Milica Pešić

Synergistic effects of the purine analog sulfinosine and curcumin on the multidrug resistant human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NCI-H460/R)

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main obstacle to a successful chemotherapy of lung cancer. We tested the potential of sulfinosine and curcumin, alone and in combination, for modulating MDR in the human resistant, non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NCI-H460/R). First, we determined the mutational status of the p53 gene in NCI-H460/R cells by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing and identified mutations which could at least partially contribute to the development of the MDR phenotype. The effects of sulfinosine and curcumin were studied, both separately and in combination, at the level of cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution and gene expression. Sulfinosine displayed dose-dependent growth inhibition in both resistant and control sensitive cell lines, whereas curcumin considerably inhibited their growth only at relatively high doses. When sulfinosine was combined with a low dose of curcumin the drugs exerted a synergistic cytotoxic effect in NCI-H460/R cells. The expression of MDR-related genes mdr1, gst-π and topo ΙΙα, was altered by sulfinosine and curcumin. The most pronounced effect was observed when the agents were applied together. Sulfinosine and curcumin caused perturbations in cell cycle distribution in the NCI-H460/R cell line. The combination of the two drugs induced a more pronounced cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M in NCI-H460/R cells. Our results show that sulfinosine and curcumin overcome MDR in non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (NSCLC), especially in combination despite the presence of a mutated p53 gene.

Anti-cancer effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles and its intracellular redox activity

Data on medical applications of cerium oxide nanoparticles CeO2 (CONP) are promising, yet information regarding their action in cells is incomplete and there are conflicting reports about in vitro toxicity. Herein, we have studied cytotoxic effect of CONP in several cancer and normal cell lines and their potential to change intracellular redox status. The IC50 was achieved only in two of eight tested cell lines, melanoma 518A2 and colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29. Self-propagating room temperature method was applied to produce CONP with an average crystalline size of 4 nm. The results confirmed presence of Ce(3+) and O(2-) vacancies. The induction of cell death by CONP and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow-cytometry. Free radicals related antioxidant capacity of the cells was studied by the reduction of stable free radical TEMPONE using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. CONP showed low or moderate cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines: adenocarcinoma DLD1 and multi-drug resistant DLD1-TxR, non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460 and multi-drug resistant NCI-H460/R, while normal cell lines (keratinocytes HaCaT, lung fetal fibroblasts MRC-5) were insensitive. The most sensitive were 518A2 melanoma and HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines, with the IC50 values being between 100 and 200 μM. Decreased rate of TEMPONE reduction and increased production of certain ROS species (peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide anion) indicates that free radical metabolism, thus redox status was changed, and antioxidant capacity damaged in the CONP treated 518A2 and HT-29 cells. In conclusion, changes in intracellular redox status induced by CONP are partly attributed to the prooxidant activity of the nanoparticles. Further, ROS induced cell damages might eventually lead to the cell death. However, low inhibitory potential of CONP in the other human cell lines tested indicates that CONP may be safe for human usage in industry and medicine.

Isolation and Biological Evaluation of Jatrophane Diterpenoids from Euphorbia dendroides

From the Montenegrin spurge Euphorbia dendroides, seven new diterpenoids [jatrophanes (1-6) and a tigliane (7)] were isolated and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The biological activity of the new compounds was studied against four human cancer cell lines. The most effective jatrophane-type compound (2) and its structurally closely related derivative (1) were evaluated for their interactions with paclitaxel and doxorubicin using a multi-drug-resistant cancer cell line. Both compounds exerted a strong reversal potential resulting from inhibition of P-glycoprotein transport.

Elucidation and in planta reconstitution of the parthenolide biosynthetic pathway

Parthenolide, the main bioactive compound of the medicinal plant feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), is a promising anti-cancer drug. However, the biosynthetic pathway of parthenolide has not been elucidated yet. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of all the genes from feverfew that are required for the biosynthesis of parthenolide, using a combination of 454 sequencing of a feverfew glandular trichome cDNA library, co-expression analysis and metabolomics. When parthenolide biosynthesis was reconstituted by transient co-expression of all pathway genes in Nicotiana benthamiana, up to 1.4μgg(-1) parthenolide was produced, mostly present as cysteine and glutathione conjugates. These relatively polar conjugates were highly active against colon cancer cells, with only slightly lower activity than free parthenolide. In addition to these biosynthetic genes, another gene encoding a costunolide and parthenolide 3β-hydroxylase was identified opening up further options to improve the water solubility of parthenolide and therefore its potential as a drug.

Diarylheptanoids from the bark of black alder inhibit the growth of sensitive and multi-drug resistant non-small cell lung carcinoma cells.

An extended study of minor diarylheptanoids from the bark of black alder has resulted in the isolation of twenty diarylheptanoids, ten of which have not previously been reported (14-18, 20-24). The structures and configurations of all compounds were elucidated by NMR, HRESIMS, UV, IR, and CD. The anti-cancer potency of twenty diarylheptanoids and four previously isolated compounds (7, 10, 12, 13) was investigated in human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines (sensitive and multi-drug resistant variants) as well as in normal human keratinocytes. Diarylheptanoids with a p-coumaroyl group, 14 and 18, platyphylloside (1), platyphyllonol-5-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (2), alnuside B (4) and hirsutenone (9) exhibited strong anti-cancer activity, considerably higher than diarylheptanoid curcumin, which served as a positive control. Compounds 4, 9, 14, and 18 displayed significant selectivity towards the cancer cells. Structure/activity analysis of twenty-four closely related diarylheptanoids revealed a high dependence of cytotoxic action on the presence of a carbonyl group at C-3. Substitution of a heptane chain on C-5 and a number of hydroxyl groups in the aromatic rings also emerged as a significant structural feature that influenced their cytotoxic potential.

New anti-cancer characteristics of jatrophane diterpenes from Euphorbia dendroides.

Jatrophane diterpenes were shown to be inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). There are also evidences on their microtubule-interacting activity in cancer cells. We evaluated new anti-cancer characteristics of two jatrophane type compounds from Euphorbia dendroides. For that purpose, the model system of sensitive non-small cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H460) and its resistant counterpart (NCI-H460/R) was used. Although both jatrophanes showed inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth, they were non-toxic for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We examined their effects in combination with paclitaxel (PTX), a well-known mitotic spindle interacting chemotherapeutic. Jatrophanes overcome PTX resistance in concentration-dependent manner in MDR cancer cell line (NCI-H460/R). We observed that this synergistic effect is not caused merely by P-gp inhibition. In combination with PTX, jatrophanes induce cell killing and change cell cycle distribution leading to G2/M arrest. Furthermore, they exert an anti-angiogenic effect by decreasing the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. The reduction of the level of mdr1 mRNA expression in sensitive cells, suggests that these compounds could not contribute to the development of resistance. In conclusion, present study provides a rational basis for the new cancer treatment approach with jatrophanes that are non-toxic to normal cells and have new favorable anti-cancer characteristics.

Discovery of 14-3-3 protein-protein interaction inhibitors that sensitize multidrug-resistant cancer cells to doxorubicin and the Akt inhibitor GSK690693.

14‐3‐3 is a family of highly conserved adapter proteins that is attracting much interest among medicinal chemists. Small‐molecule inhibitors of 14‐3‐3 protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are in high demand, both as tools to increase our understanding of 14‐3‐3 actions in human diseases and as leads to develop innovative therapeutic agents. Herein we present the discovery of novel 14‐3‐3 PPI inhibitors through a multidisciplinary strategy combining molecular modeling, organic synthesis, image‐based high‐content analysis of reporter cells, and in vitro assays using cancer cells. Notably, the two most active compounds promoted the translocation of c‐Abl and FOXO pro‐apoptotic factors into the nucleus and sensitized multidrug‐resistant cancer cells to apoptotic inducers such as doxorubicin and the pan‐Akt inhibitor GSK690693, thus becoming valuable lead candidates for further optimization. Our results emphasize the possible role of 14‐3‐3 PPI inhibitors in anticancer combination therapies.

Jatrophane diterpenoids from the latex of Euphorbia dendroides and their anti-P-glycoprotein activity in human multi-drug resistant cancer cell lines

Thirteen jatrophane diterpenoids (1-10, 13-15), three previously isolated (11, 12, 16) and a known tigliane (17) were isolated from the latex of Euphorbia dendroides. The structures and relative configurations of compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibiting activities of the representative set of jatrophanes (1-6 and 11-16) have been assessed. Jatrophanes 2 and 5 demonstrated the most powerful inhibition of P-gp, higher than R(+)-verapamil and tariquidar in colorectal multi-drug resistant (MDR) cells (DLD1-TxR).

New Approaches With Natural Product Drugs for Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer.

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the main obstacles to effective cancer treatment. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is defined as resistance to structurally and/or functionally unrelated drugs, and has been extensively investigated for the last three decades. There are two types of MDR: intrinsic and acquired. Tumor microenvironment selection pressure leads to the development of intrinsic MDR, while acquired resistance is a consequence of the administered chemotherapy. A central issue in chemotherapy failure is the existence of heterogeneous populations of cancer cells within one patient and patient-to-patient variability within each type of cancer. Numerous genes and pathways contribute to the development of MDR in cancer. Point mutations, gene amplification or other genetic or epigenetic changes all affect biological functions and may lead to the occurrence of MDR phenotype. Similar to the characteristics of cancerogenesis, the main features of MDR include abnormal tumor vasculature, regions of hypoxia, aerobic glycolysis, and a lower susceptibility to apoptosis. In order to achieve a lethal effect on cancer cells, drugs need to reach their intracellular target molecules. The overexpression of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in MDR cancer cells leads to decreased uptake of the drug and intracellular drug accumulation, minimising drug-target interactions. New agents being or inspired by natural products that successfully target these mechanisms are the main subject of this review. Two key approaches in combating MDR in cancer are discussed (i) finding agents that preserve cytotoxicity toward MDR cancer cells; (ii) developing compounds that restore the cytotoxic activity of classic anticancer drugs.

Molecular and cytogenetic changes in multi-drug resistant cancer cells and their influence on new compounds testing

PurposeMulti-drug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. Therefore, in vitro models are necessary for the investigation of the phenotypic changes provoked by cytotoxic agents and more importantly for preclinical testing of new anticancer drugs.MethodsWe analyzed chromosomal, numerical, and structural changes after development of MDR, alterations in p53 and PTEN, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mdr1 gene and corresponding protein expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in three human MDR cancer cell lines: non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460/R, colorectal carcinoma DLD1-TxR, and glioma U87-TxR. In addition, we explored how these molecular and phenotypic alterations influence the anticancer effect of new drugs.ResultsCytogenetic analysis showed polyploidy reduction after development of MDR in U87-TxR. Losses of 6q in all resistant cancer cell lines and inactivation of p53 in U87-TxR and PTEN in DLD1-TxR were also revealed. Overexpression of P-gp was observed in all MDR cancer cell lines. We evaluated the anticancer activities and MDR reversal potential of Akt inhibitor GSK690693, Ras inhibitor Tipifarnib, and two P-gp inhibitors (jatrophane diterpenoids). Their effects vary due to the cell-type differences, existence of MDR phenotype, presence of mdr1 SNP, and tumor suppressors’ alterations. Tipifarnib and jatrophane diterpenoids significantly sensitized MDR cancer cells to paclitaxel.ConclusionIn conclusion, investigated MDR cancer cells obtained new molecular and cytogenetic characteristics that may serve as potential clinical prognostic markers. In addition, these MDR cancer cell lines present a valuable model for preclinical evaluation of new anticancer agents.