Novel in silico-designed estradiol analogues are cytotoxic to a multidrug-resistant cell line at nanomolar concentrations

作者:Theron Anne*; Prudent Renaud; Nolte Elsie; van den Bout Iman; Punchoo Rivak; Marais Sumari; du Toit Peet; Hlophe Yvette; van Papendorp Dirk; Lafanechere Laurence; Joubert Annie
来源:Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 2015, 75(2): 431-437.
DOI:10.1007/s00280-014-2653-z

摘要

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME) is a promising anti-cancer agent that disrupts the integrity and dynamics of the spindle network. In order to overcome the pharmacokinetic constraints of this compound, a panel of sulphamoylated estradiol analogues were in silico-designed by our laboratory. In this study, we analysed the potential of each analogue to induce cell death on a panel of cancer cell lines. Moreover, the mechanism of action of the most effective compounds was determined. Cytotoxicity screening of the compounds and intermediates was performed on five different cancer cell lines to determine IG(50) values. An in vitro tubulin polymerization assay was done to determine the effect of the drugs on tubulin polymerization while their intracellular effects on the microtubule network were assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy. IG(50) calculations showed that the sulphamoylated analogues induce cytotoxicity at nanomolar concentrations in all cell lines, including the P-glycoprotein pump overexpressing multidrug-resistant uterine sarcoma cell line. The non-sulphamoylated compounds were only cytotoxic at micromolar ranges, if at all. The sulphamoylated compounds inhibited pure tubulin polymerization in a dose-dependent manner and induced microtubule destruction in cells after 24-h exposure. Results revealed that the novel sulphamoylated 2ME derivatives have potential as anti-cancer drugs, possibly even against chemoresistant cancer cells. These compounds disrupt the intracellular microtubule integrity which leads to mitotic block of the cells.

  • 出版日期2015-2