Ting Nie

Phospho-ibuprofen (MDC-917) is a novel agent against colon cancer: Efficacy, metabolism and pharmacokinetics in mouse models

We have developed a novel chemical modification of conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce their toxicity and enhance their efficacy. Phospho-ibuprofen [(PI) 2-(4-isobutyl-phenyl)-propionic acid-4-(diethoxy-phosphoryloxy)-butyl ester (MDC-917)], a novel derivative of ibuprofen, strongly inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro and SW480 human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice. PI was metabolized minimally by cultured cells, but extensively by liver microsomes and mice, undergoing regioselective oxidation to produce 1-OH-PI and carboxyl-PI, which can be hydrolyzed to 1-OH-ibuprofen and carboxyl-ibuprofen, respectively. PI also can be hydrolyzed to release ibuprofen, which can generate 2-OH-ibuprofen, carboxyl-ibuprofen, and ibuprofen glucuronide. After a single oral administration (400 mg/kg) of PI, ibuprofen and ibuprofen glucuronide are the main plasma metabolites of PI; they have, respectively, Cmax of 530 and 215 μM, Tmax of 1 and 2 h, elimination t1/2 of 7.7 and 5.3 h, and area under the concentration-time curve (0–24 h) of 1816 and 832 μM × h. Intact PI was detected in several tissues but not in plasma; at a higher PI dose (1200 mg/kg), PI plasma levels were 12.4 μM. PI generated the same metabolites in mouse plasma as conventional ibuprofen, but with much lower levels, perhaps accounting for the enhanced safety of PI. The antitumor effect of PI was significantly associated with plasma ibuprofen levels (p = 0.016) but not with xenograft ibuprofen levels (p = 0.08), suggesting a complex anticancer effect. These results provide a pharmacological basis to explain, at least in part, the anticancer efficacy and safety of this promising compound and indicate that PI merits further evaluation as an anticancer agent.

MC-12, an annexin A1-based peptide, is effective in the treatment of experimental colitis.

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) inhibits NF-κB, a key regulator of inflammation, the common pathophysiological mechanism of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). MC-12, an ANXA1-based tripeptide, suppresses NF-κB activation. Here, we determined the efficacy of MC-12 in the control of IBD. Mice with colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or 2,4,6-trinitro benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) were treated with various doses of MC-12 administered intraperitoneally, orally or intrarectally. We determined colon length and the histological score of colitis, and assayed: in colon tissue the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 by RT-PCR; prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and myeloperoxidase by immunoassay; and COX-2 and NF- κB by immunohistochemistry; and in serum the levels of various cytokines by immunoassay. In both models MC-12: reversed dose-dependently colonic inflammation; inhibited by up to 47% myeloperoxidase activity; had a minimal effect on cytoplasmic phospholipase A2; reduced significantly the induced levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, returning them to baseline. DSS and TNBS markedly activated NF-κB in colonic epithelial cells and MC-12 decreased this effect by 85.8% and 72.5%, respectively. MC-12 had a similar effect in cultured NCM460 normal colon epithelial cells. Finally, MC-12 suppressed the induction of COX-2 expression, the level of PGE2 in the colon and PGE2 metabolite in serum. In conclusion, MC-12, representing a novel class of short peptide inhibitors of NF-κB, has a strong effect against colitis in two preclinical models recapitulating features of human IBD. Its mechanism of action is complex and includes pronounced inhibition of NF-κB. MC-12 merits further development as an agent for the control of IBD.

The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of phospho-sulindac (OXT-328) and the effect of difluoromethylornithine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Phospho‐sulindac (PS; OXT‐328) prevents colon cancer in mice, especially when combined with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). Here, we explored its metabolism and pharmacokinetics.

Phospho-ibuprofen (MDC-917) incorporated in nanocarriers: anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo.

Phospho‐ibuprofen (P‐I; MDC‐917) inhibits the growth of colon cancer in mice. Here, we investigated the use of nanocarriers to improve its pharmacokinetics (PKs) and anti tumour efficacy.

The anticancer effect of phospho-tyrosol-indomethacin (MPI-621), a novel phosphoderivative of indomethacin: in vitro and in vivo studies

We have synthesized a novel derivative of indomethacin, phospho-tyrosol-indomethacin (PTI; MPI-621), and evaluated its anticancer efficacy in vitro and in vivo. PTI inhibited the growth of human colon, breast and lung cancer cell lines 6-30-fold more potently than indomethacin. In vivo, in contrast to indomethacin that was unable to inhibit colon cancer xenograft growth, PTI inhibited the growth of colon (69% at 10mg/kg/day, P < 0.01) and lung (91% at 15mg/kg/day, P < 0.01) subcutaneous cancer xenografts in immunodeficient mice, suppressing cell proliferation by 33% and inducing apoptosis by 75% (P < 0.05, for both). Regarding its pharmacokinetics in mice, after a single intraperitoneal injection of PTI, its plasma levels reached the maximum concentration (Cmax = 46 μM) at 2h (Tmax) and became undetectable at 4h. Indomethacin is the major metabolite of PTI, with plasma Cmax = 378 μM and Tmax = 2.5h; it became undetectable 24h postadministration. The cellular uptake of PTI (50-200 μM) at 6h was about 200-fold greater than that of indomethacin. Regarding its safety, PTI had no significant genotoxicity, showed less gastrointestinal toxicity than indomethacin and presented no cardiac toxicity. Mechanistically, PTI suppressed prostaglandin E2 production in A549 human lung cancer cells and strongly inhibited nuclear factor-κB activation in A549 xenografts. These findings indicate that PTI merits further evaluation as an anticancer agent.

A novel ibuprofen derivative with anti-lung cancer properties: synthesis, formulation, pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies.

Phospho-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (phospho-NSAIDs) are a novel class of NSAID derivatives with potent antitumor activity. However, phospho-NSAIDs have limited stability in vivo due to their rapid hydrolysis by carboxylesterases at their carboxylic ester link. Here, we synthesized phospho-ibuprofen amide (PIA), a metabolically stable analog of phospho-ibuprofen, formulated it in nanocarriers, and evaluated its pharmacokinetics and anticancer efficacy in pre-clinical models of human lung cancer. PIA was 10-fold more potent than ibuprofen in suppressing the growth of human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, an effect mediated by favorably altering cytokinetics and inducing oxidative stress. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats revealed that liposome-encapsulated PIA exhibited remarkable resistance to hydrolysis by carboxylesterases, remaining largely intact in the systemic circulation, and demonstrated selective distribution to the lungs. The antitumor activity of liposomal PIA was evaluated in a metastatic model of human NSCLC in mice. Liposomal PIA strongly inhibited lung tumorigenesis (>95%) and was significantly (p<0.05) more efficacious than ibuprofen. We observed a significant induction of urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2αin vivo, which indicates that ROS stress probably plays an important role in mediating the antitumor efficacy of PIA. Our findings suggest that liposomal PIA is a potent agent in the treatment of lung cancer and merits further evaluation.

Structure-activity relationship study of novel anticancer aspirin-based compounds

We performed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of a novel aspirin (ASA) derivative, which shows strong anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. A series of ASA-based benzyl esters (ABEs) were synthesized and their inhibitory activity against human colon (HT-29 and SW480) and pancreatic (BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2) cancer cell lines was evaluated. The ABEs that we studied largely comprise organic benzyl esters bearing an ASA or acyloxy group (X) at the meta or para position of the benzyl ring and one of four different leaving groups. The nature of the salicyloyl/acyloxy function, the leaving group, and the additional substituents affecting the electron density of the benzyl ring, all were influential determinants of the inhibitory activity on cancer cell growth for each ABE. Positional isomerism also played a significant role in this effect. The mechanism of action of these compounds appears consistent with the notion that they generate either a quinone methide or an m-oxybenzyl zwitterion (or an m-hydroxybenzyl cation), which then reacts with a nucleophile, mediating their biological effect. Our SAR study provides an insight into the biological properties of this novel class of compounds and underscores their potential as anticancer agents.

Abstract 745: Structure-activity relationship study of the novel aspirin-based anticancer compounds

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC We performed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of novel derivatives of aspirin (ASA) which show strong anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. We synthesized a series of ASA-based benzyl esters (ABEs) and evaluated their inhibitory activity against human colon (HT-29 and SW480) and pancreatic cancer cell lines (BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2). The ABEs that we studied largely comprise organic benzyl esters bearing an ASA or acyloxy group (X) at the meta or para position of the benzyl ring and one of four different leaving groups. The nature of the salicyloyl/acyloxy function, the leaving group, and the additional substituents affecting the electron density of the benzyl ring, all were influential determinants of the cancer cell growth inhibitory activity of each ABE. Positional isomerism also played a significant role in this effect. Our SAR study provides an insight into the biological properties of this novel class of compounds and underscores their potential as anticancer agents. 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 745.