Min Ji

Natural BH3 mimetic (-)-gossypol chemosensitizes human prostate cancer via Bcl-xL inhibition accompanied by increase of Puma and Noxa

Antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family proteins are overexpressed in prostate cancer and are promising molecular targets for modulating chemoresistance of prostate cancer. (-)-Gossypol, a natural BH3 mimetic, is a small-molecule inhibitor of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL/Mcl-1 currently in phase II clinical trials as an adjuvant therapy for human prostate cancer. Our objective is to examine the chemosensitization potential of (-)-gossypol in prostate cancer and its molecular mechanisms of action. (-)-Gossypol inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis through mitochondria pathway in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and synergistically enhanced the antitumor activity of docetaxel both in vitro and in vivo in PC-3 xenograft model in nude mouse. (-)-Gossypol blocked the interactions of Bcl-xL with Bax or Bad in cancer cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay and overcame the Bcl-xL protection of FL5.12 model cells on interleukin-3 withdrawal. Western blot and real-time PCR studies showed that a dose-dependent increase of the proapoptotic BH3-only proteins Noxa and Puma contributed to the cell death induced by (-)-gossypol and to the synergistic effects of (-)-gossypol and docetaxel. The small interfering RNA knockdown studies showed that Noxa and Puma are required in the (-)-gossypol-induced cell death. Taken together, these data suggest that (-)-gossypol exerts its antitumor activity through inhibition of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL accompanied by an increase of proapoptotic Noxa and Puma. (-)-Gossypol significantly enhances the antitumor activity of chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo, representing a promising new regime for the treatment of human hormone-refractory prostate cancer with Bcl-2/Bcl-xL/Mcl-1 overexpression. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(7):2192–202]

A natural BH3 mimetic induces autophagy in apoptosis-resistant prostate cancer via modulating Bcl-2-Beclin1 interaction at endoplasmic reticulum.

A natural BH3-mimetic, small-molecule inhibitor of Bcl-2, (−)-gossypol, shows promise in ongoing phase II and III clinical trials for human prostate cancer. In this study we show that (−)-gossypol preferentially induces autophagy in androgen-independent (AI) prostate cancer cells that have high levels of Bcl-2 and are resistant to apoptosis, both in vitro and in vivo, but not in androgen-dependent (AD) cells with low Bcl-2 and sensitive to apoptosis. The Bcl-2 inhibitor induces autophagy through blocking Bcl-2–Beclin1 interaction, together with downregulating Bcl-2, upregulating Beclin1, and activating the autophagic pathway. The (−)-gossypol-induced autophagy is dependent on Beclin1 and Atg5. Our results show for the first time that (−)-gossypol can also interrupt the interactions between Beclin1 and Bcl-2/Bcl-xL at endoplasmic reticulum, thus releasing the BH3-only pro-autophagic protein Beclin1, which in turn triggers the autophagic cascade. Oral administration of (−)-gossypol significantly inhibited the growth of AI prostate cancer xenografts, representing a promising new regimen for the treatment of human hormone-refractory prostate cancer with Bcl-2 overexpression. Our data provide new insights into the mode of cell death induced by Bcl-2 inhibitors, which will facilitate the rational design of clinical trials by selecting patients who are most likely to benefit from the Bcl-2-targeted molecular therapy.Bcl-2 is a key dual regulator of autophagy and apoptosis, but how the level of Bcl-2 influences the cellular decision between autophagy and apoptosis is unclear. The natural BH3-mimetic (-)-gossypol preferentially induces autophagy in androgen-independent (AI) prostate cancer cells that have high levels of Bcl-2 and are resistant to apoptosis, whereas apoptosis is preferentially induced in androgen-dependent or -independent cells with low Bcl-2. (-)-Gossypol induces autophagy via blocking Bcl-2-Beclin 1 interaction at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), together with downregulating Bcl-2, upregulating Beclin 1 and activating the autophagic pathway. Furthermore, (-)-gossypol-induced autophagy is Beclin 1- and Atg5-dependent. These results provide new insights into the mode of cell death induced by Bcl-2 inhibitors, which could facilitate the rational design of clinical trials by selecting patients who are most likely to benefit from the Bcl-2-targeted molecular therapy.

Design, synthesis, and in vitro antitumor evaluation of novel diaryl ureas derivatives.

Two series of novel diaryl ureas have been designed and synthesized, with their in vitro antitumor effect screened on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549 and human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Some target compounds demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against both cell lines. Compared to contrast drug Sorafenib, 1b, 1d, 1f, 1i were found to demonstrate more potent antitumor activities. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were determined by 1H, 13C NMR, MS, IR and elementary analysis.

Design and synthesis of novel Gefitinib analogues with improved anti-tumor activity

There is an urgent need to design and develop new and more potent EGFR inhibitors with improved anti-tumor activity. Here we describe the design and synthesis of two series of 4-benzothienyl amino quinazolines as new analogues of the EGFR inhibitor Gefitinib. The anti-tumor activity of these novel Gefitinib analogues in 6 human cancer cell lines was examined. Compared with the parental Gefitinib, most of the new compounds show a markedly increased cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Furthermore, several of the series B compounds that side chains at position 7 contain either a methyl or ethyl group are potent pan-RTK inhibitors. Two representative compounds in this class, 15 and 17, have an enhanced capability to inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis in vitro and inhibit tumor formation in vivo in human cancer cells with high HER-2, as compared with the parental Gefitinib. Thus they may be promising lead compounds to be developed as an alternative for current Gefitinib therapy or for Gefitinb-resistant patients, potentially via simultaneously blocking multiple RTK signaling pathways.

Novel and convenient synthesis of 5-benzoyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives

A novel and convenient method for the preparation of 5-benzoyl-1,4-naphthoquinone is reported for the first time. The process starts with condensation of malonic acid, followed by Diers–Alder cyclization, methylation, aromatization, hydrolysis, Friedel–Crafts acylation, and oxidation. The new synthesis procedure with high yields does not require special conditions and column chromatographic purification. The method involves readily available reagents and has been demonstrated to be suitable for large-scale preparation.

Natural product (−)-gossypol inhibits colon cancer cell growth by targeting RNA-binding protein Musashi-1

Musashi‐1 (MSI1) is an RNA‐binding protein that acts as a translation activator or repressor of target mRNAs. The best‐characterized MSI1 target is Numb mRNA, whose encoded protein negatively regulates Notch signaling. Additional MSI1 targets include the mRNAs for the tumor suppressor protein APC that regulates Wnt signaling and the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor P21WAF−1. We hypothesized that increased expression of NUMB, P21 and APC, through inhibition of MSI1 RNA‐binding activity might be an effective way to simultaneously downregulate Wnt and Notch signaling, thus blocking the growth of a broad range of cancer cells. We used a fluorescence polarization assay to screen for small molecules that disrupt the binding of MSI1 to its consensus RNA binding site. One of the top hits was (−)‐gossypol (Ki = 476 ± 273 nM), a natural product from cottonseed, known to have potent anti‐tumor activity and which has recently completed Phase IIb clinical trials for prostate cancer. Surface plasmon resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance studies demonstrate a direct interaction of (−)‐gossypol with the RNA binding pocket of MSI1. We further showed that (−)‐gossypol reduces Notch/Wnt signaling in several colon cancer cell lines having high levels of MSI1, with reduced SURVIVIN expression and increased apoptosis/autophagy. Finally, we showed that orally administered (−)‐gossypol inhibits colon cancer growth in a mouse xenograft model. Our study identifies (−)‐gossypol as a potential small molecule inhibitor of MSI1‐RNA interaction, and suggests that inhibition of MSI1s RNA binding activity may be an effective anti‐cancer strategy.

Bone-targeting glycol and NSAIDS ester prodrugs of rhein: Synthesis, hydroxyapatite affinity, stability, anti-inflammatory, ulcerogenicity index and pharmacokinetics studies

Although rhein and NSAIDs are potent anti-inflammatory drugs, their use has been limited by the high incidence of gastrointestinal erosions and the necessity to deliver the drug to specific sites of target organ. Using the prodrug approach, a series of rhein-NSAIDs prodrugs containing anthraquinone bone-targeting moiety were synthesized by linking rhein with NSAIDs through glycol ester. The target compounds demonstrated significant capability of binding to HAP and were hydrolytically activated in physiological conditions. Hybrid rhein-NSAIDs prodrugs exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity, moreover, the tested compounds were also found to possess less degree of ulcerogenic potential. Our pharmacokinetic studies of 7e demonstrated this prodrug is a potential candidate for a slower and sustained release form of rhein.

Fluorescent artificial enzyme-linked immunoassay system based on Pd/C nanocatalyst and fluorescent chemodosimeter.

Artificial enzyme mimics have recently attracted considerable interest because they possess many advantages compared with natural enzymes, such as low cost of preparation and high stability. Herein, we present a novel fluorescent artificial enzyme-linked immunoassay strategy by utilizing Pd/C nanocatalyst as the enzyme mimic and bis-allyloxycarbonyl rhodamine 110 (BI-Rho 110) as the substrate, and the amplification procedure is based on the palladium-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost reaction. Pd/C nanocatalyst with the average size of 150 nm was prepared by the impregnation-reduction method, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses reveal that Pd clusters with an average size of about 1 nm are dispersed uniformly on each carbon nanospheres surface. Kinetic studies show that this reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Pd/C nanocatalyst under certain conditions. The turnover number of Pd/C nanocatalyst reaches up to 3.3 × 10(7) (h(-1)). The analytical performance of this system in detecting hCG shows that after a 24 h incubation the sensitivity limit can reach 0.1 ng/mL and the dynamic linear working range is 1-10 ng/mL. Our findings pave the way to use Pd-catalyzed reaction for design and development of novel analytical methods.

Overcoming chemo/radio-resistance of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting STAT3 signaling

Chemo/radio-therapy resistance to the deadly pancreatic cancer is mainly due to the failure to kill pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs). Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is activated in pancreatic CSCs and, therefore, may be a valid target for overcoming therapeutic resistance. Here we investigated the potential of STAT3 inhibition in sensitizing pancreatic cancer to chemo/radio-therapy. We found that the levels of nuclear pSTAT3 in pancreatic cancer correlated with advanced tumor grade and poor patient outcome. Liposomal delivery of a STAT3 inhibitor FLLL32 (Lip-FLLL32) inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3 target genes in pancreatic cancer cells and tumors. Consequently, Lip-FLLL32 suppressed pancreatic cancer cell growth, and exhibited synergetic effects with gemcitabine and radiation treatment in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Lip-FLLL32 reduced ALDH1-positive CSC population and modulated several potential stem cell markers. These results demonstrate that Lip-FLLL32 suppresses pancreatic tumor growth and sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to radiotherapy through inhibition of CSCs in a STAT3-dependent manner. By targeting pancreatic CSCs, Lip-FLLL32 provides a novel strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy via overcoming radioresistance.

Discovery and preliminary evaluation of 2-aminobenzamide and hydroxamate derivatives containing 1,2,4-oxadiazole moiety as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors

Using Entinostat as a lead compound, 2-aminobenzamide and hydroxamate derivatives have been designed and synthesized. The entire target compounds were investigated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities using the MTT-based assay against five human cancer cell lines including U937, A549, NCI-H661, MDA-MB-231 and HCT116. 2-Aminobenzamide series of compounds (10a-10j) demonstrated the most significant inhibition against human acute monocytic myeloid leukemia cell line U937, but no or poor activities against two human lung cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the target compounds were screened for their inhibitory activities against HDAC 1, 2, and 8. 2-Aminobenzamide derivatives (10) manifested a higher selectivity for HDAC 1 over HDAC 2, but were not active against HDAC 8. In contrast, most hydroxamate derivatives (11) inhibit HDAC 8 with lower IC50 values than SAHA and Entinostat. Docking study with selected compounds 10f and 11a revealed that the compounds might bind tightly to the binding pockets in HDAC 2 and HDAC 8, respectively. The results suggest that they may be promising lead compounds for the development of novel anti-tumor drug potentially via inhibiting HDACs.