Enhanced selectivity towards melanoma cells with zinc(II)-Schiff bases containing imidazole derivatives.

Zinc(II)-complexes with the general formula [Zn(L)] containing 8-hydroxyquinoline Schiff bases functionalized with 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole or 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-methyl-1-imidazole on 2-position and their respective ligands (HL1 or HL2) were synthesized and characterized by NMR, UV-Vis, FTIR and CD spectroscopies as well as ESI-MS spectrometry. Single crystals of HL2 and [Zn(L1)2]n were analysed by SC-XRD. [Zn(L1)2]n shows a 1D polymeric chain structure of alternating Zn(II) cations and bridging Schiff base ligands, in contrast to previously reported monomeric structures of analogous complexes.

Nek2A prevents centrosome clustering and induces cell death in cancer cells via KIF2C interaction.

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells frequently exhibit supernumerary centrosomes, leading to formation of multipolar spindles that can trigger cell death. Nevertheless, cancer cells with supernumerary centrosomes escape the deadly consequences of unequal segregation of genomic material by coalescing their centrosomes into two poles. This unique trait of cancer cells presents a promising target for cancer therapy, focusing on selectively attacking cells with supernumerary centrosomes.

Prolonged overexpression of PLK4 leads to formation of centriole rosette clusters that are connected via canonical centrosome linker proteins.

Centrosome amplification is a hallmark of cancer and PLK4 is one of the responsible factors for cancer associated centrosome amplification. Increased PLK4 levels was also shown to contribute to generation of cells with centriole amplification in mammalian tissues as olfactory neuron progenitor cells. PLK4 overexpression generates centriole rosette (CR) structures which harbor more than two centrioles each.

Exploiting epigenetic targets to overcome taxane resistance in prostate cancer.

The development of taxane resistance remains a major challenge for castration resistant prostate cancer (CR-PCa), despite the effectiveness of taxanes in prolonging patient survival. To uncover novel targets, we performed an epigenetic drug screen on taxane (docetaxel and cabazitaxel) resistant CR-PCa cells. We identified BRPF reader proteins, along with several epigenetic groups (CBP/p300, Menin-MLL, PRMT5 and SIRT1) that act as targets effectively reversing the resistance mediated by ABCB1.

Epigenetic-focused CRISPR/Cas9 screen identifies (absent, small, or homeotic)2-like protein (ASH2L) as a regulator of glioblastoma cell survival.

Background: Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor with extremely poor prognosis, highlighting an urgent need for developing novel treatment options. Identifying epigenetic vulnerabilities of cancer cells can provide excellent therapeutic intervention points for various types of cancers.

Method: In this study, we investigated epigenetic regulators of glioblastoma cell survival through CRISPR/Cas9 based genetic ablation screens using a customized sgRNA library EpiDoKOL, which targets critical functional domains of chromatin modifiers.

Promising anticancer agents based on 8-hydroxyquinoline hydrazone copper(II) complexes.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a group of benzoylhydrazones (L) derived from 2-carbaldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline and benzylhydrazides containing distinct substituents (R = H, Cl, F, CH, OCH, OH and NH, for L, respectively; in L isonicotinohydrazide was used instead of benzylhydrazide). Cu(II) complexes were prepared by reaction of each benzoylhydrazone with Cu(II) acetate. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and mass spectrometry as well as by FTIR, UV-visible absorption, NMR or electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies.

Dual LSD1 and HDAC6 Inhibition Induces Doxorubicin Sensitivity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells.

Defects in epigenetic pathways are key drivers of oncogenic cell proliferation. We developed a LSD1/HDAC6 multitargeting inhibitor (iDual), a hydroxamic acid analogue of the clinical candidate LSD1 inhibitor GSK2879552. iDual inhibits both targets with IC values of 540, 110, and 290 nM, respectively, against LSD1, HDAC6, and HDAC8.

Solution chemical properties and anticancer potential of 8-hydroxyquinoline hydrazones and their oxidovanadium(IV) complexes.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a family of benzohydrazones (L, n = 1-6) derived from 2-carbaldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline and benzylhydrazides containing different substituents in the para position. Their oxidovanadium(IV) complexes were prepared and compounds with 1:1 and 1:2 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry were obtained. All compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and mass spectrometry as well as FTIR, UV-visible absorption, NMR (ligand precursors) and EPR (complexes) spectroscopies, and by DFT computational methods.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Contributes to Drug Resistance of Lung Cancer Cells Through Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition.

Recently, there has been a growing interest on the role of mitochondria in metastatic cascade. Several reports have shown the preferential utilization of glycolytic pathway instead of mitochondrial respiration for energy production and the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) has been considered to be a contributor to this switch in some cancers. Since epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is proposed to be one of the significant mediators of metastasis, the molecular connections between cancer cell metabolism and EMT may reveal underlying mechanisms and improve our understanding on metastasis.

Keep Calm and Carry on with Extra Centrosomes.

Aberrations in the centrosome number and structure can readily be detected at all stages of tumor progression and are considered hallmarks of cancer. Centrosome anomalies are closely linked to chromosome instability and, therefore, are proposed to be one of the driving events of tumor formation and progression. This concept, first posited by Boveri over 100 years ago, has been an area of interest to cancer researchers.

Copper(II) and oxidovanadium(IV) complexes of chromone Schiff bases as potential anticancer agents.

We report the synthesis, characterization and biological screening of new chromone Schiff bases derived from the condensation of three 6-substituted-3-formyl-chromones with pyridoxal (HL) and its Cu(II) complexes [Cu(L)Cl], 1-3. For the 6-methyl derivative, HL, the VO-complex [VO(L)Cl] (5), as well as ternary Cu and VO complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [Cu(L)(phen)Cl] (4) and [VO(L)(phen)Cl] (6), were also prepared and evaluated. Their stability in aqueous medium and radical scavenging activity toward DPPH are screened, with [Cu(L)(phen)Cl] (4) showing hydrolytic stability and [VO(L)(phen)Cl] (6) high radical scavenging activity.

Understanding the Potential In Vitro Modes of Action of Bis(β-diketonato) Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes.

To understand the potential in vitro modes of action of bis(β-diketonato) oxovanadium(IV) complexes, nine compounds of varying functionality have been screened using a range of biological techniques. The antiproliferative activity against a range of cancerous and normal cell lines has been determined, and show these complexes are particularly sensitive against the lung carcinoma cell line, A549. Annexin V (apoptosis) and Caspase-3/7 assays were studied to confirm these complexes induce programmed cell death.

Cu(ii) and V(iv)O complexes with tri- or tetradentate ligands based on (2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-alanines reveal promising anticancer therapeutic potential.

Four new ligand precursors (HL-HL), derived from the Mannich condensation of two amino acids (l-Val and l-Phe) and two 3,5-disubstituted phenols (t-Bu or Me), and the corresponding oxidovanadium(iv) (1-4) and copper(ii) (6-7) complexes are synthesized. Two other related compounds (HL and HL), containing an additional 2-methyl-pyridine arm, and the corresponding VO (5) and Cu (8-9) complexes were also obtained. All metal complexes are monomeric in the solid state, having a solvent molecule or a chloride ion in the coordination sphere.

Cabazitaxel exhibits more favorable molecular changes compared to other taxanes in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

Taxane-based chemotherapy drugs (cabazitaxel, docetaxel, and paclitaxel) are microtubule inhibitors, which are effectively and frequently used to treat metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Among these, cabazitaxel is offered as a new therapeutic option for patients with metastatic castration-resistant PC as that are resistant to other taxanes. Here, we investigated the cellular and molecular changes in response to cabazitaxel in comparison with docetaxel and paclitaxel in androgen-independent human PCas.

Experimental data on novel Fe(III)-complexes containing phenanthroline derivatives for their anticancer properties.

This dataset is related to the research article entitled "May iron(III) complexes containing phenanthroline derivatives as ligands be prospective anticancer agents?" [1]. It includes the characterization by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and magnetic techniques of a group of mixed ligand Fe(III) complexes bearing a tripodal aminophenolate ligand L, HL = ,-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)--(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, and different aromatic bases (NN = 2,2'-bipyridine [Fe(L)(bipy)]PF (), 1,10-phenanthroline [Fe(L)(phen)]PF (), or a phenanthroline derivative co-ligand: [Fe(L)(amphen)]NO (), [Fe(L)(amphen)]PF (), [Fe(L)(Clphen)]PF (), [Fe(L)(epoxyphen)]PF () (where amphen = 1,10-phenanthroline-5-amine, epoxyphen = 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline, Clphen = 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline), as well as [Fe(L)(EtOH)]NO (), [Fe(phen)Cl] () and [Fe(amphen)Cl] (). Data on their hydrolytic stability in physiological buffers is shown, as well as on their interaction with DNA by spectroscopic tools.

Characterizing the Cellular Response to Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanocups.

Carbon nanomaterials, specifically, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have many potential applications in biology and medicine. Currently, this material has not reached its full potential for application due to the potential toxicity to mammalian cells, and the incomplete understanding of how CNTs interface with cells. The chemical composition and structural features of CNTs have been shown to directly affect their biological compatibility.

May iron(III) complexes containing phenanthroline derivatives as ligands be prospective anticancer agents?

We report the design, synthesis and biological studies on a group of mixed ligand Fe(III) complexes as anti-cancer drug candidates, namely their interaction with DNA, cytotoxicity and mechanism(s) of action. The aim is to obtain stable, efficient and selective Fe-complexes to be used as anti-cancer agents with less damaging side effects than previously reported compounds. Five ternary Fe(III) complexes bearing a tripodal aminophenolate ligand L, HL = N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, and different aromatic bases NN = 2,2'-bipyridine [Fe(L)(bipy)]PF (1), 1,10-phenanthroline [Fe(L)(phen)]PF (2), or a phenanthroline derivative co-ligand: [Fe(L)(amphen)]NO (3), [Fe(L)(amphen)]PF (3a), [Fe(L)(Clphen)]PF (4), [Fe(L)(epoxyphen)]PF (5) (where amphen = 1,10-phenanthroline-5-amine, epoxyphen = 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline, Clphen = 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline) and the [Fe(L)(EtOH)]NO (6) complex are synthesized.

New ternary iron(iii) aminobisphenolate hydroxyquinoline complexes as potential therapeutic agents.

In the quest for therapeutic iron-based metallodrugs, two new mixed-ligand iron(iii) complexes bearing the tripodal aminobisphenolate ligand N,N-bis(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (HL) and hydroxyquinoline co-ligands, 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) or 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline (Cl8HQ), are synthesized, fully characterized and formulated as [Fe(L)(8HQ)] (1) and [Fe(L)(Cl8HQ)] (2), respectively. These high-spin Fe(iii) complexes are stable in aqueous solution in the presence of equimolar amounts of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), which indicates a likely binding interaction with the protein. In fact, binding constant log values at pH 7.

C-Abl is not actıvated in DNA damage-induced and Tap63-mediated oocyte apoptosıs in human ovary.

There is a controversy in literature as to whether c-Abl is crucial for the induction of TAp63-mediated apoptosis and whether that inhibition of c-Abl with imatinib, which was designed to inhibit the oncogenic kinase BCR-ABL and c-kit, protects oocytes from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in mice. No human data are available on this issue. We therefore aimed to explore whether genomic damage induced by chemotherapy drug cisplatin activates c-Abl along with TAp63 and the inhibition of c-Abl with imatinib prevents cisplatin-induced oocyte death and follicle loss in human ovary.

A palladium(II)-saccharinate complex of terpyridine exerts higher anticancer potency and less toxicity than cisplatin in a mouse allograft model.

The main aim of this study is to assess the safety and antitumor efficacy of a palladium(II) (Pd)-saccharinate complex with terpyridine. To characterize the Pd(II) complex in vitro, its cytotoxicity was evaluated using a water-soluble tetrazolium salt cell viability assay and the mechanism of cell death was assessed by DNA fragmentation/condensation and live cell imaging analyses. The antitumor efficacy and safety of the Pd(II) complex in-vivo were examined by analyzing reduction in tumor size, changes in body and organ weight, histopathological analysis of liver, kidney, and tumor sections, and biochemical analysis of serum in C57BL/6 mice.

The role of cell cycle progression for the apoptosis of cancer cells induced by palladium(II)-saccharinate complexes of terpyridine.

Objectives: Palladium complexes are potent and less toxic molecules in comparison to other metal based agents. Here, we characterized two palladium(II) saccharinate complexes with terpyridine for their cell cycle specificity.

Materials And Methods: Cells were arrested at G1, G1/S boundary or mitosis using mimosine, double-Thymidine block, aphidicolin, nocodazole or colcemid, and evaluated based on morphology and flow cytometry.

A platinum blue complex exerts its cytotoxic activity via DNA damage and induces apoptosis in cancer cells.

Here, we describe the characteristics of a Pt-blue complex [Pt (2-atp) (H O)(OH)] (2-atp: 2-aminothiophenol) as a prodrug for its DNA-binding properties and its use in cancer therapy. The nature of the interaction between the Pt-blue complex and DNA was evaluated based on spectroscopic measurements, the electronic absorption spectra, thermal behavior, viscosity, fluorometric titration, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Our results suggested that the compound was able to partially intercalate DNA and appeared to induce both single- and double-stranded breaks (DBS) on DNA in vitro, but no DSBs in cells.

Validation data supporting the characterization of novel copper complexes as anticancer agents.

Three copper(II) complexes, Cu(Sal-Gly)(phen), Cu(Sal-Gly)pheamine, Cu(Sal-Gly)phepoxy were synthesized and characterized for their anticancer properties and mechanism of action (Acilan et al., in press) [1]. Here, we provide supporting data on colon cancer cell lines complementing our previous findings in cervix cells.

Synthesis, biological characterization and evaluation of molecular mechanisms of novel copper complexes as anticancer agents.

Background: To overcome the hurdles of cisplatin, majorly its toxicity and resistance, there has been extensive search for alternative anti-cancer metal-based compounds. Here, three Cu(II)-complexes, Cu(Sal-Gly)(phen), Cu(Sal-Gly)(pheamine), Cu(Sal-Gly)(phepoxy) are characterized for their interaction with DNA, cytotoxicity and mechanism of action.

Methods: The binding ability of the complexes to Calf-Thymus DNA was evaluated by competition fluorescence studies with thiazole-orange, UV-Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopic titrations.