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The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a promising new molecular target for the design of novel anticancer drugs aiming at overcoming apoptosis-resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy. Recent studies demonstrated that the BIR3 domain of XIAP where caspase-9 and Smac proteins bind is an attractive site for designing small-molecule inhibitors of XIAP. Through computational structure-based screening of an in-house traditional herbal medicine three-dimensional structure database of 8221 individual natural products, followed by biochemical testing of selected candidate compounds, we discovered embelin from the Japanese Ardisia herb as a small-molecular weight inhibitor that binds to the XIAP BIR3 domain. We showed that embelin binds to the XIAP BIR3 protein with an affinity similar to that of the natural Smac peptide using a fluorescence polarization-based binding assay. Our NMR analysis further conclusively confirmed that embelin interacts with several crucial residues in the XIAP BIR3 domain with which Smac and caspsase-9 bind. Embelin inhibits cell growth, induces apoptosis, and activates caspase-9 in prostate cancer cells with high levels of XIAP, but has a minimal effect on normal prostate epithelial and fibroblast cells with low levels of XIAP. In stably XIAP-transfected Jurkat cells, embelin effectively overcomes the protective effect of XIAP to apoptosis and enhances the etoposide-induced apoptosis and has a minimal effect in Jurkat cells transfected with vector control. Taken together, our results showed that embelin is a fairly potent, nonpeptidic, cell-permeable, small-molecule inhibitor of XIAP and represents a promising lead compound for designing an entirely new class of anticancer agents that target the BIR3 domain of XIAP.

Macrocyclization from the phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) mimetic's beta-position has previously been shown to enhance Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity of phosphonate-based analogues. The current study examined the effects of such macrocyclization using a dicarboxymethyl-based pTyr mimetic. In extracellular assays affinity was enhanced approximately 5-fold relative to an open-chain congener. Enhancement was also observed in whole-cell assays examining blockade of Grb2 binding to the erbB-2 protein-tyrosine kinase.

Without the presence of a phosphotyrosyl group, a phage library derived non-phosphorylated cyclic peptide ligand of Grb2-SH2 domain attributed its high affinity and specificity to well-defined and highly favored interactions of its structural elements with the binding pocket of the protein. We have disclosed a significant compensatory role of the Glu(2-) sidechain for the absence of the phosphate functionality on Tyr(0) in the peptide ligand, cyclo(CH(2)CO-Glu(2-)-Leu-Tyr(0)-Glu-Asn-Val-Gly-Met(5+)-Tyr-Cys)-amide (termed G1TE). In this study, we report the importance of hydrophobic residue at the Tyr+5 site in G1TE. Both acidic and basic amino acid substitutes are disfavored at this position, and replacement of Met with beta-tert-butyl-Ala was found to improve the antagonist properties. Besides, the polarity of the cyclization linkage was implicated as important in stabilizing the favored binding conformation. Oxidation of the thioether linkage into sulfoxide facilitated the binding to Grb2-SH2 markedly. Simultaneous modification of the three distant sites within G1TE provided the best agent with an IC(50) of 220 nM, which is among the most potent non-phosphorous- and non-phosphotyrosine-mimic containing Grb2-SH2 domain inhibitors yet reported. This potent peptidomimetic provides a novel template for the development of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of erbB2-related cancer. Biological assays on G1TE(Gla(2-)) in which the original residue of Glu(2-) was substituted by gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) indicated that it could inhibit the interaction between activated GF receptor and Grb2 protein in cell homogenates of MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells at the 2 microM level. More significantly, both G1TE(Gla(2-)) alone and the conjugate of G1TE(Gla(2-)) with a peptide carrier can effectively inhibit intracellular association of erbB2 and Grb2 in the same cell lines with IC(50) of 50 and 2 microM, respectively.

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an SH2 domain-containing docking module that participates in the signaling of numerous oncogenic growth factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs). Presented herein is a 5-methylindolyl-containing macrocyclic tetrapeptide mimetic (5) that binds to Grb2 SH2 domain protein with K(d)=75 pM. This represents the highest affinity yet reported for a synthetic inhibitor against any SH2 domain. In whole cell assays this novel analogue is able to effectively block the association of Grb2 to cognate cytoplasmic erbB-2 at IC(50)<10nM without prodrug derivatization or the addition of carrier peptide motifs. Anti-mitogenic effects against erbB-2-dependent breast cancers are achieved at non-cytotoxic concentrations (IC(50)=0.6 microM). Macrocycle 5 may be representative of a new class of therapeutically relevant Grb2 SH2 domain-directed agents.

[reaction: see text] L-Phosphonomethylphenylalanine (L-Pmp) is an important phosphatase-resistant pTyr analogue. A most concise and stereoselective approach to the synthesis of the suitably protected Fmoc-Pmp(Bu(t))(2)-OH was developed in order to incorporate the functionally significant L-Pmp residue into peptides and peptidomimetics efficiently using standard Fmoc protocol. With this key building block, we are able to efficiently synthesize a series of potent Pmp-containing Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists, which can be used as chemotherapeutic leads for the treatment of erbB2-overexpressed breast cancer.

Blocking the interaction between phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-containing activated receptors and the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of the growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2) is considered to be an effective and non-cytotoxic strategy to develop new anti-proliferative agents due to its potential to shut down the Ras activation pathway. Generally, the pTyr-X-Asn minimal binding motif is required for a high-affinity ligand binding to the Grb2-SH2 domain. Using phage-display techniques, we discovered a non-pTyr-containing cyclic peptide G1 with moderate binding affinity from 10(7) different sequences. To understand the structural basis for the high-affinity binding of these novel non-phosphorus-containing inhibitors to the Grb2-SH2 domain, we extensively studied herein the unique functional requirements of the acidic side chain in Tyr-2 position due to the absence of the phosphate group in these non-phosphorylated peptides. A comprehensive SAR study was also carried out to develop potent Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists based upon this novel template. With both the peptidomimetic optimization of the amino acid side-chains and the constraint of the backbone conformation guided by molecular modeling, we developed several potent antagonists with low nanomolar range binding affinity, such as cyclic peptide 20 with an IC(50)=0.026 microM, which is one of the most potent non-phosphorus-containing Grb2-SH2 antagonists reported to date. Whole cell assays indicate that peptide 20 can penetrate the cell membranes and inhibit the association of Grb2 with p185(erbB2) in erbB2-overexpressing MDA-MA-453 cancer cells at low micromolar concentrations.

Development of Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists is an effective approach to inhibit the growth of malignant cells by modulating Grb2-related Ras signaling. We report here potent Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists that do not rely on phosphotyrosine or its mimics. These non-phosphorylated antagonists were developed and further modified by constraining the backbone conformation and optimizing amino acid side chains of a phage library-derived peptide, G1TE. After extensive SAR studies and structural optimization, non-phosphorylated peptide 12 was discovered with an IC(50) of 75 nM. This potent peptidomimetic provides a novel template for the development of non-pTyr containing Grb2-SH2 domain antagonists and acts as a chemotherapeutic lead for the treatment of erbB2-related cancer.

Grb2 SH2 domains are protein-docking modules that exert important functions in both normal and pathogenic signal transduction processes. Development of synthetic Grb2 SH2 domain binding ligands is being pursued by several groups as potential new therapies for a variety of diseases, including certain cancers. In these efforts, macrocyclization has been successfully utilized to take advantage of preferential recognition by Grb2 SH2 domains of ligands in beta-bend conformations. Recent examples of this approach include olefin-metathesis-derived macrocycles that employ ring closure at the beta-position of key pTyr-mimicking residues. In the current study, a novel phosphatase-stable beta-amino-pTyr mimetic designated "Pmp(beta)" was utilized to prepare variants of previously reported olefin-metathesis-derived macrocycles. An initial set of simplified cyclic peptides lacking key naphthyl side chain functionality was first synthesized to determine optimum ring size, with results indicating that a four-unit ring-closing segment was appropriate. On the basis of these findings, macrolactamization was undertaken with a more highly functionalized, naphthyl-containing gamma-amino acid analogue. The resulting cyclic beta-amino peptide is the first of a new class of pTyr-mimetic-containing ligands that may have utility in the development of antagonists of both Grb2 SH2 domains and other pTyr-dependent signaling systems.

A series of phosphotyrosine containing cyclic peptides was designed and synthesized based upon the phage library derived cyclopeptide, G1TE. Considering the type-I beta-turn feature of peptidic ligand binding to Grb2 SH2 domain, we introduce alpha,alpha-disubstituted cyclic amino acid, Ach, into the 4th position of the cyclic peptide to induce a local right handed 3(10) helical conformation. In order to stabilize the favorable binding conformation, the bulky and hydrophobic amino acids, neopentylglycine (NPG) and phenylalanine, were introduced into the 8th and 2nd positions of the peptide ligand, respectively. To facilitate the sidechain of pTyr3 reaching into the phosphotyrosine binding pocket, a less bulky alanine was preferred in position 1. Based upon these global modifications, a highly potent peptide ligand 12 was discovered with an IC(50)=1.68 nM, evaluated by ELISA binding essay. Ligand 12 is at least 10(5) more potent than the lead peptide, termed G1TE.

While most SH2 domains bind phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) containing peptides in extended fashion, the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) SH2 domain preferentially binds ligands in bend conformations. Accordingly, incorporation of bend-inducing functionality into synthetic ligands could potentially enhance their affinity for this SH2 domain. A macrocyclic tripeptide mimetic that contains a simplified pTyr surrogate lacking an alpha-nitrogen has recently been shown to exhibit high Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity in extracellular ELISA-based assays. However, the same compound is largely ineffective in whole-cell assays. It is known that acidic functionality originating from the alpha-nitrogen of pTyr residues or from the alpha-position of P0 pTyr mimetics not only increases binding affinity of peptides to Grb2 SH2 domains in extracellular assays but also enhances potency in cell-based systems. Such functionality is absent from the previously reported macrocycle. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to examine the effects of introducing carboxylic functionality at the pTyr mimetic alpha-position of macrocyclic ligands. It was found that such a modification not only enhanced Grb2 SH2 domain binding in extracellular assays but also conferred high efficacy in whole-cell systems. The most potent compound of the current study exhibited an IC(50) value of 0.002 microM in an extracellular ELISA-based assay, and in MDA-MB-453 cells, it both inhibited the association of Grb2 with p185(erbB-2) and exhibited antimitogenic effects with submicromolar IC50 values.

Synthesis of (2R)-2-carboxymethyl-3-(4-(phosphonomethyl)phenyl) proprionic acid (5) in tert-butyl-protected form (6) and its use for the preparation of a Grb2 SH2 domain-directed tripeptide (8a) is reported. In extracellular ELISA-based assays, 8a exhibits potent Grb2 SH2 domain binding affinity (IC(50)=8 nM). Against cultures of MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells, which over-express erbB-2 tyrosine kinase, 8a is also antimitogenic at concentrations equivalent to those required to inhibit intracellular association of Grb2 protein with phosphorylated p185(erbB-2) protein (IC(50)=8 microM). Analogue 6 may be useful for the preparation of a variety of phosphatase-stable SH2 domain-directed ligands.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are mainstays of cancer treatment. However, their clinical benefits are often constrained by acquired resistance. To overcome such outcomes, we have rationally engineered APG-2449 as a novel multikinase inhibitor that is highly potent against oncogenic alterations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), ROS proto-oncogene 1 receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Here we present the preclinical evaluation of APG-2449, which exhibits antiproliferative activity in cells carrying ALK fusion or secondary mutations.Methods: KINOMEscan® and LANCE TR-FRET were used to characterize targets and selectivity of APG-2449. Water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-8) viability assay and xenograft tumorigenicity were employed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of monotherapy or drug combination in preclinical models of solid tumors. Western blot, pharmacokinetic, and flow cytometry analyses, as well as RNA sequencing were used to explore pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlations and the mechanism of actions driving drug combination synergy.Results: In mice bearing wild-type or ALK/ROS1-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), APG-2449 demonstrates potent antitumor activity, with correlations between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in vivo. Through FAK inhibition, APG-2449 sensitizes ovarian xenograft tumors to paclitaxel by reducing CD44+ and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1-positive (ALDH1+) cancer stem cell populations, including ovarian tumors insensitive to carboplatin. In epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC xenograft models, APG-2449 enhances EGFR TKI-induced tumor growth inhibition, while the ternary combination of APG-2449 with EGFR (osimertinib) and mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK; trametinib) inhibitors overcomes osimertinib resistance. Mechanistically, phosphorylation of ALK, ROS1, and FAK, as well as their downstream components, is effectively inhibited by APG-2449.Conclusions: Taken together, our studies demonstrate that APG-2449 exerts potent and durable antitumor activity in human NSCLC and ovarian tumor models when administered alone or in combination with other therapies. A phase 1 clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of APG-2449 in patients with advanced solid tumors, including ALK+ NSCLC refractory to earlier-generation ALK inhibitors.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrial.gov registration: NCT03917043 (date of first registration, 16/04/2019) and Chinese clinical trial registration: CTR20190468 (date of first registration, 09/04/2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in the development of radiation against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the management of advanced NPC remains a challenge. Smac mimetics are designed to neutralize inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, thus reactivating the apoptotic program in cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of a novel bivalent Smac mimetic APG-1387 in NPC. In vitro, APG-1387 in combination with TNF-α potently decreased NPC cell viability by inducing apoptosis in majority of NPC cell lines. The in vitro antitumor effect was RIPK1-dependent, whereas it was independent on IAPs, USP11, or EBV. Of note, the inhibition of NF-κB or AKT pathway rendered resistant NPC cells responsive to the treatment of APG-1387/TNF-α. In vivo, APG-1387 displayed antitumor activity as a single agent at well-tolerated doses, even in an in vitro resistant cell line. In summary, our results demonstrate that APG-1387 exerts a potent antitumor effect on NPC. These findings support clinical evaluation of APG-1387 as a potential treatment for advanced NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]