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Schöffski P, Wang CC, Schöffski MP, Wozniak A. Current Role of Topoisomerase I Inhibitors for the Treatment of Mesenchymal Malignancies and Their Potential Future Use as Payload of Sarcoma-Specific Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Oncol Res Treat 2023; 47:18-41. [PMID: 38016427 PMCID: PMC10860894 DOI: 10.1159/000535491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Topoisomerase I is an enzyme that plays a crucial part in DNA replication and transcription by the relaxation of supercoiled double-stranded DNA. Topoisomerase I inhibitors bind to the topoisomerase I cleavage complex, thereby stabilizing it and preventing the religation of the DNA strands, leading to DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Various topoisomerase I inhibitors have been evaluated in solid tumors, and irinotecan and topotecan have been approved for the treatment of epithelial malignancies. None of them have been approved for sarcoma, a diverse group of rare solid tumors with an unmet need for effective treatments. SUMMARY Topoisomerase I inhibitors have been evaluated in preclinical studies as single agents or in combination in solid tumors, some of which have included sarcomas where activity was observed. Clinical trials evaluating topoisomerase I inhibitors for the treatment of sarcoma have shown limited efficacy as monotherapy. In combination with other cytotoxic agents, topoisomerase I inhibitors have become part of clinical routine in selected sarcoma subtypes. Regimens such as irinotecan/vincristine/temozolomide are used in relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma, irinotecan/temozolomide and vincristine/topotecan/cyclophosphamide are commonly given in refractory Ewing sarcoma, and topotecan/carboplatin showed some activity in advanced soft tissue sarcoma. This review provides an overview of key studies with topoisomerase I inhibitors for the treatment of sarcoma. Topoisomerase I inhibitors are currently also being assessed as "payloads" for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), allowing for the targeting of specific antigen-expressing tumor cells and the delivery of the inhibitor directly to the tumor cells with the potential of enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. Here, we also provide a brief overview on topoisomerase I-ADCs. KEY MESSAGE Topoisomerase I inhibitors are an important component of some systemic therapies for selected sarcomas and have potent cytotoxic properties and pharmacological characteristics that make them relevant candidates as payloads for the development of sarcoma-specific ADCs. ADCs are antibody-based targeted agents allowing for efficient and specific delivery of a given drug to the tumor cell. Topoisomerase I-ADCs are a novel targeted delivery approach which may have the potential to improve the therapeutic index of topoisomerase I inhibitors in the treatment of sarcoma and warrants investigation in a broad variety of mesenchymal malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schöffski
- Department of General Medical Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chao-Chi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Agnieszka Wozniak
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Barnieh FM, Galuska SP, Loadman PM, Ward S, Falconer RA, El-Khamisy SF. Cancer-specific glycosylation of CD13 impacts its detection and activity in preclinical cancer tissues. iScience 2023; 26:108219. [PMID: 37942010 PMCID: PMC10628746 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the differences between cancer and non-cancer tissues presents new opportunities for selective targeting by anti-cancer drugs. CD13, a heavily glycosylated protein, is one example with significant unmet clinical potential in cancer drug discovery. Despite its high expression and activity in cancers, CD13 is also expressed in many normal tissues. Here, we report differential tissue glycosylation of CD13 across tissues and demonstrate for the first time that the nature and pattern of glycosylation of CD13 in preclinical cancer tissues are distinct compared to normal tissues. We identify cancer-specific O-glycosylation of CD13, which selectively blocks its detection in cancer models but not in normal tissues. In addition, the metabolism activity of cancer-expressed CD13 was observed to be critically dependent on its unique glycosylation. Thus, our data demonstrate the existence of discrete cancer-specific CD13 glycoforms and propose cancer-specific CD13 glycoforms as a clinically useful target for effective cancer-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M. Barnieh
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Sebastian P. Galuska
- Institute for Reproductive Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Paul M. Loadman
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | | | - Robert A. Falconer
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Sherif F. El-Khamisy
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
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3
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Bai Z, Zhou Y, Peng Y, Ye X, Ma L. Perspectives and mechanisms for targeting mitotic catastrophe in cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188965. [PMID: 37625527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Mitotic catastrophe is distinct from other cell death modes due to unique nuclear alterations characterized as multi and/or micronucleation. Mitotic catastrophe is a common and virtually unavoidable consequence during cancer therapy. However, a comprehensive understanding of mitotic catastrophe remains lacking. Herein, we summarize the anticancer drugs that induce mitotic catastrophe, including microtubule-targeting agents, spindle assembly checkpoint kinase inhibitors, DNA damage agents and DNA damage response inhibitors. Based on the relationships between mitotic catastrophe and other cell death modes, we thoroughly evaluated the roles played by mitotic catastrophe in cancer treatment as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Some strategies for overcoming its shortcomings while fully utilizing its advantages are summarized and proposed in this review. We also review how mitotic catastrophe regulates cancer immunotherapy. These summarized findings suggest that the induction of mitotic catastrophe can serve as a promising new therapeutic approach for overcoming apoptosis resistance and strengthening cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoshi Bai
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
| | - Yiran Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Rui Jin Hospital, Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yaling Peng
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Xinyue Ye
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Lingman Ma
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China.
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Zhang J, Sun S, Liu J, Zhang L, Guo D, Zhang N, Zhao J, Kong D, Xu T, Wang X, Xu W, Li X, Jiang Y. Discovery of a Novel Ubenimex Derivative as a First-in-Class Dual CD13/Proteasome Inhibitor for the Treatment of Cancer. Molecules 2023; 28:6343. [PMID: 37687169 PMCID: PMC10489073 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The CD13 inhibitor ubenimex is used as an adjuvant drug with chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer due to its function as an immunoenhancer, but it has limitations in its cytotoxic efficacy. The proteasome inhibitor ixazomib is a landmark drug in the treatment of multiple myeloma with a high anti-cancer activity. Herein, we conjugated the pharmacophore of ubenimex and the boric acid of ixazomib to obtain a dual CD13 and proteasome inhibitor 7 (BC-05). BC-05 exhibited potent inhibitory activity on both human CD13 (IC50 = 0.13 μM) and the 20S proteasome (IC50 = 1.39 μM). Although BC-05 displayed lower anti-proliferative activity than that of ixazomib in vitro, an advantage was established in the in vivo anti-cancer efficacy and prolongation of survival time, which may be due to its anti-metastatic and immune-stimulating activity. A pharmacokinetic study revealed that BC-05 is a potentially orally active agent with an F% value of 24.9%. Moreover, BC-05 showed more favorable safety profiles than those of ixazomib in preliminary toxicity studies. Overall, the results indicate that BC-05 is a promising drug candidate for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Simin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China (X.L.)
| | - Jinyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China (X.L.)
| | - Liang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China (X.L.)
| | - Di Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Naixin Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Dexin Kong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Tongqiang Xu
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xuejian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China; (J.Z.)
| | - Wenfang Xu
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China (X.L.)
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuqi Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China (X.L.)
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
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5
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Kim M, Jo KW, Kim H, Han ME, Oh SO. Genetic heterogeneity of liver cancer stem cells. Anat Cell Biol 2023; 56:94-108. [PMID: 36384888 PMCID: PMC9989795 DOI: 10.5115/acb.22.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell heterogeneity is a serious problem in the control of tumor progression because it can cause chemoresistance and metastasis. Heterogeneity can be generated by various mechanisms, including genetic evolution of cancer cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and niche heterogeneity. Because the genetic heterogeneity of CSCs has been poorly characterized, the genetic mutation status of CSCs was examined using Exome-Seq and RNA-Seq data of liver cancer. Here we show that different surface markers for liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) showed a unique propensity for genetic mutations. Cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133)-positive cells showed frequent mutations in the IRF2, BAP1, and ERBB3 genes. However, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5-positive cells showed frequent mutations in the CTNNB1, RELN, and ROBO1 genes. In addition, some genetic mutations were frequently observed irrespective of the surface markers for LCSCs. BAP1 mutations was frequently observed in CD133-, CD24-, CD13-, CD90-, epithelial cell adhesion molecule-, or keratin 19-positive LCSCs. ASXL2, ERBB3, IRF2, TLX3, CPS1, and NFATC2 mutations were observed in more than three types of LCSCs, suggesting that common mechanisms for the development of these LCSCs. The present study provides genetic heterogeneity depending on the surface markers for LCSCs. The genetic heterogeneity of LCSCs should be considered in the development of LCSC-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Kim
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Kwang-Woo Jo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Myoung-Eun Han
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Sae-Ock Oh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
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Zukov RA, Savchenko AA, Slepov EV, Semenov EV, Kozina YV, Mazaev AV. Phenotype of Urine Sediment Cells in Patients with Bladder Cancer. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 174:473-477. [PMID: 36890332 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05732-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Phenotype of urine sediment cells were studied in patients with bladder cancer depending on the cancer stage and recurrence prognosis. In T1N0M0 stage, the number of lymphocytes decreased, in T2N0M0 stage, the most pronounced shift was an increase in the number of erythrocytes. Irrespectively of the disease stage, we observed increased number of innate immunity cells and cells that inhibit antitumor immunity in the composition of the leukocyte fraction of urine sediment cells. At T1N0M0 stage, the epithelial-endothelial fraction was characterized by increased content of cells expressing CD13 marker (responsible for tumor growth and metastasis) and reduced number of cells expressing CD15 marker (responsible for intercellular adhesion). In patients developing relapse of bladder cancer, the number of lymphocytes was decreased in urine sediment cells and the number of epithelial and endothelial cells expressing CD13 marker was increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Zukov
- A. I. Kryzhanovsky Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncology Center, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- V. F. Voyno-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - A A Savchenko
- V. F. Voyno-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Research Institute Medical Problems of the North - Separated Subdivision of Federal Research Center Krasnoyarsk Research Center, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - E V Slepov
- A. I. Kryzhanovsky Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncology Center, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
- Research Institute Medical Problems of the North - Separated Subdivision of Federal Research Center Krasnoyarsk Research Center, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
| | - E V Semenov
- A. I. Kryzhanovsky Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncology Center, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Yu V Kozina
- A. I. Kryzhanovsky Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncology Center, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - A V Mazaev
- A. I. Kryzhanovsky Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Oncology Center, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
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Cheng-Sánchez I, Moya-Utrera F, Porras-Alcalá C, López-Romero JM, Sarabia F. Antibody-Drug Conjugates Containing Payloads from Marine Origin. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20080494. [PMID: 36005497 PMCID: PMC9410405 DOI: 10.3390/md20080494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are an important class of therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Structurally, an ADC comprises an antibody, which serves as the delivery system, a payload drug that is a potent cytotoxin that kills cancer cells, and a chemical linker that connects the payload with the antibody. Unlike conventional chemotherapy methods, an ADC couples the selective targeting and pharmacokinetic characteristics related to the antibody with the potent cytotoxicity of the payload. This results in high specificity and potency by reducing off-target toxicities in patients by limiting the exposure of healthy tissues to the cytotoxic drug. As a consequence of these outstanding features, significant research efforts have been devoted to the design, synthesis, and development of ADCs, and several ADCs have been approved for clinical use. The ADC field not only relies upon biology and biochemistry (antibody) but also upon organic chemistry (linker and payload). In the latter, total synthesis of natural and designed cytotoxic compounds, together with the development of novel synthetic strategies, have been key aspects of the consecution of clinical ADCs. In the case of payloads from marine origin, impressive structural architectures and biological properties are observed, thus making them prime targets for chemical synthesis and the development of ADCs. In this review, we explore the molecular and biological diversity of ADCs, with particular emphasis on those containing marine cytotoxic drugs as the payload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Cheng-Sánchez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Federico Moya-Utrera
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (F.M.-U.); (C.P.-A.); (J.M.L.-R.); (F.S.)
| | - Cristina Porras-Alcalá
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (F.M.-U.); (C.P.-A.); (J.M.L.-R.); (F.S.)
| | - Juan M. López-Romero
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (F.M.-U.); (C.P.-A.); (J.M.L.-R.); (F.S.)
| | - Francisco Sarabia
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (F.M.-U.); (C.P.-A.); (J.M.L.-R.); (F.S.)
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Verhulst E, Garnier D, De Meester I, Bauvois B. Validating Cell Surface Proteases as Drug Targets for Cancer Therapy: What Do We Know, and Where Do We Go? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030624. [PMID: 35158891 PMCID: PMC8833564 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell surface proteases (so-called ectoproteases) are associated with cancer, and their targeting may confer valuable options for the improvement of cancer treatment outcome. Over the past 20 years, the permanent development of a multitude of inhibitors against several ectoproteases (including DPP4, FAP, APN, ADAM17, MMP2, and MMP9) has made it into clinical evaluation in haematological and solid tumours. Among them, a few show some efficacy, albeit limited, to cure cancer in the near future. This Review summarizes the efforts thus far undertaken in the development of ectoprotease inhibitors and highlights new directions for targeting ectoproteases as an additional weapon in the fight against cancer. Abstract Cell surface proteases (also known as ectoproteases) are transmembrane and membrane-bound enzymes involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Several members, most notably dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4/CD26) and its related family member fibroblast activation protein (FAP), aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13), a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17/TACE), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP2 and MMP9, are often overexpressed in cancers and have been associated with tumour dysfunction. With multifaceted actions, these ectoproteases have been validated as therapeutic targets for cancer. Numerous inhibitors have been developed to target these enzymes, attempting to control their enzymatic activity. Even though clinical trials with these compounds did not show the expected results in most cases, the field of ectoprotease inhibitors is growing. This review summarizes the current knowledge on this subject and highlights the recent development of more effective and selective drugs targeting ectoproteases among which small molecular weight inhibitors, peptide conjugates, prodrugs, or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and derivatives. These promising avenues have the potential to deliver novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emile Verhulst
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (E.V.); (I.D.M.)
| | - Delphine Garnier
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Cell Death and Drug Resistance in Lymphoproliferative Disorders Team, F-75006 Paris, France;
| | - Ingrid De Meester
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (E.V.); (I.D.M.)
| | - Brigitte Bauvois
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Cell Death and Drug Resistance in Lymphoproliferative Disorders Team, F-75006 Paris, France;
- Correspondence:
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Barnieh FM, Loadman PM, Falconer RA. Is tumour-expressed aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) structurally and functionally unique? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188641. [PMID: 34695533 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that acts as a peptidase, receptor, and signalling molecule in a tissue-dependent manner. The activities of APN have been implicated in the progression of many cancers, pointing toward significant therapeutic potential for cancer treatment. However, despite the tumour-specific functions of this protein that have been uncovered, the ubiquitous nature of its expression in normal tissues as generally reported remains a limitation to the potential utility of APN as a target for cancer therapeutics and drug discovery. With this in mind, we have extensively explored the literature, and present a comprehensive review that for the first-time provides evidence to support the suggestion that tumour-expressed APN may in fact be unique in structure, function, substrate specificity and activity, contrary to its nature in normal tissues. The review also focuses on the biology of APN, and its "moonlighting" functional roles in both normal physiology and cancer development. Several APN-targeting approaches that have been explored over recent decades as therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment, including APN-targeting agents reported both in preclinical and clinical studies, are also extensively discussed. This review concludes by posing critical questions about APN that remain unanswered and unexplored, hence providing opportunities for further research.
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Yue K, Hou X, Jia G, Zhang L, Zhang J, Tan L, Wang X, Zhang Z, Li P, Xu W, Li X, Jiang Y. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of hybrid of ubenimex-fluorouracil for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Bioorg Chem 2021; 116:105343. [PMID: 34544027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In our previous study, we discovered a ubenimex-fluorouracil (5FU) conjugates BC-02, which displays significant in vivo anti-tumor activity, however, the instability of BC-02 in plasma limits its further development as a drug candidate. Herein, we designed and synthesized four novel ubenimex-5FU conjugates by optimizing the linkers between ubenimex and 5FU based on BC-02. Representative compound 20 is more stable than BC-02 in human plasma and displays about 100 times higher CD13 inhibitory activity than the positive control ubenimex. Meanwhile, the antiproliferative activity of 20 was comparable with 5FU in vitro. The preliminary mechanism study indicated that compound 20 exhibited significant anti-invasion and anti-angiogenesis activities in vitro. Furthermore, compound 20 obviously inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in vivo and prolong the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. Our study may have an important implication reference for the design of more druglike mutual prodrug, and compound 20 can be used as a lead compound for further design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kairui Yue
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Xiaohan Hou
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Geng Jia
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, 261053 Wei'fang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Leqiao Tan
- Weifang Bochuang International Biological Medicinal Institute, Weifang, Shandong 261061, PR China
| | - Xuejian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, 261053 Wei'fang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zhaolin Zhang
- Weifang Bochuang International Biological Medicinal Institute, Weifang, Shandong 261061, PR China
| | - Peixia Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Wenfang Xu
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, PR China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, PR China.
| | - Yuqi Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, PR China.
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