Copper complexes induce haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and cause apoptotic cell death in pancreatic cancer cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic malignancy, has a dismal 5-year survival rate, making palliative chemotherapy the only treatment option. Targeted therapy has limited efficacy in PDAC, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The inducible stress-response protein, haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), has been implicated in treatment failure in PDAC.

An 8-aminoquinoline-naphthyl copper complex causes apoptotic cell death by modulating the expression of apoptotic regulatory proteins in breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Despite the combination of chemotherapy with targeted therapy, including monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors, drug resistance and treatment failure remain a common occurrence. Copper, complexed to various organic ligands, has gained attention as potential chemotherapeutic agents due to its perceived decreased toxicity to normal cells.

The ubiquitin ligase Uhrf2 is a master regulator of cholesterol biosynthesis and is essential for liver regeneration.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are key regulators of the remarkable regenerative capacity of the liver. Mice lacking FGF receptors 1 and 2 (Fgfr1 and Fgfr2) in hepatocytes are hypersensitive to cytotoxic injury during liver regeneration. Using these mice as a model for impaired liver regeneration, we identified a critical role for the ubiquitin ligase Uhrf2 in protecting hepatocytes from bile acid accumulation during liver regeneration.

Ionic mononuclear [Fe] and heterodinuclear [Fe,Ru] bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane complexes: Synthesis, spectroscopy, DFT structures, cytotoxicity, and biomolecular interactions.

Iron(II) and Ru(II) half-sandwich compounds encompass some promising pre-clinical anticancer agents whose efficacy may be tuned by structural modification of the coordinated ligands. Here, we combine two such bioactive metal centres in cationic bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane-bridged heterodinuclear [Fe, Ru] complexes to delineate how ligand structural variations modulate compound cytotoxicity. Specifically, Fe(II) complexes of the type [(η-CH)Fe(CO)(κ-PPh(CH)PPh)]{PF} (n = 1-5), compounds 1-5, and heterodinuclear [Fe, Ru] complexes, [(η-CH)Fe(CO)(μ-PPh(CH)PPh))(η-p-cymene)RuCl]{PF} (n = 2-5) (compounds 7-10), were synthesized and characterised.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 in hepatocytes protects from toxin-induced liver injury and fibrosis.

The liver's remarkable regenerative capacity is orchestrated by several growth factors and cytokines. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (Fgfr3) is frequently overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes cancer aggressiveness, whereas its role in liver homeostasis, repair and regeneration is unknown. We show here that Fgfr3 is expressed by hepatocytes in the healthy liver.

A Cytotoxic Bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)carbazolide Gold(III) Complex Targets DNA by Partial Intercalation.

The syntheses of bis(triazolium)carbazole precursors and their corresponding coinage metal (Au, Ag) complexes are reported. For alkylated triazolium salts, di- or tetranuclear complexes with bridging ligands were isolated, while the bis(aryl) analogue afforded a bis(carbene) Au -CNC pincer complex suitable for oxidation to the redox-stable [Au (CNC)Cl] cation. Although the ligand salt and the [Au (CNC)Cl] complex were both notably cytotoxic toward the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, the Au complex was somewhat more selective.

Evidence for Inhibition of Topoisomerase 1A by Gold(III) Macrocycles and Chelates Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus.

and the fast-growing species are two important human pathogens causing persistent pulmonary infections that are difficult to cure and require long treatment times. The emergence of drug-resistant strains and the high level of intrinsic resistance of call for novel drug scaffolds that effectively target both pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the activity of bis(pyrrolide-imine) gold(III) macrocycles and chelates, originally designed as DNA intercalators capable of targeting human topoisomerase types I and II (Topo1 and Topo2), against and We identified a total of 5 noncytotoxic compounds active against both mycobacterial pathogens under replicating conditions.

The RNA helicase DHX9 establishes nucleolar heterochromatin, and this activity is required for embryonic stem cell differentiation.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of chromatin conformation and epigenetic patterns. lncRNA expression levels are widely taken as an indicator for functional properties. However, the role of RNA processing in modulating distinct features of the same lncRNA is less understood.

Solution Conformations of Curcumin in DMSO.

NAMFIS (NMR Analysis of Molecular Flexibility In Solution) has been applied to curcumin dissolved in DMSO. Quantitative H-H distance constraints reduce a pool of candidate conformations to a solution collection of four enol conformations-two of these match curcumin crystallized with human transthyretin, and one is closely related to a single-crystal structure of curcumin.

Conformational analysis: ³JHCOC and ³JHCCC Karplus relationships for methylene ¹H nuclei.

NAMFIS (NMR Analysis of Molecular Flexibility In Solution) was applied to 1-[2-(benzyloxy)phenyl]ethanone using quantitative (1)H-(1)H NOE distances and (3)J proton-carbon coupling constant (CC) restraints for averaged methylene proton (3)J(HCOC) and (3)J(HCCC) pathways H2-(3)J-X imposed by density functional theory-generated Karplus relationships. Comparison of the NOE-only versus the NOE + CC conformational selections illustrates that the experimentally measured average (3)J coupling constants of methylene protons can be used for solution conformational analysis, potentially valuable in the study of small-molecule drugs and natural products which lack the typically studied H1-(3)J-X Karplus relationships.

Structure-activity relationships and pharmacophore model of a noncompetitive pyrazoline containing class of GluN2C/GluN2D selective antagonists.

Here we describe the synthesis and structure-activity relationship for a class of pyrazoline-containing dihydroquinolone negative allosteric modulators of the NMDA receptor that show strong subunit selectivity for GluN2C- and GluN2D-containing receptors over GluN2A- and GluN2B-containing receptors. Several members of this class inhibit NMDA receptor responses in the nanomolar range and are more than 50-fold selective over GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptors, as well as AMPA, kainate, GABA, glycine, nicotinic, serotonin, and purinergic receptors. Analysis of the purified enantiomers of one of the more potent and selective compounds shows that the S-enantiomer is both more potent and more selective than the R-enantiomer.

2-Phenyl-naphtho-[1,8-de][1,3,2]diaza-borinane.

The title compound, C(16)H(13)BN(2), is one compound in a series of diaza-borinanes featuring substitution at the 1, 2 and 3 positions in the nitro-gen-boron heterocycle. The title compound is slightly distorted from planarity, with a dihedral angle of 9.0 (5)° between the mean planes of the naphthalene system and the benzene ring.

2-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)naphtho-[1,8-de][1,3,2]diaza-borinane.

The title compound, C(16)H(12)BClN(2), is one in a series of diaza-borinanes, derived from 1,8-diaminona-phthalene, featuring substitution at the 1, 2 and 3 positions in the nitro-gen-boron heterocycle. The structure deviates from planarity, the torsion angle subtended by the p-chloro-phenyl ring relative to the nitro-gen-boron heterocycle being -44-.3(3)°.

Visualization of plant viral suppressor silencing activity in intact leaf lamina by quantitative fluorescent imaging.

Background: Transient expression of proteins in plants has become a favoured method over the production of stably transformed plants because, in addition to enabling high protein yields, it is both fast and easy to apply. An enhancement of transient protein expression can be achieved by plant virus-encoded RNA silencing suppressor proteins. Since viral suppressor proteins differ in their efficiency to enhance transient protein expression in plants, we developed a whole-leaf green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based imaging assay to quantitatively assess suppressor protein activity.

2-[4-(Methyl-sulfan-yl)phen-yl]naphtho[1,8-de][1,3,2]diaza-borinane.

The title compound, C(17)H(15)BN(2)S, is one member in a series of diaza-borinanes featuring substitution at the 1-, 2- and 3-positions in the nitro-gen-boron heterocycle. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the naphthalene and phenyl ring systems is 19.86 (6)°.

Phase II Trial of Docetaxel and Carboplatin in Patients With Advanced Squamous Carcinoma of the Esophagus (E2298): A Trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

Background: Occasional complete responses have been reported in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated with carboplatin, and the inferior outcomes seen in early studies might have been the result of underdosing using BSA calculations. Docetaxel was reported to have single-agent activity in squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus, with a 50% response rate in a pilot study performed in South Africa. Thus, ECOG investigated the potential role of combination carboplatin using AUC-based dosing and docetaxel in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Phase II study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin in patients with platinum-sensitive and partially platinum-sensitive metastatic ovarian cancer.

Objective: This phase II study assessed the activity and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) plus carboplatin in relapsed ovarian cancer (ROC).

Method: Forty women with platinum-sensitive and partially platinum-sensitive ROC were treated with PLD 50 mg/m2 plus carboplatin area under the curve 5 every 28 days in this South African multicenter study. All patients who completed 3 cycles of chemotherapy were evaluated for response.

Phase 2 study of single-agent IV vinflunine as third-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of anthracycline-/taxane-based chemotherapy.

Objective: A multicenter, open-label, phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous vinflunine as third-line treatment in patients with progressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after failure of anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-six patients with MBC, relapsing after receiving 2 previous treatments for advanced disease, including both anthracyclines and taxanes, received 320 mg/m(2) of vinflunine once every 3 weeks (median number of 2.5 cycles, range: 1-13).

The treatment of multiple myeloma using vincristine, carmustine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (VBMCP) alternating with high-dose cyclophosphamide and alpha(2)beta interferon versus VBMCP: results of a phase III Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study E5A93.

Background: A randomized controlled trial tested the hypothesis that aggressive initial therapy using high-dose cyclophosphamide (HiCy) and alpha(2)beta interferon (IFN) may be superior to standard combination alkylating agent regimens in the treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma.

Methods: This Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial evaluated 268 previously untreated patients with active multiple myeloma randomized to vincristine, carmustine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (VBMCP) or VBMCP plus HiCy and recombinant IFN.

Results: The overall objective response was 62% in the VBMCP regimen and 68% in the VBMCP + HiCy + IFN group.

Vinflunine: a new active drug for second-line treatment of advanced breast cancer. Results of a phase II and pharmacokinetic study in patients progressing after first-line anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy.

To evaluate the single agent activity, pharmacokinetics and tolerability of the novel tubulin targeted agent vinflunine (VFL) (320 mg m(-2) q 21 days) as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC). All patients had disease progression after anthracycline/taxane (A/T) therapy. They could have received a nonanthracycline adjuvant treatment and subsequently received a first-line A/T combination for advanced/metastatic disease; or relapsed >6 months after completion of adjuvant A/T therapy and were subsequently treated with the alternative agent; or relapsed within 6 months from an adjuvant A/T combination.

Dalteparin for prevention of catheter-related complications in cancer patients with central venous catheters: final results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial.

Background: Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience thromboembolic complications associated with the use of long-term indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs). This prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study evaluated whether prophylactic treatment with a low molecular weight heparin could prevent clinically relevant catheter-related thrombosis.

Patients And Methods: Patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy for at least 12 weeks (n=439) were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, to receive either dalteparin (5000 IU) or placebo, by subcutaneous injection, once daily for 16 weeks.

First line therapy with paclitaxel (Taxol) and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a multicentre phase II study.

The aim of this multicentric phase II study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of chemotherapy containing paclitaxel (Taxol) and a novel compound, a liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin (Caelyx), as first line therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Thirty-four patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with a combination of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and liposomal doxorubicin 30 mg/m2, every 3 weeks. The combination chemotherapy was effective in 73% of the patients (ITT) (95% CI 55-86%) (7 complete and 18 partial responses).