Blog of Signaling Pathways

Targeting FoxO1 with AS1842856 suppresses adipogenesis

490 views | Jun 02 2019

Zou P et al. suggested AS1842856 can be an anti-obesity agent that warrants further investigation. [Read the Full Post]

NVP-AUY922, a novel HSP90 inhibitor, inhibits the progression of malignant pheochromocytoma in vitro and in vivo

926 views | May 31 2019

Lian J et al. showed that NVP-AUY922 exhibits potent anti-PCC activities in vitro and in vivo and represents a promising therapeutic small molecule for treating malignant PCC. [Read the Full Post]

KD025 (SLx-2119) suppresses adipogenesis at intermediate stage in human adipose-derived stem cells

985 views | May 31 2019

Diep DTV et al. indicated that KD025suppresses adipocyte differentiation by modulation of key factors activated at the intermediate stage of differentiation, and not by inhibition of ROCK2. [Read the Full Post]

Strategies to Enhance Metabolic Stabilities

484 views | May 29 2019

Khatri B et al. noted that any chemical modification that helps in providing either local or global conformational rigidity to these macrocyclic peptides aids in improving their metabolic stability typically by slowing the cleavage kinetics by the proteases. [Read the Full Post]

Targeting ERK1/2 protein-serine/threonine kinases in human cancers

0 views | May 29 2019

Roskoski R Jr indicated that Ulixertinib, MK-8353, and GDC-0994 are orally effective, potent, and specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 that are in early clinical trials for the treatment of various advanced/metastatic solid tumors. These agents are effective against cell lines that are resistant to B-Raf and MEK1/2 inhibitor therapy. Although MK-8353 does not directly inhibit MEK1/2, it decreases the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 as well as the phosphorylation of RSK, an ERK1/2 substrate. The decrease in RSK phosphorylation appears to be a result of ERK inhibition and the decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation is related to the inability of MEK to catalyze the phosphorylation of the ERK-MK-8353 complex; these decreases characterize the ERK dual mechanism inhibition paradigm. Additional work will be required to determine whether ERK inhibitors will be successful in the clinic and are able to forestall the development of drug resistance of the MAP kinase pathway. [Read the Full Post]

In Vitro antiretroviral properties of S/GSK1349572, a next-generation HIV integrase inhibitor

516 views | May 28 2019

Kobayashi M et al. demonstrated that S/GSK1349572 would be classified as a next-generation drug in the integrase inhibitor class, with a resistance profile markedly different from that of first-generation integrase inhibitors. [Read the Full Post]

Chk1 inhibitor SCH 900776 enhances the antitumor activity of MLN4924 on pancreatic cancer

465 views | May 28 2019

Li JA et al. provided the preclinical evidence and the rationale of the combination therapy of MLN4924 with SCH 900776 or other Chk1 inhibitors to treat PC. [Read the Full Post]

The Potential Contribution of microRNAs in Anti-cancer Effects of Aurora Kinase Inhibitor (AZD1152-HQPA)

592 views | May 27 2019

Zekri A et al. showed for the first time the potential contribution of miRNAs in the anti-cancer effects of AZD1152-HQPA. [Read the Full Post]

CCI-779 (Temsirolimus) exhibits increased anti-tumor activity in low EGFR expressing HNSCC cell lines and is effective in cells with acquired resistance to cisplatin or cetuximab

341 views | May 27 2019

Niehr F et al. indicated that activity of CCI-779 in HNSCC cells harboring TP53 mutations and displaying a phenotype of cisplatin resistance suggests its clinical potential even in patients with dismal outcome after current standard treatment. Cetuximab/mTORi combinations might be useful for treatment of tumors with high expression of EGFR/p-EGFR and/or acquired cetuximab resistance. This combinatorial treatment modality needs further evaluation in future translational and clinical studies. [Read the Full Post]

Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of acquired cancer drug resistance to pazopanib and dasatinib

850 views | May 26 2019

Vyse S et al. provided a useful resource detailing the candidate signalling determinants of acquired TKI resistance; and reveals a therapeutic approach of inhibiting HSP90 function as a means of salvage therapy to overcome pazopanib and dasatinib resistance. [Read the Full Post]

Hemin-induced platelet activation and ferroptosis is mediated through ROS-driven proteasomal activity and inflammasome activation: Protection by Melatonin

398 views | May 26 2019

NaveenKumar SK et al. demonstrated an association of platelet activation/ferroptosis with proteasome activity and inflammasome activation. Although, high-throughput screening has recognized ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) as potent ferroptosis inhibitors, having an endogenous antioxidant such as MLT as ferroptosis inhibitor is of high interest. MLT is a well-known chronobiotic hormone that regulates the circadian rhythms in vertebrates. It is also known to exhibit potent antioxidant and ROS quenching capabilities. MLT can regulate fundamental cellular functions by exhibiting cytoprotective, oncostatic, antiaging, anti-venom, and immunomodulatory activities. The ROS scavenging capacity of MLT is key for its cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic properties. Considering the anti-ferroptotic and anti-apoptotic potentials MLT, it could be a promising clinical application to treat hemolytic, thrombotic and thrombocytopenic conditions. Therefore, we propose MLT as a pharmacological and therapeutic agent to inhibit ferroptosis and platelet activation. [Read the Full Post]

A Preclinical Model for Studying Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

0 views | May 25 2019

Tajpara P et al. present a previously unreported ex vivo HSV-1 infection model with abdominal human skin to test antiviral drugs, thus bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo drug screening and providing a valuable preclinical platform for HSV research. [Read the Full Post]

Midostaurin/PKC412 for the treatment of newly diagnosed FLT3 mutation-positive acute myeloid leukemia

804 views | May 25 2019

Luskin MR et al. indicated that expert commentary: The approval of midostaurin represents the first new therapy for AML in several decades. It is also the first targeted therapy approved for AML. Future studies will focus on defining mechanisms of resistance to midostaurin as well as establishing the role of midostaurin in combination with hypomethylating agents and as maintenance therapy. Second generation, more potent and selective FLT3 inhibitors are also in development; these agents need to be compared to midostaurin. [Read the Full Post]

Suppression of Sirt1 sensitizes lung cancer cells to WEE1 inhibitor MK-1775-induced DNA damage and apoptosis

537 views | May 24 2019

Chen G et al. provided a novel therapeutic strategy to optimize MK-1775 treatment efficiency in lung cancers. [Read the Full Post]

A novel anti-melanoma SRC-family kinase inhibitor.

510 views | May 24 2019

Halaban R suggested that the new compound could be used in the clinic as a substitute for, or in combination with MAPK inhibitors. [Read the Full Post]

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator A-769662 increases intracellular calcium and ATP release from astrocytes in an AMPK-independent manner

808 views | May 23 2019

Vlachaki Walker JM et al. indicated that AMPK is required to maintain basal eATP levels but is not required for A-769662-induced increases in eATP. A-769662 (>50 μM) enhanced intracellular calcium levels leading to ATP release in an AMPK and purinergic receptor independent pathway. [Read the Full Post]

Targeting ERK1/2 protein-serine/threonine kinases in human cancers

0 views | May 23 2019

Roskoski R Jr showed that Ulixertinib, MK-8353, and GDC-0994 are orally effective, potent, and specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 that are in early clinical trials for the treatment of various advanced/metastatic solid tumors. These agents are effective against cell lines that are resistant to B-Raf and MEK1/2 inhibitor therapy. Although MK-8353 does not directly inhibit MEK1/2, it decreases the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 as well as the phosphorylation of RSK, an ERK1/2 substrate. The decrease in RSK phosphorylation appears to be a result of ERK inhibition and the decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation is related to the inability of MEK to catalyze the phosphorylation of the ERK-MK-8353 complex; these decreases characterize the ERK dual mechanism inhibition paradigm. Additional work will be required to determine whether ERK inhibitors will be successful in the clinic and are able to forestall the development of drug resistance of the MAP kinase pathway. [Read the Full Post]

Tipifarnib prevents development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension

469 views | May 22 2019

Duluc L et al. demonstrated the importance of protein farnesylation in pulmonary vascular remodelling and provides a rationale for selective targeting of this pathway in pulmonary hypertension. [Read the Full Post]

Bendamustine plus rituximab versus fludarabine plus rituximab for patients with relapsed indolent and mantle-cell lymphomas: a multicentre, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority phase 3 trial

1047 views | May 21 2019

Rummel M et al. indicated that in combination with rituximab, bendamustine was more effective than fludarabine, suggesting that bendamustine plus rituximab may be the preferred treatment option for patients with relapsed indolent and mantle-cell lymphomas. [Read the Full Post]

Tamoxifen a pioneering drug: An update on the therapeutic potential of tamoxifen derivatives

664 views | May 21 2019

Shagufta et al. anticipated that it will assist medicinal chemists in the synthesis of novel and pharmacologically potent agents for various therapeutic targets. [Read the Full Post]