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Chen L, Wang L, Han Z, Qin P, Niu G, Du J. SKI-349, a Sphingosine Kinases 1/2 Inhibitor, Suppresses Cell Viability, Invasion, and AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway, and Shows Synergistic Cytotoxic Effects with Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2024; 262:173-180. [PMID: 38123304 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.2023.j100] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
SKI-349 is a novel sphingosine kinases (SPHK) inhibitor with anti-tumor effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of SKI-349 on cell biological behaviors, downstream pathways, and its synergistic effect with sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC cell lines (Huh7 and Hep3B) were treated with SKI-349 at concentrations of 1, 2, 4, or 8 μM. Then, SPHK1/2 activity, cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and protein expressions of phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-AKT), AKT, phosphorylated-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and mTOR were detected. Combination index values of SKI-349 (0, 1, 2, 4, or 8 μM) and sorafenib (0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 μM) were calculated. SKI-349 decreased the relative SPHK1 and SPHK2 activity compared with blank control in a dose-dependent manner in the Huh7 and Hep3B cell lines. Meanwhile, SKI-349 reduced cell viability, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) positive cells, and invasive cells, while it increased apoptotic cells compared to blank control in a dose-dependent manner in Huh7 and Hep3B cell lines. Based on the western blot assay, SKI-349 decreased the ratio of p-AKT to AKT and that of p-mTOR to mTOR compared with blank control in a dose-dependent manner in the Huh7 and Hep3B cell lines. Additionally, SKI-349 combined with sorafenib declined cell viability with concentration gradient effects compared to SKI-349 sole treatment, and they had synergistic cytotoxic effects in Huh7 and Hep3B cell lines. SKI-349 suppresses SPHK1 and SPHK2 activity, cell viability, invasion, and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, as well as exhibits a synergistic cytotoxic effect with sorafenib in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiao Chen
- Department of Basic Medical, Xingtai Medical College
| | | | - Zongqi Han
- Department of Basic Medical, Xingtai Medical College
| | - Peng Qin
- Department of Vascular Intervention, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College
| | - Guangxu Niu
- Department of Pathology, Handan Central Hospital
| | - Jingxia Du
- Department of Basic Medical, Xingtai Medical College
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Alkafaas SS, Elsalahaty MI, Ismail DF, Radwan MA, Elkafas SS, Loutfy SA, Elshazli RM, Baazaoui N, Ahmed AE, Hafez W, Diab M, Sakran M, El-Saadony MT, El-Tarabily KA, Kamal HK, Hessien M. The emerging roles of sphingosine 1-phosphate and SphK1 in cancer resistance: a promising therapeutic target. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:89. [PMID: 38419070 PMCID: PMC10903003 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03221-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer chemoresistance is a problematic dilemma that significantly restrains numerous cancer management protocols. It can promote cancer recurrence, spreading of cancer, and finally, mortality. Accordingly, enhancing the responsiveness of cancer cells towards chemotherapies could be a vital approach to overcoming cancer chemoresistance. Tumour cells express a high level of sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1), which acts as a protooncogenic factor and is responsible for the synthesis of sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P). S1P is released through a Human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter to interact with other phosphosphingolipids components in the interstitial fluid in the tumor microenvironment (TME), provoking communication, progression, invasion, and tumor metastasis. Also, S1P is associated with several impacts, including anti-apoptotic behavior, metastasis, mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and chemotherapy resistance. Recent reports addressed high levels of S1P in several carcinomas, including ovarian, prostate, colorectal, breast, and HCC. Therefore, targeting the S1P/SphK signaling pathway is an emerging therapeutic approach to efficiently attenuate chemoresistance. In this review, we comprehensively discussed S1P functions, metabolism, transport, and signaling. Also, through a bioinformatic framework, we pointed out the alterations of SphK1 gene expression within different cancers with their impact on patient survival, and we demonstrated the protein-protein network of SphK1, elaborating its sparse roles. Furthermore, we made emphasis on different machineries of cancer resistance and the tight link with S1P. We evaluated all publicly available SphK1 inhibitors and their inhibition activity using molecular docking and how SphK1 inhibitors reduce the production of S1P and might reduce chemoresistance, an approach that might be vital in the course of cancer treatment and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Sami Alkafaas
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed I Elsalahaty
- Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Doha F Ismail
- Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Ali Radwan
- Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Sara Samy Elkafas
- Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menofia University, Menofia, Egypt
- Faculty of Control System and Robotics, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 197101, Russia
| | - Samah A Loutfy
- Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Nanotechnology Research Center, British University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rami M Elshazli
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta, 34517, Egypt
| | - Narjes Baazaoui
- Biology Department, College of Sciences and Arts Muhayil Assir, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael Hafez
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, 35233, Khalifa, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Medical Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, Cairo 11511, Egypt
| | - Mohanad Diab
- Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Sakran
- Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47512, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed T El-Saadony
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
| | - Khaled A El-Tarabily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hani K Kamal
- Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Hessien
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
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Hengst JA, Nduwumwami AJ, Sharma A, Yun JK. Fanning the Flames of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress: Can Sphingolipid Metabolism Be Targeted to Enhance ER Stress-Associated Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer? Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:155-165. [PMID: 38164594 PMCID: PMC10877730 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000786] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The three arms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) surveil the luminal environment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transmit information through the lipid bilayer to the cytoplasm to alert the cell of stress conditions within the ER lumen. That same lipid bilayer is the site of de novo synthesis of phospholipids and sphingolipids. Thus, it is no surprise that lipids are modulated by and are modulators of ER stress. Given that sphingolipids have both prosurvival and proapoptotic effects, they also exert opposing effects on life/death decisions in the face of prolonged ER stress detected by the UPR. In this review, we will focus on several recent studies that demonstrate how sphingolipids affect each arm of the UPR. We will also discuss the role of sphingolipids in the process of immunogenic cell death downstream of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic initiating factor 2α (eIF2α) arm of the UPR. Furthermore, we will discuss strategies to target the sphingolipid metabolic pathway that could potentially act synergistically with agents that induce ER stress as novel anticancer treatments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides the readers with a brief discussion of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway and the unfolded protein response. The primary focus of the review is the mechanism(s) by which sphingolipids modulate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response pathways and the critical role of sphingolipids in the process of immunogenic cell death associated with the ER stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Hengst
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Asvelt J Nduwumwami
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Arati Sharma
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Jong K Yun
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
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Kim KM, Shin EJ, Yang JH, Ki SH. Integrative roles of sphingosine kinase in liver pathophysiology. Toxicol Res 2023; 39:549-564. [PMID: 37779595 PMCID: PMC10541397 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-023-00193-1] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive sphingolipids and enzymes that metabolize sphingolipid-related substances have been considered as critical messengers in various signaling pathways. One such enzyme is the crucial lipid kinase, sphingosine kinase (SphK), which mediates the conversion of sphingosine to the potent signaling substance, sphingosine-1-phosphate. Several studies have demonstrated that SphK metabolism is strictly regulated to maintain the homeostatic balance of cells. Here, we summarize the role of SphK in the course of liver disease and illustrate its effects on both physiological and pathological conditions of the liver. SphK has been implicated in a variety of liver diseases, such as steatosis, liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic failure. This study may advance the understanding of the cellular and molecular foundations of liver disease and establish therapeutic approaches via SphK modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Min Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Natural Science, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452 Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jin Shin
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Natural Science, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452 Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hye Yang
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, Jeollanam-Do 58245 Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hwan Ki
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwangju, 61452 Republic of Korea
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Jin L, Zhu J, Yao L, Shen G, Xue BX, Tao W. Targeting SphK1/2 by SKI-178 inhibits prostate cancer cell growth. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:537. [PMID: 37604912 PMCID: PMC10442381 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06023-4] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine kinases (SphK), including SphK1 and SphK2, are important enzymes promoting progression of prostate cancer. SKI-178 is a novel and highly potent SphK1/2 dual inhibitor. We here tested the potential anti-prostate cancer cell activity of SKI-178. Bioinformatics analyses and results from local tissues demonstrated that that both SphK1 and SphK2 are upregulated in human prostate cancer tissues. Ectopic overexpression of SphK1 and SphK2, by lentiviral constructs, promoted primary prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration. In primary human prostate cancer cells and immortalized cell lines, SKI-178 potently inhibited cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell migration, causing robust cell death and apoptosis. SKI-178 impaired mitochondrial functions, causing mitochondrial depolarization, reactive oxygen species production and ATP depletion.SKI-178 potently inhibited SphK activity and induced ceramide production, without affecting SphK1/2 expression in prostate cancer cells. Further, SKI-178 inhibited Akt-mTOR activation and induced JNK activation in prostate cancer cells. Contrarily, a constitutively-active Akt1 construct or the pharmacological JNK inhibitors attenuated SKI-178-induced cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells. In vivo, daily intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of SKI-178 potently inhibited PC-3 xenograft growth in nude mice. SphK inhibition, ceramide production, ATP depletion and lipid peroxidation as well as Akt-mTOR inactivation and JNK activation were detected in PC-3 xenograft tissues with SKI-178 administration. Together, targeting SphK1/2 by SKI-178 potently inhibited prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Jin
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Linya Yao
- Department of Urology, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Kunshan, China
| | - Gang Shen
- Department of Urology, DUSHU Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Bo-Xin Xue
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Wei Tao
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Elasbali AM, Al-Soud WA, Alhassan HH, Mousa Elayyan AE, Kamal M, Alanazi H, Alharbi B, Alharethi SH, Mohamed BM. Discovering Gummadiol and Isoarboreol as potential inhibitors of sphingosine kinase 1: virtual screening and MD simulation studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:12789-12797. [PMID: 36644886 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2167864] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) dysfunction is well-known to be linked to various severe diseases, including breast, lung, prostate, and hematological cancers. Due to its crucial function in the onset of cancer and its progression, it is considered a notable drug target for anticancer therapy. Small molecule inhibitors with high specificity and efficacy towards SphK1 are needed for their therapeutic use. In order to find possible SphK1 inhibitors, we conducted a stepwise structure-based virtual screening of plant-based molecules available from the IMPPAT library. A multi-step virtual screening, including physicochemical and ADMET evaluation, PAINS, molecular docking, PASS analysis followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and principal component analysis, identifies two compounds, Gummadiol and Isoarboreol, against SphK1. All-atom MD simulations were performed for 100 ns which examined the structural changes and stability of the docked complexes in the aqueous environment. The time evolution data of structural deviations and compactness, PCA and free energy landscapes suggested that the binding of Gummadiol and Isoarboreol with SphK1 is considerably stable throughout the trajectory. The study highlighted the use of phytochemicals in anticancer therapeutics and presented Gummadiol and Isoarboreol as promising inhibitors of SphK1.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset Mohamed Elasbali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Abu Al-Soud
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan H Alhassan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Afnan Elayyan Mousa Elayyan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mehnaz Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamad Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bandar Alharbi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salem Hussain Alharethi
- Department of Biological Science, College of Arts and Science, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bashir M Mohamed
- Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Raza Y, Atallah J, Luberto C. Advancements on the Multifaceted Roles of Sphingolipids in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12745. [PMID: 36361536 PMCID: PMC9654982 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112745] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism plays a complex role in hematological malignancies, beginning with the first historical link between sphingolipids and apoptosis discovered in HL-60 leukemic cells. Numerous manuscripts have reviewed the field including the early discoveries that jumpstarted the studies. Many studies discussed here support a role for sphingolipids, such as ceramide, in combinatorial therapeutic regimens to enhance anti-leukemic effects and reduce resistance to standard therapies. Additionally, inhibitors of specific nodes of the sphingolipid pathway, such as sphingosine kinase inhibitors, significantly reduce leukemic cell survival in various types of leukemias. Acid ceramidase inhibitors have also shown promising results in acute myeloid leukemia. As the field moves rapidly, here we aim to expand the body of literature discussed in previously published reviews by focusing on advances reported in the latter part of the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasharah Raza
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jane Atallah
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Chiara Luberto
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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Ung J, Tan SF, Fox TE, Shaw JJP, Vass LR, Costa-Pinheiro P, Garrett-Bakelman FE, Keng MK, Sharma A, Claxton DF, Levine RL, Tallman MS, Cabot MC, Kester M, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Harnessing the power of sphingolipids: Prospects for acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Rev 2022; 55:100950. [PMID: 35487785 PMCID: PMC9475810 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, heterogenous malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of bone marrow-derived myeloid progenitor cells. While our current understanding of the molecular and genomic landscape of AML has evolved dramatically and opened avenues for molecularly targeted therapeutics to improve upon standard intensive induction chemotherapy, curative treatments are elusive, particularly in older patients. Responses to current AML treatments are transient and incomplete, necessitating the development of novel treatment strategies to improve outcomes. To this end, harnessing the power of bioactive sphingolipids to treat cancer shows great promise. Sphingolipids are involved in many hallmarks of cancer of paramount importance in AML. Leukemic blast survival is influenced by cellular levels of ceramide, a bona fide pro-death molecule, and its conversion to signaling molecules such as sphingosine-1-phosphate and glycosphingolipids. Preclinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of therapeutics that target dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism as well as their combinatorial synergy with clinically-relevant therapeutics. Thus, increased understanding of sphingolipid dysregulation may be exploited to improve AML patient care and outcomes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in AML, evaluates how pro-survival sphingolipids promote AML pathogenesis, and discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting these dysregulated sphingolipid pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnson Ung
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Todd E Fox
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J P Shaw
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Luke R Vass
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Pedro Costa-Pinheiro
- Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Francine E Garrett-Bakelman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Michael K Keng
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, United States of America
| | - David F Claxton
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, United States of America
| | - Ross L Levine
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Martin S Tallman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Mark Kester
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - David J Feith
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America.
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Xue Y, Jiang K, Ou L, Shen M, Yang Y, Lu J, Xu W. Targeting sphingosine kinase 1/2 by a novel dual inhibitor SKI-349 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer cell growth. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:602. [PMID: 35831279 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05049-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and sphingosine kinase (SphK2) are both important therapeutic targets of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SKI-349 is a novel, highly efficient and small molecular SphK1/2 dual inhibitor. Here in primary human NSCLC cells and immortalized cell lines, SKI-349 potently inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and viability. The dual inhibitor induced mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis activation in NSCLC cells, but it was non-cytotoxic to human lung epithelial cells. SKI-349 inhibited SphK activity and induced ceramide accumulation in primary NSCLC cells, without affecting SphK1/2 expression. SKI-349-induced NSCLC cell death was attenuated by sphingosine-1-phosphate and by the SphK activator K6PC-5, but was potentiated by the short-chain ceramide C6. Moreover, SKI-349 induced Akt-mTOR inactivation, JNK activation, and oxidative injury in primary NSCLC cells. In addition, SKI-349 decreased bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) expression and downregulated BRD4-dependent genes (Myc, cyclin D1 and Klf4) in primary NSCLC cells. At last, SKI-349 (10 mg/kg) administration inhibited NSCLC xenograft growth in nude mice. Akt-mTOR inhibition, JNK activation, oxidative injury and BRD4 downregulation were detected in SKI-349-treated NSCLC xenograft tissues. Taken together, targeting SphK1/2 by SKI-349 potently inhibits NSCLC cell growth in vitro and in vivo.
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10
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Lewis AC, Pope VS, Tea MN, Li M, Nwosu GO, Nguyen TM, Wallington-Beddoe CT, Moretti PA, Anderson D, Creek DJ, Costabile M, Ali SR, Thompson-Peach CA, Dredge BK, Bert AG, Goodall GJ, Ekert PG, Brown AL, D'Andrea RJ, Robinson N, Pitman MR, Thomas D, Ross DM, Gliddon BL, Powell JA, Pitson SM. Ceramide-induced integrated stress response overcomes Bcl-2 inhibitor resistance in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2022:blood. [PMID: 35443029 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021013277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancing cellular ceramide levels in AML activates protein kinase R
to induce the integrated stress response. The ISR induces the BH3-only protein Noxa, causing degradation of
Mcl-1 and sensitization of AML to Bcl-2 inhibition.
Inducing cell death by the sphingolipid ceramide is a potential anticancer
strategy, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study,
triggering an accumulation of ceramide in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by
inhibition of sphingosine kinase induced an apoptotic integrated stress response
(ISR) through protein kinase R–mediated activation of the master
transcription factor ATF4. This effect led to transcription of the BH3-only
protein Noxa and degradation of the prosurvival Mcl-1 protein on which AML cells
are highly dependent for survival. Targeting this novel ISR pathway, in
combination with the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax, synergistically killed primary
AML blasts, including those with venetoclax-resistant mutations, as well as
immunophenotypic leukemic stem cells, and reduced leukemic engraftment in
patient-derived AML xenografts. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic
insight into the anticancer effects of ceramide and preclinical evidence for new
approaches to augment Bcl-2 inhibition in the therapy of AML and other cancers
with high Mcl-1 dependency.
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11
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Bu Y, Wu H, Deng R, Wang Y. Therapeutic Potential of SphK1 Inhibitors Based on Abnormal Expression of SphK1 in Inflammatory Immune Related-Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:733387. [PMID: 34737701 PMCID: PMC8560647 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.733387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase 1(SphK1) a key enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of sphingosine (Sph) to sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), so as to maintain the dynamic balance of sphingolipid-rheostat in cells and participate in cell growth and death, proliferation and migration, vasoconstriction and remodeling, inflammation and metabolism. The normal expression of SphK1 maintains the balance of physiological and pathological states, which is reflected in the regulation of inflammatory factor secretion, immune response in traditional immune cells and non-traditional immune cells, and complex signal transduction. However, abnormal SphK1 expression and activity are found in various inflammatory and immune related-diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In view of the therapeutic potential of regulating SphK1 and its signal, the current research is aimed at SphK1 inhibitors, such as SphK1 selective inhibitors and dual SphK1/2 inhibitor, and other compounds with inhibitory potency. This review explores the regulatory role of over-expressed SphK1 in inflammatory and immune related-diseases, and investigate the latest progress of SphK1 inhibitors and the improvement of disease or pathological state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Bu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ran Deng
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.,College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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12
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Shuai W, Wang G, Zhang Y, Bu F, Zhang S, Miller DD, Li W, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Recent Progress on Tubulin Inhibitors with Dual Targeting Capabilities for Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7963-7990. [PMID: 34101463 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microtubules play a crucial role in multiple cellular functions including mitosis, cell signaling, and organelle trafficking, which makes the microtubule an important target for cancer therapy. Despite the great successes of microtubule-targeting agents in the clinic, the development of drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicity restrict their clinical efficacy. In recent years, multitarget therapy has been considered an effective strategy to achieve higher therapeutic efficacy, in particular dual-target drugs. In terms of the synergetic effect of tubulin and other antitumor agents such as receptor tyrosine kinases inhibitors, histone deacetylases inhibitors, DNA-damaging agents, and topoisomerase inhibitors in combination therapy, designing dual-target tubulin inhibitors is regarded as a promising approach to overcome these limitations and improve therapeutic efficacy. In this Perspective, we discussed rational target combinations, design strategies, structure-activity relationships, and future directions of dual-target tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Sicheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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13
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Gupta P, Taiyab A, Hussain A, Alajmi MF, Islam A, Hassan MI. Targeting the Sphingosine Kinase/Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling Axis in Drug Discovery for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1898. [PMID: 33920887 PMCID: PMC8071327 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolites have emerged as critical players in the regulation of various physiological processes. Ceramide and sphingosine induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis, whereas sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) promotes cell proliferation and survival. Here, we present an overview of sphingolipid metabolism and the compartmentalization of various sphingolipid metabolites. In addition, the sphingolipid rheostat, a fine metabolic balance between ceramide and S1P, is discussed. Sphingosine kinase (SphK) catalyzes the synthesis of S1P from sphingosine and modulates several cellular processes and is found to be essentially involved in various pathophysiological conditions. The regulation and biological functions of SphK isoforms are discussed. The functions of S1P, along with its receptors, are further highlighted. The up-regulation of SphK is observed in various cancer types and is also linked to radio- and chemoresistance and poor prognosis in cancer patients. Implications of the SphK/S1P signaling axis in human pathologies and its inhibition are discussed in detail. Overall, this review highlights current findings on the SphK/S1P signaling axis from multiple angles, including their functional role, mechanism of activation, involvement in various human malignancies, and inhibitor molecules that may be used in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Gupta
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India; (P.G.); (A.T.); (A.I.)
| | - Aaliya Taiyab
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India; (P.G.); (A.T.); (A.I.)
| | - Afzal Hussain
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.H.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Mohamed F. Alajmi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.H.); (M.F.A.)
| | - Asimul Islam
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India; (P.G.); (A.T.); (A.I.)
| | - Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India; (P.G.); (A.T.); (A.I.)
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14
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Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ageing, but the detailed causal relationship between the two is still unclear. We review the major phenomenological manifestations of mitochondrial age-related dysfunction including biochemical, regulatory and energetic features. We conclude that the complexity of these processes and their inter-relationships are still not fully understood and at this point it seems unlikely that a single linear cause and effect relationship between any specific aspect of mitochondrial biology and ageing can be established in either direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Webb
- Mitobridge Inc., an Astellas Company, 1030 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Dionisia P Sideris
- Mitobridge Inc., an Astellas Company, 1030 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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15
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Hengst JA, Dick TE, Smith CD, Yun JK. Analysis of selective target engagement by small-molecule sphingosine kinase inhibitors using the Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA). Cancer Biol Ther 2020; 21:841-852. [PMID: 32835586 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2020.1798696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently renewed interest in scientific rigor and reproducibility is of critical importance for both scientists developing new targeted small-molecule inhibitors and those employing these molecule in cellular studies, alike. While off-target effects are commonly considered as limitations for any given small-molecule inhibitor, the ability of a given compound to distinguish between enzyme isoforms is often neglected when employing compounds in cellular studies. To call attention to this issue, we have compared the results of an assay for "direct target engagement", the Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA), to the published isoform selectivity of 12 commercially available sphingosine kinase 1 and 2 (SphK 1 and SphK2) inhibitors. Our results suggest that, at the concentrations commonly employed in cellular assay systems, none of the tested SKIs can be considered isoform selective. Thus, caution and complimentary assay strategies must be employed to fully discern isoform selectivity for the SphKs. Moreover, caution must be employed by the scientific community as a whole when designing experiments that aim to discern the effects of one enzyme isoform versus another to ensure that the concentration ranges used are able to distinguish isoform selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Hengst
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA.,The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Laboratories, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Taryn E Dick
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA.,The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Laboratories, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Charles D Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jong K Yun
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA.,The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Laboratories, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine , Hershey, PA, USA
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16
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Hengst JA, Hegde S, Paulson RF, Yun JK. Development of SKI-349, a dual-targeted inhibitor of sphingosine kinase and microtubule polymerization. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127453. [PMID: 32736077 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Our sphingosine kinase inhibitor (SKI) optimization studies originated with the optimization of the SKI-I chemotype by replacement of the substituted benzyl rings with substituted phenyl rings giving rise to the discovery of SKI-178. We have recently reported that SKI-178 is a dual-targeted inhibitor of both sphingosine kinase isoforms (SphK1/2) and a microtubule disrupting agent (MDA). In mechanism-of-action studies, we have shown that these two separate actions synergize to induce cancer cell death in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell and animal models. Owning to the effectiveness of SKI-178, we sought to further refine the chemotype while maintaining "on-target" SKI and MDA activities. Herein, we modified the "linker region" between the substituted phenyl rings of SKI-178 through a structure guided approach. These studies have yielded the discovery of an SKI-178 congener, SKI-349, with log-fold enhancements in both SphK inhibition and cytotoxic potency. Importantly, SKI-349 also demonstrates log-fold improvements in therapeutic efficacy in a retro-viral transduction model of MLL-AF9 AML as compared to previous studies with SKI-178. Together, our results strengthen the hypothesis that simultaneous targeting of the sphingosine kinases (SphK1/2) and the induction of mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint arrest, via microtubule disruption, might be an effective therapeutic strategy for hematological malignancies including AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Hengst
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Shailaja Hegde
- Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert F Paulson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jong K Yun
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, USA.
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17
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Abstract
Emerging studies in the enigmatic area of bioactive lipids have made many exciting new discoveries in recent years. Once thought to play a strictly structural role in cellular function, it has since been determined that sphingolipids and their metabolites perform a vast variety of cellular functions beyond what was previously believed. Of utmost importance is their role in cellular signaling, for it is now well understood that select sphingolipids serve as bioactive molecules that play critical roles in both cancer cell death and survival, as well as other cellular responses such as chronic inflammation, protection from intestinal pathogens, and intrinsic protection from intestinal contents, each of which are associated with oncogenesis. Importantly, it has been demonstrated time and time again that many different tumors display dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism, and the exact profile of said dysregulation has been proven to be useful in determining not only the presence of a tumor, but also the susceptibility to various chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as the metastasizing characteristics of the malignancies. Since these discoveries surfaced it has become apparent that the understanding of sphingolipid metabolism and profile will likely become of great importance in the clinic for both chemotherapy and diagnostics of cancer. The goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of chemotherapeutic agents that target sphingolipid metabolism that are undergoing clinical trials. Additionally, we will formulate questions involving the use of sphingolipid metabolism as chemotherapeutic targets in need of further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kroll
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Hwang Eui Cho
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Min H Kang
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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18
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LeBlanc FR, Pearson JM, Tan SF, Cheon H, Xing JC, Dunton W, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Sphingosine kinase-2 is overexpressed in large granular lymphocyte leukaemia and promotes survival through Mcl-1. Br J Haematol 2020; 190:405-417. [PMID: 32124438 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolism is increasingly recognised as a therapeutic target in cancer due to its regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The sphingolipid rheostat is proposed to control cell fate through maintaining balance between pro-apoptotic and pro-survival sphingolipids. This balance is regulated by metabolising enzymes involved in sphingolipid production. One such enzyme, sphingosine kinase-2 (SPHK2), produces pro-survival sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by phosphorylation of pro-apoptotic sphingosine. Elevated SPHK2 has been found in multiple cancer types and contributes to cell survival, chemotherapeutic resistance and apoptosis resistance. We have previously shown elevation of S1P in large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukaemia serum and cells isolated from patients. Here, we examined SPHK2 expression in LGL leukaemia and found SPHK2 mRNA and protein upregulation in a majority of LGL leukaemia patient samples. Knockdown of SPHK2 with siRNA in LGL leukaemia cell lines decreased proliferation. Additionally, the use of ABC294640 or K145, both SPHK2-specific inhibitors, decreased viability of LGL leukaemia cell lines. ABC294640 selectively induced apoptosis in LGL cell lines and freshly isolated LGL leukaemia patient cells compared to normal controls. Mechanistically, SPHK2 inhibition downregulated pro-survival myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (Mcl-1) protein through proteasomal degradation. Targeting of SPHK2 therefore provides a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of LGL leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis R LeBlanc
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Pearson
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - HeeJin Cheon
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Xing
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wendy Dunton
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - David J Feith
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- University of Virginia Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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19
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Abstract
Over the past two decades, the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been transformed by the rapidly expanding arsenal of new disease modifying therapies (DMTs). Current DMTs for MS aim to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses toward a less inflammatory phenotype. Since the immune system is also critical for identifying and eliminating malignant cells, immunosuppression from DMTs may predictably increase the risk of cancer development in MS patients. Compared with healthy controls, patients with autoimmune conditions, such as MS, may already have a higher risk of developing certain malignancies and this risk may further be magnified by DMT treatments. For those patients who develop both MS and cancer, these comorbid presentations create a challenge for clinicians on how to therapeutically address management of cancer in the context of MS autoimmunity. As there are currently no accepted guidelines for managing MS patients with prior history of or newly developed malignancy, we undertook this review to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of current DMTs and their potential for instigating and treating cancer in patients living with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Melamed
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Michael William Lee
- Department of Oncology, Department of Medical Education, Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
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20
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Subedi L, Teli MK, Lee JH, Gaire BP, Kim MH, Kim SY. A Stilbenoid Isorhapontigenin as a Potential Anti-Cancer Agent against Breast Cancer through Inhibiting Sphingosine Kinases/Tubulin Stabilization. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121947. [PMID: 31817453 PMCID: PMC6966567 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Isorhapontigenin (ISO), a tetrahydroxylated stilbenoid, is an analog of resveratrol (Rsv). The various biological activities of Rsv and its derivatives have been previously reported in the context of both cancer and inflammation. However, the anti-cancer effect of ISO against breast cancer has not been well established, despite being an orally bioavailable dietary polyphenol. In this study, we determine the anti-cancer effects of ISO against breast cancer using MCF7, T47D, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. We observed that ISO induces breast cancer cell death, cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and the inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, sphingosine kinase inhibition by ISO controlled tubulin polymerization and cancer cell growth by regulating MAPK/PI3K-mediated cell cycle arrest in MCF7 cells. Interestingly, SPHK1/2 gene silencing increased oxidative stress, cell death, and tubulin destabilization in MCF7 cells. This suggests that the anti-cancer effect of ISO can be regulated by SPHK/tubulin destabilization pathways. Overall, ISO successfully induced breast cancer cell death and cell growth arrest, suggesting this phytochemical is a better alternative for breast cancer treatment. Further studies in animal models could confirm the potency and usability of ISO over Rsv for targeting breast cancer, potentially posing an alternative candidate for improved therapy in the near future.
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21
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Kao LP, Morad SAF, Davis TS, MacDougall MR, Kassai M, Abdelmageed N, Fox TE, Kester M, Loughran TP, Abad JL, Fabrias G, Tan SF, Feith DJ, Claxton DF, Spiegel S, Fisher-Wellman KH, Cabot MC. Chemotherapy selection pressure alters sphingolipid composition and mitochondrial bioenergetics in resistant HL-60 cells. J Lipid Res 2019; 60:1590-1602. [PMID: 31363040 PMCID: PMC6718434 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.ra119000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of daunorubicin (dnr) and cytarabine (Ara-C) is a cornerstone of treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); resistance to these drugs is a major cause of treatment failure. Ceramide, a sphingolipid (SL), plays a critical role in cancer cell apoptosis in response to chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the effects of chemotherapy selection pressure with Ara-C and dnr on SL composition and enzyme activity in the AML cell line HL-60. Resistant cells, those selected for growth in Ara-C- and dnr-containing medium (HL-60/Ara-C and HL-60/dnr, respectively), demonstrated upregulated expression and activity of glucosylceramide synthase, acid ceramidase (AC), and sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1); were more resistant to ceramide than parental cells; and displayed sensitivity to inhibitors of SL metabolism. Lipidomic analysis revealed a general ceramide deficit and a profound upswing in levels of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P) in HL-60/dnr cells versus parental and HL-60/Ara-C cells. Both chemotherapy-selected cells also exhibited comprehensive upregulations in mitochondrial biogenesis consistent with heightened reliance on oxidative phosphorylation, a property that was partially reversed by exposure to AC and SPHK1 inhibitors and that supports a role for the phosphorylation system in resistance. In summary, dnr and Ara-C selection pressure induces acute reductions in ceramide levels and large increases in S1P and C1P, concomitant with cell resilience bolstered by enhanced mitochondrial remodeling. Thus, strategic control of ceramide metabolism and further research to define mitochondrial perturbations that accompany the drug-resistant phenotype offer new opportunities for developing therapies that regulate cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Pin Kao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC
| | - Samy A F Morad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Traci S Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC
| | - Matthew R MacDougall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC
| | - Miki Kassai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC
| | - Noha Abdelmageed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Todd E Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Mark Kester
- University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA; Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Jose' L Abad
- Instituto de Quimica Avanzada de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Instituto de Quimica Avanzada de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - David J Feith
- University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA; Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | | | - Sarah Spiegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | - Kelsey H Fisher-Wellman
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC.
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, and the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC.
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22
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Tan SF, Dunton W, Liu X, Fox TE, Morad SAF, Desai D, Doi K, Conaway MR, Amin S, Claxton DF, Wang HG, Kester M, Cabot MC, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Acid ceramidase promotes drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia through NF-κB-dependent P-glycoprotein upregulation. J Lipid Res 2019; 60:1078-1086. [PMID: 30962310 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m091876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. More than half of older AML patients fail to respond to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and most responders relapse with drug-resistant disease. Failure to achieve complete remission can be partly attributed to the drug resistance advantage of AML blasts that frequently express P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-binding cassette transporter. Our previous work showed that elevated acid ceramidase (AC) levels in AML contribute to blast survival. Here, we investigated P-gp expression levels in AML relative to AC. Using parental HL-60 cells and drug-resistant derivatives as our model, we found that P-gp expression and efflux activity were highly upregulated in resistant derivatives. AC overexpression in HL-60 conferred resistance to the AML chemotherapeutic drugs, cytarabine, mitoxantrone, and daunorubicin, and was linked to P-gp upregulation. Furthermore, targeting AC through pharmacologic or genetic approaches decreased P-gp levels and increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Mechanistically, AC overexpression increased NF-κB activation whereas NF-kB inhibitors reduced P-gp levels, indicating that the NF-kappaB pathway contributes to AC-mediated modulation of P-gp expression. Hence, our data support an important role for AC in drug resistance as well as survival and suggest that sphingolipid targeting approaches may also impact drug resistance in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Wendy Dunton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Xin Liu
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute Hershey, PA
| | - Todd E Fox
- Departments of Pharmacology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Samy A F Morad
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Departments of Pharmacology Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Kenichiro Doi
- Pediatrics Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Mark R Conaway
- Public Health Sciences University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Shantu Amin
- Departments of Pharmacology Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | | | - Hong-Gang Wang
- Pediatrics Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Mark Kester
- Departments of Pharmacology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.,University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - David J Feith
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.,University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA .,University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
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23
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Castelli G, Pelosi E, Testa U. Emerging Therapies for Acute Myelogenus Leukemia Patients Targeting Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E260. [PMID: 30813354 PMCID: PMC6406361 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic cells, characterized by impaired differentiation and uncontrolled clonal expansion of myeloid progenitors/precursors, resulting in bone marrow failure and impaired normal hematopoiesis. AML comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies, characterized by a combination of different somatic genetic abnormalities, some of which act as events driving leukemic development. Studies carried out in the last years have shown that AML cells invariably have abnormalities in one or more apoptotic pathways and have identified some components of the apoptotic pathway that can be targeted by specific drugs. Clinical results deriving from studies using B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitors in combination with standard AML agents, such as azacytidine, decitabine, low-dose cytarabine, provided promising results and strongly support the use of these agents in the treatment of AML patients, particularly of elderly patients. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors are frequently deregulated in AML patients and their targeting may represent a promising strategy for development of new treatments. Altered mitochondrial metabolism is a common feature of AML cells, as supported through the discovery of mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene and in mitochondrial electron transport chain and of numerous abnormalities of oxidative metabolism existing in AML subgroups. Overall, these observations strongly support the view that the targeting of mitochondrial apoptotic or metabolic machinery is an appealing new therapeutic perspective in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Castelli
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elvira Pelosi
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ugo Testa
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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24
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Arnst KE, Banerjee S, Chen H, Deng S, Hwang DJ, Li W, Miller DD. Current advances of tubulin inhibitors as dual acting small molecules for cancer therapy. Med Res Rev 2019; 39:1398-1426. [PMID: 30746734 DOI: 10.1002/med.21568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule (MT)-targeting agents are highly successful drugs as chemotherapeutic agents, and this is attributed to their ability to target MT dynamics and interfere with critical cellular functions, including, mitosis, cell signaling, intracellular trafficking, and angiogenesis. Because MT dynamics vary in the different stages of the cell cycle, these drugs tend to be the most effective against mitotic cells. While this class of drug has proven to be effective against many cancer types, significant hurdles still exist and include overcoming aspects such as dose limited toxicities and the development of resistance. Newer generations of developed drugs attack these problems and alternative approaches such as the development of dual tubulin and kinase inhibitors are being investigated. This approach offers the potential to show increased efficacy and lower toxicities. This review covers different categories of MT-targeting agents, recent advances in dual inhibitors, and current challenges for this drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Dong-Jin Hwang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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25
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Abstract
Multitargeting compounds comprising activity on more than a single biological target have gained remarkable relevance in drug discovery owing to the complexity of multifactorial diseases such as cancer, inflammation, or the metabolic syndrome. Polypharmacological drug profiles can produce additive or synergistic effects while reducing side effects and significantly contribute to the high therapeutic success of indispensable drugs such as aspirin. While their identification has long been the result of serendipity, medicinal chemistry now tends to design polypharmacology. Modern in vitro pharmacological methods and chemical probes allow a systematic search for rational target combinations and recent innovations in computational technologies, crystallography, or fragment-based design equip multitarget compound development with valuable tools. In this Perspective, we analyze the relevance of multiple ligands in drug discovery and the versatile toolbox to design polypharmacology. We conclude that despite some characteristic challenges remaining unresolved, designed polypharmacology holds enormous potential to secure future therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewgenij Proschak
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Goethe University Frankfurt , Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9 , D-60438 Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitaetsstrasse 1 , D-40225 , Duesseldorf , Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Goethe University Frankfurt , Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9 , D-60438 Frankfurt , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4 , CH-8093 Zürich , Switzerland
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26
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Abstract
Sphingolipids are bioactive lipids that participate in a wide variety of biological mechanisms, including cell death and proliferation. The myriad of pro-death and pro-survival cellular pathways involving sphingolipids provide a plethora of opportunities for dysregulation in cancers. In recent years, modulation of these sphingolipid metabolic pathways has been in the forefront of drug discovery for cancer therapeutics. About two decades ago, researchers first showed that standard of care treatments, e.g., chemotherapeutics and radiation, modulate sphingolipid metabolism to increase endogenous ceramides, which kill cancer cells. Strikingly, resistance to these treatments has also been linked to altered sphingolipid metabolism, favoring lipid species that ultimately lead to cell survival. To this end, many inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism have been developed to further define not only our understanding of these pathways but also to potentially serve as therapeutic interventions. Therefore, understanding how to better use these new drugs that target sphingolipid metabolism, either alone or in combination with current cancer treatments, holds great potential for cancer control. While sphingolipids in cancer have been reviewed previously (Hannun & Obeid, 2018; Lee & Kolesnick, 2017; Morad & Cabot, 2013; Newton, Lima, Maceyka, & Spiegel, 2015; Ogretmen, 2018; Ryland, Fox, Liu, Loughran, & Kester, 2011) in this chapter, we present a comprehensive review on how standard of care therapeutics affects sphingolipid metabolism, the current landscape of sphingolipid inhibitors, and the clinical utility of sphingolipid-based cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Shaw
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Pedro Costa-Pinheiro
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Logan Patterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Kelly Drews
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Sarah Spiegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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