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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022DNA-alkylating natural products play an important role in drug development due to their significant antitumor activities. They usually show high affinity with DNA... (Review)
Review
DNA-alkylating natural products play an important role in drug development due to their significant antitumor activities. They usually show high affinity with DNA through different mechanisms with the aid of their unique scaffold and highly active functional groups. Therefore, the biosynthesis of these natural products has been extensively studied, especially the construction of their pharmacophores. Meanwhile, their producing strains have evolved corresponding self-resistance strategies to protect themselves. To further promote the functional characterization of their biosynthetic pathways and lay the foundation for the discovery and rational design of DNA alkylating agents, we summarize herein the progress of research into DNA-alkylating antitumor natural products, including their biosynthesis, modes of action, and auto-resistance mechanisms.
Topics: Alkylating Agents; Biological Products; Biosynthetic Pathways; DNA
PubMed: 36234921
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196387 -
Journal of Zhejiang University.... Jan 2021Alkylated DNA lesions, induced by both exogenous chemical agents and endogenous metabolites, represent a major form of DNA damage in cells. The repair of alkylation... (Review)
Review
Alkylated DNA lesions, induced by both exogenous chemical agents and endogenous metabolites, represent a major form of DNA damage in cells. The repair of alkylation damage is critical in all cells because such damage is cytotoxic and potentially mutagenic. Alkylation chemotherapy is a major therapeutic modality for many tumors, underscoring the importance of the repair pathways in cancer cells. Several different pathways exist for alkylation repair, including base excision and nucleotide excision repair, direct reversal by methyl-guanine methyltransferase (MGMT), and dealkylation by the AlkB homolog (ALKBH) protein family. However, maintaining a proper balance between these pathways is crucial for the favorable response of an organism to alkylating agents. Here, we summarize the progress in the field of DNA alkylation lesion repair and describe the implications for cancer chemotherapy.
Topics: AlkB Homolog 1, Histone H2a Dioxygenase; Alkylating Agents; Alkylation; DNA Adducts; DNA Damage; DNA Glycosylases; DNA Mismatch Repair; DNA Modification Methylases; DNA Repair; DNA Repair Enzymes; Humans; Models, Biological; Neoplasms; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 33448187
DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2000344 -
Drugs Jun 2021Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen, Pepaxto) is a peptide conjugated alkylating drug developed by Oncopeptides for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloid... (Review)
Review
Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen, Pepaxto) is a peptide conjugated alkylating drug developed by Oncopeptides for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. It is an ethyl ester of a lipophilic dipeptide consisting of melphalan and para-fluoro-L-phenylalanine. Due to its lipophilicity, melphalan flufenamide is rapidly transported across the cell membrane and almost immediately hydrolyzed by aminopeptidases in the cytoplasm to yield more hydrophilic alkylating molecules, such as melphalan and desethyl-melflufen. Like other nitrogen mustard drugs, melphalan flufenamide exerts antitumor activity through DNA crosslinking. In February 2021, melphalan flufenamide, in combination with dexamethasone, received its first approval in the USA for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory (r/r) MM who have received at least four prior lines of therapy and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor (PI), one immunomodulatory agent, and one CD38-directed monoclonal antibody. A multinational clinical study of melphalan flufenamide in amyloid light-chain amyloidosis is underway across several countries, and preclinical studies for various haematological and solid cancers are underway. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of melphalan flufenamide leading to this first approval.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Melphalan; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Multiple Myeloma; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 33961277
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-021-01522-0 -
Chembiochem : a European Journal of... May 2021Pyrrole-imidazole (PI) polyamides, which target specific DNA sequences, have been studied as a class of DNA minor-groove-binding molecules. To investigate the potential... (Review)
Review
Pyrrole-imidazole (PI) polyamides, which target specific DNA sequences, have been studied as a class of DNA minor-groove-binding molecules. To investigate the potential of compounds for cancer treatment, PI polyamides were conjugated with DNA-alkylating agents, such as seco-CBI and chlorambucil. DNA-alkylating PI polyamides have attracted attention because of their sequence-specific alkylating activities, which contribute to reducing the severe side effects of current DNA-damaging drugs. Many of these types of conjugates have been developed as new candidates for anticancer drugs. Herein, we review recent progress into research on DNA-alkylating PI polyamides and their sequence-specific action on targets associated with cancer development.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; DNA; Humans; Imidazoles; Neoplasms; Nylons; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Pyrroles; Telomere
PubMed: 33453075
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000752 -
Current Oncology Reports Mar 2022Elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (eGBM) carry a worse prognosis compared with their younger counterparts. eGBM garners special attention due to the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (eGBM) carry a worse prognosis compared with their younger counterparts. eGBM garners special attention due to the unique challenges, including increased treatment-associated toxicity, less relative benefit from aggressive therapy, medical comorbidities, and immunosuppression. The pivotal GBM trials excluded patients > 70 years old and the optimal treatment approach remains unsettled for eGBM. In this review, we analyze the historical evidence-based data for treating eGBM and discuss the future direction for managing this vulnerable population.
RECENT FINDINGS
Treatment for eGBM continues to evolve. Therapy choice is guided by performance status and presence of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. For eGBM with good performance status, combinatorial hypofractionated radiation therapy (hRT) and temozolomide should be recommended. For those with poor performance status, further stratification based on MGMT promoter methylation test result is recommended. Single-agent temozolomide is a viable treatment option for MGMT methylated tumors (mMGMT); in particular, those classified with receptor tyrosine kinase II methylation. hRT alone can be considered in MGMT unmethylated (uMGMT) eGBM patients. As precision oncology continues to advance, effective targeted and immunotherapy may emerge as new treatment options for eGBM. Management of elderly patients with newly diagnosed GBM carries a unique set of challenges. Progress has been made in defining the optimal therapeutic approach for these patients, but many questions remain to be answered.
Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Brain Neoplasms; DNA Methylation; Glioblastoma; Humans; Precision Medicine; Prognosis; Temozolomide
PubMed: 35122621
DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01201-7 -
Biochemical and Biophysical Research... Jan 2021DNA integrity is challenged by both exogenous and endogenous alkylating agents. DNA repair proteins such as Escherichia coli AlkB family of enzymes can repair...
DNA integrity is challenged by both exogenous and endogenous alkylating agents. DNA repair proteins such as Escherichia coli AlkB family of enzymes can repair 1-methyladenine and 3-methylcytosine adducts by oxidative demethylation. Human AlkB homologue 5 (ALKBH5) is RNA N6-methyladenine demethylase and not known to be involved in DNA repair. Herein we show that ALKBH5 also has weak DNA repair activity and it can demethylate DNA 3-methylcytosine. The mutation of the amino acid residues involved in demethylation also abolishes the DNA repair activity of ALKBH5. Overexpression of ALKBH5 decreases the 3-methylcytosine level in genomic DNA and reduces the cytotoxic effects of the DNA damaging alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate. Thus, demethylation by ALKBH5 might play a supporting role in maintaining genome integrity.
Topics: AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase; Alkylating Agents; Cytosine; DNA Adducts; DNA Damage; DNA Methylation; DNA Repair; Demethylation; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Mesylates
PubMed: 33321288
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.12.017 -
Marine Drugs Feb 2015Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare tumors derived from mesenchymal tissue, accounting for about 1% of adult cancers. There are over 60 different histological... (Review)
Review
Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare tumors derived from mesenchymal tissue, accounting for about 1% of adult cancers. There are over 60 different histological subtypes, each with their own unique biological behavior and response to systemic therapy. The outcome for patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is poor with few available systemic treatment options. For decades, the mainstay of management has consisted of doxorubicin with or without ifosfamide. Trabectedin is a synthetic agent derived from the Caribbean tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata. This drug has a number of potential mechanisms of action, including binding the DNA minor groove, interfering with DNA repair pathways and the cell cycle, as well as interacting with transcription factors. Several phase II trials have shown that trabectedin has activity in anthracycline and alkylating agent-resistant soft tissue sarcoma and suggest use in the second- and third-line setting. More recently, trabectedin has shown similar progression-free survival to doxorubicin in the first-line setting and significant activity in liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma subtypes. Trabectedin has shown a favorable toxicity profile and has been approved in over 70 countries for the treatment of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. This manuscript will review the development of trabectedin in soft tissue sarcomas.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; Dioxoles; Humans; Sarcoma; Tetrahydroisoquinolines; Trabectedin
PubMed: 25686274
DOI: 10.3390/md13020974 -
Materials Science & Engineering. C,... Apr 2016Small molecules that bind genomic DNA have proven that they can be effective anticancer, antibiotic and antiviral therapeutic agents that affect the well-being of... (Review)
Review
Small molecules that bind genomic DNA have proven that they can be effective anticancer, antibiotic and antiviral therapeutic agents that affect the well-being of millions of people worldwide. Drug-DNA interaction affects DNA replication and division; causes strand breaks, and mutations. Therefore, the investigation of drug-DNA interaction is needed to understand the mechanism of drug action as well as in designing DNA-targeted drugs. On the other hand, the interaction between DNA and drugs can cause chemical and conformational modifications and, thus, variation of the electrochemical properties of nucleobases. For this purpose, electrochemical methods/biosensors can be used toward detection of drug-DNA interactions. The present paper reviews the drug-DNA interactions, their types and applications of electrochemical techniques used to study interactions between DNA and drugs or small ligand molecules that are potentially of pharmaceutical interest. The results are used to determine drug binding sites and sequence preference, as well as conformational changes due to drug-DNA interactions. Also, the intention of this review is to give an overview of the present state of the drug-DNA interaction cognition. The applications of electrochemical techniques for investigation of drug-DNA interaction were reviewed and we have discussed the type of qualitative or quantitative information that can be obtained from the use of each technique.
Topics: Alkylating Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Biosensing Techniques; DNA; DNA Cleavage; Electrochemical Techniques; Humans; Intercalating Agents; Nanostructures; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Pharmacogenetics
PubMed: 26838928
DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.12.020 -
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 2016Trabectedin is an anti-tumor compound registered in Europe and in several other countries, for the second-line treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and for ovarian... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Trabectedin is an anti-tumor compound registered in Europe and in several other countries, for the second-line treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and for ovarian cancer in combination with liposomal doxorubicin. Trabectedin inhibits cancer cell proliferation mainly affecting the transcription regulation. Trabectedin also acts as a modulator of tumor microenvironment by reducing the number of tumor associated macrophages (TAM). Because of its unique mechanism of action, trabectedin has the potential to act as antineoplastic agent also in several solid malignancies, including breast cancer (BC).
AREAS COVERED
This article reviews the preclinical and clinical data of trabectedin focusing on development in metastatic BC (mBC). Comments regarding the nature and the results of these trials are included.
EXPERT OPINION
Trabectedin is thought to have a crucial activity with defective DNA-repair machinery and also in modulating the tumor micro-environment and the immune-system of cancer patients. From the current available data, we recognize a potential activity of trabectedin in mBC and support the renewed efforts to better elucidate the value of trabectedin in this indication.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Breast Neoplasms; DNA Repair; Dioxoles; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Tetrahydroisoquinolines; Trabectedin; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 26592307
DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2016.1124086 -
Cancer Research Communications Jun 2023O-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase ()-silenced tumors reveal sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ), which may be enhanced by PARP inhibitors. Approximately 40% of...
PURPOSE
O-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase ()-silenced tumors reveal sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ), which may be enhanced by PARP inhibitors. Approximately 40% of colorectal cancer has silencing and we aimed to measure antitumoral and immunomodulatory effects from TMZ and olaparib in colorectal cancer.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Patients with advanced colorectal cancer were screened for promoter hypermethylation using methylation-specific PCR of archival tumor. Eligible patients received TMZ 75 mg/m days 1-7 with olaparib 150 mg twice daily every 21 days. Pretreatment tumor biopsies were collected for whole-exome sequencing (WES), and multiplex quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) of MGMT protein expression and immune markers.
RESULTS
promoter hypermethylation was detected in 18/51 (35%) patients, 9 received study treatment with no objective responses, 5/9 had stable disease (SD) and 4/9 had progressive disease as best response. Three patients had clinical benefit: carcinoembryonic antigen reduction, radiographic tumor regression, and prolonged SD. MGMT expression by multiplex QIF revealed prominent tumor MGMT protein from 6/9 patients without benefit, while MGMT protein was lower in 3/9 with benefit. Moreover, benefitting patients had higher baseline CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. WES revealed 8/9 patients with MAP kinase variants (7 and 1 ). Flow cytometry identified peripheral expansion of effector T cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate discordance between promoter hypermethylation and MGMT protein expression. Antitumor activity seen in patients with low MGMT protein expression, supports MGMT protein as a predictor of alkylator sensitivity. Increased CD8 TILs and peripheral activated T cells, suggest a role for immunostimulatory combinations.
SIGNIFICANCE
TMZ and PARP inhibitors synergize and in tumors with MGMT silencing. Up to 40% of colorectal cancer is MGMT promoter hypermethylated, and we investigated whether TMZ and olaparib are effective in this population. We also measured MGMT by QIF and observed efficacy only in patients with low MGMT, suggesting quantitative MGMT biomarkers more accurately predict benefit to alkylator combinations.
Topics: Humans; Temozolomide; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; DNA Repair; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase; Colonic Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Alkylating Agents
PubMed: 37387791
DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-23-0045