Orphan drug approvals of 2014: Europe and the United States

Targeting VEGFR-2 in breast cancer: synthesis and in silico and in vitro characterization of quinoxaline-based inhibitors

A novel series of quinoxaline derivatives was designed and synthesized to target VEGFR-2, a receptor critical in cancer progression, with a focus on favorable pharmacophoric features. Among these derivatives, compound 11d emerged as a promising candidate, exhibiting potent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 21.68 μM and 35.81 μM, respectively, while displaying significantly reduced toxicity in normal cell lines WI-38 and WISH (IC50 values of 82.46 μM and 75.27 μM). Compared to standard treatments doxorubicin and sorafenib, compound 11d demonstrated a favorable therapeutic window. Inhibition assays showed that 11d inhibits VEGFR-2 with an IC50 of 62.26 nM ± 2.77, comparable to sorafenib. Mechanistically, treatment with 11d upregulated pro-apoptotic markers BAX, caspase-8, and caspase-9, while downregulating the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2, resulting in a significant BAX/Bcl-2 ratio increase (16.11). A wound healing assay confirmed 11d's anti-migratory effects, limiting wound closure in MDA-MB-231 cells to 27.51% compared to untreated cells. Additionally, flow cytometry revealed that 11d induced both early (46.43%) and late apoptosis (31.49%) in MDA-MB-231 cells, alongside G1 phase cell cycle arrest, reducing S and G2/M phase progression. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations over 200 ns demonstrated stable binding of compound 11d to VEGFR-2, with docking scores superior and comparable to sorafenib. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations underscored 11d's stability and reactivity, while in silico ADMET analysis predicted a favorable safety profile over sorafenib, particularly with respect to carcinogenic and chronic toxicity risks. These findings indicate that quinoxaline derivative 11d holds potential as a selective and effective VEGFR-2 inhibitor with promising antitumor and anti-metastatic properties, warranting further investigation.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and computer-aided discovery of new thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives as potential antitumor VEGFR-2 inhibitors

In this study, novel VEGFR-2-targeting thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives with potential anticancer properties were designed and synthesized. The ability of the designed derivatives to inhibit VEGFR-2 and stop the growth of three different cancer cell types (HT-29, A-549, and HCT-116) was examined in vitro. The IC50 value of compound 15, 0.081 μM, demonstrated the best anti-VEGFR-2 potency. Additionally, compound 15 showed remarkable anti-proliferative activities against the tested cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 13.56 to 17.8 μM. Additional flow cytometric investigations showed that compound 15 increased apoptosis in HT-29 cancer cells (from 3.1% to 31.4%) arresting their growth in the S phase. Furthermore, compound 15's apoptosis induction in the same cell line was confirmed by increasing the levels of BAX (4.8-fold) and decreasing Bcl-2 (2.8-fold). Also, compound 15 noticeably increased caspase-8 and caspase-9 levels by 1.7 and 3.2-fold, respectively. Computational methods were used to perform molecular analysis of the VEGFR-2-15 complex. Molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking were utilized to analyze the complex's kinetic and structural characteristics. Protein-ligand interaction profiler analysis (PLIP) determined the 3D interactions and binding conformation of the VEGFR-2-15 complex. DFT analyses also provided insights into the 3D geometry, reactivity, and electronic characteristics of compound 15. Computational ADMET and toxicity experiments were conducted to determine the potential of the synthesized compounds for therapeutic development. The study's findings suggest that compound 15 might be an effective anticancer lead compound and could guide future attempts to develop new drugs.

New theobromine derivatives inhibiting VEGFR-2: design, synthesis, antiproliferative, docking and molecular dynamics simulations

Background: VEGFR-2 is one of the most effective targets in cancer treatment. Aim: The design and semi-synthesis of new theobromine derivatives as potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Methods: In vitro and in silico evaluation of the synthesized compounds. Results: Compound 5b demonstrated excellent antiproliferative and VEGFR-2 inhibitory effects with significant apoptotic activity. It modulated the immune response by increasing IL-2 and reducing TNF-α levels. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the compound's binding affinity with VEGFR-2. Lastly, computational absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity studies indicated the high potential of compound 5b for drug development. Conclusion: Compound 5b could be a promising anticancer agent targeting VEGFR-2.

FDA-Approved Drugs for Hematological Malignancies-The Last Decade Review

Simple Summary

Hematological malignancies are diseases involving the abnormal production of blood cells. The aim of the study is to collect comprehensive information on new drugs used in the treatment of blood cancers which have introduced into therapy in the last decade. The approved drugs were analyzed for their structures and their biological activity mechanisms.

Abstract

Hematological malignancies, also referred to as blood cancers, are a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth and persisting in the blood, lymph nodes, or bone marrow. The development of new targeted therapies including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T cell engagers, antibody-drug conjugates, recombinant immunotoxins, and, finally, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cells has improved the clinical outcomes for blood cancers. In this review, we summarized 52 drugs that were divided into small molecule and macromolecule agents, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the period between 2011 and 2021 for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Forty of them have also been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). We analyzed the FDA-approved drugs by investigating both their structures and mechanisms of action. It should be emphasized that the number of targeted drugs was significantly higher (46 drugs) than chemotherapy agents (6 drugs). We highlight recent advances in the design of drugs that are used to treat hematological malignancies, which make them more effective and less toxic.

New bis([1,2,4]triazolo)[4,3-a:3',4'-c]quinoxaline derivatives as VEGFR-2 inhibitors and apoptosis inducers: Design, synthesis, in silico studies, and anticancer evaluation

A new series of bis([1,2,4]triazolo)[4,3-a:3',4'-c]quinoxaline derivatives were designed and synthesized to have the main essential pharmacophoric features of VEGFR-2 inhibitors. VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities were assessed for the designed compounds. In addition, cytotoxic activity was evaluated for all derivatives against two human cancer cell lines namely, HepG-2 and MCF-7. The most cytotoxic compound 20 h was subjected to further biological investigations including cell cycle, apoptosis, caspase-3, caspase-9, BAX, and Bcl-2 analyses. Different in silico studies as docking, ADMET and toxicity were carried out. The results exhibited that compounds 20b, 20e, 20h and20mshowed promising VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities with IC₅₀values of 5.7, 6.7, 3.2, and 3.1 µM, respectively. Moreover, these promising members exhibited the highest antiproliferative activities against the two cell lines with IC₅₀values ranging from 3.3 to 14.2 µM, comparing to sorafenib (IC₅₀ = 2.17 and 3.43 µM against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively). Additionally, compound 20h induced cell cycle arrest of HepG2 cells at G2/M phase. Also, such compound increased the progress of apoptosis by 3.5-fold compared to the control. As well, compound 20h showed a significant increase in the level of caspase-3 (2.07-fold), caspase-9 (1.72-fold), and BAX (1.83-fold), and a significant decrease in Bcl-2 level (1.92-fold). The in silico studies revealed that the synthesized compounds have binding pattern like that of sorafenib.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-yl pyrimidine derivatives as sGC stimulators for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension

A series of new pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-yl pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for the activation of sGC. Compared with riociguat, compound 13a exhibited equivalent in vitro activity on preconstricted rat thoracic aorta rings and in Rat heart Langendorff preparation. Compound 13a also showed acceptable PK profiles, which might become a promising candidate for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.