an effective target for the treatment of ERα+ breast cancer; thus, discovery of novel selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) are developed as an effective method to overcome the resistance of breast cancer. Herein, the hot-spot residues for protein-ligand interaction between SERDs and ERα are analyzed by molecular dynamic simulation technology, focusing on the hot-spot residues for four series of designed and synthesized SERDs. SAR studies revealed that while the acrylic acid moiety of AZD9496 is scaffold hopping into benzoic acid, compound D24 exhibits potent binding affinity with ERα, good degradation efficacy of ERα, and inhibitory effect against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Besides, D24 also displays good antitumor efficacy in the MCF-7 human breast cancer xenograft model in vivo, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, excellent druggability, and good safety property, making D24 as a promising drug candidate of SERD for further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,R&D Center, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Yazhou Wang
- R&D Center, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Xue Li
- R&D Center, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Jie Wu
- R&D Center, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Liwen Zhao
- R&D Center, Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Nanjing 211135, China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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32
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Bhushan A, Gonsalves A, Menon JU. Current State of Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Theranostics. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:723. [PMID: 34069059 PMCID: PMC8156889 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Early diagnosis and effective treatment of all types of cancers are crucial for a positive prognosis. Patients with small tumor sizes at the time of their diagnosis have a significantly higher survival rate and a significantly reduced probability of the cancer being fatal. Therefore, many novel technologies are being developed for early detection of primary tumors, as well as distant metastases and recurrent disease, for effective breast cancer management. Theranostics has emerged as a new paradigm for the simultaneous diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of cancers. It has the potential to provide timely and improved patient care via personalized therapy. In nanotheranostics, cell-specific targeting moieties, imaging agents, and therapeutic agents can be embedded within a single formulation for effective treatment. In this review, we will highlight the different diagnosis techniques and treatment strategies for breast cancer management and explore recent advances in breast cancer theranostics. Our main focus will be to summarize recent trends and technologies in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment as reported in recent research papers and patents and discuss future perspectives for effective breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Bhushan
- Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis, MO 63124, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Andrea Gonsalves
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Jyothi U. Menon
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
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Wang Z, Ma Z, Shen Z. Selective degradation of the estrogen receptor in the treatment of cancers. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 209:105848. [PMID: 33610801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor subtype α (ERα) plays key roles in breast cancers, and has been a target for endocrine therapy for a long time. Unfortunately, long-term treatment by Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) could cause drug resistance and also would increase the risk for uterine cancer. Therefore, novel anti-breast cancer drugs based on different mechanisms of action have received significant attention, especially through the strategies of selective degradation of ER. In this article, the latest research progress of selective targeting ER for degradation, including Selective ER Downregulators (SERDs), Proteolysis Targeting Chimaeras (PROTACs) and other techniques, was reviewed, and the applications and problems to be solved were prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zunyuan Wang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, 310013 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhen Ma
- Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, 310013 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhengrong Shen
- Institute of Materia Medica, Hangzhou Medical College, 310013 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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34
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Zhang Q, Feng Z, Wang H, Su C, Lu Z, Yu J, Dushkin AV, Su W. Preparation of camptothecin micelles self-assembled from disodium glycyrrhizin and tannic acid with enhanced antitumor activity. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 164:75-85. [PMID: 33878433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural compounds as carriers for hydrophobic drugs have been increasingly used in drug delivery systems. In this study, disodium glycyrrhizin (Na2GA), tannic acid (TA) and camptothecin (CPT) were firstly used to prepare the camptothecin solid dispersion (CPT SD). When dissolved in a solution medium, Na2GA self-assembled to form micelles and CPT was encapsulated in micelles, meanwhile, TA connected with Na2GA through hydrogen bonds to form a contract shell. The average diameter of the CPT-loaded micelles is 80 nm with the critical micellar concentration of 0.303 mg/mL, the zeta potential of -33 mV, the PDI of 0.25 and drug loading 6.22%. In vitro experiments confirmed that the drug-loaded micelles exhibited excellent stability and permeability in the intestinal environment. Furthermore, the formulation showed excellent anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. These findings imply that this nano-micelles provide a more potential and efficacious oral drug formulation for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Process Development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Zongmiao Feng
- Key Laboratory for Green Pharmaceutical Technologies and Related Equipment of Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Process Development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Chen Su
- National Engineering Research Center for Process Development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Zhaohui Lu
- National Engineering Research Center for Process Development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Jingbo Yu
- National Engineering Research Center for Process Development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Alexandr V Dushkin
- Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Weike Su
- National Engineering Research Center for Process Development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China; Key Laboratory for Green Pharmaceutical Technologies and Related Equipment of Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China.
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35
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Mottamal M, Kang B, Peng X, Wang G. From Pure Antagonists to Pure Degraders of the Estrogen Receptor: Evolving Strategies for the Same Target. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:9334-9343. [PMID: 33869913 PMCID: PMC8047716 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c06362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Pure antiestrogens, or selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), have proven to be effective in treating breast cancer that has progressed on tamoxifen and/or aromatase inhibitors. However, the only FDA-approved pure antiestrogen, fulvestrant, is limited in efficacy by its low bioavailability. The search for orally bioavailable SERDs has continued for nearly as long as the clinical history of the injection-only fulvestrant. Oral SERDs that have been developed and tested in patients ranged from nonsteroidal ER binders containing an acrylic acid or amino side chain to bifunctional proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) pure ER degraders. Structural evolution in the development of oral SERD molecules has been closely associated with quantifiable ER-degrading potency, as seen in the structural comparison analysis of acrylic acid and basic amino side-chain-bearing SERDs. Failure to improve on fulvestrant in the clinical trials by numerous acidic SERDs and early basic SERDs is blamed on tolerability and/or insufficient efficacy, which will likely be overcome by the new-generation basic SERD molecules and PROTAC ER degraders with improved oral bioavailability, low toxicity, and superior efficacy of receptor degradation.
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A New Anti-Estrogen Discovery Platform Identifies FDA-Approved Imidazole Anti-Fungal Drugs as Bioactive Compounds against ERα Expressing Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062915. [PMID: 33805656 PMCID: PMC8000495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) exerts its physiological effects through the estrogen receptor α (i.e., ERα). The E2:ERα signaling allows the regulation of cell proliferation. Indeed, E2 sustains the progression of ERα positive (ERα+) breast cancers (BCs). The presence of ERα at the BC diagnosis drives their therapeutic treatment with the endocrine therapy (ET), which restrains BC progression. Nonetheless, many patients develop metastatic BCs (MBC) for which a treatment is not available. Consequently, the actual challenge is to complement the drugs available to fight ERα+ primary and MBC. Here we exploited a novel anti-estrogen discovery platform to identify new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs inhibiting E2:ERα signaling to cell proliferation in cellular models of primary and MBC cells. We report that the anti-fungal drugs clotrimazole (Clo) and fenticonazole (Fenti) induce ERα degradation and prevent ERα transcriptional signaling and proliferation in cells modeling primary and metastatic BC. The anti-proliferative effects of Clo and Fenti occur also in 3D cancer models (i.e., tumor spheroids) and in a synergic manner with the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors palbociclib and abemaciclib. Therefore, Clo and Fenti behave as “anti-estrogens”-like drugs. Remarkably, the present “anti-estrogen” discovery platform represents a valuable method to rapidly identify bioactive compounds with anti-estrogenic activity.
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Urso L, Vernaci G, Carlet J, Lo Mele M, Fassan M, Zulato E, Faggioni G, Menichetti A, Di Liso E, Griguolo G, Falci C, Conte P, Indraccolo S, Guarneri V, Dieci MV. ESR1 Gene Mutation in Hormone Receptor-Positive HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: Concordance Between Tumor Tissue and Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:625636. [PMID: 33777770 PMCID: PMC7991720 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.625636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy represents the cornerstone of treatment in hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The natural course of this disease is marked by endocrine resistance, mainly due to Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) acquired mutations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the concordance between ESR1 status in metastatic tumor specimens and matched circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Forty-three patients with HR+, HER2-negative mBC underwent both a metastatic tumor biopsy and a liquid biopsy at the time of disease progression. DNA extracted from formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens and ctDNA from matched plasma were analyzed by droplet digital (dd)PCR for the main ESR1 mutations (Y537S, Y537C, Y537N, D538G, E380Q). We observed a total mutation rate of 21%. We found six mutations on tissue biopsy: Y537S (1), D538G (2), Y537N (1), E380Q (2). Three patients with no mutations in tumor tissue had mutations detected in ctDNA. The total concordance rate between ESR1 status on tumor tissue and plasma was 91%. Our results confirm the potential role of liquid biopsy as a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsy for ESR1 mutation assessment in mBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Urso
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Grazia Vernaci
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Jessica Carlet
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Marcello Lo Mele
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zulato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Faggioni
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Menichetti
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Gaia Griguolo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristina Falci
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Pierfranco Conte
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Indraccolo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Guarneri
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Dieci
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology-DiSCOG, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
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Abstract
Metastatic estrogen receptor α (ERα)-expressing breast cancer (BC) occurs after prolonged patient treatment with endocrine therapy (ET) (e.g., aromatase inhibitors—AI; 4OH-tamoxifen—4OH-Tam). Often these metastatic BCs express a mutated ERα variant (e.g., Y537S), which is transcriptionally hyperactive, sustains uncontrolled proliferation, and renders tumor cells insensitive to ET drugs. Therefore, new molecules blocking hyperactive Y537S ERα mutation transcriptional activity are requested. Here we generated an MCF-7 cell line expressing the Y537S ERα mutation stably expressing an estrogen-responsive element (ERE) promoter, which activity can be monitored in living cells. Characterization of this cell line shows both hyperactive basal transcriptional activity with respect to normal MCF-7 cells, which stably express the same ERE-based promoter and a decreased effect of selective ER downregulators (SERDs) in reducing Y537S ERα mutant transcriptional activity with respect to wild type ERα transcriptional activity. Kinetic profiles of Y537S ERα mutant-based transcription produced by both drugs inducing receptor degradation and siRNA-mediated depletion of specific proteins (e.g., FOXA1 and caveolin1) reveals biphasic dynamics of the inhibition of the receptor-regulated transcriptional effects. Overall, we report a new model where to study the behavior of the Y537S ERα mutant that can be used for the identification of new targets and pathways regulating the Y537S ERα transcriptional activity.
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Farcas AM, Nagarajan S, Cosulich S, Carroll JS. Genome-Wide Estrogen Receptor Activity in Breast Cancer. Endocrinology 2021; 162:bqaa224. [PMID: 33284960 PMCID: PMC7787425 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The largest subtype of breast cancer is characterized by the expression and activity of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha/ER). Although several effective therapies have significantly improved survival, the adaptability of cancer cells means that patients frequently stop responding or develop resistance to endocrine treatment. ER does not function in isolation and multiple associating factors have been reported to play a role in regulating the estrogen-driven transcriptional program. This review focuses on the dynamic interplay between some of these factors which co-occupy ER-bound regulatory elements, their contribution to estrogen signaling, and their possible therapeutic applications. Furthermore, the review illustrates how some ER association partners can influence and reprogram the genomic distribution of the estrogen receptor. As this dynamic ER activity enables cancer cell adaptability and impacts the clinical outcome, defining how this plasticity is determined is fundamental to our understanding of the mechanisms of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca M Farcas
- Bioscience, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sankari Nagarajan
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Jason S Carroll
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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40
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Assessment of the in vitro developmental toxicity of diethylstilbestrol and estradiol in the zebrafish embryotoxicity test. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 72:105088. [PMID: 33429043 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the developmental toxicity of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET). This was done to investigate whether the ZET would better capture the developmental toxicity of DES than the embryonic stem cells test (EST) that was previously shown to underpredict the DES-induced developmental toxicity as compared to in vivo data, potentially because the EST does not capture late events in the developmental process. The ZET results showed DES-induced growth retardation, cumulative mortality and dysmorphisms (i.e. induction of pericardial edema) in zebrafish embryos while the endogenous ERα agonist 17β-estradiol (E2) showed only growth retardation and cumulative mortality with lower potency compared to DES. Furthermore, the DES-induced pericardial edema formation in zebrafish embryos could be counteracted by co-exposure with ERα antagonist fulvestrant, indicating that the ZET captures the role of ERα in the mode of action underlying the developmental toxicity of DES. Altogether, it is concluded that the ZET differentiates DES from E2 with respect to their developmental toxicity effects, while confirming the role of ERα in mediating the developmental toxicity of DES. Furthermore, comparison to in vivo data revealed that, like the EST, in a quantitative way also the ZET did not capture the relatively high in vivo potency of DES as a developmental toxicant.
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41
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Busonero C, Leone S, Bianchi F, Maspero E, Fiocchetti M, Palumbo O, Cipolletti M, Bartoloni S, Acconcia F. Ouabain and Digoxin Activate the Proteasome and the Degradation of the ERα in Cells Modeling Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123840. [PMID: 33352737 PMCID: PMC7766733 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer (BC) treatment relies on the detection of the estrogen receptor α (ERα). ERα-expressing BC patients are treated with anti-estrogen drugs (i.e., tamoxifen and fulvestrant). Despite their proven efficacy, these drugs cause serious side effects in a significant fraction of the patients, including both tumor insurgence in secondary organs, and resistant phenotypes, which result in a relapsing disease with scarce treatment options. Thus, new drugs for treatment of primary and metastatic BC (MBC) are needed. Here, we report the characterization of two cardiac glycosides (CGs) (i.e., ouabain and digoxin), approved by the FDA for treatment of heart disease, as novel ‘anti-estrogen’-like drugs. We found that these drugs induce ERα degradation, and prevent the proliferation of cellular models of primary and metastatic BC cells. Remarkably, we discovered that these CGs are activators of the proteasome, and therefore may be repurposed for treatment not only of BC, but also for other proteasome-based diseases. Abstract Estrogen receptor α expressing breast cancers (BC) are classically treated with endocrine therapy. Prolonged endocrine therapy often results in a metastatic disease (MBC), for which a standardized effective therapy is still lacking. Thus, new drugs are required for primary and metastatic BC treatment. Here, we report that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, ouabain and digoxin, induce ERα degradation and prevent proliferation in cells modeling primary and metastatic BC. Ouabain and digoxin activate the cellular proteasome, instigating ERα degradation, which causes the inhibition of 17β-estradiol signaling, induces the cell cycle blockade in the G2 phase, and triggers apoptosis. Remarkably, these effects are independent of the inhibition of the Na/K pump. The antiproliferative effects of ouabain and digoxin occur also in diverse cancer models (i.e., tumor spheroids and xenografts). Additionally, gene profiling analysis reveals that these drugs downregulate the expression of genes related to endocrine therapy resistance. Therefore, ouabain and digoxin behave as ‘anti-estrogen’-like drugs, and are appealing candidates for the treatment of primary and metastatic BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Busonero
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Elena Maspero
- Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare (IFOM), 20139 Milan, Italy;
| | - Marco Fiocchetti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Orazio Palumbo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Manuela Cipolletti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefania Bartoloni
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (S.L.); (M.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-065-733-6320; Fax: +39-065-733-6321
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Shomali M, Cheng J, Sun F, Koundinya M, Guo Z, Hebert AT, McManus J, Levit MN, Hoffmann D, Courjaud A, Arrebola R, Cao H, Pollard J, Lee JS, Besret L, Caron A, Bangari DS, Abecassis PY, Schio L, El-Ahmad Y, Halley F, Tabart M, Certal V, Thompson F, McCort G, Filoche-Rommé B, Cheng H, Garcia-Echeverria C, Debussche L, Bouaboula M. SAR439859, a Novel Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader (SERD), Demonstrates Effective and Broad Antitumor Activity in Wild-Type and Mutant ER-Positive Breast Cancer Models. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 20:250-262. [PMID: 33310762 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Primary treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is endocrine therapy. However, substantial evidence indicates a continued role for ER signaling in tumor progression. Selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERD), such as fulvestrant, induce effective ER signaling inhibition, although clinical studies with fulvestrant report insufficient blockade of ER signaling, possibly due to suboptimal pharmaceutical properties. Furthermore, activating mutations in the ER have emerged as a resistance mechanism to current endocrine therapies. New oral SERDs with improved drug properties are under clinical investigation, but the biological profile that could translate to improved therapeutic benefit remains unclear. Here, we describe the discovery of SAR439859, a novel, orally bioavailable SERD with potent antagonist and degradation activities against both wild-type and mutant Y537S ER. Driven by its fluoropropyl pyrrolidinyl side chain, SAR439859 has demonstrated broader and superior ER antagonist and degrader activities across a large panel of ER+ cells, compared with other SERDs characterized by a cinnamic acid side chain, including improved inhibition of ER signaling and tumor cell growth. Similarly, in vivo treatment with SAR439859 demonstrated significant tumor regression in ER+ breast cancer models, including MCF7-ESR1 wild-type and mutant-Y537S mouse tumors, and HCI013, a patient-derived tamoxifen-resistant xenograft tumor. These findings indicate that SAR439859 may provide therapeutic benefit to patients with ER+ breast cancer, including those who have resistance to endocrine therapy with both wild-type and mutant ER.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Cheng
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Fangxian Sun
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Zhuyan Guo
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Cao
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jack Pollard
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Joon Sang Lee
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Laurent Besret
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Anne Caron
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | | | | | - Laurent Schio
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Frank Halley
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Michel Tabart
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Victor Certal
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Gary McCort
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Hong Cheng
- Sanofi, Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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43
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Lu Y, Liu W. Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs): A Promising Strategy for Estrogen Receptor Positive Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15094-15114. [PMID: 33138369 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) plays important roles in gene transcription and the proliferation of ER positive breast cancers. Selective modulation of ER has been a therapeutic target for this specific type of breast cancer for more than 30 years. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have been demonstrated to be effective therapeutic approaches for ER positive breast cancers. Unfortunately, 30-50% of ER positive tumors become resistant to SERM/AI treatment after 3-5 years. Fulvestrant, the only approved selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), is currently an important therapeutic approach for the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancers. The poor pharmacokinetic properties of fulvestrant have inspired the development of a new generation of oral SERDs to overcome drug resistance. In this review, we describe recent advances in ERα structure, functions, and mechanisms of endocrine resistance and summarize the development of oral SERDs in both academic and industrial areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Lu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Wukun Liu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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44
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Wang L, Sharma A. The Quest for Orally Available Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs). ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2072-2097. [PMID: 32916035 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) is the target of endocrine therapies for the treatment of more than 70 % of ERα-positive breast cancers. Selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) antagonize estrogen binding and target the receptor for degradation, representing the last line of treatment for resistant metastatic breast cancer patients. However, the clinical efficacy of the lone clinically approved SERD (Fulvestrant) is limited by its poor oral bioavailability. Recently, several analogues of GW5638, an acrylic acid-based ERα ligand developed by Glaxo Research Institute in 1994, have been reported as promising orally bioavailable SERDs. Some of these compounds are currently in clinical trials, while various other structurally novel SERDs have also been reported by pharma as well as academic research groups. This review provides a critical analysis of the recent developments in orally available SERDs, with a focus on the structure-activity relationships, binding interactions and pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030, USA
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030, USA
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45
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Scott JS, Moss TA, Balazs A, Barlaam B, Breed J, Carbajo RJ, Chiarparin E, Davey PRJ, Delpuech O, Fawell S, Fisher DI, Gagrica S, Gangl ET, Grebe T, Greenwood RD, Hande S, Hatoum-Mokdad H, Herlihy K, Hughes S, Hunt TA, Huynh H, Janbon SLM, Johnson T, Kavanagh S, Klinowska T, Lawson M, Lister AS, Marden S, McGinnity DF, Morrow CJ, Nissink JWM, O'Donovan DH, Peng B, Polanski R, Stead DS, Stokes S, Thakur K, Throner SR, Tucker MJ, Varnes J, Wang H, Wilson DM, Wu D, Wu Y, Yang B, Yang W. Discovery of AZD9833, a Potent and Orally Bioavailable Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader and Antagonist. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14530-14559. [PMID: 32910656 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Herein we report the optimization of a series of tricyclic indazoles as selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERD) and antagonists for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer. Structure based design together with systematic investigation of each region of the molecular architecture led to the identification of N-[1-(3-fluoropropyl)azetidin-3-yl]-6-[(6S,8R)-8-methyl-7-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-pyrazolo[4,3-f]isoquinolin-6-yl]pyridin-3-amine (28). This compound was demonstrated to be a highly potent SERD that showed a pharmacological profile comparable to fulvestrant in its ability to degrade ERα in both MCF-7 and CAMA-1 cell lines. A stringent control of lipophilicity ensured that 28 had favorable physicochemical and preclinical pharmacokinetic properties for oral administration. This, combined with demonstration of potent in vivo activity in mouse xenograft models, resulted in progression of this compound, also known as AZD9833, into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Scott
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A Moss
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Amber Balazs
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Bernard Barlaam
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Breed
- Discovery Sciences R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Paul R J Davey
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Oona Delpuech
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Fawell
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - David I Fisher
- Discovery Sciences R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | | | - Eric T Gangl
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Tyler Grebe
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | | | - Sudhir Hande
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Holia Hatoum-Mokdad
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Kara Herlihy
- Discovery Sciences R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Hughes
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A Hunt
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Hoan Huynh
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Sophie L M Janbon
- Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Tony Johnson
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kavanagh
- Oncology Safety, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mandy Lawson
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew S Lister
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Stacey Marden
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Bo Peng
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Radoslaw Polanski
- Discovery Sciences R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Darren S Stead
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Stokes
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Kumar Thakur
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Scott R Throner
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | | | - Jeffrey Varnes
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Haixia Wang
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - David M Wilson
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Dedong Wu
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Ye Wu
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Bin Yang
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Wenzhan Yang
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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46
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Wang G. Fulvestrant as a reference antiestrogen and estrogen receptor (ER) degrader in preclinical studies: treatment dosage, efficacy, and implications on development of new ER-targeting agents. Transl Cancer Res 2020; 9:4464-4468. [PMID: 32968620 PMCID: PMC7508469 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-20-2166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guangdi Wang
- RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
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47
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Jeffreys SA, Powter B, Balakrishnar B, Mok K, Soon P, Franken A, Neubauer H, de Souza P, Becker TM. Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer: The Role of Estrogen Receptor Stability. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092077. [PMID: 32932819 PMCID: PMC7564140 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy of hormone receptor positive breast cancer (BCa) generally targets estrogen receptor (ER) function and signaling by reducing estrogen production or by blocking its interaction with the ER. Despite good long-term responses, resistance to treatment remains a significant issue, with approximately 40% of BCa patients developing resistance to ET. Mutations in the gene encoding ERα, ESR1, have been identified in BCa patients and are implicated as drivers of resistance and disease recurrence. Understanding the molecular consequences of these mutations on ER protein levels and its activity, which is tightly regulated, is vital. ER activity is in part controlled via its short protein half-life and therefore changes to its stability, either through mutations or alterations in pathways involved in protein stability, may play a role in therapy resistance. Understanding these connections and how ESR1 alterations could affect protein stability may identify novel biomarkers of resistance. This review explores the current reported data regarding posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of the ER and the potential impact of known resistance associated ESR1 mutations on ER regulation by affecting these PTMs in the context of ET resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Jeffreys
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-873-89022
| | - Branka Powter
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
| | - Bavanthi Balakrishnar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Kelly Mok
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Patsy Soon
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown NSW 2200, Australia
| | - André Franken
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hans Neubauer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Paul de Souza
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.B.); (K.M.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Therese M. Becker
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
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48
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Sreekumar S, Levine KM, Sikora MJ, Chen J, Tasdemir N, Carter D, Dabbs DJ, Meier C, Basudan A, Boone D, McAuliffe PF, Jankowitz RC, Lee AV, Atkinson JM, Oesterreich S. Differential Regulation and Targeting of Estrogen Receptor α Turnover in Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa109. [PMID: 32609836 PMCID: PMC7438704 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Invasive lobular breast carcinoma (ILC) accounts for 10% to 15% of breast cancers diagnosed annually. Evidence suggests that some aspects of endocrine treatment response might differ between invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ILC, and that patients with ILC have worse long-term survival. We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and observed lower levels of ESR1 mRNA (P = 0.002) and ERα protein (P = 0.038) in ER+ ILC (n = 137) compared to IDC (n = 554), and further confirmed the mRNA difference in a local UPMC cohort (ILC, n = 143; IDC, n = 877; P < 0.005). In both datasets, the correlation between ESR1 mRNA and ERα protein was weaker in ILC, suggesting differential post-transcriptional regulation of ERα. In vitro, 17β-estradiol (E2) decreased the rate of degradation and increased the half-life of ERα in ILC cell lines, whereas the opposite was observed in IDC cell lines. Further, E2 failed to induce robust ubiquitination of ERα in ILC cells. To determine the potential clinical relevance of these findings, we evaluated the effect of 2 selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs), ICI 182,780 and AZD9496, on ERα turnover and cell growth. While ICI 182,780 and AZD9496 showed similar effects in IDC cells, in ILC cell lines, AZD9496 was not as effective as ICI 182,780 in decreasing ERα stability and E2-induced proliferation. Furthermore, AZD9496 exhibited partial agonist activity in growth assays in ILC cell lines. Our study provides evidence for a distinct ERα regulation by SERDs in ILC cell lines, and therefore it is important to include ILC models into preclinical and clinical testing of novel SERDs.
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MESH Headings
- Breast Neoplasms/genetics
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/genetics
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology
- Carcinoma, Lobular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Lobular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Lobular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Estradiol/pharmacology
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- MCF-7 Cells
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational/drug effects
- Proteolysis/drug effects
- Ubiquitination/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreeja Sreekumar
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kevin M Levine
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington DC
| | - Matthew J Sikora
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jian Chen
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nilgun Tasdemir
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Dorothy Carter
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - David J Dabbs
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Carolin Meier
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ahmed Basudan
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - David Boone
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Priscilla F McAuliffe
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Rachel C Jankowitz
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Adrian V Lee
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer M Atkinson
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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49
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Kazi A, Goloubeva O, Schech A, Yu S, Sabnis GJ. Efficacy of a novel orally active SERD AZD9496 against hormone dependent post-menopausal breast cancer depends on inhibition of cellular aromatase activity. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 202:105697. [PMID: 32461092 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer tumors with endocrine therapy such as antiestrogens or aromatase inhibitors has improved the outcome significantly. Studies including our own have shown that downregulation of ERα with pure antiestrogen fulvestrant in combination with aromatase inhibitors may prolong responsiveness of the tumors to endocrine therapy. Fulvestrant has been studied as second line or first line treatment for post-menopausal hormone receptor positive breast cancers as a single agent or in combination with AIs. Studies have also suggested that further escalation of dose may improve benefit. However, dose escalation of fulvestrant, which is administered via intramuscular injection, is difficult due to its poor solubility. To overcome this shortcoming of an injectable drug, a novel orally active antiestrogen, AZD9496 was developed. In addition to being orally active, AZD9496 is designed as a selective ERα downregulator (SERD). In the current study, we compared the effect of AZD9496 and fulvestrant on the growth of MCF-7Ca (human estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 cells stably transfected with human placental aromatase gene) xenografts grown in ovariectomized athymic nude mice. AZD9496 was also compared to fulvestrant in vitro as a single agent or in combination with anastrozole. Our current study shows that AZD9496 is equally effective as fulvestrant at controlling the growth of hormone sensitive human breast cancer tumors. Similar to fulvestrant, AZD9496 inhibits cellular aromatase activity through ERα mediated signaling. However, unlike fulvestrant, combination of AZD9496 with anastrozole did not produce increased tumor inhibition. Our results show that AZD9496 was significantly better at inhibiting cellular aromatase which contributed to its anticancer activity. Next, we measured the effect of AZD9496 on the mouse uterus. Uterine weight of mice treated with AZD9496 was significantly lower than that for mice treated with androstenedione. This reduction in uterine weight was due to AZD9496 mediated inhibition of aromatase activity and not a direct effect on uterine ERα expression. We also observed that anti-cancer efficacy of AZD9496 depended on its ability to inhibit cellular aromatase. These results suggest that AZD9496 may be a better alternative to fulvestrant due to its selectivity for mammary ER and ability to inhibit aromatase in addition of downregulating ERα that can be obtained upon oral administration. As such, AZD9496 may prove to be a better option than fulvestrant for the treatment of hormone sensitive human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armina Kazi
- Department of Pharmacology, United States; Biology Department, Loyola University, Baltimore, MD, 21210, United States
| | - Olga Goloubeva
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
| | | | - Stephen Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, United States
| | - Gauri J Sabnis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA, 90004, United States; Department of Pharmacology, United States.
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50
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Gao X, Fan W, Tan L, Shi Y, Ding C, Liu S, Miao Y, Luo Y, Shi X, DeSaeger S, Song S. Soy isoflavones ameliorate experimental colitis by targeting ERα/NLRP3 inflammasome pathways. J Nutr Biochem 2020; 83:108438. [PMID: 32563803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2020.108438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Soy isoflavones (SIFs) are selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that have anti-inflammatory activities. Our previous study found that estrogen receptor α (ERα) directly regulates the NLRP3 transcription and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Therefore, we hypothesized that SIFs alleviate colitis via an ERα-dependent mechanism by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. The influence of SIFs on colitis and the potential mechanisms were thoroughly determined in this study. The results suggested that SIFs ameliorated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced body weight loss, reduced disease activity index and promoted the recovery of colon pathological damage in mice. Moreover, expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome was significantly inhibited, and the release of IL-1β and IL-18 was suppressed by SIFs. Furthermore, ERα blockade ameliorated DSS-induced inflammatory responses in the intestine, and SIFs markedly suppressed the expression of ERα in a dose-dependent manner. Our study demonstrated that the protective therapeutic action of SIFs on DSS-induced colitis depended on inhibition of ERα and subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and SIFs are promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Wentao Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Lei Tan
- Administration for Market Regulation of Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Supervision for Edible Agricultural Products, Shenzhen Centre of Inspection and Testing for Agricultural Products, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yuanguo Shi
- Administration for Market Regulation of Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Supervision for Edible Agricultural Products, Shenzhen Centre of Inspection and Testing for Agricultural Products, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Chenchen Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shuhui Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yufan Miao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Administration for Market Regulation of Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Supervision for Edible Agricultural Products, Shenzhen Centre of Inspection and Testing for Agricultural Products, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xizhi Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China; School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, PR China
| | - Sarah DeSaeger
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Suquan Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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