Formulation Studies with Cyclodextrins for Novel Selenium NSAID Derivatives

Commercial cyclodextrins (CDs) are commonly used to form inclusion complexes (ICs) with different molecules in order to enhance their water solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Nowadays, there is strong, convincing evidence of the anticancer effect of selenium (Se)-containing compounds. However, pharmaceutical limitations, such as an unpleasant taste or poor aqueous solubility, impede their further evaluation and clinical use. In this work, we study the enhancement of solubility with CD complexes for a set of different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derivatives with Se as selenoester or diacyl diselenide chemical forms, with demonstrated antitumoral activity. The CD complexes were analyzed via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques. In order to obtain additional data that could help explain the experimental results obtained, 3D models of the theoretical CD-compound complexes were constructed using molecular modeling techniques. Among all the compounds, I.3e and II.5 showed a remarkable increase in their water solubility, which could be ascribed to the formation of the most stable interactions with the CDs used, in agreement with the in silico studies performed. Thus, the preliminary results obtained in this work led us to confirm the selection of β and γ-CD as the most suitable for overcoming the pharmaceutical drawbacks of these Se derivatives.

First Generation of Antioxidant Precursors for Bioisosteric Se-NSAIDs: Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Evaluation

The introduction of selenium (Se) into organic scaffolds has been demonstrated to be a promising framework in the field of medicinal chemistry. A novel design of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derivatives based on a bioisosteric replacement via the incorporation of Se as diacyl diselenide is reported. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The new Se-NSAID derivatives bearing this unique combination showed antioxidant activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and also displayed different antiproliferative profiles in a panel of eight cancer cell lines as determined by the MTT assay. Ibuprofen derivative 5 was not only the most antioxidant agent, but also selectively induced toxicity in all the cancer cell lines tested (IC50 < 10 µM) while sparing nonmalignant cells, and induced apoptosis partially without enhancing the caspase 3/7 activity. Furthermore, NSAID derivative 5 significantly suppressed tumor growth in a subcutaneous colon cancer xenograft mouse model (10 mg/kg, TGI = 72%, and T/C = 38%) without exhibiting any apparent toxicity. To our knowledge, this work constitutes the first report on in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of an unprecedented Se-NSAID hybrid derivative and its rational use for developing precursors for bioisosteric selenocompounds with appealing therapeutic applications.

Unveiling a New Selenocyanate as a Multitarget Candidate with Anticancer, Antileishmanial and Antibacterial Potential

Currently, cancer, leishmaniasis and bacterial infections represent a serious public health burden worldwide. Six cinnamyl and benzodioxyl derivatives incorporating selenium (Se) as selenocyanate, diselenide, or selenide were designed and synthesized through a nucleophilic substitution and/or a reduction using hydrides. Ferrocene was also incorporated by a Friedel–Crafts acylation. All the compounds were screened in vitro for their antiproliferative, antileishmanial, and antibacterial properties. Their capacity to scavenge free radicals was also assessed as a first approach to test their antioxidant activity. Benzodioxyl derivatives 2a –b showed cytotoxicity against colon (HT-29) and lung (H1299) cancer cell lines, with IC50 values below 12 µM, and were also fairly selective when tested in nonmalignant cells. Selenocyanate compounds 1 –2a displayed potent antileishmanial activity in L. major and L. infantum , with IC50 values below 5 µM. They also exhibited antibacterial activity in six bacterial strains, notably in S. epidermidis with MIC and MBC values of 12.5 µg/mL. Ferrocene-containing selenide 2c was also identified as a potent antileishmanial agent with radical scavenging activity. Remarkably, derivative 2a with a selenocyanate moiety was found to act as a multitarget compound with antiproliferative, leishmanicidal, and antibacterial activities. Thus, the current work showed that 2a could be an appealing scaffold to design potential therapeutic drugs for multiple pathologies.

Abstract 5451: New organoselenium compounds with cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo towards colon cancer

Colon cancer is currently the third most common diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The inclusion of a selenium atom (Se) in organic molecules has been shown to be a valid approximation in the design of novel chemotherapeutic agents with antitumoral activity. On the other hand, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gained interest in recent years in terms of their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic use for cancer treatment whether they are evaluated alone, as a combination therapy, or in the form of structurally modified analogs. Considering these findings, we have designed five novel NSAID derivatives containing Se in their structure. The cytotoxicity and selectivity of the new compounds were evaluated in a panel of 10 cancer cell lines including breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer, and in two non-malignant cell lines. Compound 5 was the most cytotoxic derivative with IC50 values below 10 µM in all the cancer cell lines tested, and it was also the most selectively toxic towards cancer cells while sparing the non-malignant cell lines. The efficacy of compound 5 in vivo was assessed in a subcutaneous colon cancer xenograft mouse model and it showed a significant inhibition of the tumor growth. Taken together, this work supports that the novel Se-NSAID combination provides a feasible frame to develop new agents with potent antitumoral properties

Citation Format: Sandra Ramos-Inza, Cesar Aliaga, Asif Raza, Ignacio Encío, Arun Sharma, Carmen Sanmartín, Daniel Plano. New organoselenium compounds with cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo towards colon cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5451.

Abstract 5450: New se-nsaid hybrid molecules as potent and selective cytotoxic agents against breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is currently the most frequently diagnosed cancer and one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide. The introduction of a selenium atom (Se) in the structure of organic molecules has been demonstrated to be a valid approach in the design of novel chemotherapeutic agents with several biological effects, including antitumoral activity. In addition, several epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical studies support the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).On the basis of these findings, and taking into account the results of previous studies by our research group, we have developed a new series of twenty-five NSAID analogs bearing Se in the form of selenoesters modulated with different functional groups. The new compounds were tested in four cancer cell lines (HTB-54, DU-145, HT-29 and MCF-7) and two non-malignant cells (184B5 and BEAS-2B). The cytotoxicity of the five most potent and selective molecules was further studied in other cancer cell lines as well. Compounds 4a and 4d stood out as the most selective compounds with a selectivity index at least 5-fold higher in breast cancer cells. Compound 4d showed IC50 values below 10 µM and was found to be more potent than 4a in almost every cell line tested. Additionally, 4d effectively induced apoptosis in triple negative (MDA-MB-231) and estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines. Taken together, this study supports the design of new derivatives containing Se as potential anticancer agents.

Citation Format: Sandra Ramos-Inza, Ignacio Encío, Asif Raza, Arun Sharma, Carmen Sanmartín, Daniel Plano. New se-nsaid hybrid molecules as potent and selective cytotoxic agents against breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5450.

NSAIDs: Old Acquaintance in the Pipeline for Cancer Treatment and Prevention─Structural Modulation, Mechanisms of Action, and Bright Future

The limitations of current chemotherapeutic drugs are still a major issue in cancer treatment. Thus, targeted multimodal therapeutic approaches need to be strategically developed to successfully control tumor growth and prevent metastatic burden. Inflammation has long been recognized as a hallmark of cancer and plays a key role in the tumorigenesis and progression of the disease. Several epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical studies have shown that traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit anticancer activities. This Perspective reports the most recent outcomes for the treatment and prevention of different types of cancers for several NSAIDs alone or in combination with current chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, an extensive review of the most promising structural modifications is reported, such as phospho, H₂S, and NO releasing-, selenium-, metal complex-, and natural product-NSAIDs, among others. We also provide a perspective about the new strategies used to obtain more efficient NSAID- or NSAID derivative- formulations for targeted delivery.

Abstract 1287: Novel NSAID derivatives containing selenium as potent cytotoxic agents against cancer

Cancer is currently one of the major health problems of the human population and a prominent cause of death worldwide. The introduction of a selenium atom (Se) in the structure of organic molecules has demonstrated to be a valid approximation in the design of novel chemotherapeutic agents with several biological effects, including antitumoral activity. On the other hand, non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gained interest in recent years in terms of their chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities, whether when they are evaluated alone, as a combination therapy, or in the form of structurally modified analogs.On the basis of these findings, and taking into account the results of previous studies by our research group, we have developed a new series of twenty-five NSAID analogs bearing Se in their structure with several variations. The new compounds were tested in four cancer cell lines (HTB-54, DU-145, HT-29 and MCF-7) and two non-malignant cells (184B5 and BEAS-2B), showing promising results with IC50 values below 10 μM. The cytotoxicity of the five most potent and selective molecules was further studied in other cancer cell lines as well. Taken together, this work supports the design of new derivatives containing Se as potential antitumoral agents.

Citation Format: Sandra Ramos-Inza, Ignacio Encío, Arun K. Sharma, Carmen Sanmartín, Daniel Plano. Novel NSAID derivatives containing selenium as potent cytotoxic agents against cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1287.

Novel N,N'-Disubstituted Acylselenoureas as Potential Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Agents

Selenium compounds are pivotal in medicinal chemistry for their antitumoral and antioxidant properties. Forty seven acylselenoureas have been designed and synthesized following a fragment-based approach. Different scaffolds, including carbo- and hetero-cycles, along with mono- and bi-cyclic moieties, have been linked to the selenium containing skeleton. The dose- and time-dependent radical scavenging activity for all of the compounds were assessed using the in vitro 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Some of them showed a greater radical scavenging capacity at low doses and shorter times than ascorbic acid. Therefore, four compounds were evaluated to test their protective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. One derivative protected cells against H₂O₂-induced damage, increasing cell survival by up to 3.6-fold. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxic activity of all compounds was screened against several cancer cells. Eight compounds were selected to determine their half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values towards breast and lung cancer cells, along with their selectivity indexes. The breast cancer cells turned out to be much more sensitive than the lung. Two compounds (5d and 10a) stood out with IC₅₀ values between 4.2 μM and 8.0 μM towards MCF-7 and T47D cells, with selectivity indexes greater than 22.9. In addition, compound 10b exhibited dual antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Although further evidence is needed, the acylselenourea scaffold could be a feasible frame to develop new dual agents.