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Li ZM, Liu G, Gao Y, Zhao MG. Targeting CDK7 in oncology: The avenue forward. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108229. [PMID: 35700828 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108229] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7 is best characterized for the ability to regulate biological processes, including the cell cycle and gene transcription. Abnormal CDK7 activity is observed in various tumours and represents a driving force for tumourigenesis. Therefore, CDK7 may be an appealing target for cancer treatment. Whereas, the enthusiasm for CDK7-targeted therapeutic strategy is mitigated due to the widely possessed belief that this protein is essential for normal cells. Indeed, the fact confronts the consensus. This is the first review to introduce the role of CDK7 in pan-cancers via a combined analysis of comprehensive gene information and (pre)clinical research results. We also discuss the recent advances in protein structure and summarize the understanding of mechanisms underlying CDK7 function. These endeavours highlight the pivotal roles of CDK7 in tumours and may contribute to the development of effective CDK7 inhibitors within the strategy of structure-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Mei Li
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Guan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Ya Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, PR China.
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Cyclin-dependent kinases-based synthetic lethality: Evidence, concept, and strategy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2738-2748. [PMID: 34589394 PMCID: PMC8463275 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is a proven effective antitumor strategy that has attracted great attention. Large-scale screening has revealed many synthetic lethal genetic phenotypes, and relevant small-molecule drugs have also been implemented in clinical practice. Increasing evidence suggests that CDKs, constituting a kinase family predominantly involved in cell cycle control, are synthetic lethal factors when combined with certain oncogenes, such as MYC, TP53, and RAS, which facilitate numerous antitumor treatment options based on CDK-related synthetic lethality. In this review, we focus on the synthetic lethal phenotype and mechanism related to CDKs and summarize the preclinical and clinical discoveries of CDK inhibitors to explore the prospect of CDK inhibitors as antitumor compounds for strategic synthesis lethality in the future.
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Wu M, Han J, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Huang C, Li J, Li Z. Identification of novel CDK 9 inhibitors based on virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulation, and biological evaluation. Life Sci 2020; 258:118228. [PMID: 32781071 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a member of the CDK subfamily and plays a major role in the regulation of transcriptional elongation. It has attracted widespread attention as a therapeutic target for cancer. Here, we aimed to explore novel CDK 9 inhibitors by using a hybrid virtual screening strategy. MAIN METHODS A hybrid virtual screening strategy was constructed with computer-aided drug design (CADD). First, compounds were filtered in accordance with Lipinski's rule of five and adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties. Second, a 3D-QSAR pharmacophore model was built and used as a 3D query to screen the obtained hit compounds. Third, the hit compounds were subjected to molecular docking studies. Fourth, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on CDK9 in complex with the final hits to examine the structural stability. Finally, CDK9 kinase biochemical assay was performed to identify the biological activity of the hit compounds. KEY FINDINGS Seven hit compounds were screened out. These hit compounds showed drug-like properties in accordance with Lipinski's rule of five and ADMET. Complexes involving the six hit compounds bound to CDK9 exhibited good structural stability in the MD simulation. Furthermore, these six hit compounds had strong inhibitory activity against CDK9 kinase. In particular, hit 3 showed the most promising activity with the percentage of 71%. SIGNIFICANCE The six hit compounds may be promising novel CDK9 inhibitors, and the hybrid virtual screening strategy designed in this study provides an important reference for the design and synthesis of novel CDK9 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfei Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jianfei Han
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhicheng Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yilong Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Zeng Li
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
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Montesinos P, Bergua J, Infante J, Esteve J, Guimaraes JE, Sierra J, Sanz MÁ. Update on management and progress of novel therapeutics for R/R AML: an Iberian expert panel consensus. Ann Hematol 2019; 98:2467-2483. [PMID: 31667544 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-019-03820-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A significant proportion of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fail to achieve complete remission or will relapse later on after achieving it. Prognosis for relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML patients remains discouraging, with the main curative option still relying on hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for those who are eligible. Beyond morphological bone marrow and peripheral blood assessment, evaluation of patient performance status and comorbidities, as well as genetic/molecular characterization, is crucial to make an accurate diagnosis and prognosis, which will be useful to select the most appropriate treatment. Emerging strategies are mainly focusing on the development of immune- and molecular-based approaches. Novel targeted therapies are generally well tolerated, potentially allowing them to be administered alone or in combination with classical chemotherapy agents. Enrolment in clinical trials should be considered first option for R/R AML patients, either as a bridge to HSCT or to benefit from novel therapies that eventually may prolong survival and improve quality of life. An Iberian expert panel has reviewed the recent advances in the management of R/R AML with the aim to develop updated evidence and expert opinion-based recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Montesinos
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari I Politècnic La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain. .,CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Bergua
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital San Pedro Alcántara, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Joana Infante
- Serviço de Hematologia e Transplantação de Medula Óssea, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jordi Esteve
- Department of Hematology, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Eduardo Guimaraes
- Serviço de Hematologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Sierra
- Hematology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB Sant Pau and Jose Carreras Leukemia Research Institutes, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Sanz
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari I Politècnic La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
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Abstract
Conventional treatments for acute leukemia include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and intensive combined treatments (including bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplants). Novel treatment approaches are in active development. Recently, protein kinase inhibitors are on clinical trials and offer hope as new drugs for acute leukemia treatment. This review will provide a brief summary of the protein kinase inhibitors in clinical applications for acute leukemia treatment.
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Ling T, Lang W, Feng X, Das S, Maier J, Jeffries C, Shelat A, Rivas F. Novel vitexin-inspired scaffold against leukemia. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 146:501-510. [PMID: 29407975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children. Up to a quarter of ALL patients relapse and face poor prognosis. To identify new compound leads, we conducted a phenotypic screen using terrestrial natural product (NP) fractions against immortalized ALL cellular models. We identified vitexin, a flavonoid, as a promising hit with biological activity (EC50 = 30 μM) in pre-B cell ALL models with no toxicity against normal human tissue (BJ cells) at the tested concentrations. To develop more potent compounds against ALL and elucidate its potential mode of action, a vitexin-inspired compound library was synthesized. Thus, we developed an improved and scalable protocol for the direct synthesis of 4-quinolone core heterocycles containing an N-sulfonamide using a one-pot condensation reaction protocol. The newly generated compounds represent a novel molecular scaffold against ALL as exemplified by compounds 13 and 15, which demonstrated EC50 values in the low micromolar range (0.3-10 μM) with little to no toxicity in normal cellular models. Computational studies support the hypothesis that these compounds are potential CDK inhibitors. The compounds induced apoptosis, caused cell arrest at G0/G1 and G2/M, and induced ROS in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Ling
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Walter Lang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Xiang Feng
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Sourav Das
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Julie Maier
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Cynthia Jeffries
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Anang Shelat
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Fatima Rivas
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION AML therapy remains very challenging despite our increased understanding of its molecular heterogeneity. Outcomes with chemotherapy and targeted therapy remain poor. Targeting cell cycle regulators might complement chemotherapy and targeted therapy and help in improving outcomes. Areas covered: Here we cover the pre-clinical and clinical data for both for cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) and cell-cycle checkpoint inhibitors. While CDK inhibition can inhibit proliferation, checkpoint inhibitors can facilitate cell cycle progression in presence of DNA damage and can induce mitotic catastrophe. Expert opinion: Though the preclinical data for cell cycle inhibitors in AML is compelling, the clinical translation so far has proven to be challenging. This is a reflection of the complexity of both, AML and cell cycle regulators. However, early introduction of cell-cycle active agents in combination with chemotherapy or targeted agents, identifying right sequence of use and identifying right biomarkers might pave the way into successful clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Abou Zahr
- a Department of Leukemia , University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- a Department of Leukemia , University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
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