Exploring Novel Anticancer Approaches: Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Small Molecules and NGR Tumor-Homing Peptides

In anticancer drug discovery DNA secondary structures, called G-quadruplexes (G4s), emerged as targets of interest, owing to their localization in crucial positions of the genome, such as in telomers and oncogene promoter regions. It has been widely accepted that G4 stabilization by small molecules at these levels, may represent a realistic anticancer strategy. Since a diimidazo[1,2-a:1,2-c]pyrimidine bis-guanylhydrazone derivative was found to be a potent stabiliser of several quadruplex DNAs over duplex DNA, a library of analogues was designed and synthesized to shed light on the structural requirements for G4 binding. The newly synthesized hydrazones were evaluated for their ability to stabilize several G4 with different topology and also for their antiproliferative activity. In particular the most promising compound of the series showed the capability to selectively stabilize a specific G4 structure and to inhibit cancer cell growth in the nanomolar range. Tumor-homing peptides have been considered promising tools for imaging and therapy of tumors over-expressing their target ligand. In this context, the cyclic CNGRC peptide has been extensively used as tumor-homing carrier for its ability to specifically recognise aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13), a zinc-dependent ectoenzyme, upregulated in tumor blood vessels undergoing angiogenesis and in the majority of cancer cells. Considering the potential of APN-directed tumour homing strategies and taking into account the recently reported crystal structure of porcine APN complexed with cCNGRCG, a library of C-terminus and N-terminus functionalized cCNGRC peptides was designed and synthesized with the aim to confirm the importance of N-terminal amine group of the cCNGRC in the APN binding. The synthesized peptides were assayed for their ability to inhibit APN in vitro. The C-terminus was identified as the right conjugation site of the cCNGRC peptide, which was consequently conjugated with a fluorescent probe for APN imaging studies in cancer cells

NGR Tumor-Homing Peptides : Structural Requirements for Effective APN (CD13) Targeting

Acknowledgements We thank The Development Trust, University of Aberdeen, for financial support and a fellowship to M.P.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Hearing characterization in oculoauriculovertebral spectrum : a prospective study with 10 patients

Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum (OAVS), also known as Goldenhar syndrome, is considered a condition associated to failing of embryogenesis involving the first and second branchial arches, leading to structural abnormalities arising from it. The aim of this study is to verify the hearing features presented by patients with OAVS and provide additional information that may contribute to improvement of speech therapy. The sample consisted of 10 individuals diagnosed with OAVS and cared for by the Clinical Genetics Service. All patients underwent objective assessment of auditory function through tonal and vocal audiometry. This evaluation was completed using TOAE and BERA. The patient’s age ranged from 1 year and 9 months to 27 years and 4 months. At physical examination it was found that 10 had microtia, 7 preauricular tags, 6 low-set ears, 6 ear canal atresia, and 2 preauricular pits. Among the patients, five presented with abnormal hearing. Three patients had conductive hearing loss ranging from mild to moderate, and two patients had sensorineural hearing loss from mild to profound. Three patients had hearing loss in both ears. Speech-language disorders are common in children with OAVS. Thus, the referral to the audiologist and speech pathologist is indicated as soon as possible. Early recognition and detailed understanding of aspects related to the etiology, clinical features, and outcome of patients with OAVS are essential for their proper management

Small-Molecules Targeting Sirtuin 1: A Patent Review (2012-2015)

Sirtuins are a family of enzymes, which govern genome regulation, stress response, metabolic homeostasis and lifespan. Among all the discovered human isoforms (SIRT1-7), SIRT1 emerged as a promising molecular target for the treatment of several diseases. The SIRT1 activators have shown beneficial effects in diabetes, obesity, disorders related to aging, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, SIRT1 inhibition could be applied in anticancer therapy. This review is focused on patents regarding small molecules targeting SIRT1 registered from 2012 to 2015. The chemical formula, the activation and/or inhibition activity and the application of the most active compounds are considered

Investigation on the effects of antimicrobial imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives on the genitourinary microflora

Fused five-membered heterocyclic rings containing bridgehead nitrogen atom are particularly versatile in the field of medicinal chemistry because of their different biological activities. Among them, the imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole is an attractive fused heterocyclic core that has been extensively studied

Dansyl acetyl trehalose: a novel tool to investigate the cellular fate of trehalose

A fluorescent derivative of trehalose with two dansyl groups (DAT) has been synthesized. It is characterised by a large Stokes shift, good permeability in human living cells and a well detectable fluorescent signal within the cells. Notably, in intestinal cells DAT is sequestered in vesicles induced by trehalose pretreatment and colocalizes with lipid droplets

Ayurvedic preparation of Zingiber officinale Roscoe: effects on cardiac and on smooth muscle parameters

none8no: The rhizome of the Zingiber officinale Roscoe, a biennial herb growing in South Asia, is commonly known as ginger. Ginger is used in clinical disorders, such as constipation, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting and its use is also recommended by the traditional medicine for cardiopathy, high blood pressure, palpitations and as a vasodilator to improve the circulation. The decoction of ginger rhizome is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. In this papery by high-performance liquid chromatography, we have seen that its main phytomarkers were 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 6-shogaol and we report the effects of the decoction of ginger rhizome on cardiovascular parameters and on vascular and intestinal smooth muscle. In our experimental models, the decoction of ginger shows weak negative inotropic and chronotropic intrinsic activities but a significant intrinsic activity on smooth muscle with a potency on ileum is greater than on aorta: EC50 = 0.66 mg/mL versus EC50 = 1.45 mg/mL.mixedLeoni, Alberto; Budriesi, Roberta; Poli, Ferruccio; Lianza, Mariacaterina; Graziadio, Alessandra; Venturini, Alice; Broccoli, Massimiliano; Micucci, MatteoLeoni, Alberto; Budriesi, Roberta; Poli, Ferruccio; Lianza, Mariacaterina; Graziadio, Alessandra; Venturini, Alice; Broccoli, Massimiliano; Micucci, Matte

Hearing characterization in oculoauriculovertebral spectrum : a prospective study with 10 patients

Oculoauriculovertebral spectrum (OAVS), also known as Goldenhar syndrome, is considered a condition associated to failing of embryogenesis involving the first and second branchial arches, leading to structural abnormalities arising from it. The aim of this study is to verify the hearing features presented by patients with OAVS and provide additional information that may contribute to improvement of speech therapy. The sample consisted of 10 individuals diagnosed with OAVS and cared for by the Clinical Genetics Service. All patients underwent objective assessment of auditory function through tonal and vocal audiometry. This evaluation was completed using TOAE and BERA. The patient’s age ranged from 1 year and 9 months to 27 years and 4 months. At physical examination it was found that 10 had microtia, 7 preauricular tags, 6 low-set ears, 6 ear canal atresia, and 2 preauricular pits. Among the patients, five presented with abnormal hearing. Three patients had conductive hearing loss ranging from mild to moderate, and two patients had sensorineural hearing loss from mild to profound. Three patients had hearing loss in both ears. Speech-language disorders are common in children with OAVS. Thus, the referral to the audiologist and speech pathologist is indicated as soon as possible. Early recognition and detailed understanding of aspects related to the etiology, clinical features, and outcome of patients with OAVS are essential for their proper management

Toward the Development of Specific G-Quadruplex Binders: Synthesis, Biophysical, and Biological Studies of New Hydrazone Derivatives

G-Quadruplex-binding compounds are currently perceived as possible anticancer therapeutics. Here, starting from a promising lead, a small series of novel hydrazone-based compounds were synthesized and evaluated as G-quadruplex binders. The in vitro G-quadruplex-binding properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated employing both human telomeric and oncogene promoter G-quadruplexes with different folding topologies as targets. The present investigation led to the identification of potent G-quadruplex stabilizers with high selectivity over duplex DNA and preference for one G-quadruplex topology over others. Among them, selected derivatives have been shown to trap G-quadruplex structures in the nucleus of cancer cells. Interestingly, this behavior correlates with efficient cytotoxic activity in human osteosarcoma and colon carcinoma cells