Discovery of a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Tool Compound for Probing the Role of Lysophosphatidic Acid Type 2 Receptor Antagonists in Fibrotic Disorders.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by lung fibrosis leading to an irreversible decline of lung function. Current antifibrotic drugs on the market slow down but do not prevent the progression of the disease and are associated with tolerability issues. The involvement of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 2 (LPA) in IPF is supported by LPA knockdown studies.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Characterization of Inhaled p38α/β MAPK Inhibitors for the Treatment of Lung Inflammatory Diseases.

The identification of novel inhaled p38α/β mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (MAPK14/11) inhibitors suitable for the treatment of pulmonary inflammatory conditions has been described. A rational drug design approach started from the identification of a novel tetrahydronaphthalene series, characterized by nanomolar inhibition of p38α with selectivity over p38γ and p38δ isoforms. SAR optimization of is outlined, where improvements in potency against p38α and ligand-enzyme dissociation kinetics led to several compounds showing pronounced anti-inflammatory effects (inhibition of TNFα release).

Dual Role of Endogenous Serotonin in 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis.

Background And Aims: Changes in gut serotonin (5-HT) content have been described in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and in different experimental models of colitis: the critical role of this monoamine in the pathogenesis of chronic gastrointestinal inflammation is gradually emerging. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of endogenous 5-HT through the activation of its specific receptor subtypes to the local and systemic inflammatory responses in an experimental model of IBD.

Materials And Methods: Colitis was induced by intrarectal 2,4,6-TriNitroBenzene Sulfonic acid in mice subacutely treated with selective antagonists of 5-HT1A (WAY100135), 5-HT2A (Ketanserin), 5-HT3 (Ondansetron), 5-HT4 (GR125487), 5-HT7 (SB269970) receptors and with 5-HT1A agonist 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin.

Effect of ABCG2/BCRP Expression on Efflux and Uptake of Gefitinib in NSCLC Cell Lines.

Background: BCRP/ABCG2 emerged as an important multidrug resistance protein, because it confers resistance to several classes of cancer chemotherapeutic agents and to a number of novel molecularly-targeted therapeutics such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Gefitinib is an orally active, selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying activating EGFR mutations. Membrane transporters may affect the distribution and accumulation of gefitinib in tumour cells; in particular a reduced intracellular level of the drug may result from poor uptake, enhanced efflux or increased metabolism.

Inhibition of PI3K Pathway Reduces Invasiveness and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Squamous Lung Cancer Cell Lines Harboring PIK3CA Gene Alterations.

A prominent role in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SQCLC) has been attributed to the aberrant activation of the PI3K signaling pathway, due to amplification or mutations of the p110α subunit of class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3CA) gene. The aim of our study was to determine whether different genetic alterations of PIK3CA affect the biologic properties of SQCLC and to evaluate the response to specific targeting agents in vitro and in vivo. The effects of NVP-BEZ235, NVP-BKM120, and NVP-BYL719 on two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) cellular growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and invasiveness were evaluated in E545K or H1047R PIK3CA-mutated SQCLC cells and in newly generated clones carrying PIK3CA alterations, as well as in a xenograft model.

Lung mesenchymal cells function as an inductive microenvironment for human lung cancer propagating cells†.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to characterize the biological properties and in vivo tumourigenic potential of mesenchymal cells (MCs) obtained from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples.

Methods: NSCLC samples (53 adenocarcinomas and 24 squamous-cell carcinomas) surgically removed from 46 males and 31 females were processed to identify mesenchymal cells from human lung cancer (hLc-MCs). hLc-MCs were separated from neoplastic epithelial cells, expanded and extensively characterized in vitro.

Trastuzumab emtansine is active on HER-2 overexpressing NSCLC cell lines and overcomes gefitinib resistance.

Background: HER-2 represents a relatively new therapeutic target for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The incidence for reported HER-2 overexpression/amplification/mutations ranges from 2 to 20% in NSCLC. Moreover, HER-2 amplification is a potential mechanism of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR-TKI) (about 10% of cases).

Suppression of inflammatory events associated to intestinal ischemia-reperfusion by 5-HT1A blockade in mice.

Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a potentially life-threatening disease, ensuing from various clinical conditions. Experimentally, either protective or detrimental roles have been attributed to 5-HT in the functional and morphological injury caused by mesenteric I/R. Recently, we proved the involvement of 5-HT2A receptors in the intestinal dysmotility and leukocyte recruitment induced by 45min occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) followed by 24h reperfusion in mice.

Gefitinib inhibits invasive phenotype and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in drug-resistant NSCLC cells with MET amplification.

Despite the initial response, all patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) eventually develop acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The EGFR-T790M secondary mutation is responsible for half of acquired resistance cases, while MET amplification has been associated with acquired resistance in about 5-15% of NSCLCs. Clinical findings indicate the retained addiction of resistant tumors on EGFR signaling.

Accommodation and peristalsis are functional responses to obstruction in rat hypertrophic ileum.

Aim: To investigate the effects of chronic obstruction on enteric reflexes evoked by electrical stimulation (EFS) or intraluminal distension of the rat hypertrophic ileum.

Methods: Motor responses to EFS and to intraluminal distension were studied in the absence and in the presence of various inhibitors of enteric mediators. Ileum segments from operated (chronic ileal obstruction), sham-operated (control) and normal rats were horizontally mounted, connected to a pressure transducer and intraluminally perfused.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of 3-aminopropanamide irreversible inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor in non-small cell lung cancer.

Overcoming the emergence of acquired resistance to clinically approved epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors is a major challenge in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a series of novel compounds affecting viability of NSCLC NCI-H1975 cells (carrying the EGFR T790M mutation). The inhibition of the autophosphorylation of EGFR occurred at nanomolar concentrations and both UPR1282 and UPR1268 caused a significant induction of apoptosis.

Combined use of anti-ErbB monoclonal antibodies and erlotinib enhances antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of wild-type erlotinib-sensitive NSCLC cell lines.

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an established target for anti-cancer treatment in different tumour types. Two different strategies have been explored to inhibit this pivotal molecule in epithelial cancer development: small molecules TKIs and monoclonal antibodies. ErbB/HER-targeting by monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab and trastuzumab or tyrosine-kinase inhibitors as gefitinib or erlotinib has been proven effective in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Protective role of μ opioid receptor activation in intestinal inflammation induced by mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion in mice.

Intestinal ischemia is a clinical emergency with high morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether activation of μ opioid receptor (μOR) protects from the inflammation induced by intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in mice. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (45 min), followed by reperfusion (5 hr).

Synthesis of new 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinazoline 2,4-diamino substituted and antiplatelet/antiphlogistic activities evaluation.

In pursuing our research on some 2,4-diamino-benzopyranopyrimidines and 2-amino-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinazolines, previously reported as antiplatelet and analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents respectively, we designed and synthesized a new series of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinazoline 2,4-diamino substituted. The insertion of amino substituents at positions 2 and 4 of the benzoquinazoline scaffold resulted in compounds endowed with a potent ASA-like antiplatelet activity, combined with an anti-inflammatory activity comparable, in some cases, to that of indomethacin, used as a reference drug.

Dual-acting drugs: an in vitro study of nonimidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonists combining anticholinesterase activity.

Dual-acting compounds that combine H(3) antagonism with anticholinesterase properties are currently emerging as a novel and promising therapeutic approach in the treatment of multifactorial disorders primarily characterized by cholinergic deficits such as Alzheimer's disease. A series of novel nonimidazole H(3) ligands was developed from the chemical manipulation of 1,1'-octa-, -nona-, and -decamethylene-bis-piperidines--H(3) antagonists that had been the subject of previous investigations. These compounds were evaluated for in vitro binding affinity, antagonistic potency, and selectivity at rodent and human histamine H(3) receptors, inhibitory activity at rat brain cholinesterase, and in vivo CNS access and cholinomimetic effects.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships for biphenyl H3 receptor antagonists with moderate anti-cholinesterase activity.

The combination of antagonism at histamine H(3) receptors and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase has been recently proposed as an approach to devise putative new therapeutic agents for cognitive diseases. The 4,4'-biphenyl fragment has been reported by us as a rigid scaffold leading to potent and selective non-imidazole H(3)-antagonists. Starting from these premises, the current work presents an expanded series of histamine H(3) receptor antagonists, characterized by a central 4,4'-biphenyl scaffold, where the structure-activity profile of both mono-basic and di-basic compounds is further explored and their ability to inhibit rat brain cholinesterase activity is determined.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological analysis of imidazole-free histamine H3 receptor antagonists: promising results for a brain-penetrating H3 blocker with weak anticholinesterase activity.

The pharmacological profiling of potent histamine H(3)-ligands initiated in a previous study is completed here. In vitro functional and binding studies revealed that several derivatives were selective H(3)-antagonists with nanomolar potency at human and guinea-pig histamine receptors, able to inhibit rat brain cholinesterase at micromolar concentrations and devoid of any cytotoxicity on cultured cells. Ex vivo binding experiments in rats showed that the most potent H(3)-antagonist, compound 5, had a prompt and long-lasting presence in the central nervous system (CNS), inhibiting [(3)H](R)-alpha-methylhistamine cortical binding [ED(50) (dose that elicits a 50% response) = 0.