PCI-24781 (abexinostat), a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, induces reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis and is synergistic with bortezomib in neuroblastoma

In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of a broad-spectrum histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, PCI-24781, alone and in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in neuroblastoma cell lines. The combination was shown to induce synergistic cytotoxity involving the formation of reactive oxygen species. The cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, as determined by western blotting, indicated that cell death was primarily due to apoptosis. Xenograft mouse models indicated increased survival among animals treated with this combination. The Notch signaling pathway and MYCN gene expression were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in cells treated with PCI-24781 and bortezomib, alone and in combination. Notch pathway expression increased in response to an HDAC inhibitor. NFKB1 and MYCN were both significantly down regulated. Our results suggest that PCI-24781 and bortezomib are synergistic in neuroblastoma cell lines and may be a new therapeutic strategy for this disease.

Abstract 5260: Bortezomib and HDAC inhibitor PCI-24781 combination therapy for neuroblastoma

Background: Neuroblastoma is an aggressive solid tumor with poor prognosis. Novel therapies are needed to help increase the survival and quality of life for affected children. It has been previously shown that bortezomib results in apoptosis in neuroblastoma both in vitro and in vivo. PCI-24781 is a novel pan-HDAC inhibitor which has been shown to be synergistic with bortezomib in lymphoma models. We hypothesize the combination of bortezomib with PCI-24781 would increase cytotoxicity to neuroblastoma.

Methods: Several established neuroblastoma cell lines as well as patient-derived primary neuroblastoma cultures were grown in 96-well plates and treated with bortezomib and PCI-24781, both separately and in combination for 48 hours. Cell viability was assessed by calcein AM assays and IC50's and drug synergy was determined at each cell line tested. mRNA was collected from drug treated cell lines and effects on cell signaling was evaluated using U133 mRNA expression arrays and Ingenuity analysis. Cell lysates prepared from drug treated cells were evaluated by western blot for caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Nude mice were injected with 107 SMS-KCNR cells subcutaneously in the left flank. Mice were treated with daily doses of either 0.5 mg/kg bortezomib, 12.5 mg/kg PCI-24781, or the combination. Mice tumors were imaged using the IVIS lumina imager twice per week and caliper measurements were also obtained weekly until tumor max was reached.

Results: All neuroblastoma cell lines and patient cells tested showed sensitivity to bortezomib and PCI-24781 treatment in calcien AM cell viability assays with IC50's for bortezomib less than 50nM and IC50's for PCI-24781 less than 500nM. The combination of bortezomib and PCI-24781 was more cytotoxic than either drug alone. Cells treated with combined treatment showed an increase in caspase-3 and PARP activity confirming apoptosis. Expression analysis showed differential expression in the Notch and Wnt pathways between drug treated and vehicle treated cells. The xenograft models showed a significant decrease in tumor volume in mice treated with both bortezomib and PCI-24781 when compared to the single agent treatment groups or to the control group. Conclusions: Bortezomib and PCI-24781 inhibit neuroblastoma growth both in vitro and in vivo to a greater extent than either drug alone. The mechanism of action is currently being investigated further but certainly involves caspase-3 mediated apoptosis. This combination therapy appears to be effective and well tolerated in the mouse model and would be a novel therapy for neuroblastoma.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5260.

Discovery of potent and selective small-molecule PAR-2 agonists

Proteinase activated receptor-2 plays a crucial role in a wide variety of conditions with a strong inflammatory component. We present the discovery and characterization of two structurally different, potent, selective, and metabolically stable small-molecule PAR-2 agonists. These ligands may be useful as pharmacological tools for elucidating the complex physiological role of the PAR-2 receptors as well as for the development of PAR-2 antagonists.

Identification of the first synthetic steroidogenic factor 1 inverse agonists: pharmacological modulation of steroidogenic enzymes

Steroidogenic factor SF-1, a constitutively active nuclear hormone receptor, is essential to the development of adrenal and gonadal glands and acts as a shaping factor of sexual determination and differentiation. Its effects are exerted primarily through the control of the synthesis of steroid hormones. The functional cell-based assay Receptor Selection and Amplification Technology (R-SAT) was used to identify potent and selective SF-1 inverse agonists through the screening of a chemical library of drug-like small-molecule entities. Among them, 4-(heptyloxy)phenol (AC-45594), a prototype inverse agonist lead, was used to show that SF-1 constitutive activity can be pharmacologically modulated by a synthetic ligand. In a physiological system of endocrine function, the expression of several reported SF-1 target genes, including SF-1 itself, was inhibited by treatment with AC-45594 and analogs. Thus, pharmacological modulation of SF-1 is critical to its function as an endocrine master regulator and has potentially important consequences to diseases in which SF-1 activity is critical.

Identification of the Atypical L-Type Ca2+ Channel Blocker Diltiazem and Its Metabolites As Ghrelin Receptor Agonists

Using a high-throughput functional screen, the atypical L-type Ca2+ channel blocker diltiazem was discovered to be an agonist at the human ghrelin (GHSR1a) receptor. In cellular proliferation, Ca2+ mobilization, and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET-2) assays, diltiazem was a partial agonist at GHSR1a receptors, with 50 to 80% relative efficacy compared with the GHSR1a peptide agonist GHRP-6, and high nanomolar to low micromolar potency, depending upon the assay. Seven of the known primary metabolites of diltiazem were synthesized, and three of them (MA, M1, and M2) were more efficacious and/or more potent than diltiazem at GHSR1a receptors, with a rank order of agonist activity of M2 > M1 > MA > diltiazem, whereas M4 and M6 metabolites displayed weak agonist activity, and the M8 and M9 metabolites were inactive. Binding affinities of diltiazem and these metabolites to GHSR1a receptors followed a similar rank order. In vivo tests showed that diltiazem and M2 each stimulated growth hormone release in male Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats, although to a lesser degree than GHRP-6. Thus, diltiazem and chemical analogs of diltiazem represent a new class of GHSR1a receptor agonists. The possible contributions of GHSR1a receptor activation to the clinical actions of diltiazem are discussed in the context of the known beneficial cardiovascular effects of ghrelin.

Design, parallel synthesis and SAR of novel urotensin II receptor agonists

A 30-membered library of amides based on the potent urotensin II (UII) receptor agonist FL104, has been synthesized from ten different carboxylic acids and three amines. A synthetic protocol producing the amides in 47-98% yield has been developed in which the purification involved only extractions and in a few cases filtration through an ion-exchange resin. It was found that 5mg of starting material was enough to obtain reproducible results and excellent purities. Thus, the procedure is estimated to be transferable to fully automated systems. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their UII receptor agonistic activities using a cell-based assay (R-SAT). The most active compounds were the 4-trifluoromethylcinnamic amides of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-dimethylamino-propylamine and 1-(2-naphthyl)-3-dimethylamino-propylamine, both showed EC(50) values of 130 nM.

Integrative Functional Assays, Chemical Genomics and High Throughput Screening: Harnessing Signal Transduction Pathways to a Common HTS Readout

Chemical genomics is a drug discovery strategy that relies heavily on high-throughput screening (HTS) and therefore benefits from functional assay platforms that allow HTS against all relevant genomic targets. Receptor Selection and Amplification Technology (R-SAT) is a cell-based, high-throughput functional assay where the receptor stimulus is translated into a measurable cellular response through an extensive signaling cascade occurring over several days. The large biological and chronological separation of stimulus from response provides numerous opportunities for enabling assays and increasing assay sensitivity. Here we review strategies for building homogeneous assay platforms across large gene families by redirecting and/or amplifying signal transduction pathways.

Novel Potent and Efficacious Nonpeptidic Urotensin II Receptor Agonists

Six different series of nonpeptidic urotensin II receptor agonists have been synthesized and evaluated for their agonistic activity in a cell-based assay (R-SAT). The compounds are ring-opened analogues of the isochromanone-based agonist AC-7954 with different functionalities constituting the linker between the two aromatic ring moieties. Several of the compounds are highly potent and efficacious, with N-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(dimethylamino)-propyl]-4-phenylbenzamide oxalate (5d) being the most potent. The pure enantiomers of 5d were obtained from the corresponding diastereomeric amides. It was shown by a combination of X-ray crystallography and chemical correlation that the activity resides in the S-enantiomer of 5d (pEC(50) 7.49).

Identification of novel subtype selective RAR agonists

Drugs targeting retinoid receptors have been developed to treat a variety of therapeutic indications, but their success has been limited in part due to lack of selectivity. A novel functional cell-based assay R-SATtrade mark was employed to screen a small molecule chemical library and identify a variety of novel RAR agonists with various subtype selectivities, including RARbeta/gamma and RARgamma selective agonists. A novel class of synthetic compounds that distinguishes between the different RARbeta isoforms is described. This pharmacophore displays anti-proliferative activity and induces differentiation in a neuronal cell line, consistent with a classical retinoid mechanism of action while providing unique subtype selectivity. These novel subtype selective RAR agonists could serve as powerful tools to probe into subtype and isoform-specific retinoid function.

Isochromanone-based urotensin-II receptor agonists

A series of analogues of the selective non-peptide urotensin II (UII) receptor agonist 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-isochroman-1-one (AC-7954, 1) was synthesized and evaluated for UII agonist activity using a functional cell-based assay. The introduction of a methyl group in the 4-position resulted in a complete loss of activity, whereas substituents in the aromatic rings were beneficial. Sterically demanding amino groups were also detrimental to the activity. Several potent agonists were identified, six compounds being equally or more potent than 1. The most potent compound in the series was the 6,7-dimethyl analogue of 1 (16, pEC50 6.87). The racemate of 16 was resolved into the pure enantiomers using preparative straight phase HPLC. It was shown that the potency resides in the (+)-enantiomer (pEC50 7.11). The synthesized compounds seem to be selective for the UII receptor as no activities were observed at the closely related SSTR3 and 5 receptors.

Discovery of novel peptide/receptor interactions: identification of PHM-27 as a potent agonist of the human calcitonin receptor

Many naturally occurring peptides exhibit a high degree of promiscuity across G-protein coupled receptor subtypes. The degree to which this phenomenon occurs, and its physiological significance is not well characterized. In addition, many 'orphan' peptides exist for which there are no known receptors. Therefore, to identify novel interactions between biologically active peptides and G-protein coupled receptors, a library of nearly 200 peptides was screened against the human calcitonin (hCTr), human Parathyroid Hormone (PTH1R), human Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF1), and the human Glucagon-like peptide (GLP1) receptors using a cell-based functional assay (Receptor Selection and Amplification Technology). Functional profiling revealed that the 'orphan peptide' PHM-27 selectively activated the hCTr; no activity was observed at the PTH1, CRF1, or GLP1 receptors. PHM-27 was a potent agonist at the hCTr, with similar efficacy as human calcitonin, and a potency of 11 nM. These results were confirmed in cyclic AMP assays. Responses to calcitonin and PHM-27 could be suppressed by the antagonist salmon calcitonin (8-32). In competition binding studies, salmon calcitonin (8-32), calcitonin, and PHM-27 were each able to inhibit (125)I-calcitonin from cell membranes containing transiently expressed hCTr. These results indicate that the orphan peptide PHM-27 is a potent agonist at the hCTr.

Discovery of the first nonpeptide agonist of the GPR14/urotensin-II receptor: 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2- (dimethylamino)ethyl)isochroman-1-one (AC-7954)

A functional cell-based screen identified 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)isochroman-1-one hydrochloride (AC-7954, 1) as a nonpeptidic agonist of the urotensin-II receptor. Racemic 1 had an EC50 of 300 nM at the human UII receptor and was highly selective. Testing of the enantiopure (+)- and (-)- 1 revealed that the UII receptor activity of racemic 1 resides primarily in (+)-1. Being a selective nonpeptidic druglike UII receptor agonist, (+)-1 will be useful as a pharmacological research tool and a potential drug lead.

Discovery of an ectopic activation site on the M(1) muscarinic receptor

Receptors have well-conserved regions that are recognized and activated by hormones and neurotransmitters. Most drugs bind to these sites and mimic or block the action of the native ligands. Using a high-throughput functional screen, we identified a potent and selective M(1) muscarinic receptor agonist from a novel structural class. Using a series of chimeric receptors, we demonstrated that this ligand activates the receptor through a region that is not conserved among receptor subtypes, explaining its unprecedented selectivity. This region of the receptor is distinct from the conserved region that is recognized by traditional ligands. The finding that receptors for small-molecule transmitters can have multiple, structurally distinct activation sites has broad implications for the study of receptor structure/function and the potential for the discovery of novel ligands with high selectivity.

5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptor inverse agonists as antipsychotics

We have used a cell-based functional assay to define the pharmacological profiles of a wide range of central nervous system active compounds as agonists, competitive antagonists, and inverse agonists at almost all known monoaminergic G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) subtypes. Detailed profiling of 40 antipsychotics confirmed that as expected, most of these agents are potent competitive antagonists of the dopamine D2 receptor. Surprisingly, this analysis also revealed that most are potent and fully efficacious 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2A receptor inverse agonists. No other molecular property was shared as universally by this class of compounds. Furthermore, comparisons of receptor potencies revealed that antipsychotics with the highest extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) liability are significantly more potent at D2 receptors, the EPS-sparing atypical agents had relatively higher potencies at 5-HT2A receptors, while three were significantly more potent at 5-HT2A receptors. Functional high-throughput screening of a diverse chemical library identified 530 ligands with inverse agonist activity at 5-HT2A receptors, including several series of compounds related to known antipsychotics, as well as a number of novel chemistries. An analog of one of the novel chemical series, AC-90179, was pharmacologically profiled against the remaining monoaminergic GPCRs and found to be a highly selective 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist. The behavioral pharmacology of AC-90179 is characteristic of an atypical antipsychotic agent.

The ras-related GTPase rac1 regulates a proliferative pathway selectively utilized by G-protein coupled receptors

Ras and rac are each members of the superfamily of monomeric GTPases and both function as molecular switches to link cell-surface signals to intracellular responses. Using a novel assay of cellular proliferation called R-SAT (Receptor Selection and Amplification Technology), we examined the roles of ras and rac in mediating the proliferative responses to a variety of cell-surface receptors. Activated, wild-type and dominant-negative mutants of rac and ras were tested for their effects on cellular proliferation either alone or in combination with receptors. Activated rac (rac Q61L, henceforth rac*) and ras (ras G12V, henceforth ras*) each induced strong proliferative responses. Dominant-negative rac (rac T17N, henceforth rac(-)) dramatically suppressed proliferative responses to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR's) including the m5 muscarinic receptor and the alpha1B adrenergic receptor. In contrast, rac(-) had little or no effect upon responses to the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkC, and only partially suppressed responses to the Janus kinase (JAK/STAT) linked granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor. Dominant-negative ras (ras T17N, henceforth ras(-)) blocked the proliferative responses to all of the tested receptors. Compared to rac(-) and ras(-), wild-type rac and ras had only modest effects on the tested receptors. Overall these results demonstrate that rac mediates the proliferative effects of G-protein coupled receptors through a pathway that is distinct from the proliferative signaling pathway utilized by tyrosine kinase linked and JAK-linked receptors.