In this study, a series of novel 7 or 8-substituted 4-morpholine-quinazoline derivatives was designed and synthesized. Their PI3Kα inhibitory activities, antiproliferative activities against seven cancer cell lines, namely, PC-3, DU145, MCF-7, BT474, SK-BR-3, U937 and A431, were evaluated in vitro. Compound 17f proved to be a potential drug candidate with high PI3Kα inhibition activity (IC50 = 4.2 nM) and good antiproliferative activity. Compound 17f was also tested for its inhibitory activities against other kinases, such as PI3Kβ, PI3Kγ, PI3Kδ and mTOR, its effects on p-Akt (S473) and cell cycle. These results suggested that compound 17f could significantly inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway as a potent PI3K inhibitor and anticancer agent.

Doxorubicin (DOXO) is an effective anti-neoplastic drug but its clinical benefits are hampered by cardiotoxicity. Oxidative stress, apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis mediate the anthracycline cardiomyopathy. ROS trigger TGF-β pathway that activates cardiac fibroblasts promoting fibrosis. Myocardial stiffness contributes to diastolic dysfunction, less studied aspect of anthracycline cardiomyopathy. Considering the role of SIRT1 in the inhibition of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway, resveratrol (RES), a SIRT1 activator, might improve cardiac function by interfering with the development of cardiac fibrosis in a model of DOXO-induced cardiomyopathy.

For decades, immunotherapy strategies have failed to succeed in lung cancer. However, the recent success of immune checkpoint inhibitors and the progress in the understanding of the immunobiology of lung cancer have changed this paradigm. Here we review ongoing clinical trials and recent results obtained with these novel lung cancer immunotherapies.

Limited data are available to describe the effectiveness of darbepoetin alfa (DA) in terms of hemoglobin (Hb) and transfusion outcomes when initiated at Hb ≤10 g/dL (the threshold specified in the summary of prescribing characteristics). We assessed DA, initiated according to current labeling (Hb ≤10 g/dL), in chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA).

The silver nanoparticle (AgNP) is a candidate for anticancer therapy because of its effects on cell survival and signaling. Although numerous reports are available regarding their effect on cell death, the effect of AgNPs on metabolism is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of AgNPs on glucose metabolism in hepatoma cell lines. Lactate release from both HepG2 and Huh7 cells was reduced with 5 nm AgNPs as early as 1 hour after treatment, when cell death did not occur. Treatment with 5 nm AgNPs decreased glucose consumption in HepG2 cells but not in Huh7 cells. Treatment with 5 nm AgNPs reduced nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 expression in both cell types without affecting its activation at the early time points after AgNPs' treatment. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected 1 hour after 5 nm AgNPs' treatment, and lactate release was restored in the presence of an ROS scavenger. Our results suggest that 5 nm AgNPs affect glucose metabolism by producing ROS.

Dendrimers are large polymeric structures with nanosize dimensions (1-10 nm) and unique physicochemical properties. The major advantage of dendrimers compared with linear polymers is their spherical-shaped structure. During synthesis, the size and shape of the dendrimer can be customized and controlled, so the finished macromolecule will have a specific "architecture" and terminal groups. These characteristics will determine its suitability for drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and as a genetic material carrier. This review will focus initially on the unique properties of dendrimers and their use in biomedical applications, as antibacterial, antitumor, and diagnostic agents. Subsequently, emphasis will be given to their use in drug delivery for ocular diseases.

The course of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has changed since the introduction of imatinib, and its side-effects are still being reported. We are reporting a case of a CML patient who presented to us with discoloration of the upper front teeth following 6 months of therapy with imatinib. On detailed evaluation, the patient was found to have imatinib-induced dental hyperpigmentation.

The study aims to evaluate the protective effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Cynara scolymus L (CS) on doxorubicin (dox)-induced toxicity.

To investigate if fluoroquinolones (FQs) influence skeletal muscle metabolism of healthy and malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) pigs.

Synthesis of metal nanoparticles for improving therapeutic index and drug delivery is coming up as an attractive strategy in the mainstream of cancer therapeutic research. In the present study, curcumin-capped copper nanoparticles (CU-NPs) were evaluated as possible inhibitors of in vivo angiogenesis, pro-angiogenic cytokines involved in promoting tumor angiogenesis along with inhibition of cell proliferation and migration of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The antiangiogenic potential was assessed using in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-based cytotoxicity assay was used to assess the effect of CU-NPs against proliferation of breast cancer cell line. The wound healing migration assay was used to evaluate the effects of CU-NPs on the migration ability of breast cancer cell line. Native curcumin (CU) was used as a reference compound for comparison purpose. The result of the present investigation indicates that CU-NPs could not demonstrate impressive antiangiogenic or anticancer activities significantly as compared to native CU. The possible mechanisms of experimental outcomes are discussed in the light of the methods of nanoparticle synthesis in concert with the current state of the art literature.

Liposome (spherical vesicles) and cochleate (multilayer crystalline, spiral structure) formulations containing raloxifene have been developed having dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) or sodium taurocholate (NaTC). Raloxifene was approved initially for the treatment of osteoporosis but it is also effective on breast tissue and endometrial cells. Raloxifene inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) enzyme, which is known to be responsible for tumor invasion and the initiation of angiogenesis during the tumor growth. Therefore, raloxifene was selected as a model drug. A series of raloxifene-loaded liposome and cochleate formulations were prepared. In vitro release studies and in vivo tests were performed. Breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) were also used to find the most effective formulation. Highest antitumor activity was observed, and MMP-2 enzyme was also found to be inhibited with raloxifene-loaded cochleates containing DM-β-CD. These developed formulations can be helpful for further treatment alternatives and new strategies for cancer therapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with substantial mortality and morbidity. Alisertib (ALS) is a selective Aurora kinase A (AURKA) inhibitor with unclear effect and molecular interactome on CRC. This study aimed to evaluate the molecular interactome and anticancer effect of ALS and explore the underlying mechanisms in HT29 and Caco-2 cells. ALS markedly arrested cells in G₂/M phase in both cell lines, accompanied by remarkable alterations in the expression level of key cell cycle regulators. ALS induced apoptosis in HT29 and Caco-2 cells through mitochondrial and death receptor pathways. ALS also induced autophagy in HT29 and Caco-2 cells, with the suppression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), but activation of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways. There was a differential modulating effect of ALS on p38 MAPK signaling pathway in both cell lines. Moreover, induction or inhibition of autophagy modulated basal and ALS-induced apoptosis in both cell lines. ALS potently suppressed epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HT29 and Caco-2 cells. Collectively, it suggests that induction of cell cycle arrest, promotion of apoptosis and autophagy, and suppression of EMT involving mitochondrial, death receptor, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK, and AMPK signaling pathways contribute to the cancer cell killing effect of ALS on CRC cells.

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propen-1-one (1) was prepared and reacted with an active methylene compound (ethyl cyanoacetate) in the presence of ammonium acetate to give the corresponding cyanopyridone 2. Compound 2 reacted with hydrazine hydrate, malononitrile, ethyl bromoacetate and phosphorous oxychloride to afford compounds 4 and 7-11, respectively. The 2-chloropyridine derivative 11 reacted with different primary amines, namely benzyl amine, piperonyl amine, 1-phenylethyl amine, and/or the secondary amines 2-methyl-pipridine and morpholine to give the corresponding derivatives 12-15. Hydrazinolysis of chloropyridine derivative 11 with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding hydrazino derivative 17. Condensation of compound 17 with ethyl acetoacetate, acetylacetone, isatin and different aldehydes gave the corresponding derivatives 18-21. Some of newly synthesized compounds were screened for cytotoxic activity against three tumor cell lines. The results indicated that compounds 8 and 16 showed the best results, exhibiting the highest inhibitory effects towards the three tumor cell lines, which were higher than that of the reference doxorubicin and these compounds were non-cytotoxic towards normal cells (IC50 values > 100 μg/mL).

A series of sesterterpenoid bioconjugates with phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been synthesized for biological activity testing as antiproliferative agents in several cancer cell lines. Different substitution analogues of the original lipidic ether edelfosine (1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine) are obtained varying the sesterterpenoid in position 1 or 2 of the glycerol or a phosphocholine or PUFA unit in position 3. Simple bioconjugates of sesterterpenoids and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been obtained too. All synthetic derivatives were tested against the human tumour cell lines HeLa (cervix) and MCF-7 (breast). Some compounds showed good IC50 (0.3 and 0.2 μM) values against these cell lines.

A series of novel 3-/2,3-substituted pyrido[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazino[3,2-c][1,2,4]thiadiazine 6,6-dioxides 4-28 have been synthesized by the reaction of 3-amino-2-(4-thioxo-1,4-dihydropyridin-3-yl-sulfonyl)guanidine with either 2-oxoalkanoic acids and its esters, or phenylglyoxylic hydrates in glacial acetic acid. Some of them exhibited reasonable or moderate anticancer activity toward human cancer cell lines, HCT-116, MCF-7 and HeLa. The structure of this novel heterocyclic ring system was confirmed by ¹D-NMR and ²D-NMR spectroscopic data including COSY, ROESY and HMBC, elemental analyses and MS spectrometry.

Two new β-bergamotane sesquiterpenoids, E-β-trans-5,8,11-trihydroxybergamot-9-ene (1) and β-trans-2β,5,15-trihydroxybergamot-10-ene (2), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus YK-7, along with three known terpenoids 3-5. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS). Antiproliferative effects on human leukemic monocyte lymphoma U937 and human prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines were measured in vitro. Compound 4 exhibited potent activity against the U937 cell line with an IC50 value of 4.2 μM.

Macular edema is the main cause of visual loss in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. Macular edema is initially reversible, but over time, permanent loss ofvision occurs from structural damage to the macula. For this reason, there is a need for more rapid and effective treatments than laser photocoagulation which has been established as a gold standard. There are several pharmacologic agents which have changed the management of macular edema.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib and axitinib were developed to treat malignancies, including stage IV renal cell carcinoma. Recently, we experienced a patient with pancreatic side effects from both sorafenib and axitinib. We report this case and include a discussion of the literature.

To establish optimum conditions for anti-tumour therapy, we evaluated the efficacy of doxorubicin using liposomal doxorubicin and local hyperthermia to improve the anti-tumour efficacy over liposomal doxorubicin alone in rabbit VX2 tumours.

Many drugs in common use possess pleiotropic properties that make them capable of interfering with carcinogenesis mechanisms. We discuss here the ability of pharmacological agents to mitigate the pulmonary carcinogenicity of mainstream cigarette smoke. The evaluated agents include anti-inflammatory drugs (budesonide, celecoxib, aspirin, naproxen, licofelone), antidiabetic drugs (metformin, pioglitazone), antineoplastic agents (lapatinib, bexarotene, vorinostat), and other drugs and supplements (phenethyl isothiocyanate, myo-inositol, N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, berry extracts). These drugs have been evaluated in mouse models mimicking interventions either in current smokers or in ex-smokers, or in prenatal chemoprevention. They display a broad spectrum of activities by attenuating either smoke-induced preneoplastic lesions or benign tumors and/or malignant tumors. Together with epidemiological data, these findings provide useful information to predict the potential effects of pharmacological agents in smokers.