Development and characterization of a new inhibitor of heme oxygenase activity for cancer treatment.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, HMOX1) degrades pro-oxidant heme into carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous ions (Fe) and biliverdin. The enzyme exerts multiple cytoprotective functions associated with the promotion of angiogenesis and counteraction of the detrimental effects of cellular stress which are crucial for the survival of both normal and tumor cells. Accordingly, in many tumor types, high expression of HO-1 correlates with poor prognosis and resistance to treatment, i.

5-Keto-3-cyano-2,4-diaminothiophenes as selective maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase inhibitors.

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is involved in several key cellular processes and displays increased levels of expression in numerous cancer classes (colon, breast, brain, ovary, prostate and lung). Although no selective MELK inhibitors have yet been approved, increasing evidence suggest that inhibition of MELK would constitute a promising approach for cancer therapy. A weak high-throughput screening hit (17, IC ≈ 5 μM) with lead-like properties was optimized for MELK inhibition.

Bisphosphonates enhance bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on bone hydroxyapatite.

Background: Because of the suspicion that bisphosphonates enhance bacterial colonization, this study evaluated adhesion and biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans 25175, Staphylococcus aureus 6538, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14454 reference strains on hydroxyapatite coated with clodronate, pamidronate, or zoledronate.

Material And Methods: Bacterial strains were cultured on bisphosphonate-coated and noncoated hydroxyapatite discs. After incubation, nonadhered bacteria were removed by centrifugation.

Pamidronate enhances bacterial adhesion to bone hydroxyapatite. Another puzzle in the pathology of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw?

Purpose: Bacterial colonization of the denuded bone in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw suggests that bisphosphonates increase bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. This study evaluated the adhesion of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria on hydroxyapatite coated with pamidronate, one of the most potent bisphosphonates.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five Staphylococcus aureus and 25 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were cultured on pamidronate-coated and uncoated hydroxyapatite discs.