Publications by authors named "Azhar Ravji"

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) is a DNA repair enzyme that removes 5'-phosphotyrosyl blockages resulting from topoisomerase II (TOP2)-DNA cleavage complexes trapped by TOP2 inhibitors. TDP2 is a logical target for the development of therapeutics to complement existing treatments based on inhibition of TOP2. There is, however, no TDP2 inhibitor in clinical development at present.

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Topoisomerase II (TOP2) poisons as anticancer drugs work by trapping TOP2 cleavage complexes (TOP2cc) to generate DNA damage. Repair of such damage by tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) could render cancer cells resistant to TOP2 poisons. Inhibiting TDP2, thus, represents an attractive mechanism-based chemosensitization approach.

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Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) is a recently discovered enzyme repairing DNA lesions resulting from stalled topoisomerase IB (TOP1)-DNA covalent complex. Inhibiting TDP1 in conjunction with TOP1 inhibitors can boost the action of the latter. Herein, we report the discovery of the natural product oxynitidine scaffold as a novel chemotype for the development of TOP1 and TDP1 inhibitors.

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Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) is a recently discovered enzyme specifically repairing topoisomerase II (TOP2)-mediated DNA damage. It has been shown that inhibition of TDP2 synergize with TOP2 inhibitors. Herein, we report the discovery of the furoquinolinedione chemotype as a suitable skeleton for the development of selective TDP2 inhibitors.

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Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2) repairs topoisomerase II (TOP2) mediated DNA damages and causes resistance to TOP2-targeted cancer therapy. Inhibiting TDP2 could sensitize cancer cells toward TOP2 inhibitors. However, potent TDP2 inhibitors with favorable physicochemical properties are not yet reported.

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The 7-azaindenoisoquinolines are cytotoxic topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors. Previously reported representatives bear a 3-nitro group. The present report documents the replacement of the potentially genotoxic 3-nitro group by 3-chloro and 3-fluoro substituents, resulting in compounds with high Top1 inhibitory activities and potent cytotoxicities in human cancer cell cultures and reduced lethality in an animal model.

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Tdp1 and Tdp2 are two tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterases that can repair damaged DNA resulting from topoisomerase inhibitors and a variety of other DNA-damaging agents. Both Tdp1 and Tdp2 inhibition could hypothetically potentiate the cytotoxicities of topoisomerase inhibitors. This study reports the successful structure-based design and synthesis of new 7-azaindenoisoquinolines that act as triple inhibitors of Top1, Tdp1, and Tdp2.

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