Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of selective survivin inhibitors

The differential distribution between cancer cells and normal adult tissues makes survivin a very attractive cancer drug target. We have previously reported a series of novel selective survivin inhibitors with the most potent compound MX 106 reaching nanomolar activity in several cancer cell lines. Further optimization of the MX 106 scaffold leads to the discovery of more potent and more selective survivin inhibitors. Various structural modifications were synthesized and their anticancer activities were evaluated to determine the structure activity relationships for this MX 106 scaffold. In vitro anti-proliferative assays using two human melanoma cell lines showed that several new analogs have improved potency compared to MX 106. Very interestingly, these new analogs generally showed significantly higher potency against P-glycoprotein overexpressed cells compared with the corresponding parental cells, suggesting that these compounds may strongly sensitize tumors that have high expressions of the Pglycoprotein drug efflux pumps. Western blotting analysis confirmed that the new MX 106 analogs maintained their mechanism of actions by selectively suppressing survivin expression level among major inhibitors of apoptotic proteins and induced strong apoptosis in melanoma tumor cells.

Small molecule conjugates with selective estrogen receptor β agonism promote anti-aging benefits in metabolism and skin recovery

Estrogen is imperative to mammalian reproductivity,metabolism,and aging.However,the hormone activating estrogen receptor(ERs)αcan cause major safety concerns due to the enrichment of ERαin female tissues and certain malignancies.In contrast,ERβis more broadly expressed in metabolic tissues and the skin.Thus,it is desirable to generate selective ERβagonist conjugates for maximizing the therapeutic effects of ERs while minimizing the risks of ERαactivation.Here,we report the design and production of small molecule conjugates containing selective non-steroid ERβagonists Gtx878 or genistein.Treatment of aged mice with our synthesized conjugates improved aging-associated declines in insulin sensitivity,visceral adipose integrity,skeletal muscle function,and skin health,with validation in vitro.We further uncovered the benefits of ERβconjugates in the skin using two inducible skin injury mouse models,showing increased skin basal cell proliferation,epidermal thickness,and wound healing.Therefore,our ERβ-selective agonist conjugates offer novel therapeutic potential to improve aging-associated conditions and aid in rejuvenating skin health.

JW-1-283 inhibits melanoma tumor growth via stabilization of the p53 pathway

Melanoma is a lethal skin malignancy and the fifth most diagnosed cancer in the United States.1 Currently,for unresectable melanoma,the recommended treatment options include checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death 1(PD-1),and inhibitors targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)pathway.However,the response rate may vary among the patients,and therefore demanding the development of novel treatment strategies.Tumor suppressor TP53has been suggested as one of the critical regulators mediating the aggressiveness and progression of melanoma.