Publications by authors named "Lucio Merlini"

7-Azaindole-1-carboxamides were designed as a new class of PARP-1 inhibitors. The compounds displayed a variable pattern of target inhibition profile that, in part, paralleled the antiproliferative activity in cell lines characterized by homologous recombination defects. A selected compound (1l; ST7710AA1) showed significant in vitro target inhibition and capability to substantially bypass the multidrug resistance mediated by Pgp.

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A synthetic sequence to the benzo[j]fluoranthene nucleus is described. Crucial steps of the procedure include a Suzuki coupling between appropriately substituted 2-bromo-acenaphthylene-1-carbaldehydes and 2-formylbenzeneboronates followed by McMurry ring closure. The synthesis represents a new approach to the benzo[j]fluoranthene ring system and specifically provides a method for the rapid preparation of differently substituted derivatives.

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Article Synopsis
  • The text details a structured method for creating new variations of compound 2, which is a strong and selective FAAH inhibitor.
  • Researchers are focused on finding new structures that have better drug properties compared to the original phenylpyrrole-based lead compound.
  • The process resulted in the discovery of derivatives 4b and 5c, which are effective, reversible, and non-competitive inhibitors of FAAH.
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A series of 3-aryl-naphtho[2,3-d]isoxazole-4,9-diones and some of their 6-aza analogues were synthesized and found to inhibit the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). The compounds were tested for their binding to Hsp90 and for their effects on Hsp90 client proteins expression in a series of human tumour cell lines. Representative compounds (7f, 10c) downregulated the Hsp90 client proteins EGFR, Akt, Cdk4, Raf-1, and survivin, and upregulated Hsp70.

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Adarotene belongs to the so-called class of atypical retinoids. The presence of the phenolic hydroxyl group on Adarotene structure allows a rapid O-glucuronidation as a major mechanism of elimination of the drug, favoring a fast excretion of its glucuronide metabolite in the urines. A series of ether, carbamate and ester derivatives was synthesized.

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A novel 5-oxa-6a,8-diazaindeno[2,1-b]phenanthren-7-one scaffold was designed and synthesized as an active analogue of the cytotoxic marine alkaloid Lamellarin D. The design was based on molecular modeling of the site of interaction of Lamellarin D with DNA-topoisomerase I cleavable complex, whereas the synthesis capitalized on a simple Friedel-Crafts cyclization of indole to a β-carbolinone nucleus. The product exhibited topoisomerase I poisoning activity and submicromolar cytotoxicity on human non-small cell lung cancer H460 cell line.

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A series of mold metabolites of Ascomycetes, structurally belonging to the class of azaphilones, were found to inhibit the heat shock protein Hsp90. In particular, bulgarialactone B was tested for its binding to Hsp90 using surface plasmon resonance and limited proteolysis assays and for its effects on Hsp90 client proteins expression in a series of human tumor cell lines. This compound showed high affinity for Hsp90, interacting with the 90-280 region of the N-terminal domain and down-regulated the Hsp90 client proteins Raf-1, survivin, Cdk4, Akt, and EGFR.

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A series of oxime carbamates have been identified as potent inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an important regulatory enzyme of the endocannabinoid signaling system. Kinetic analysis indicates that they behave as non-competitive, reversible inhibitors, and show remarkable selectivity for FAAH over the other components of the endocannabinoid system.

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In a study aiming to determine the structural elements essential to the antifungal activity of kakuol, we synthesized a series of 2-hydroxy-4,5-methylenedioxyaryl ketones, and we assayed their in vitro antifungal activity. The most sensitive target organisms to the action of these class of compounds were Phytophthora infestans, Phytium ultimum, Cercospora beticola, Cladosporium cucumerinum, and Rhizoctonia solani. Most of the analogs showed a remarkable in vitro activity, and some of them appeared significantly more effective than the natural product.

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Sequence-specific camptothecins are useful tools to inhibit specifically gene expression. The camptothecins are attached to the 3' end of triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFO), sequence-specific DNA ligands that position the camptothecin moiety exclusively in proximity to their binding site. We studied here different gimatecan derivatives or analogues, a potent lipophilic camptothecin compound in clinical trials.

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A series of hydroxamic acid-based histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were designed on the basis of a model of the HDAC2 binding site and synthesized. They are characterized by a cinnamic spacer, capped with a substituted phenyl group. Modifications of the spacer are also reported.

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A series of beta-carbolin-2-ones and 3,10-dihydro-2H-azepino[3,4-b]indol-1-ones have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated as RET protein kinase inhibitors on the basis of their structural similarity with the prototype indolin-2-one RPI-1. Some beta-carbolin-2-ones (structure 2) showed an ability to inhibit RET enzymatic activity in vitro and proliferation of RETC634R oncogene-transformed NIH3T3 cells comparable to that of the reference compound. The docking analysis of the interaction of these compounds with the crystallographic structure of RET tyrosine kinase domain suggested a new binding interaction scheme different from the one proposed during their design.

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Retinoid-related molecules (RRM) are novel agents with tumor-selective cytotoxic/antiproliferative activity, a different mechanism of action from classic retinoids and no cross-resistance with other chemotherapeutics. ST1926 and CD437 are prototypic RRMs, with the former currently undergoing phase I clinical trials. We show here that ST1926, CD437, and active congeners cause DNA damage.

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ST1968 is a novel hydrophilic camptothecin (CPT) derivative of the 7-oxyiminomethyl series. Because ST1968 retained ability to form remarkably stable cleavable complexes, this study was done to investigate its preclinical profile of antitumor activity in a large panel of human tumor models, including irinotecan-resistant tumors. Although less potent than SN38 in vitro, i.

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A series of novel 9-substituted camptothecins derived from 9-formylcamptothecin were synthesized. The aldehyde was obtained from 10-hydroxycamptothecin or, better, by total synthesis. The compounds showed antiproliferative activity higher than that of the reference compound topotecan.

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A series of structurally simple analogues of natural topopyrone C were synthesized and tested for cytotoxic and topoisomerase I inhibitory activities. The removal of the hydroxyl groups at the 5 and 9 positions resulted in an increased cytotoxic potency and ability to stabilize topoisomerase-mediated cleavage. In addition, the results suggest that some structural features, such as the pyrone ring and a polar group in position 11, are fundamental for topoisomerase I inhibitory effect.

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A series of N-mono- or N, N-disubstituted [2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)]propylamines and N-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl]amides were synthesized and tested for their fungicidal activity in vitro and in vivo against a group of plant pathogenic fungi. Some compounds exhibited a fairly good in vitro activity. The replacement of the ether group of tetraconazole with a secondary or tertiary amino group leads to compounds that maintain the antifungal activity on several phytopathogenic fungi, provided that the substituents are not too bulky or lipophilic.

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Atypical retinoids, or retinoid-related molecules (RRMs), represent a class of proapoptotic agents with a promising potential in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. In the present work, the synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a series of 3'-adamantan-1-yl-biphenyl-4-yl-acrylic acids substituted in ring A were studied. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity in a human promyelocitic leukemia cell line (NB4), and in an ovarian carcinoma cell system including IGROV-1, carrying a functional wild-type p53, and a cisplatin-resistant subline, IGROV-1/Pt-1.

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In previous studies, we have documented the potential therapeutic advantages of camptothecin analogs modified at the 7-position, i.e., 7-oxyiminomethyl derivatives.

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A number of derivatives of camptothecin with a polyamine chain linked to position 7 of camptothecin via an amino, imino, or oxyiminomethyl group were synthesized and tested for their biological activity. All compounds showed marked growth inhibitory activity against the H460 human lung carcinoma cell line. In particular, the iminomethyl derivatives where the amino groups of the chain were protected with Boc groups exhibited a high potency, with IC50 values of approximately 10(-8) M.

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A short and efficient synthesis of (+)-spirolaxine methyl ether, a metabolite of the fungus Sporotrichum laxum with inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori, is described. The synthesis has been carried out by a Prins cyclization, to obtain the [6,5]-spiroketal system, and a Wadsworth-Emmons condensation, applied for the installation of the polymethylene chain on the phthalide moiety.

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The retinoid-related molecules (RRMs) ST1926 [(E)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl)acrylic acid] and CD437 (6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid) are promising anticancer agents. We compared the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) trans-activating properties of the two RRMs and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). ST1926 and CD437 are better RARgamma agonists than ATRA.

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A new synthesis of isoaurones related to the alleged structure of isoaurostatin, via Heck intramolecular cyclization of cinnamic esters of 2-iodophenols, is reported. The cytotoxic activity of these isoaurones is lower than that of the structurally very similar 4-arylcoumarins.

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Atypical retinoids (AR) represent a class of proapoptotic agents with promising potential in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. In the present work 4'-hydroxybiphenyl-4-ylacrylic acids were studied as a novel series of AR. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity in a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (NB4) and in an ovarian carcinoma cell system including IGROV-1, carrying a functional wild-type p53, and a cisplatin-resistant subline, IGROV-1/Pt-1.

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