Michael V. Darby

Intestinal epithelial cell accumulation of the cancer preventive polyphenol ellagic acid—extensive binding to protein and DNA

Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenol present in many berries, has been demonstrated to be preventive of esophageal cancer in animals both at the initiation and promotion stages. To be able to extrapolate these findings to humans we have studied the transcellular absorption and epithelial cell accumulation of [14C]EA in the human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The apical (mucosal) to basolateral (serosal) transcellular transport of 10 microM [14C]EA was minimal with a P(app) of only 0.13 x 10(-6)cm/s, which is less than for the paracellular transport marker mannitol. In spite of observations of basolateral to apical efflux, Caco-2 cell uptake studies showed high accumulation of EA in the cells (1054+/-136 pmol/mg protein), indicating facile absorptive transport across the apical membrane. Surprisingly, as much as 93% of the cellular EA was irreversibly bound to macromolecules (982+/-151 pmol/mg protein). To confirm the irreversible nature of the binding to protein, Caco-2 cells treated with 10 microM [14C]EA were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis. This resulted in radiolabeled protein bands trapped in the stacking gel, consistent with [14C]EA-crosslinked proteins. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with 10 microM [14C]EA also revealed irreversible binding of EA to cellular DNA as much as five times higher than for protein (5020+/-773 pmol/mg DNA). Whereas the irreversible binding to protein required oxidation of EA by reactive oxygen species, this did not seem to be the case with the DNA binding. The avid irreversible binding to cellular DNA and protein may be the reason for its highly limited transcellular absorption. Thus, EA appears to accumulate selectively in the epithelial cells of the aerodigestive tract, where its cancer preventive actions may be displayed.

7.alpha.-Substituted derivatives of androstenedione as inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis

In an effort to obtain more information on the structure-activity relationship among the 7 alpha-(phenylthio)androstenedione inhibitors of the enzyme aromatase, a series of compounds containing both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing ring substituents was synthesized and tested for aromatase inhibitory activity. No linear correlation between substituent electronic effects and inhibitory activity was observed. The halogen-containing compounds, particularly 8, appeared to be quite potent inhibitors. The 125I analogue of 8 was synthesized in order to evaluate the possibility of side-chain elimination under the assay conditions. Approximately 90% of [125I]-8 remained intact for up to 1 h under assay conditions.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Sulfonanilide Compounds as Antiproliferative Agents for Breast Cancer

Combinatorial chemistry approaches facilitate drug discovery processes and result in structural modifications of lead compounds that enhance pharmacological activity, improve pharmacokinetic properties, or reduce unwanted side effects. Epidemiological and animal model studies have suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can act as chemopreventive agents. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor nimesulide shows anticancer effects in several cancer cell lines via COX-2-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The molecular structure of nimesulide was used as a starting scaffold to design novel sulfonanilide analogs and examine the structural features that contribute to this anticancer effect. A systematic combinatorial chemical approach was used to generate diversely substituted sulfonanilide derivatives that were tested for their effects on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. Structure-function analysis indicated that the inhibition of cell growth by compounds derived from the novel sulfonanilides required a bulky terminal phenyl ring, a methanesulfonamide, and a hydrophobic carboxamide moiety.

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and radioiodination of halogenated closo -carboranylthymidine analogues(1)

The synthesis and initial biological evaluation of 3-carboranylthymidine analogues (3CTAs) that are (radio)halogenated at the closo-carborane cluster are described. Radiohalogenated 3CTAs have the potential to be used in the radiotherapy and imaging of cancer because they may be selectively entrapped in tumor cells through monophosphorylation by human thymidine kinase 1 (hTK1). Two strategies for the synthesis of a (127)I-labeled form of a specific 3CTA, previously designated as N5, are described: (1) direct iodination of N5 with iodine monochloride and aluminum chloride to obtain N5-(127)I and (2) initial monoiodination of o-carborane to 9-iodo-o-carborane followed by its functionalization to N5-(127)I. The former strategy produced N5-(127)I in low yields along with di-, tri-, and tetraiodinated N5 as well as decomposition products, whereas the latter method produced only N5-(127)I in high yields. N5-(127)I was subjected to nucleophilic halogen- and isotope-exchange reactions using Na(79/81)Br and Na(125)I, respectively, in the presence of Herrmanns catalyst to obtain N5-(79/81)Br and N5-(125)I, respectively. Two intermediate products formed using the second strategy, 1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-9-iodo-o-carborane and 1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-12-iodo-o-carborane, were subjected to X-ray diffraction studies to confirm that substitution at a single carbon atom of 9-iodo-o-carborane resulted in the formation of two structural isomers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of halogen- and isotope-exchange reactions of B-halocarboranes that have been conjugated to a complex biomolecule. Human TK1 phosphorylation rates of N5, N5-(127)I, and N5-(79/81)Br ranged from 38.0% to 29.6% relative to that of thymidine, the endogenous hTK1 substrate. The in vitro uptake of N5, N5-(127)I, and N5-(79/81)Br in L929 TK1(+) cells was 2.0, 1.8, and 1.4 times greater than that in L929 TK1(-) cells.

Preparation and characterization of folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-trimethylchitosan for intracellular transport of protein through folate receptor-mediated endocytosis.

To develop a receptor-mediated intracellular delivery system that can transport therapeutic proteins to specific tumor cells, folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-trimethylchitosan (folate-PEG-g-TMC) was synthesized. Nano-scaled spherical polyelectrolyte complexes between the folate-PEG-g-TMC and fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) were prepared under suitable weight ratio of copolymer to FITC-BSA by ionic interaction between the positively charged copolymers and the negatively charged FITC-BSA. Intracellular uptake of FITC-BSA was specifically enhanced in SKOV3 cells (folate receptor over-expressing cell line) through folate receptor-mediated endocytosis compared with A549 cells (folate receptor deficient cell line). Folate-PEG-g-TMC shows promise for intracellular transport of negatively charged therapeutic proteins into folate receptor over-expressing tumor cells.

Novel sulfonanilide analogs decrease aromatase activity in breast cancer cells: synthesis, biological evaluation, and ligand-based pharmacophore identification.

Aromatase converts androgens to estrogens and is a particularly attractive target in the treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Previously, the COX-2 selective inhibitor nimesulide and analogs decreased aromatase expression and enzyme activity independent of COX-2 inhibition. In this manuscript, a combinatorial approach was used to generate diversely substituted novel sulfonanilides by parallel synthesis. Their pharmacological evaluation as agents for suppression of aromatase activity in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells was extensively explored. A ligand-based pharmacophore model was elaborated for selective aromatase modulation (SAM) using the Catalyst HipHop algorithms. The best qualitative model consisted of four features: one aromatic ring, two hydrogen bond acceptors, and one hydrophobic function. Several lead compounds have also been tested in aromatase transfected MCF-7 cells, and they significantly suppressed cellular aromatase activity. The results suggest that both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms of these compounds are involved within the aromatase suppression effect.

Synthesis of N3-substituted carboranyl thymidine bioconjugates and their evaluation as substrates of recombinant human thymidine kinase 1.

Four different libraries of overall twenty three N3-substituted thymidine (dThd) analogues, including eleven 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs), were synthesized. The latter are potential agents for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of cancer. Linker between the dThd scaffold and the m-carborane cluster at the N3-position of the 3CTAs contained amidinyl-(3e and 3f), guanidyl-(7e-7g), tetrazolylmethyl-(9b1/2-9d1/2), or tetrazolyl groups (11b1/2-11d1/2) to improve human thymidine kinase 1 (hTK1) substrate characteristics and water solubilities compared with 1st generation 3CTAs, such as N5 and N5-2OH. The amidinyl- and guanidyl-type N3-substitued dThd analogues (3a-3f and 7a-7g) had hTK1 phosphorylation rates of <30% relative to that of dThd, the endogenous hTK1 substrate, whereas the tetrazolyl-type N3-substitued dThd analogues (9a, 9b1/2-9d1/2 and 11a, 11b1/2-11d1/2) had relative phosphorylation rates (rPRs) of >40%. Compounds 9a, 9b1/2-9d1/2 and 11a, 11b1/2-11d1/2 were subjected to in-depth enzyme kinetics studies and the obtained rk(cat)/K(m) (k(cat)/K(m) relative to that of dThd) ranged from 2.5 to 26%. The tetrazolyl-type N3-substitued dThd analogues 9b1/2 and 11d1/2 were the best substrates of hTK1 with rPRs of 52.4% and 42.5% and rk(cat)/K(m) values of 14.9% and 19.7% respectively. In comparison, the rPR and rk(cat)/K(m) values of N5-2OH in this specific study were 41.5% and 10.8%, respectively. Compounds 3e and 3f were >1900 and >1500 times, respectively, better soluble in PBS (pH 7.4) than N5-2OH whereas solubilities for 9b1/2-9d1/2 and 11b1/2-11d1/2 were only 1.3-13 times better.

Selective regulation of aromatase expression for drug discovery

Aromatase is a particularly attractive drug target in the treatment of hormone-responsive breast cancer, and aromatase activity in breast cancer patients is greater in or near the tumor tissue compared with the normal breast tissue. Complex regulation of aromatase expression in human tissues involves alternative promoter sites that provide tissue-specific control. Previous studies in our laboratories suggested a strong association between aromatase (CYP19) gene expression and the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) genes. Additionally, COX selective inhibitors can suppress CYP19 gene expression and decrease aromatase activity. Our current hypothesis is that pharmacological regulation of aromatase can act locally to decrease the biosynthesis of estrogen and may provide additional therapy options for patients with hormone-dependent breast cancer. Two pharmacological approaches are being developed, one approach utilizing small molecule drug design and the second approach involving mRNA silencing technology. The small molecule drug design approach focuses on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel series of sulfonanilide analogs derived from COX-2 selective inhibitors. Combinatorial chemistry approaches were used to generate diversely substituted novel sulfonanilides. The compounds suppress aromatase enzyme activity in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells in a dose and time dependent manner, and structure activity analysis does not find a correlation between aromatase suppression and COX inhibition. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrates that the sulfonanilide analogs decrease aromatase gene transcription in breast cells. Furthermore, the sulfonanilide compounds selectively decrease aromatase gene expression in several breast cancer cells, without exhibiting cytotoxic or apoptotic effects at low micromole concentrations. A ligand-based pharmacophore model for selective aromatase modulation (SAM) by the novel sulfonanilides identified an aromatic ring, two hydrogen bond acceptors, and a hydrophobic function as four key chemical features. In the second approach, short interfering RNAs (siRNA) were designed targeting human aromatase mRNA. Treatment of breast cancer cells with siRNAs targeting aromatase (siAROMs) completely masked the aromatase enzyme activity and resulted in suppression of CYP19 mRNA. Thus, these results suggest that the novel sulfonanilides and the siRNAs targeting aromatase expression may be valuable tools for selective regulation of aromatase in breast cancer.

In Vivo Distribution of Boronated Monoclonal Antibodies and Starburst Dendrimers

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) are theoretically among the most specific of all tumor targeting agents. In the span of ten years a voluminous literature has developed on their potential use for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Drugs, radionuclides, and toxins have been linked to MoAbs, but, unfortunately, their therapeutic efficacy has been limited due to a variety of problems1. Attempts to use MoAbs to target 10B to tumors for BNCT have been unsuccessful for many of these same reasons. In order to sustain a lethal 10B (n,α)Li7 reaction at the cellular level, approximately ≈109 10B atoms must be delivered to each tumor cell2. This requirement has led to the use of macromolecules such as boronated poly-D,L-lysine (BPL) or boronated starburst dendrimers (BSD), which can be linked to MoAbs by means of heterobifunctional reagents3,4. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in vivo distribution of a MoAb directed against the murine B16 melanoma5 that has been boronated using a starburst dendrimer, and to compare this to the distribution patterns of native MoAb and unmodified dendrimers of varying molecular weights.

Novel pyrrolopyrimidines as Mps1/TTK kinase inhibitors for breast cancer

New targeted therapy approaches for certain subtypes of breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancers and other aggressive phenotypes, are desired. High levels of the mitotic checkpoint kinase Mps1/TTK have correlated with high histologic grade in breast cancer, suggesting a potential new therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancers (BC). Novel small molecules targeting Mps1 were designed by computer assisted docking analyses, and several candidate compounds were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated in anti-proliferative assays of a panel of 15 breast cancer cell lines and further examined for their ability to inhibit a variety of Mps1-dependent biological functions. The results indicate that the lead compounds have strong anti-proliferative potential through Mps1/TTK inhibition in both basal and luminal BC cell lines, exhibiting IC50 values ranging from 0.05 to 1.0μM. In addition, the lead compounds 1 and 13 inhibit Mps1 kinase enzymatic activity with IC50 values from 0.356μM to 0.809μM, and inhibited Mps1-associated cellular functions such as centrosome duplication and the spindle checkpoint in triple negative breast cancer cells. The most promising analog, compound 13, significantly decreased tumor growth in nude mice containing Cal-51 triple negative breast cancer cell xenografts. Using drug discovery technologies, computational modeling, medicinal chemistry, cell culture and in vivo assays, novel small molecule Mps1/TTK inhibitors have been identified as potential targeted therapies for breast cancers.