U.S. patent application number 14/515601 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-05 for transcription factor inhibitors and related compositions, formulations and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, INC., The Ohio State University. Invention is credited to Chenglong Li, Pui-Kai Li, Jiayuh Lin.
Application Number | 20150038443 14/515601 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44066877 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150038443 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Pui-Kai ; et
al. |
February 5, 2015 |
Transcription Factor Inhibitors and Related Compositions,
Formulations and Methods
Abstract
The present invention provides small molecules useful to affect
cancer cells, along with related methods. The present compounds,
formulations, kits and methods are useful for a variety of
research, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. STAT3 inhibitors,
particularly LLL12, are disclosed. The STAT3 inhibitors are useful
to treat breast cancer in general and breast cancer initiating
cells in particular.
Inventors: |
Li; Pui-Kai; (Galloway,
OH) ; Li; Chenglong; (Dublin, OH) ; Lin;
Jiayuh; (Dublin, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Ohio State University
NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, INC. |
Columbus
Columbus |
OH
OH |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL,
INC.
Columbus
OH
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Columbus
OH
|
Family ID: |
44066877 |
Appl. No.: |
14/515601 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12954038 |
Nov 24, 2010 |
8883749 |
|
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14515601 |
|
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61264154 |
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/34 ; 435/23;
435/29; 435/366; 435/375; 435/6.11; 514/49; 514/602; 552/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07C 311/16 20130101;
A61P 35/04 20180101; G01N 33/5008 20130101; A61P 35/00 20180101;
C07C 311/29 20130101; A61K 31/704 20130101; A61K 31/18 20130101;
C07C 2603/22 20170501; A61K 31/7068 20130101; C07C 303/40 20130101;
C07C 303/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/34 ; 552/234;
514/602; 514/49; 435/29; 435/375; 435/366; 435/23; 435/6.11 |
International
Class: |
C07C 311/16 20060101
C07C311/16; C07C 303/40 20060101 C07C303/40; G01N 33/50 20060101
G01N033/50; A61K 31/704 20060101 A61K031/704; A61K 31/7068 20060101
A61K031/7068; A61K 31/18 20060101 A61K031/18; C07C 303/38 20060101
C07C303/38 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under grant
R21CA133652-01 awarded by the National Institutes for Health. The
government has certain rights in this invention.
Claims
1. A compound having the general formula I: ##STR00003## wherein
R1, R2 are independently hydrogen or alkyl M, wherein M is 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 or 6 carbons; R3, R5, R6, R8, R9 are independently hydrogen,
alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, NO2, NH2, or hydroxyl; and R4, R7 are
independently alkyl, alkoxy, O-alkyl, N-alkyl, aromatic,
heteroaromatic, cyclic, or heterocyclic, except wherein R1, R2, R3,
R4, R5, R7, R8 and R9 are each hydrogen and R6 is hydroxyl.
2. A composition of matter, comprising a compound of claim 1 and a
pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, carrier, diluents, or
salt.
3. A method to synthesize a compound of claim 1, comprising: i)
reacting an unsubstituted or substituted naphthalene sulfonyl
chloride compound with a nitrogen containing compound to form an
unsubstituted or substituted naphthalene sulfonyl amine; ii)
oxidizing the unsubstituted or substituted naphthalene sulfonyl
amine of step i) to yield an unsubstituted or substituted
naphthoquinone compound; and iii) catalyzing via a Diels-Alder
reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-pyrone with the unsubstituted or
substituted naphthoquinone compound of step ii) to yield a compound
of formula I.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the nitrogen containing compound
of step i) comprises ammonium hydroxide and the naphthalene
sulfonyl chloride is unsubstituted.
5. A method to inhibit STAT3 activation in a cell, comprising
introducing a compound of claim 1 to a STAT3-expressing cell, and
measuring STAT3 activation inhibition.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing cell apoptosis.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing prevention of STAT3 SH2 dimerization.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing a decrease in the levels of expression of STAT3
phosphorylation.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing inhibition of downstream targets of STAT3.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said downstream targets are
selected from the group consisting of: cyclin; Bcl-2; and
survivin.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing induction of cleaved PARP and caspase-3.
12. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
inducing IL-6 in MDA-MD-453 breast cancer cells and observing a
reduction in phosphorylation after induction.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing reduction of STAT3 DNA binding activity after said
compound introduction.
14. The method of claim 5, wherein said inhibition is measured by
observing reduction of STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity
after said compound introduction.
15. A method to inhibit transcription of STAT3 regulated genes,
comprising administering a compound of claim 1.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said transcription inhibition
is measured via reverse transcriptase PCR.
17. A method to decrease the ability of tumor cells to form
colonies, comprising a administering a compound of claim 1 to a
tumor cell-containing medium.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammalian cell culture.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammal.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said mammal is selected from
the group consisting essentially of: human; livestock; companion
animal; and zoo animal.
21. A method to inhibit tumor cell migration, comprising
administering a compound of claim 1 to a tumor cell-containing
medium.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammalian cell culture.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammal.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein said mammal is selected from
the group consisting essentially of: human; livestock; companion
animal; and zoo animal.
25. A method to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, comprising
administering a compound of claim 1 to a tumor cell-containing
medium.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammalian cell culture.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammal.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein said mammal is selected from
the group consisting essentially of: human; livestock; companion
animal; and zoo animal.
29. A method to treat a cancer in a patient having constitutively
active STAT3 in need of such treatment, comprising administering a
therapeutically-effective pharmaceutically-acceptable formulation
of at least one compound of claim 1.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein said cancer treated is selected
from the group consisting of: breast cancer; glioblastoma; and
pancreatic cancer.
31. The method of claim 29, which further comprises administering
to the patient at least one additional chemotherapeutic drug.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein said additional
chemotherapeutic drug is doxorubicin.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein said additional
chemotherapeutic drug is gemcitabine.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein said additional
chemotherapeutic drugs are doxorubicin and gemcitabine.
35. A method to determine the presence of cancer cells in a sample,
comprising introducing a compound of claim 1 to a cell sample, and
identifying whether STAT3 activation is inhibited.
36. A method to identify compounds useful to inhibit STAT3
activation, comprising comparing the ability of a compound of claim
1 to inhibit STAT3 activation to the ability of a test compound to
inhibit STAT3 activation.
37. A kit comprising a compound of claim 1.
38. The kit of claim 37, which further comprises nucleic acid
molecules useful to identify STAT3 transcription.
39. A pharmaceutically-acceptable formulation useful for treating
cancer, comprising a compound of claim 1 and at least one
pharmaceutically-acceptable salt.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser.
No. 12/954,038 filed Nov. 24, 2010, now allowed, which claims the
priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/264,154 filed Nov.
24, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of
a new class of small molecules that inhibit STAT3 activation.
Inhibition of STAT3 activation affects cancer-related transcription
factors, which in turn increases apoptosis of cancer cells. Other
cellular function effects related to administration of these new
STAT3 activation inhibitors have also been shown.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED VIA EFS-WEB
[0004] This application is being filed electronically via the USPTO
EFS-WEB server, as authorized and set forth in MPEP.sctn.1730
II.B.2(a)(A), and this electronic filing includes an electronically
submitted sequence (SEQ ID) listing. The sequence listing is
identified on the electronically filed .txt file as follows:
604.sub.--50802_SEQ_LIST_OSU-00902.txt, created on Nov. 22, 2010
and is 5,753 bytes in size.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United
States, with the various forms being attributed to one in four
deaths. Approximately one in two men and one in three women will be
diagnosed with an invasive cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer
is the leading type of cancer affecting women. It is estimated that
breast cancer accounts for just over a quarter of all newly
diagnosed cancer cases in women. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth
leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Diagnosis is
followed by a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of
only 5%. Worldwide, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only
1%. Gliomas, a type of brain cancer, account for more than 75% of
all primary malignant brain tumors. The most common type of glioma,
glioblastoma, is also the most severe. It is a highly aggressive
cancer and continues to have a poor survival rate, with most cases
becoming fatal within two years of diagnosis. The large number of
cases and poor survival rates under current therapies necessitate
the search for novel target therapies for cancer.
[0006] The Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription
(STAT) proteins are transcription factors that participate in
cancer proliferation. STATs have been shown to relay signals from
cytokines and growth factors. Constitutive activation of STATs has
been found to contribute to oncogenesis. STAT3 in particular, is
constitutively active in a wide variety of human malignancies;
including breast and pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma. STAT3 is
considered to be an oncogene due to its ability to promote
malignancy. Experiments have shown that constitutively active STAT3
is sufficient for inducing cellular transformation. Further
research shows a resistance to transformation in STAT3 deficient
fibroblasts. Constitutively active STAT3 has also been shown to
have the potential to alter the phenotype of non-malignant cells
into malignant-like cells.
[0007] Persistent activation of STAT3 has been implicated in both
the induction of cancer and processes promoting the survival of
cancer. STAT3 activation occurs when the Tyrosine 705 (Tyr.sub.705)
residue is phosphorylated, leading to dimerization and
translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In the nucleus,
STAT3 binding to target genes induces the transcription and up
regulation of proliferation and anti-apoptotic associated proteins.
Therefore, constitutive STAT3 signaling is involved in stimulating
cell cycle progression and preventing apoptosis which both
contribute to malignant progression. STAT3 has also been found to
promote angiogenesis. In addition, persistently activated STAT3
plays a role in impairing both innate and adaptive immune responses
by enhancing immunologic tolerance and enabling cancer cells to
evade immune surveillance. Further, the survival of these tumors
appears to depend on the presence of STAT3 signaling.
[0008] The implications of constitutive STAT3 signaling in tumors
have presented it as a possible target for cancer treatment.
Experiments aimed at blocking STAT3 signaling using
dominant-negative STAT3, RNA interference, and STAT3 antisense
oligonucleotides have been attempted. It was also determined that
in normal cells, blocking STAT3 is neither harmful nor toxic to the
cells. Given the oncogenic functions of STAT3, directly targeting
STAT3 signaling represents a potential therapeutic approach to
treating cancer.
[0009] The inventors herein have now shown, inter alia, that a new
class of small molecules inhibits STAT3, resulting in apoptosis of
cancer cells.
[0010] This invention therefore contributes effective therapeutic,
diagnostic and prophylactic agents having increased positive
results and fewer side effects. The invention also provides methods
for making related compounds, formulations, compositions, kits,
etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In a first broad aspect, there are provided compounds having
the general Formula I:
##STR00001##
[0012] wherein [0013] R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 are independently
hydrogen or alkyl.sub.M, wherein M is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbons;
[0014] R.sub.3, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 are
independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2,
or hydroxyl; [0015] R.sub.4 and R.sub.7 are independently hydrogen,
alkyl, alkoxy, O-alkyl, NH-alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or
heterocycloalkyl.
[0016] Preferred are those compounds as described wherein R.sub.1,
R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9
are each hydrogen and R.sub.6 is hydroxyl. Also provided are
compositions of matter, comprising a compound herein and a
pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, carrier, diluent or salt.
Prodrugs, intermediates, racemates and metabolites related to the
present compounds are also provided.
[0017] For instance, the compound of the Formula II is provided, as
are compositions of matter comprising a compound of Formula II and
a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, carrier, diluent or salt.
Prodrugs, intermediates, racemates and metabolites related to the
present compounds are also provided.
##STR00002##
[0018] In another there is provided herein a method to synthesize a
compound of Formula I which includes: reacting an unsubstituted or
substituted naphthalene sulfonyl chloride compound with a nitrogen
containing compound to form an unsubstituted or substituted
naphthalene sulfonyl amine; oxidizing the unsubstituted or
substituted naphthalene sulfonyl amine of step i) to yield an
unsubstituted or substituted naphthoquinone compound; and,
catalyzing via a Diels-Alder reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-pyrone with
the unsubstituted or substituted naphthoquinone compound of step
ii) to yield a compound of formula I.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the nitrogen containing compound of
step i) comprises ammonium hydroxide and the naphthalene sulfonyl
chloride is unsubstituted.
[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, there are
provided methods to inhibit STAT3 activation in a cell, comprising
introducing a compound of Formula I herein to a STAT3-expressing
cell, and measuring STAT3 activation inhibition. Preferred are
those methods wherein inhibition is measured by observing a
STAT3-related effect, such as: cell apoptosis; prevention of STAT3
SH2 dimerization; a decrease in the levels of expression of STAT3
phosphorylation; inhibition of downstream targets of STAT3,
especially cyclin; Bcl-2; and surviving and/or induction of cleaved
PARP and caspase-3; a reduction in STAT3 phosphorylation after
inducing IL-6 in MDA-MD-453 breast cancer cells; reduction of STAT3
DNA binding activity after compound introduction; reduction of
STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity after compound
introduction.
[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, there are
provided methods to inhibit transcription of STAT3 regulated genes,
comprising administering a compound of Formula I herein. Preferred
are those methods wherein said transcription inhibition is measured
via reverse transcriptase PCR.
[0022] In another aspect of the present invention, there are
provided methods to decrease the ability of tumor cells to form
colonies, comprising a administering a compound of Formula I herein
to a tumor cell-containing medium. Preferred are those methods
wherein the tumor cell-containing medium is a mammalian cell
culture, although those methods wherein said tumor cell-containing
medium is a mammal are also preferred. More preferred methods are
those wherein said mammal is selected from the group consisting
essentially of: human; livestock; companion animal; and zoo
animal.
[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, there are
provided methods to inhibit tumor cell migration, comprising
administering a compound of Formula I herein to a tumor
cell-containing medium. Preferred are those methods wherein the
tumor cell-containing medium is a mammalian cell culture, although
those methods wherein said tumor cell-containing medium is a mammal
are also preferred. More preferred methods are those wherein said
mammal is selected from the group consisting essentially of: human;
livestock; companion animal; and zoo animal.
[0024] In another aspect of the present invention, there are
provided methods to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, comprising
administering a compound of Formula I herein to a tumor
cell-containing medium. Preferred are those methods wherein the
tumor cell-containing medium is a mammalian cell culture, although
those methods wherein said tumor cell-containing medium is a mammal
are also preferred. More preferred methods are those wherein said
mammal is selected from the group consisting essentially of: human;
livestock; companion animal; and zoo animal.
[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, there are
provided methods to treat cancer in a patient in need of such
treatment, comprising administering a pharmaceutically-acceptable
formulation of at least one compound of Formula I herein. Preferred
are those methods wherein the cancer treated is selected from the
group consisting essentially of: breast cancer; glioblastoma; and
pancreatic cancer. More preferred are those methods which further
comprises administering to the patient at least one additional
chemotherapeutic drug. Most preferred are those methods wherein
said additional chemotherapeutic drug is doxorubicin, gemcitabine
or a combination of the two.
[0026] Also provided by the present invention are methods to
determine the presence of tumor cells in a sample, comprising
introducing a compound of Formula I to a cell sample, and measuring
STAT3 inhibition.
[0027] Also provided are methods to identify compounds useful to
inhibit STAT3 activation, comprising comparing the ability of a
compound of Formula I to inhibit STAT3 activation to the ability of
a test compound to inhibit STAT3 activation.
[0028] Also provided are kits comprising a compound of Formula I.
Those kits which comprise a compound of Formula I and also comprise
nucleic acid molecules useful to identify STAT3 transcription are
preferred.
DEFINITIONS
[0029] "Observing" means ascertaining physical (including chemical,
biological, crystallographical) attributes, via
scientifically-reliable assay, including optional use of any
scientifically-reliable assay(s) described herein, and optional use
of computer generation and/or analysis of the results of any
assay(s).
[0030] All other terms herein have the meaning as understood in the
global scientific art (in the case of a scientific term) and/or in
general U.S. English usage (in the case of non-scientific
terms).
[0031] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0032] The application contains one or more figures executed in
color and/or one or more photographs. Copies of color figures(s)
and/or photograph(s) will be provided upon request and payment of
the necessary fee.
[0033] FIGS. 1A-1B. (FIG. 1A) Synthesis of LLL12 (includes chemical
structure). (FIG. 1B) Computer model of LLL12 binds to STAT3 SH2
domain. The ball-and-stick model of pTyr.sub.705-Leu.sub.706 is the
binding mode of the partnering SH2 during the STAT3
homodimerization. LLL12 effectively displaces its binding through
stronger binding to pTyr705 binding site, indicating LLL12 can
efficiently prevent STAT3 SH2 dimerization.
[0034] FIGS. 2A-2E. Western Blot analysis of cells treated with
LLL12. Cancer cell lines expressing constitutively active STAT3,
(FIG. 2A) MDA-MB-231, (FIG. 2B) SK-BR-3, (FIG. 2C) HPAC, (FIG. 2D)
U87, exhibit a decrease in the levels of expression of STAT3
phosphorylation after treatment with LLL12. Downstream targets of
STAT3, cyclin D1, Bcl-2, and survivin, were inhibited. Apoptosis is
also indicated by the induction of cleaved PARP and caspase-3.
Normal cell lines which do not express elevated levels of STAT3
phosphorylation, (FIG. 2E) Human Pancreatic Duct Epithelial cells
(HPDE), Human Mammary Epithelial Cells (HMEC), Human Hepatocytes
(HH), and normal human lung fibroblasts (WI-38), did not exhibit an
induction of cleaved PARP or caspase-3 following treatment with
LLL12.
[0035] FIG. 3. LLL12 inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation induced by IL-6
in MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells without STAT3 phosphorylation.
The cells were serum starved overnight, then left untreated or were
treated with LLL12 (0.5 .mu.M-2 .mu.M) or DMSO. After 2 hours the
untreated and LLL12 treated cells were stimulated by IL-6 (25
ng/mL). The cells were harvested at 30 min and analyzed by western
blot.
[0036] FIGS. 4A-4D. LLL12 has an inhibitory effect on STAT3 DNA
binding activity and STAT3 dependent transcriptional activity. The
nuclear extracts of (FIG. 4A) SK-BR-3, (FIG. 4B) MDA-MB-231, (FIG.
4C) HPAC, and (FIG. 4D) U87 cancer cells were analyzed for STAT3
DNA binding. STAT1 DNA binding was also looked at to demonstrate
the specificity of LLL12 to STAT3 over STAT1 protein in (FIG. 4B)
MDA-MB-231 and (FIG. 4D) U87 cancer cells. Statistical significance
(P<0.05) relative to the DMSO vehicle control is designated by
an asterisk.
[0037] FIGS. 5A-5B. (FIG. 5A) STAT3-dependent transcriptional
activity was analyzed in a luciferase assay. MDA-MB-231 breast
cancer cloned cells that stably integrate the STAT3-dependent
luciferase reporter construct, pLucTKS3 were used. Results are
reported relative to a pLucTKS3transfected sample treated with DMSO
set at 100%. Statistical significance (P<0.05) relative to DMSO
is designated by an asterisk. (FIG. 5B) Transcription of
STAT3-regulated genes is inhibited by LLL12. Reverse transcriptase
PCR reveals decreased expression of STAT3 target genes over a DMSO
control following treatment with LLL12.
[0038] FIGS. 6A-6C. (FIG. 6A) Colony formation of MDA-MB-231 cells
in soft agar is inhibited by LLL12. The potency of LLL12 was
assessed further in an anchorage independent environment through a
colony formation assay. Treatment with LLL12 greatly decreased the
ability of MDA-MB-231 cells to form colonies in comparison to a
DMSO control. (FIG. 6B) LLL12 inhibits cell migration in MDA-MB-231
breast cancer cells. A wound healing assay reveals that LLL12 has a
significant impact on MDA-MB-231 cell migration. The ability of the
cells to migrate is increasingly inhibited by an increase in dose
of LLL12. Statistical significance (P<0.05) relative to the DMSO
control is designated by an asterisk. (FIG. 6C) A cell viability
assay (MTT) was done to determine if the effect of LLL12 on
MDA-MB-231 cell migration was due to its ability to inhibit cell
proliferation. The time points of treatment (4 hours with LLL12)
and incubation (additional 20 hours without LLL12) used in the
wound healing assay was applied in the viability assay. The ability
of LLL12 to inhibit cell migration does not appear to be due to an
inhibition of cell proliferation.
[0039] FIGS. 7A-7B. The combinatorial effect of LLL12 and
chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin and gemcitabine. (FIG. 7A)
MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were treated with LLL12 and
doxorubicin individual and in combination. (FIG. 7B) HPAC
pancreatic cancer cells were treated with LLL12 and gemcitabine
individual and in combination. Cell viability was determined by MTT
assay. A synergistic effect between LLL12 and doxorubicin or
gemcitabine is indicated by an asterisk.
[0040] FIGS. 8A-8B. The effect of STAT3-C expression on
LLL12-mediated inhibition in U87 glioblastoma cells. Cells were
transfected with a vector expressing constitutively active STAT3,
STAT3-C, for 24 hours, then treated with LLL12 for another 24
hours. (FIG. 8A) LLL12 induced capase-3 cleavage was rescued in U87
cells when STAT3-C protein was expressed. (FIG. 8B) The inhibition
of cell viability of LLL12 in U87 cells was also reduced in the
presence of STAT3-C protein in MTT assay (*P<0.05).
[0041] FIGS. 9A-9C. Effect of LLL12 on tumor growth in mouse
xenografts with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (FIG. 9A) or U87
glioblastoma cells (FIG. 9B). After the tumor development, the mice
were given daily intraperitoneal dosages of 2.5-5 mg/kg LLL12 or
DMSO (*P<0.05). STAT3 but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation of
MDA-MB-231 tumor tissue samples from these mice were also decreased
(FIG. 9C).
[0042] FIGS. 10A-10B. LLL12 inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation,
down-regulates STAT3 downstream target genes (cyclin D1, survivin
and Bcl-2) expression and induces apoptosis in (FIG. 10A) PANC-1
pancreatic cancer cells and (FIG. 10B) U373 glioblastoma cells.
[0043] FIGS. 11A-11B. STAT3 phosphorylation of the ALDH
subpopulation of breast cancer cells is higher than un-separated
and the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulations. (FIG. 11A) Representative flow
cytometry analysis of ALDH enzymatic activity in SUM159 breast
cancer cells was shown. (FIG. 11B) ALDH and ALDH.sup.+
subpopulations were separated from MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR-3
breast cancer cells by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of STAT3
(Y705), and ERK 1/2 (T202/Y204), was detected by Western blot;
[0044] FIGS. 12A-12C. (FIG. 12A) LLL12 inhibits STAT3
phosphorylation and induces apoptosis in ALDH breast cancer
initiating cells. ALDH breast cancer initiating cells were treated
with 5 .mu.M of LLL12 or DMSO. (FIG. 12B) Inhibition of the
expression of STAT3 downstream target genes in ALDH subpopulation
of breast cancer cells by LLL12. (FIG. 12C) STAT3 ShRNA inhibits
STAT3 phosphorylation and induces cleaved caspase-3 in the absence
or presence of LLL12.
[0045] FIGS. 13A-13D. LLL12 and Stattic reduced the ALDH.sup.+
subpopulation of MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR-3 breast cancer
cells. Statistically significant reduction of LLL12-treated
relative to the DMSO is designated by an asterisk (P<0.05).
LLL12, Stattic, and STAT3 ShRNA inhibited cell viability of
ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation of breast cancer cells. CTL: control
lentivirus that expresses GFP. LLL12 and Stattic inhibited
tumorsphere formation of the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation of breast
cancer cells. Tumorsphere development was observed under the
microscope 10 to 15 days later.
[0046] FIGS. 14A-14D. LLL12 suppresses tumor growth in mouse
xenografts and with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer initiating cells and
mammary fat pad with SUM159 breast cancer initiating cells
(ALDH.sup.+ cells). The mice were given daily intraperitoneal
dosages of 5 mg/kg LLL12 or DMSO. Reduction of tumor volume and
tumor weight in all six LLL12-treated mice compared to DMSO vehicle
group (*P<0.05). One representative sample from tumor tissues
generated from MDA-MB-231 cancer initiating cells showing STAT3
phosphorylation were also inhibited by LLL12 treatment.
[0047] FIGS. 15A-15D. STAT3 phosphorylation of the
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulation of breast cancer
cells is higher than un-separated and the
ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ subpopulations.
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24- and ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+
subpopulations were separated from MDA-MB-231 and SUM159 breast
cancer cells by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of STAT3 (Y705),
and ERK 1/2 (T202/Y204), was detected by Western blot. LLL12
inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation and induces apoptosis in
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- breast cancer initiating cells.
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24- breast cancer initiating cells were
treated with 5 .mu.M of LLL12 or DMSO Inhibition of the expression
of STAT3 downstream target genes in
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulation of breast cancer
cells by LLL12. LLL12 inhibited cell viability of
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulation of breast cancer
cells. LLL12 inhibited tumorsphere formation of the
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulation of breast cancer
cells. Tumorsphere development was observed under the microscope 10
to 15 days later. LLL12 suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenografts
with SUM-159 breast cancer initiating cells
(ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- cells). Reduction of tumor volume
in all six LLL12-treated mice compared to DMSO vehicle group
(*P<0.05).
[0048] FIGS. 16A-16B. Representative samples of staining of STAT3
phosphorylation of ALDH1.
[0049] FIG. 17. LLL12 synthesis and compound.
[0050] FIG. 18. LLL12 inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation in unseparated
MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3, and SUM159 breast cancer cell lines.
[0051] FIGS. 19A-19D. Stattic reduces STAT3 phosphorylation in
ALDH+ cells.
[0052] FIG. 20. Vehicle versus LLL12 on P-STAT3 (Y705) and ALDH1 in
vivo.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] The present invention provides non-peptide, cell-permeable,
small molecules which target STAT3. These molecules are newly
discovered to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr705) and induce
apoptosis (as indicated by the increases of cleaved caspase-3 and
poly-ADP ribose polymerase or "PARP") in various human breast,
pancreatic and glioblastoma cancer cell lines expressing elevated
levels of STAT3 phosphorylation. These molecules also inhibit STAT3
phosphorylation induced by Interleukin-6 in MDA-MB-453 breast
cancer cells. The inhibition of STAT3 signaling by the present
molecules was confirmed by the inhibition of STAT3 DNA binding
activity and STAT3-dependent transcriptional luciferase activity.
Downstream targets of STAT3, cyclin D1, Bcl-2, and survivin were
also down-regulated, at both protein and mRNA level. The present
molecules are potent inhibitors of cell viability, with IC.sub.50
values ranging between 0.16 .mu.M and 3.09 .mu.M, which are lower
than reported JAK2 inhibitor WP1066 and STAT3 SH2 inhibitor S3I-201
in six cancer cell lines expressing elevated levels of STAT3
phosphorylation. In addition, these molecules inhibit colony
formation, cell migration and work synergistically with doxorubicin
and gemcitabine. Furthermore, these molecules demonstrate a potent
inhibitory activity on breast and glioblastoma tumor growth in
mouse xenograft model. This discovery indicates that these
molecules are useful as therapeutic agents for breast and
pancreatic cancer cells as well as glioblastoma cells expressing
constitutive STAT3 signaling.
[0054] LLL12 is a Novel Small Molecule that Targets STAT3.
[0055] The phosphoryl tyrosine 705 (pY705) is critical for the
biological function of STAT3, as it is critical for dimerization.
The phosphoryl tyrosine 705 is located on a loop segment of the SH2
domain and binds together with several adjacent amino acid residues
(leucine 706, threonine 708, and phenylalanine 710) to a cavity on
the SH2 domain of the other STAT3 monomer. The inventors designed a
compound, LLL12, which binds to STAT3 SH2 domain. The structure and
synthesis of LLL12 was shown in FIG. 1A. To optimize potency and
selectivity, the main scaffold of LLL12 contains fragments that
directly contact the pY705 binding site of STAT3 (FIG. 1B). A
simulated docking model shows that the sulfonamide tail of LLL12
occupy the pY705 binding pocket of STAT3 with at least three
hydrogen bonds. Simulated binding energy (-7.8 Kcal/mol) of LLL12
to STAT3 predicts that it will be a potent inhibitor of the
constitutive STAT3 pathway.
[0056] LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation and Induces Apoptosis
in Human Breast and Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Glioblastoma
Cells.
[0057] LLL12 was evaluated for its effect on breast cancer cells
(MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3), pancreatic cancer cells (HPAC and
PANC-1), and glioblastoma cells (U87 and U373) which express
elevated levels of STAT3 phosphorylation. LLL12 inhibited STAT3
phosphorylation at tyrosine residue 705 (Tyr 705) in all six cancer
cell lines (FIGS. 2A-D). LLL12 was not found to inhibit
phosphorylation of other kinase, such as ERK1/2, mTOR, and Src,
indicating selectivity for STAT3. As shown in FIGS. 2A-D,
downstream targets of STAT3, such as cyclin D1, survivin, and
Bcl-2, were down regulated by LLL12. The inhibition of STAT3
phosphorylation by LLL12 seems to be consistent with the induction
of apoptosis as evidence by the cleavages of PARP and caspase-3
(FIGS. 2A-D). The effect of LLL12 was also examined in cells which
do not express elevated levels of STAT3 phosphorylation [human
Pancreatic Duct Epithelial (HPDE) cells, human Mammary Epithelial
cells (HMEC), human hepatocytes (HH), and WI-38 normal lung
fibroblasts]. LLL12 did not induce cleaved PARP or caspase-3 in any
of these cells lines (FIG. 2E). This indicates that LLL12 is
selective for cancer cells expressing elevated levels of STAT3
phosphorylation.
[0058] LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation Induced by IL-6.
[0059] Activation of STAT3 can be induced by IL-6. MDA-MB-453
breast cancer cells, which do not express persistently
phosphorylated STAT3, were used to determine if LLL12 is capable of
inhibiting IL-6 induced STAT3 phosphorylation. The inventors found
that IL-6 stimulates STAT3 phosphorylation in MDA-MB-453 cells.
This stimulation of STAT3 phosphorylation was blocked by LLL12 in a
dose-dependent manner (FIG. 3). These results support that LLL12 is
a potent inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation in cancer cells.
[0060] LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 DNA Binding.
[0061] To confirm the inhibition of STAT3 signaling by LLL12, the
inventors examined the inhibition of STAT3 DNA binding activity.
LLL12 caused a statistically significant inhibition of STAT3 DNA
binding activity in breast cancer cell lines, SK-BR-3 (FIG. 4A) and
MDA-MB-231 (FIG. 4B), pancreatic cancer cell line, HPAC (FIG. 4C),
and glioblastoma cell line, U87 (FIG. 4D) LLL12 did not inhibit
STAT1 DNA binding activity (FIGS. 4B and 4D), indicating a
specificity of LLL12 for STAT3 over STAT1
[0062] LLL12 Inhibits STAT3-Dependent Transcriptional Activities
and Transcription of Downstream Targets of STAT3.
[0063] As mentioned above, STAT3 binding to the promoters of the
target genes and induces the transcription of several proliferation
and anti-apoptotic associated proteins. STAT3-dependent
transcriptional luciferase activity was then examined after treated
with LLL12 for 24 hours. As seen in the luciferase assay (FIG. 5A),
LLL12 also inhibited STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity in a
dose-dependent manner. To further analyze the impact of LLL12 on
the inhibition of STAT3 the inventors looked at the transcription
of downstream target genes of STAT3 by reverse transcriptase PCR.
The inventors treated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, HPAC
pancreatic cancer cells and U373 glioblastoma cells with LLL12 (5
or 10 .mu.M) or DMSO for 24 h. Reverse Transcriptase PCR was run
for cyclin D1, survivin, and Bcl-XL. The inventors found that
treatment with LLL12 resulted in an inhibition of the transcription
of STAT3-regulated genes (FIG. 5B).
[0064] Inhibition of Cell Proliferation/Viability in Human Breast
and Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Glioblastoma Cells by LLL12.
[0065] STAT3 activation is important for cell proliferation and
survival. Cell viability Assays were run to examine the inhibitory
affect of LLL12 on human breast and pancreatic cancer cells and
glioblastoma cells. A dose-dependent inhibition in tumor cell
proliferation/viability was seen after 72 h of treatment. IC50
values were calculated for LLL12 and other previously characterized
inhibitors (Table 2, Example 7); WP1066, a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor,
and S3I-201, STAT3 inhibitor. The inhibitory efficacy of the three
compounds was compared. LLL12 is substantially more potent in the
inhibition of cell viability than the other available inhibitors in
all the cell lines analyzed.
[0066] Anchorage Independence and Cell Viability.
[0067] An indicator of transformation is the ability of cells to
grow in the absence of substratum attachment. Anchorage independent
growth is vitally important in the formation of the tumor. The soft
agar colony formation assay provides an assessment of tumor cells
susceptibility to a drug in an anchorage independent environment.
It is considered a more sensitive measure of toxicity, reflecting
the efficacy of a drug, because it is analyzed when cells are in a
proliferative state. The inventors examined the effect LLL12's
ability to inhibit STAT3 would have on colony formation of
MDA-MB-231 cells in soft agar. Compared to the DMSO control,
treatment with LLL12 led to a decrease of over 95% in colony
formation (FIG. 6A). The results of this assay further confirm what
was seen in the MTT assay, LLL12 is a potent inhibitor for cancer
cell viability.
[0068] LLL12 Inhibits Cell Migration in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer
Cells.
[0069] Cell migration is important in physiologic processes, such
as wound healing and tumor metastasis. To assess the affect of
LLL12 on cell migration a wound-healing assay was done. Following
the creation of a wound, cells were treated with various
concentrations of LLL12. The treatment was removed after 4 h. Cells
were allowed to migrate into the denuded area for 24 h. Treatment
with LLL12 at a concentration of 2.5 .mu.M or higher caused a
significant decrease in cell migration (FIG. 6B). The ability of
LLL12 to inhibit cell migration may not be due to its ability to
inhibit cell proliferation. MTT assay reveals that the dosages and
time points used in the migration assay have minimal impact on cell
viability (FIG. 6C).
[0070] Quantitative Combinatorial Effects Between LLL12 and
Doxorubicin or Gemcitabine.
[0071] The inventors evaluated the potential of LLL12 to act in a
synergistic manner with doxorubicin or gemcitabine. MDA-MB-231
breast cancer cells were treated with doxorubicin or LLL12. HPAC
pancreatic cancer cells were treated with gemcitabine or LLL12. The
treatments lead to a dose dependent decrease of cellular viability.
To determine the combinatorial effects of the treatments, a
constant concentration of LLL12 was used with varying
concentrations of doxorubicin or gemcitabine. Following 72 h of
treatment, a greater decrease in cell viability is seen in the
combination treatments (FIGS. 7A and 7B). The Combinational Index
(CI) for each drug and concentration combination was calculated.
The CI value of all the combinations of treatments were less than
1, indicating synergism between LLL12 and doxorubicin or
gemcitabine. The synergistic effects seen with LLL12 and currently
used cancer therapeutic agents could prove useful in cancer
therapy.
[0072] Effect of the Expression of Constitutively Active STAT3
Protein on LLL12-Mediated Inhibition.
[0073] To confirm LLL12 inhibition is indeed through the inhibition
of STAT3, U87 gliobalstoma cells were transfected with a
constitutively active form of STAT3, STAT3-C (a murine STAT3).
LLL12 (2.5 and 5 .mu.M) inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr 705
and induced apoptosis which was indicated by capase-3 cleavage in
U87 cells (FIG. 8A). However, LLL12 did not increase cleaved
caspase-3 after the U87 cells were transfected with STAT3-C
expression vector (FIG. 8A). The expression of Flag-STAT3 was
verified in STAT3-C-transfected U87 but not in non-transfected U87
cells (FIG. 8A). The inhibition of cell viability of LLL12 in U87
cells was also partially reversed by the transfection with STAT3-C
expression vector (FIG. 8B). The results show that STAT3-C can at
least partially rescue LLL12-mediated inhibition. The fact that the
inventors did not observe a complete rescue by STAT3-C, may be due
to the transfection efficiency. Not 100% of U87 cells were
transfected and cells did not express STAT3-C are still sensitive
to LLL12 inhibition.
[0074] LLL12 Suppresses Tumor Growth in Mouse Model In Vivo.
[0075] The inventors further investigated whether LLL12 exhibits
anti-tumor effect in vivo. Mouse xenograft experiments were
performed by implanting MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells or U87
glioblastoma cell line and then giving 2.5 and 5 mg/kg LLL12 or
DMSO daily after tumor development. As shown in FIG. 9, LLL12
significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with DMSO-treated
controls in the MDA-MB-231 (FIG. 9A) and U87 xenografted mice (FIG.
9B). STAT3 but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation of tumor tissue samples
from these mice were also decreased by LLL12 (FIG. 9C) suggesting
that inhibition of STAT3 resulted in the suppression of tumor grow
in mice.
[0076] Compound Assessments for Drug-Likeness.
[0077] Drug-likeness characteristics of LLL12 were evaluated using
QikProp.RTM. (Schrodinger LLC). The absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/Tox) of LLL12 were
computed. Fifty "drug-likeness" parameters were evaluated,
including molecular weight, polarity, solubility, cell
permeability, blood brain barrier, HERG K+ blockage, HSA binding,
metabolic stability, and more. LLL12 showed decent "druglike"
properties. Selected highlights are listed here: (1) possible in
vivo metabolic reactions range only from 1 to 3; (2) composite logP
values range from -2 to 2; (3) predicted IC50 values for HERG K+
channels are around -3, well above -5 for any concern; (4)
predicted Caco-2 and MCDK cell permeability values are acceptable;
(5) predicted brain/blood partition coefficients are above -3; (6)
predicted index of binding to human serum albumin ranges from -0.5
to -0.8, well within recommended range of -1.5-1.5; (7) predicted
human oral absorption percentage is around 60%. Compared to
existing drugs, LLL12 is 90% similar to Sulfacytine.RTM. and
Chlorthalidone.RTM..
[0078] Breast Cancer Initiating Cells.
[0079] This invention demonstrates that elevated STAT3
phosphorylation is expressed in breast cancer initiating cells. The
results demonstrate that STAT3 is a novel therapeutic target in
breast cancer initiating cells and that inhibition of activated
STAT3 in cancer initiating cells offers a more effective treatment
for breast carcinoma.
[0080] At the present time, the main effort to target constitutive
STAT3 signaling is only focused on the bulk of cancer cells. To
date, no report has been published that targets STAT3 in breast
cancer and other cancer stem cells except in glioblastoma cells.
ALDH1 was confirmed to be a new marker of breast cancer stem cells
and a predictor of poor clinical outcome. These results
demonstrate, for the first time, that the ALDH.sup.+ and
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulations of breast cancer
cells expresses higher levels of STAT3 phosphorylation compared to
the un-separated, ALDH.sup.-, or ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.-
subpopulation of breast cancer cells. The results also show that
there is a significant correlation between the nuclear staining of
STAT3 phosphorylation and the expression of ALDH in the clinical
breast cancer tissues from cancer patients. These results
demonstrate that constitutive STAT3 signaling is a novel
therapeutic target in breast cancer initiating cells.
[0081] To explore the inhibition of STAT3 in breast cancer stem
cells, the inventors examined the inhibitory effects of two STAT3
inhibitors, LLL12 and Stattic as well as STAT3 ShRNA.
[0082] LLL12 is a Novel and More Potent Derivative of LLL3.
[0083] The results show that LLL12 is potent in inhibiting STAT3
phosphorylation, cell viability, and the formation of tumorspheres,
and inducing apoptosis in the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation of breast
cancer cells from MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR-3. Stattic can also
inhibit cell viability and the formation of tumorspheres in the
ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation of breast cancer cells from MDA-MB-231,
SUM159, and SK-BR-3. However, it is less potent than LLL12, an
observation which is consistent with weaker predictive binding
affinity to STAT3 than LLL12. In addition, STAT3 ShRNA also
inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation and cell viability in ALDH.sup.+
cells. LLL12 can also down-regulate putative STAT3 or IL-6
downstream target genes in ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation that are
involved in stem cell growth and survival such as Notch 1 and Notch
3 as well as known STAT3 downstream target genes, such as Cyclin
D1, survivin, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, MMP-2, and MMP-9 that are involved in
proliferation and survival.
[0084] This Invention Provides Molecular Mechanisms of
LLL12-Mediated Inhibition of STAT3 in Breast Cancer Initiating
Cells.
[0085] The inventors have also examined the effects of STAT3
inhibition by LLL12, Stattic, and STAT3 ShRNA on the ALDH.sup.-
subpopulation. All of them show some inhibitory effects. However,
this may be due to ALDH.sup.- cells still express certain levels of
STAT3 phosphorylation and is only slightly lower or little
difference from the un-separated cells (although is lower than
ALDH.sup.+ cells). Since the un-separated MDA-MB-231, SUM-159, and
SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells are known to be sensitive to STAT3
inhibitors, ALDH.sup.- cells, which may contain slightly more
differentiated cancer stem cells, should also be sensitive to the
inhibition by STAT3 inhibitors, LLL12, Stattic, as well as STAT3
ShRNA. These results show that STAT3 inhibitors, LLL12 and Statttic
may eliminate both ALDH+ and ALDH- subpopulations of breast cancer
cells.
[0086] The results also show that constitutive active STAT3 in
these cancer initiating cells enhances tumor growth in mice,
whereas STAT3 blockade by LLL12 directly suppressed MDA-MB-231 and
SUM-159 ALDH.sup.+ cell growth in xenograft and mammary fat pad
mouse models respectively in vivo. Furthermore, LLL12 also suppress
the SUM-159 ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- cell growth in mouse
xenograft tumor model in vivo. These in vivo results were
consistent with the in vitro cancer initiating cell data using
LLL12, indicating that LLL12 is a potent STAT3 inhibitor in the
suppression of tumor growth of breast cancer initiating cells in
the mouse model in vivo.
[0087] In Vitro Methods:
[0088] The present invention also provides in vitro methods for
selectively inhibiting STAT3 activation, cell growth, proliferation
and migration arrest and/or apoptosis of cancer cells, by
contacting the cells with an effective amount of a composition
containing a compound herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
or hydrate thereof. Competitive assays using the present compounds,
tissue localization assays, toxicology screens, etc. using the
presently-invented compounds, compositions, formulations, etc. are
within the scope of the present invention.
[0089] Although the methods of the present invention can be
practiced in vitro, it is contemplated that the preferred
embodiments for the methods comprise contacting the cells in vivo,
i.e., by administering the compounds to a subject harboring cancer
cells in need of treatment.
[0090] The present invention is further defined in the following
Examples, in which all parts and percentages are by weight and
degrees are Celsius, unless otherwise stated. It should be
understood that these Examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in
the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this
invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
can make various changes and modifications of the invention to
adapt it to various usages and conditions. The following examples
are intended to illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the
invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the
invention as defined in the claims, unless so specified. Data are
presented as Mean.+-.SEM and compared using Student's t-test.
Significance was accepted at p<0.05.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Synthesis of the Present Compounds
[0091] The structure and synthesis of LLL12 is shown in FIG. 1A. To
optimize potency and selectivity, the main scaffold of LLL12 was
designed to contain fragments that directly contact the pY705
binding site of STAT3 (FIG. 1B). A simulated docking model showed
that the sulfonamide tail of LLL12 occupies the pY705-binding
pocket of STAT3 with at least three hydrogen bonds. A
computer-simulated binding energy of LLL12 to STAT3 was -7.8
Kcal/mol.
[0092] Chemicals and Reagents:
[0093] Chemicals (except 3-Hydroxy-2-pyrone, which was purchased
from Tyger Scientific, Ewing, N.J.) and silica gel were purchased
from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.). The chemicals
were checked for purity by TLC and nuclear magnetic resonance.
Melting points were determined on a Thomas Hoover capillary melting
point apparatus and were uncorrected. Proton nuclear magnetic
resonance spectra were obtained with a Bruker Anance 300 (300 MHz)
spectrophotometer (Bilerica, Mass.).
[0094] Synthesis of Compound 2:
[0095] Naphthalene sulfonyl chloride (compound 1) (1 g, 4.41 mmol)
was dissolved in acetone (52 ml) and was stirred at 0.degree. C.
for 30 mins Ammonium hydroxide (52 ml) was cooled to 0.degree. C.
and was added to the above mixture and stirred at room temperature
for 3 hrs. The acetone was then removed at reduced pressure. The
residue was dissolved in dichloromethane (100 ml) and washed with
water (2.times.100 ml). The organic layer was collected and
evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by
silica column chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 3:1) yielding compound
2 (750 mg, 82.1%); m.p 147-149.degree. C. (lit. 150.degree.
C.).
[0096] Synthesis of Compound 3:
[0097] Compound 2 (500 mg, 2.41 mmol) was dissolved in glacial
acetic acid (5.0 ml). Chromium trioxide (1.08 g, 10.85 mmol) was
dissolved in a mixture of water/glacial acetic acid (1:1, 2 ml) and
added to the solution of compound 2 in glacial acetic acid and was
stirred under reflux for 15 mins. The solution was cooled to
0.degree. C. and water (25 ml) was added and the resulting solution
was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was
diluted with water (500 ml) and extracted with ether (3.times.100
ml). The organic layer was collected and dried under reduced
pressure and purified with silica column chromatography ethyl
acetate/hexane (2:3) to yield compound 3 (88 mg, 15.4%); m.p
(187-188.degree. C.); 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) .delta. 7.23 (2H, d,
J=9 Hz), 7.43 (2H, S), 8.11 (1H, t, J=9 Hz), 8.34 (1H, d, J=9 Hz),
8.515 (1H, d, J=9 Hz). ([M+Na].sup.+ 260.7).
[0098] Synthesis of LLL12:
[0099] A solution of compound 3 (200 mg, 0.843 mmol) in Chloroform
(14 ml) was stirred at -20.degree. C. for 10 mins followed by the
addition of triethylamine (0.01 ml) and stirring continued at
-20.degree. C. for an additional 15 mins. 3-Hydroxy-2-pyrone
(compound 4) (86 mg, 0.767 mmol) dissolved in chloroform (1 ml) was
added to the reaction mixture and stirred at room temperature for 1
hr. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The resulting
residue was diluted with water (50 ml) and the aqueous solution was
extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.50 ml). The organic layer was
separated, dried (brine) and evaporated. The crude product was
purified by silica column chromatography (hexane/EtOAc, 4:1)
yielding LLL12 (50 mg, 20%). m.p (179-181.degree. C.); 1H NMR (300
MHz, DMSO) .delta. 7.42-7.85 (5H, m), 8.11 (1H, m), 8.56 (2H, m),
12.05 (1H, s). Mass spectrometry ([M+Na].sup.+ 326.1).
[0100] The synthesis of LLL12 began with the reaction of sulfonyl
chloride 1 with ammonium hydroxide to form 2. Oxidation of 2
yielded the naphthoquinone 3 with chromium (VI) oxide.
Base-catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions of 3-hydroxy-2-pyrone 4 with
compound 3 at -20.degree. C. yield LLL12 and is regioisomer in a
ratio of 98:2.
Example 2
LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation and Induces Apoptosis in Human
Breast and Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Glioblastoma Cells
[0101] LLL12 was evaluated for its effect on breast cancer cells
(MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3), pancreatic cancer cells (HPAC and
PANC-1), and glioblastoma cells (U87 and U373) which express
elevated levels of STAT3 phosphorylation.
[0102] Human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, and
SK-BR-3), human pancreatic cancer cell lines (HPAC and PANC-1),
glioblastoma cell line (U87), human hepatocytes (HH), and normal
human lung fibroblasts (WI-38) were purchased from the American
Type Culture Collection. Human glioblastoma cell line (U373) was
kindly provided by Dr. Sean Lawler (The Ohio State University).
Human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) were purchased from Lonza
Walkersville, Inc. (Walkersville, Md.) and maintained in Ham's F12
Medium (Mediatech) supplemented with 5 .mu.g/mL insulin, 1 .mu.g/mL
hydrocortisone, 10 .mu.g/mL epidermal growth factor, 100 .mu.g/mL
cholera toxin, 5% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) Immortalized human
Pancreatic Duct Epithelial (HPDE) cells were provided by Dr.
Ming-Sound Tsao at the University of Toronto and maintained in
CnT-07CF epidermal keratinocyte medium (CELLnTEC Advanced Cell
Systems, Bern, Switzerland) supplemented 0.07 mM CaCl.sub.2. The
human hepatocytes (HH) were maintained in Hepatocyte Medium
(ScienCell) plus hepatocyte growth supplement and 5% FBS. All other
cell lines were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium
supplemented with 10% FBS, 4.5 g/L L-glutamine, sodium pyruvate,
and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. All cell lines were stored in a
humidified 37.degree. C. incubator with 5% CO.sub.2.
[0103] Human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3),
human pancreatic cancer cell lines (HPAC and PANC-1), human
glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U373), and human normal cells
lines (HPDE, HMEC, HH, and WI-38) were treated with LLL12 (5 .mu.M
or 10 .mu.M) or DMSO at 60-80% confluence in the presence of 10%
FBS for 24 hours, then lysed in cold RIPA lysis buffer containing
protease inhibitors and subjected to SDS-PAGE. Membranes were
probed with a 1:1000 dilution of antibodies (Cell Signaling Tech.)
against phospho-specific STAT3 (Tyrosine 705), phospho-specific
ERK1/2 (Threonine 202/Tyrosine 204), phospho-specific Src (Tyrosine
416), phospho-specific mTOR (Serine 2448), cleaved Poly
(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), cleaved caspase-3, cyclin D, Bcl-2,
survivin, and GAPDH. Membranes were analyzed using enhanced
chemiluminescence Plus.RTM. reagents and scanned with the Storm
Scanner.RTM. (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Inc, Piscataway,
N.J.).
[0104] LLL12 inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine residue
705 (Tyr 705) in all six cancer cell lines (FIGS. 2A-D, FIG. 10).
LLL12 was not found to inhibit phosphorylation of other kinase,
such as ERK1/2, mTOR, and Src, indicating selectivity for STAT3. As
shown in FIGS. 2A-D, downstream targets of STAT3, such as cyclin
D1, survivin, and Bcl-2, were down regulated by LLL12.
[0105] Without being bound by a particular theory, the inhibition
of STAT3 phosphorylation by LLL12 seems consistent with the
induction of apoptosis as evidence by the cleavages of PARP and
caspase-3 (FIGS. 2A-D, FIG. 10). The effect of LLL12 was also
examined in cells that do not express elevated levels of STAT3
phosphorylation [human Pancreatic Duct Epithelial (HPDE) cells,
human Mammary Epithelial cells (HMEC), human hepatocytes (HH), and
WI-38 normal lung fibroblasts]. LLL12 did not induce cleaved PARP
or caspase-3 in any of these cells lines (FIG. 2E). This indicates
that LLL12 is selective for cancer cells expressing elevated levels
of STAT3 phosphorylation.
Example 3
LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation Induced by IL-6
[0106] Activation of STAT3 can be induced by IL-6. MDA-MB-453
breast cancer cells, which do not express persistently
phosphorylated STAT3, were used to determine if LLL12 is capable of
inhibiting IL-6 induced STAT3 phosphorylation. The results of this
study were that IL-6 stimulates STAT3 phosphorylation in MDA-MB-453
cells. This stimulation of STAT3 phosphorylation was blocked by
LLL12 in a dose-dependent manner (FIG. 3). These results support
that LLL12 is a potent inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation in cancer
cells.
[0107] MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells were seeded in 10 cm plates
and allowed to adhere overnight. The following night, the cells
were serum starved. The cells were then left untreated or were
treated with LLL12 (0.5 .mu.M-2 .mu.M) or DMSO. After 2 hours the
untreated and LLL12 treated cells were stimulated by IL-6 (25
ng/mL). The cells were harvested at 30 min and analyzed by western
blot.
Example 4
LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 DNA Binding
[0108] To confirm the inhibition of STAT3 signaling by LLL12,
inhibition of STAT3 DNA binding activity was examined. LLL12 caused
a statistically significant inhibition of STAT3 DNA binding
activity in breast cancer cell lines, SK-BR-3 (FIG. 4A) and
MDA-MB-231 (FIG. 4B), pancreatic cancer cell line, HPAC (FIG. 4C),
and glioblastoma cell line, U87 (FIG. 4D).
Example 5
LLL12 Did not Inhibit STAT1 DNA Binding Activity (FIGS. 4B and 4D),
Indicating a Specificity of LLL12 for STAT3 Over STAT1
[0109] MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3, HPAC, and U87 cancer cells at 60-80%
confluence were treated with LLL12 (5 .mu.M or 10 .mu.M) or DMSO in
the presence of 10% FBS for 24 hours. A nuclear extract kit
(Clontech Inc.) was used to obtain nuclear extracts. The nuclear
extracts were analyzed for STAT3 and/or STAT1 DNA binding activity
using a STAT3 or STAT1 Transcription Factor Kits (Clontech Inc.),
which provide an ELISA-based method to detect DNA binding by
transcription factors.
Example 6
LLL12 Inhibits STAT3-Depedent Transcriptional Activities and
Transcription of Downstream Targets of STAT3
[0110] STAT3 binding to the promoters of the target genes induces
the transcription of several proliferation and anti-apoptotic
associated proteins. STAT3-dependent transcriptional luciferase
activity was then examined after treating with LLL12 for 24 hours.
As seen in the luciferase assay (FIG. 5A), LLL12 also inhibited
STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent
manner. To further analyze the impact of LLL12 on the inhibition of
STAT3 transcription of downstream target genes of STAT3 by reverse
transcriptase PCR was studied. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, HPAC
pancreatic cancer cells and U373 glioblastoma cells were treated
with LLL12 (5 or 10 .mu.M) or DMSO for 24 hours. Reverse
Transcriptase PCR was run for cyclin D1, survivin, and Bcl-XL.
Treatment with LLL12 resulted in an inhibition of the transcription
of STAT3-regulated genes (FIG. 5B).
[0111] STAT3-dependent transcriptional luciferase activity was
measured using MDA-MB-231 cloned cells that stably integrate the
STAT3-dependent luciferase reporter construct, pLucTKS3. The cells
were grown in 6-well plates until semi-confluent and treated in 5%
FBS with LLL12 (1 .mu.M-10 .mu.M) or DMSO for 24 hours. The
luciferase assay (Promega, Madison, Wis.) was run according to the
manufacturer's protocol. The STAT3 luciferase activity of the LLL12
treated cells is reported relative to pLucTKS3-transfected cells
treated with DMSO arbitrarily set at 100%.
[0112] Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
[0113] MDA-MB-231, HPAC, and U373 cells were treated with LLL12 (5
or 10 .mu.M) or DMSO at 60-80% confluence in the presence of 10%
FBS for 24 hours. RNA from the cells was then collected using
Uneasy Kits.RTM. (Qiagen). Primer sequences and source information
of STAT3 downstream target genes can be found in supplemental data
Table 1. PCR amplification was done under the following conditions:
5 min at 94.degree. C. followed by 25 cycles of 30 seconds at
94.degree. C., 30 sec at 55.degree. C., and 30 seconds at
72.degree. C. with a final extension of 5 min at 72.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 The DNA sequences of primers of STAT3
downstream target genes (cyclin D1, survivin, Bcl-xl and Bcl-2)
used for RT-PCR analysis. SEQ ID Gene Primers Size NO: Cyclin D1
Forward: 247 1 5'-GCTGGAGCCCGTGAAAAAGA-3' Reverse: 2
5'-CTCCGCCTCTGGCATTTTG-3' Survivin Forward: 309 3
5'-ACCAGGTGAGAAGTGAGGGA-3' Reverse: 4 5'-AACAGTAGAGGAGCCAGGGA-3'
Bcl-2 Forward: 304 5 5'-TCTTTGAGTTCGGTGGGGTC-3' Reverse: 6
5'-TGCATATTTGTTTGGGGCAGG-3' Bcl-XL Forward: 765 7
5'-TTGGACAATGGACTGGTTGA-3' Reverse: 8 5'-GTAGAGTGGATGGTCAGTG-3'
GAPDH Forward: 240 5'-TGATGACATCAAGAAGGTGGTGAAG-3' 9 Reverse: 10
5'-TCCTTGGAGGCCATGTGGGCAT-3'
Example 7
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation/Viability in Human Breast and
Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Glioblastoma Cells by LLL12
[0114] STAT3 activation is important for tumor cell proliferation
and survival. Cell viability assays were run to examine the
inhibitory affect of LLL12 on human breast and pancreatic cancer
cells and glioblastoma cell proliferation and survival. A
dose-dependent inhibition in tumor cell proliferation/viability was
seen after 72 hours of treatment. IC50 values were calculated for
LLL12 and other previously characterized inhibitors (Table 2);
WP1066, a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor, and S3I-201, a STAT3 inhibitor. The
inhibitory efficacy of the three compounds was compared. LLL12 is
substantially more potent in the inhibition of cell viability than
the other available inhibitors in all the cell lines analyzed.
[0115] LLL12, a STAT3 inhibitor, and WP1066, a JAK2 inhibitor, were
synthesized in Dr. Pui-Kai Li's laboratory (College of Pharmacy,
The Ohio State University). The powder was dissolved in sterile
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to make a 20 mM stock solution. Aliquots
of the stock solution were stored at -20.degree. C. S3I-201, a
STAT3 SH2 inhibitor, was purchased from Calbiochem.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations
(IC.sub.50) (.mu.M) obtained for STAT3 LLL12 WP1066 S3I-201
MDA-MB-231 0.97 7.48 >100 SK-BR-3 3.09 3.31 >100 PANC-1 0.29
5.12 >100 HPAC 0.16 2.52 >100 U87 0.21 5.78 55.10 U373 0.86
5.16 52.50
Example 8
Anchorage Independence and Cell Viability
[0116] An indicator of transformation is the ability of cells to
grow in the absence of substratum attachment. Anchorage independent
growth is vitally important in the formation of the tumor. The soft
agar colony formation assay provides an assessment of tumor cells
susceptibility to a drug in an anchorage independent environment.
It is considered a more sensitive measure of toxicity, reflecting
the efficacy of a drug, because it is analyzed when cells are in a
proliferative state. The effect LLL12's ability to inhibit
STAT3--associated colony formation of MDA-MB-231 cells in soft agar
was studied. Compared to the DMSO control, treatment with LLL12 led
to a decrease of over 95% in colony formation (FIG. 6A). The
results of this assay further confirm what was seen in the MTT
assay, LLL12 is a potent inhibitor for cancer cell viability.
[0117] Human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3),
human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and HPAC), glioblastoma
cell lines (U87 and U373) were seeded in 96-well plates at a
density of 3,000 cells per well. Different concentration of LLL12
(0.1-10 .mu.M), WP1066 (1-10 .mu.M), or S3I-201(1-100 .mu.M) were
added in triplicate to the plates in the presence of 10% FBS. The
cells were incubated at 37.degree. C. for a period of 72 hours.
3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)
viability assay was done according to manufacturer's protocol
(Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). The absorbance was read at
595 nm. Half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were
determined using Sigma Plot 9.0 Software (Systat Software Inc., San
Jose, Calif.).
[0118] A base 0.6% agar gel with 10% FBS in DMEM was prepared and
added to the wells of a 6-well culture dish. MDA-MB-231 breast
cancer cells were plated at a density of 5,000 cells per well
on-top of the base agar for anchorage independent growth analysis
in 0.4% agar gel with 10% FBS in DMEM supplemented with LLL12 (1
.mu.M or 5 .mu.M) or DMSO. The cells were maintained at 37.degree.
C. and allowed to grow for two weeks. The colonies were stained
using MTT dye (100 .mu.L per well). Pictures of the colonies were
taken using a Leica MZ 16FA inverted microscope (Leica
Microsystems) with a 7.4 Slider Camera (Diagnostic Instruments
Inc.). The colonies were scored by counting and numbers were
normalized as a percentage of colonies formed in DMSO.
Example 9
LLL12 Inhibits Cell Migration in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells
[0119] Cell migration is important in physiologic processes, such
as wound healing and tumor metastasis. To assess the affect of
LLL12 on cell migration a wound-healing assay was done. Following
the creation of a wound, cells were treated with various
concentrations of LLL12. The treatment was removed after 4 h. Cells
were allowed to migrate into the denuded area for 24 h. Treatment
with LLL12 at a concentration of 2.5 .mu.M or higher caused a
significant decrease in cell migration (FIG. 6B). Without being
bound by any particular theory, this study implies that the ability
of LLL12 to inhibit cell migration may not be due to its ability to
inhibit cell proliferation. MTT assay reveals that the dosages and
time points used in the migration assay have minimal impact on cell
viability (FIG. 6C).
[0120] MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (3.times.10.sup.5 per well)
were seeded in a six-well plate. Approximately 24 hours later, when
the cells were 100% confluent, the monolayer was scratched using a
1 mol pipette tip, and washed once to remove non-adherent cells.
New medium in the presence of 10% FBS containing LLL12 (1-20 .mu.M)
or DMSO was added. The treatments were removed after 4 hours and
fresh medium was added. After an additional 20 hours without
treatment the cells were observed under the microscope. When the
wound in the control was closed, the inhibition of migration was
assessed by using the ImageJ software, available from the NIH
website (http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/). The % of wound healed was
calculated using the formula: 100-(final area/initial
area.times.100%).
Example 10
Quantitative Combinatorial Effects Between LLL12 and Doxorubicin or
Gemcitabine
[0121] The potential of LLL12 to act in a synergistic manner with
doxorubicin or gemcitabine was studied. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer
cells were treated with doxorubicin or LLL12. HPAC pancreatic
cancer cells were treated with gemcitabine or LLL12. The treatments
lead to a dose dependent decrease of cellular viability. To
determine the combinatorial effects of the treatments, a constant
concentration of LLL12 was used with varying concentrations of
doxorubicin or gemcitabine. Following 72 hours of treatment, a
greater decrease in cell viability is seen in the combination
treatments (FIGS. 7A and 7B). The Combinational Index (CI) for each
drug and concentration combination was calculated. The CI value of
all the combinations of treatments were less than 1, indicating
synergism between LLL12 and doxorubicin or gemcitabine. The
synergistic effects seen with LLL12 and currently used cancer
therapeutic agents could prove useful in cancer therapy.
[0122] MDA-MB-231 breast and HPAC pancreatic cancer cells were
seeded in 96-well plates in triplicate at a density of 3,000 cells
per well, and treated with LLL12 (500 nM) and Doxorubicin (100-400
nM, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), or LLL12 (1000 nM) and
gemcitabine (1001000 nM, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.) in the
presence of 10% FBS. LLL12 and Doxorubicin (Sigma-Aldrich, St.
Louis, Mo.) or LLL12 and gemcitabine (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis,
Mo.) synergy with regard to growth inhibition was determined as
follows. The log (fa/fu) was plotted against the concentration (D)
for each compound alone or in combination, where fa is the fraction
affected and fu is the fraction unaffected (1-fa) of cells at each
concentration. Calcusyn software (Biosoft, Ferguson, Mo.) was used
to determine the combinational index (CI) for each drug and
concentration combination. A CI value of less than 1 represents
synergism. A CI value equal to 1 represents additive effects. A CI
value greater than 1 represents antagonistic effects.
Example 11
Effect of the Expression of Constitutively Active STAT3 Protein on
LLL12-Mediated Inhibition
[0123] To confirm LLL12 inhibition is indeed through the inhibition
of STAT3, U87 glioblastoma cells were transfected with a
constitutively active form of STAT3, STAT3-C (a murine STAT3).
LLL12 (2.5 and 5 .mu.M) inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr 705
and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by capase-3 cleavage in U87
cells (FIG. 8A). However, LLL12 did not increase cleaved caspase-3
after the U87 cells were transfected with STAT3-C expression vector
(FIG. 8A). The expression of Flag-STAT3 was verified in
STAT3-C-transfected U87 but not in non-transfected U87 cells (FIG.
8A). The inhibition of cell viability of LLL12 in U87 cells was
also partially reversed by the transfection with STAT3-C expression
vector (FIG. 8B). These results show that STAT3-C can at least
partially rescue LLL12-mediated inhibition. The fact that complete
rescue by STAT3-C was not observed may be due to the transfection
efficiency. Not 100% of U87 cells were transfected, and cells did
not express STAT3-C were still sensitive to LLL12 inhibition.
[0124] U87 glioblastoma cells were plated in 60-mm.sup.3 dishes or
96-well plates. The second day, the cells were transfected using
Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) with a vector
encodes the constitutive STAT3 (STAT3-C), which is tagged with FLAG
epitope. Cells were treated with LLL12 (1-5 nM) or DMSO twenty four
hours after transfection. Twenty four hours later, the cells in
60-mm.sup.3 dishes were harvested to run western blot. Cell
viability was determined by MTT assay in 96-well plates as
described above.
Example 12
LLL12 Suppresses Tumor Growth in Mouse Model In Vivo
[0125] The inventors further investigated whether LLL12 exhibits
anti-tumor effect in vivo. Mouse xenograft experiments were
performed by implanting MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells or U87
glioblastoma cell line and then giving 2.5 and 5 mg/kg LLL12 or
DMSO daily after tumor development. As shown in FIG. 9, LLL12
significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with DMSO-treated
controls in the MDA-MB-231 (FIG. 9A) and U87 xenografted mice (FIG.
9B). STAT3 but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation of tumor tissue samples
from these mice were also decreased by LLL12 (FIG. 9C) suggesting
that inhibition of STAT3 resulted in the suppression of tumor grow
in mice.
[0126] MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (1.times.10.sup.7) and U87
glioblastoma cells (5.times.10.sup.6) were injected (s.c.) into the
right flank area of 4- to 5-week-old male athymic nude mice which
were purchased from Harlan (Indianapolis, Ind., USA). After tumor
development, mice were divided into three treatment groups
consisting of 5 mice/group: DMSO vehicle control, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg
of LLL12. Tumor growth was determined by measured the length (L)
and width (W) of the tumor every other day with a caliper and tumor
volume was calculated on the basis of the following formula:
volume=(.pi./6) LW.sup.2. After 14 days of treatments, tumors were
harvested from sacrificed mice, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and
stored in -80.degree. C. Tumors tissue homogenates were lysed and
separated by SDS-PAGE to examine the expression of STAT3
phosphorylation in vehicle- and LLL12-treated mice.
Example 13
Breast Cancer Initiating Cell Experiments
[0127] Cell Culture
[0128] MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells were acquired
from the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.) and
maintained in Dulbecco's Modification of Eagle's Medium
supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Invitrogen). The
SUM159 breast cancer cells were obtained from Dr. Wicha and are
commercially available (Asterand, Detroit, Mich.). These three
cancer cell lines have been routinely tested and authenticated by
the American Type Culture Collection and Asterand respectively.
SUM159 cells were cultured in Ham's F12 containing 5% FBS, 5
.mu.g/ml insulin, 1 .mu.g/ml hydrocortisone and 10 ng/ml epidermal
growth factor. Because these three breast cancer cell lines express
elevated levels of STAT3 phosphorylation, the inventors tested the
levels of STAT3 phosphorylation by western blots every three months
to make sure they still maintain this oncogenic phenotype and the
last time tested was on August 2010. ALDH.sup.+ and
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- cells were grown in a serum-free
mammary epithelial basal medium (MEBM) (Clonetics division of
Cambrex BioScience) supplemented with B27 (Invitrogen), 20 ng/mL
EGF (BD Biosciences), 4 ug/ml Gentamycin (Invitrogen), 1 ng/ml
Hydrocortisone (Sigma-Aldrich), 5 .mu.g/ml Insulin and 100 .mu.M
beta-mercaptoethanol (Sigma-Aldrich).
[0129] Separation of the ALDH.sup.+ and
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- Subpopulations of Breast Cancer
Cells.
[0130] The ALDEFLUOR kit (StemCell Technologies) was used to
isolate the population with high ALDH enzymatic activity as known.
Briefly, cells were trypsinized to single cells using 0.05% trypsin
and subsequently suspended in ALDEFLUOR assay buffer containing
ALDH substrate (BAAA, 1 .mu.mol/l per 1.times.10.sup.6 cells) and
then incubated for 40 minutes at 37.degree. C. For each sample, an
aliquot of cells was stained under identical conditions with 15
mmol/L diethylaminobenzaldehyde (DEAB), a specific ALDH inhibitor,
as a ALDH.sup.- control. Anti-human PE-CD24 and PE-Cy5-CD44
antibody (BioLegend) were used for CD44/CD24 identification and to
separate ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- and
ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ cells when combine with ALDH
staining. Analysis was performed using a FACStarPLUS (Becton
Dickinion) flow cytometer. To assess the effect of STAT3 inhibitors
on the subpopulation of ALDH.sup.+ cells,
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- cells,
ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ cells, ALDH.sup.- cells, and
un-separated breast cancer cells were treated with 5 .mu.mol/L of
LLL12 or 10 .mu.mol/L Stattic for 24 hours; the next day, cells
were collected to run the ALDEFLUOR assay.
[0131] Tissue Microarray Slides, Immunohistochemistry, and
Immufluorence Staining.
[0132] Human breast cancer tissue microarray slides were obtained
from the Biochain Institute, Inc. containing 95 breast cancer
cases. These slides were baked at 60.degree. C. for 1 hour. After
deparaffinized, the slides were boiled in a pressure cooker filled
with 10 mM Sodium Citrate (PH 6.0) or 1 mM EDTA (PH 8.0), and then
subjected to immunohistochemistry or immufluorence staining.
Phospho-STAT3 (Tyr705) antibody (1:25; Signaling Technology,
Beverly, Mass.) and or ALDH1 (1:100; BD Pharmingen, San Diego,
Calif.) were used. For immufluorence, the slides were incubated
with both of the primary antibodies and double-stained with Alexa
Fluor.RTM. 488 conjugated anti-rabbit IgG and Alexa Fluor.RTM. 594
conjugated anti-mouse IgG (Cell Signaling Technology, Beverly,
Mass.) over night at 4.degree. C. The nuclear were stained with
DAPI. Slides were washed and covered.
[0133] For immunohistochemistry, endogenous peroxidase activity was
quenched by incubated in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min. After
blocking, the slides were incubated with primary antibody overnight
at 4.degree. C. The Histostain-Plus Kits (Invitrogen, Carlsbad,
Calif.) were used as described by manufacturer. Finally, the slides
were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with CRYSTAL/MOUNT
(Biomeda Corp., Foster City, Calif.) for long term preservation.
Immuno-stained slides were scored under microscope. The staining
intensity was scored on the following scale: 0, no staining; 1,
weak staining; 2, moderate staining; and 3, intense staining. Most
or all of the cancer tissues showed staining in greater than 50% of
area. Scoring of the tissue microarray was completed by two
independent researchers. Discrepant scores between the two
researchers were rescored to arrive at a single final score.
Significance of correlation between phospho-STAT3 and ALDH1 was
determined respectively using two-sided Pearson Chi-square
(.chi..sup.2) test. p<0.05 were considered as statistical
significance. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS
Version 12.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Ill.).
[0134] STAT3 Inhibitors
[0135] LLL12, a STAT3 inhibitor, was synthesized in one of the
inventor's laboratory. The powder was dissolved in DMSO to make a
20 mM stock solution. Stattic, a previously reported STAT3
inhibitor, was purchased from Calbiochem (San Diego, Calif.).
Lentovirus short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) that specific targets human
STAT3 and control lentivirus that expresses Green Fluorescent
Protein (GFP) were provided by Antonio Iavarone at the Columbia
University.
[0136] Western Blot Analysis
[0137] ALDH.sup.+ and ALDH.sup.- subpopulations, or
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- and
ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ subpopulations of breast cancer
cells were separated by flow cytometer. After sorting, ALDH.sup.+
and ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- stem cells were cultured in
serum-free stem cell medium in ultra-low attachment six-well plates
(Corning) to maintain cancer stem cell characteristics. ALDH.sup.-,
ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ cells and unseparated cells were
cultured in regular medium and replaced with identical stem cell
medium for three days before being harvested. To assess the effects
of STAT3 inhibitors, ALDH.sup.+ and
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulations of breast cancer
cells were treated with 5 .mu.mol/L of LLL12 for 24 hours.
Antibodies (Cell Signaling Tech.) against phospho-specific STAT3
(Tyrosine 705) (P-STAT3, Y705), ERK1/2 (Threonine 202/Tyrosine
204), cleaved Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), cleaved
caspase-3, and GAPDH were used for western blots.
[0138] Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
[0139] The ALDH.sup.+ and ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.-
subpopulations of breast cancer cells was treated with LLL12 (5
.mu.M) or DMSO for 24 h. RNA from the cells was then collected
using RNeasy Kits.RTM. (Qiagen). cDNA was constructed from a 500 ng
sample of RNA using Omniscript RT.RTM. (Qiagen). Primer sequence
information can be found in Table 3.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 SEQ ID Gene Primers Size NO: Cyclin D1
Forward: 247 1 5'-GCTGGAGCCCGTGAAAAAGA-3' Reverse: 2
5'-CTCCGCCTCTGGCATTTTG-3' Survivin Forward: 309 3
5'-ACCAGGTGAGAAGTGAGGGA-3' Reverse: 4 5'-AACAGTAGAGGAGCCAGGGA-3'
Bcl-2 Forward: 304 5 5'-TCTTTGAGTTCGGTGGGGTC-3' Reverse: 6
5'-TGCATATTTGTTTGGGGCAGG-3' Bcl-X1 Forward: 765 7
5'-TTGGACAATGGACTGGTTGA-3' Reverse: 8 5'-GTAGAGTGGATGGTCAGTG-3'
MMP-2 Forward: 474 11 5'-GGCCCTGTCACTCCTGAGAT-3' Reverse: 12
5'-GGCATCCAGGTTATCGGGGA-3' MMP-9 Forward: 409 13
5'-CGCAGACATCGTCATCCAGT-3' Reverse: 14 5'-GGATTGGCCTTGGAAGATGA-3'
Notch1 Forward: 229 15 5'-CAACATCCAGGACAACATGG-3' Reverse: 16
5'-GGACTTGCCCAGGTCATCTA-3' Notch3 Forward: 413 17
5'-TGTCTTGCTGCTGGTCATTC-3' Reverse: 18 5'-CATCTGGGCCACGCACATT-3'
TWIST1 Forward: -- 19 5'-GGAGTCCGCAGTCTTACGAG-3' Reverse: 20
5'-TCTGGAGGACCTGGTAGAGG-3' ALDH1 Forward: 237 21
5'-TCCTGGTTATGGGCCTACAG-3' Reverse: 22 5'-CTGGCCCTGGTGGTAGAATA-3'
GAPDH Forward: 240 9 5'-TGATGACATCAAGAAGGTGGTGAAG-3' Reverse: 10
5'-TCCTTGGAGGCCATGTGGGCAT-3'
[0140] Tumorsphere Culture
[0141] Tumorsphere culture was performed as previously described
(4). ALDH.sup.+ and ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- cells were
plated as single cells in ultra-low attachment six-well plates at a
density of 50,000 viable cells/well. On the second day after
seeding, the ALDH.sup.+ cancer cells were treated with 2.5-10
.mu.mol/L of LLL12 or Stattic. Tumorsphere growth was observed
under a microscope 10 to 15 days later.
[0142] Kinase Activity Assay
[0143] The possible effects of LLL12 on ten purified human protein
kinases were performed at the Millipore UK Limited (Dundee, UK) and
Reaction Biology Corp. (Malvern, Pa.) using Kinase profiler assay.
The IC50 inhibitory values of LLL12 on the kinase activity were
determined using 10 different concentrations of LLL12 with 100
.mu.M as the highest concentration in kinase assays.
[0144] MTT Cell Viability Assay
[0145] The ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation of breast cancer cells was
seeded in 96-well plates (3,000 cells/well) in triplicates in a
serum-free mammary epithelial basal medium. The following day,
cancer cells were treated with 1 to 10 .mu.mol/L of LLL12, Stattic
(Calbiochem.) for 72 hours, and STAT3 ShRNA for 48 hours. MTT
(Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide, Sigma-Aldrich) assay was used
to determine the cell viability.
[0146] Mouse Xenograft Tumor Model
[0147] All animal studies were conducted in accordance with the
principles and standard procedures approved by IACUC at the
Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the
University Committee on the Use and Care of Animals at the
University of Michigan. ALDH.sup.+ and
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulations of MDA-MB-231 and
SUM-159 breast cancer cells (1.times.10.sup.5) respectively were
injected (s.c.) into the flank area of female NOD/SCID mice which
were purchased from Jackson Laboratory. After tumor development,
mice were divided into two treatment groups consisting of 6
mice/group: DMSO vehicle control and 5 mg/kg of LLL12. Tumor growth
was determined by measuring the length (L) and width (W) of the
tumors and tumor volume was calculated on the basis of the
following formula: volume=(.pi./6) LW.sup.2. For mammary fat pad
experiments, the inventors injected 1.times.10.sup.5 of sorted
SUM159 ALDH.sup.+ cells, assessed using Aldefluor kit (StemCell
Technologies) in the fat pad of NOD/SCID mice (The Jackson
Laboratory), as previously described. 19 days after the cell
injection, the inventors randomly assigned mice into two groups
with an average volume of approximately 5 mm.sup.3 and initiated
the treatment. 5 mg/kg of LLL12 (dissolved in 10% DMSO, 18%
Cremophor EL and 72% sterile 5% Dextrose) or vehicle alone were
administrated i.p. to two groups with for 15 days. Tumors were
measured by a caliper every 3 days and the volume was calculated
using V=.pi.(width.times.length)/6. After 15 days of treatments,
tumors were harvested from euthanized mice, snap-frozen in liquid
nitrogen, and stored in -80.degree. C. Tumors tissues were examined
for the expression of STAT3 phosphorylation.
Example 14
ALDH Subpopulation of Breast Cancer Cells (BIC) Expresses High
Levels of STAT3 Phosphorylation
[0148] To determine the expression of phosphorylated STAT3, an
activated form of STAT3 in breast cancer initiating cells, the
inventors separated the ALDH.sup.+ and ALDH.sup.- subpopulations of
three breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR-3. A
representative example of SUM159 cells is shown in FIG. 11A. It has
been demonstrated that the ALDH.sup.+ (but not the ALDH)
subpopulation in breast cancer cells exhibit cancer stem cell
properties in vitro and in the mouse tumor model in vivo.
Interestingly, the results showed that the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation
of breast cancer cells expresses higher levels of STAT3
phosphorylation (Tyrosine residue 705) compared to un-separated,
with the ALDH.sup.- subpopulation being the lowest (FIG. 11B).
Phosphorylation at Tyrosine residue 705 (Y705) is important for
activating STAT3. ERK1/2 phosphorylation at threonine 202/tyrosine
204 (T202/Y204) is not consistently high in the ALDH.sup.+
subpopulation. These results show that ERK likely does not play a
key role in breast cancer initiating cells, at least in these three
breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, the STAT3 pathway is
activated in the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation and appears to be more
important in breast cancer initiating cells. The inventors also
examined the STAT3 phosphorylation and ALDH1 protein expression in
human breast cancer tissues using Tissue microarray slides. The
inventors observed that there is a significant association
(P<0.01) between the nuclear staining of STAT3 phosphorylation
and staining of ALDH1. The representative examples of staining of
STAT3 phosphorylation and staining of ALDH1 were shown in FIGS. 16A
and 16B. The results from breast cancer patients further support
the data in breast cancer cell lines that the elevate levels of
STAT3 phosphorylation is expressed in breast cancer initiating
cells. This is the first report to demonstrate that breast cancer
initiating cells express elevated levels of STAT3 phosphorylation
(Table 4), which indicates that constitutive STAT3 signaling may be
a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer initiating cells.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 The association of P-STAT3 (Y705) with the
expression of ALDH1 in breast carcinoma. ALDH1 P-STAT3
ALDH1/P-STAT3 Positive Positive Both Positive Both Negative n
Number % Number % Number % Number % .chi..sup.2 P* Breast Carcinoma
95 23 24 33 35 18 18 57 60 25.358 4.8e-7
[0149] LLL12, a Small Molecular STAT3 Inhibitor, Selectively
Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation, STAT3 Downstream Targets, and
Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells.
[0150] To confirm the important role of STAT3 in breast cancer
initiating cells, the STAT3 inhibitor, LLL12 (FIG. 17), which is a
novel analog of a previously reported STAT3 inhibitor LLL3, was
used to target STAT3 in breast cancer initiating cells. LLL12
contacts STAT3 SH2 domain at Y705 and partially binds to the side
pocket close to Y705 in a computer docking model via AutoDock. To
confirm the inhibition of STAT3 by LLL12, the inventors examined
the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation in three independent breast
cancer cell lines. The results demonstrated that LLL12 inhibited
STAT3 phosphorylation in un-separated MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3, and
SUM159 breast cancer cell lines (FIG. 18). However, LLL12 did not
inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK, indicating that the inhibition
was specific to STAT3. The inventors further examined whether LLL12
may inhibit other human kinase activity besides inhibiting STAT3
which may partially account for the inhibition of breast cancer
stem cell viability. LLL12 exhibits little inhibition (IC50 are
greater than 100 .mu.M) on tyrosine kinases, Fes, JAK2, Bmx, c-SRC,
PYK2, Syk, Fyn, and Yes containing SH2 domain or both SH2 and SH3
domains (Table 5). LLL12 also exhibits little inhibition (IC50 are
77.94 .mu.M or greater) to other protein kinases that are involved
in cell proliferation and survival including AKT1, c-Raf, EGFR,
ErB2/HER2, Met, mTOR, PDK1, PI3K, and others (Table 5). To the
knowledge, this may be the first STAT3 inhibitor that has been
tested against many human protein and lipid kinases for its
selectivity. LLL12 also inhibited STAT3 but not STAT1 DNA binding
activity. These results strongly support the specificity of LLL12
to inhibit STAT3 and the ability of LLL12 to inhibit breast cancer
initiating cells is due to the inhibition of STAT3. Furthermore,
LLL12 also reduced the expression of STAT3 downstream genes, such
as Cyclin D1, Survivin, Bcl-2 and Twist1, and subsequently induced
apoptosis of these human breast cancer cells as indicated by an
increase in levels of cleaved PARP and Caspase-3 (FIG. 18).
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 The effect of LLL12 on human protein and
lipid kinases Protein Kinases IC50 (.mu.M) Protein Kinases IC50
(.mu.M) Tyrosine kinases Fes >100 Pyk2 >100 contain SH2
Domain JAK2 >100 Syk >100 Tyrosine kinases Rmx >100 Fyn
>100 contain SH2 and SH3 c-SRC >100 Yes >100 Domains Other
human protein AKT1 >100 mTOR >100 or lipid kinases
CDK4/CyclinD1 77.94 P38 >100 CDK6/CyclinD1 >100 PAK1 >100
CHK1 >100 PDK1 >100 C-Kit >100 PI3K (P110a/85a) >100
C-RAF >100 PI3K (P110b/B5a) >100 EGFR >100 PKC-b >100
ErbB2/HER2 >100 TAK1 >100 Met >100 VEGFR1 >100
[0151] LLL12 Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation and STAT3 Downstream
Targets in ALDH.sup.+ Cells.
[0152] The inventors next examined the effect of LLL12 on breast
cancer initiating cells and the results demonstrated that LLL12
inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation and induces cleaved caspase-3 in the
ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation of MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR-3 (FIG.
2A). The inhibition of STAT3 by LLL12 also down-regulates the
expression of many known STAT3-regulated genes in breast cancer
initiating cells related to cancer cell proliferation, survival,
and angiogenesis, such as Cyclin D1, surviving, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL (9),
MMP-2, and MMP-9 (FIG. 12B). Furthermore, LLL12 inhibits Twist1,
Notch-1, and Notch-3 expression in breast cancer initiating cells,
which have recently been reported as putative STAT3 or
Interleukin-6 target genes (FIG. 12B). Twist1 has been shown to
play an important role in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition
and malignant transformation. The Notch signaling pathway is known
to be essential for normal stem cell self-renewal and
differentiation in a variety of tissues, and is involved in human
cancer stem cells' self-renewal capacity and tumorigenicity. These
results indicate the LLL12 is also potent in terms of inhibiting
STAT3 phosphorylation, down-regulating STAT3-dowmstream genes, and
inducing apoptosis in these breast cancer initiating cells. The
inventors also observed that STAT3 ShRNA inhibits STAT3
phosphorylation and induces cleaved caspase-3 in the absence or
presence of LLL12 (FIG. 12C). In addition, Stattic also reduces
STAT3 phosphorylation in ALDH.sup.+ cells (Supplemental FIG.
4).
[0153] STAT3 Inhibitors, LLL12 and Stattic can Reduce ALDH.sup.+
Subpopulation of Breast Cancer Cells.
[0154] Cancer stem cells are resistant to current chemotherapy and
radiation regimens available for breast cancer. To examine whether
LLL12 might eliminate the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation, the inventors
treated cancer cells and sorted for the percentage of ALDH.sup.+
subpopulation. If breast cancer initiating cells are resistant to
LLL12, the ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation should increase. However, the
results (See FIGS. 13A-13D) showed that LLL12 could decrease the
ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation in MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR3 cancer
cells, suggesting that this subpopulation of breast cancer
initiating cells is sensitive to LLL12-mediated inhibition. The
inventors found that 10 .mu.M of Stattic, another previously
reported STAT3 inhibitor, also decreased the percentage of
ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation. The results confirm that the STAT3
pathway plays a central role in the maintenance of the ALDH.sup.+
subpopulation in breast cancer cells.
[0155] ALDH.sup.+ Cells are Sensitive to the Inhibition by STAT3
Inhibitors and STAT3 ShRNA.
[0156] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13A-13D, the inventors
observed that LLL12 and Stattic can inhibit cell viability of the
ALDH.sup.+ subpopulation from MDA-MB-231, SUM159, and SK-BR3 cells,
although LLL12 is more potent than Stattic in terms of inhibiting
breast cancer initiating cell viability. Also, STAT3 ShRNA reduced
cell viability of the ALDH.sup.+ cells. These results support that
breast cancer stem cells are sensitive to STAT3 inhibitors.
Furthermore, mammary tumor stem and progenitor cells were able to
survive and proliferate in anchorage-independent conditions and
form floating spherical colonies that were termed as
"tumorspheres." The results also demonstrated that LLL12 and
Stattic can inhibit tumorsphere forming capacity in the ALDH.sup.+
subpopulation of SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, and SUM159; again, LLL12
shows more potent activity than Stattic in inhibiting tumorsphere
formation in the comparisons. Consistently, in the computer model
for binding to STAT3 SH2 domain, LLL12 (-7.8 Kcal/mol) exhibits
higher predictive binding affinity 57.8-fold stronger than Stattic
(-5.6 Kcal/mol). The possible effects of ALDH.sup.- cells by STAT3
inhibitors and STAT3 ShRNA was also examined. There are also
inhibitory effects ALDH.sup.- cells by LLL12, Stattic and STAT3
ShRNA (FIGS. 19A-19D). This may be expected because ALDH.sup.-
cells still express certain levels of STAT3 phosphorylation (FIG.
11B).
[0157] LLL12 Suppresses Tumor Growth of Breast Cancer Initiating
Cells in Mouse Tumor Xenograft and Orthotopic Model In Vivo.
[0158] To determine whether LLL12 may have a therapeutic potential
for clinical breast carcinoma treatment, the inventors further
tested LLL12 against breast cancer initiating cells isolated from
the MDA-MB-231 and SUM159 breast cancer cells in NOD/SCID mice
xenograft and mammary fat pad models respectively in vivo. As shown
in FIGS. 14A-14D, the results from the administration of LLL12
showed that LLL12 significantly suppresses (P<0.01) tumor volume
and tumor weight, and STAT3 phosphorylation of MDA-MB-231 breast
cancer initiating cells in the xenograft mouse model. The similar
results were observed in the treatment of LLL12 showing that
significantly suppresses (P<0.01) of tumor volume and tumor
mass, and STAT3 phosphorylation of SUM159 breast cancer initiating
cells in the mammary fat pad mouse model. These results
demonstrated that LLL12 is potent in suppressing tumor growth from
the breast cancer initiating cells in vivo.
[0159] ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- Subpopulation of Breast
Cancer Cells Expresses High Levels of STAT3 Phosphorylation and is
Sensitive to LLL12 Inhibition.
[0160] Breast cancer cells that express the cell surface molecule
CD44 (CD44.sup.+) but lack or have low expression of CD24
(CD24.sup.low/-) have also been described as cancer stem cells. The
inventors therefore isolated ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- cells
to further enrich the stem cell population (FIG. 20). Again, as
shown in FIGS. 15A-15D, the results showed that the
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulation of MDA-MB-231 and
SUM159 breast cancer cells expresses higher levels of STAT3
phosphorylation compared to the un-separated and
ALDH.sup.-/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ subpopulations. The inventors next
examined the effect of LLL12 on breast cancer initiating cells and
the results demonstrated that LLL12 inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation
and induces cleaved caspase-3 in the
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.- subpopulation of MDA-MB-231 and
SUM159. There is slightly reduced of mTOR phosphorylation in both
cell lines and slightly reduced of AKT phosphorylation in SUM159
but increased in MDA-MB231 cells. The inhibition of STAT3 by LLL12
also down-regulates the expression of known STAT3-regulated genes
in breast cancer initiating cells such as Cyclin D1, survivin,
Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and IL-6 regulated gene, Notch1. In addition, the
inventors observed that LLL12 inhibited cell viability in the
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24.sup.+ subpopulation of MDA-MB-231 and
SUM159 breast cancer cells. Furthermore, LLL12 inhibits tumorsphere
forming capacity in the ALDH+/CD44.sup.+/CD24- subpopulation of
MDA-MB-231 and SUM159 breast cancer cells. To determine whether
LLL12 may have a therapeutic potential on
ALDH.sup.+/CD44.sup.+/CD24- cells, the inventors further tested
LLL12 against breast cancer initiating cells isolated from the
SUM159 cancer cells in nude mice xenograft model in vivo. The
results from the administration of LLL12 showed that LLL12
significantly suppresses (P<0.05) tumor volume of SUM159 breast
cancer initiating cells in xenograft mouse model. These results
further demonstrated that LLL12 is potent in suppressing tumor
growth from the breast cancer initiating cells in vivo.
Example 14
Uses of LLL12 and Related Compounds
[0161] The present invention provides options that are advantageous
over previously-known compounds, compositions, formulations,
research tools, diagnostics, and therapies. With regard to
therapeutic superiority, because the present compounds are
selective for STAT3 inhibition, the present compounds do not have
the potential toxic side effects of previously-known treatment
methods. In other words, there present invention provides compounds
and methods with little or not impact non-cancerous cells.
Moreover, the selective nature and potentency of the present
compounds allow synergy with conventional anti-cancer agents,
thereby reducing the overall toxic load of any given treatment. In
effect, the present compounds allow conventional anti-cancer
treatments to exert greater effect at lower dosage. In certain
non-limiting examples, an effective dose (ED50) for an anti-cancer
agent or combination of conventional anti-cancer agents when used
in combination with the present compounds can be less than the ED50
for the anti-cancer agent alone. Also, in certain non-limiting
embodiments, the therapeutic index (TI) for such anti-cancer agent
or combination of such anti-cancer agent when used in combination
with a compound herein is greater than the TI for conventional
anti-cancer agent regimen alone.
[0162] In yet other embodiments, the method combines the present
compounds with other therapies such as chemotherapies and/or
radiation therapies, including ionizing radiation, gamma radiation,
or particle beams.
[0163] Dosages and Dosage Schedules:
[0164] The dosage regimen can be selected in accordance with a
variety of factors including type, species, age, weight, sex and
the type of cancer being treated; the severity (i.e., stage) of the
cancer to be treated; the route of administration; the renal and
hepatic function of the patient; and the particular compound or
salt thereof employed. An ordinarily skilled physician or
veterinarian can readily determine and prescribe the effective
amount of the drug required to treat, for example, to prevent,
inhibit (fully or partially) or arrest the progress of the
disease.
[0165] Non-limiting examples of suitable dosages can include total
daily dosage of between about 25-4000 mg/m.sup.2 administered
orally once-daily, twice-daily or three times-daily, continuous
(every day) or intermittently (e.g., 3-5 days a week). For example,
the compositions can be administered in a total daily dose, or
divided into multiple daily doses such as twice daily, and three
times daily.
[0166] Other non-limiting examples of suitable dosages and methods
of administration can include the intravenous administration
directly to the tumor site via a catheter.
[0167] In addition, the administration can be continuous, i.e.,
every day, or intermittently. The terms "intermittent" or
"intermittently" as used herein means stopping and starting at
either regular or irregular intervals. For example, intermittent
administration may be administration one to six days per week or it
may mean administration in cycles (e.g., daily administration for
two to eight consecutive weeks, then a rest period with no
administration for up to one week) or it may mean administration on
alternate days.
[0168] In addition, the compositions may be administered according
to any of prescribed schedules, consecutively for a few weeks,
followed by a rest period. For example, the composition may be
administered according to any one of the prescribed schedules from
two to eight weeks, followed by a rest period of one week, or twice
daily at a dose for three to five days a week.
[0169] It should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that
the various dosages and dosing schedules described herein merely
set forth specific embodiments and should not be construed as
limiting the broad scope of the invention. Any permutations,
variations and combinations of the dosages and dosing schedules are
included within the scope of the present invention.
[0170] Pharmaceutical Compositions:
[0171] The compounds of the invention, and derivatives, fragments,
analogs, homologs pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrate
thereof, can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions
suitable for oral administration, together with a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier or excipient. Such compositions typically
comprise a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds
described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Preferably, the effective amount is an amount effective to
selectively induce terminal differentiation of suitable neoplastic
cells and less than an amount which causes toxicity in a
patient.
[0172] Any inert excipient that is commonly used as a carrier or
diluent may be used in the formulations of the present invention,
such as for example, a gum, a starch, a sugar, a cellulosic
material, an acrylate, or mixtures thereof. The compositions may
further comprise a disintegrating agent (e.g., croscarmellose
sodium) and a lubricant (e.g., magnesium stearate), and in addition
may comprise one or more additives selected from a binder, a
buffer, a protease inhibitor, a surfactant, a solubilizing agent, a
plasticizer, an emulsifier, a stabilizing agent, a viscosity
increasing agent, a sweetener, a film forming agent, or any
combination thereof. Furthermore, the compositions of the present
invention may be in the form of controlled release or immediate
release formulations.
[0173] The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered orally,
and are thus formulated in a form suitable for oral administration,
i.e., as a solid or a liquid preparation. Suitable solid oral
formulations include tablets, capsules, pills, granules, pellets
and the like. Suitable liquid oral formulations include solutions,
suspensions, dispersions, emulsions, oils and the like.
[0174] As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" is
intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media,
coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and
absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with
pharmaceutical administration, such as sterile pyrogen-free water.
Suitable carriers are described in the most recent edition of
Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, a standard reference text in
the field. Preferred examples of such carriers or diluents include,
but are not limited to, water, saline, finger's solutions, dextrose
solution, and 5% human serum albumin Liposomes and non-aqueous
vehicles such as fixed oils may also be used. The use of such media
and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in
the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is
incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the
compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can
also be incorporated into the compositions.
[0175] Non-limiting examples of solid carriers/diluents include,
but are not limited to, a gum, a starch (e.g., corn starch,
pregelatinized starch), a sugar (e.g., lactose, mannitol, sucrose,
dextrose), a cellulosic material (e.g., microcrystalline
cellulose), an acrylate (e.g., polymethylacrylate), calcium
carbonate, magnesium oxide, talc, or mixtures thereof.
[0176] Non-limiting examples of liquid formulations,
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be aqueous or non-aqueous
solutions, suspensions, emulsions or oils. Examples of non-aqueous
solvents are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and injectable
organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Aqueous carriers include
water, alcoholic/aqueous solutions, emulsions or suspensions,
including saline and buffered media. Examples of oils are those of
petroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, for example,
peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, and
fish-liver oil. Solutions or suspensions can also include the
following components: a sterile diluent such as water for
injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols,
glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents;
antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens;
antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating
agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); buffers such
as acetates, citrates or phosphates, and agents for the adjustment
of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH can be
adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium
hydroxide.
[0177] In addition, the compositions may further comprise binders
(e.g., acacia, cornstarch, gelatin, carbomer, ethyl cellulose, guar
gum, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose,
povidone), disintegrating agents (e.g., cornstarch, potato starch,
alginic acid, silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone,
guar gum, sodium starch glycolate, Primogel.RTM.), buffers (e.g.,
tris-HCl, acetate, phosphate) of various pH and ionic strength,
additives such as albumin or gelatin to prevent absorption to
surfaces, detergents (e.g., Tween 20.RTM., Tween 80.RTM., Pluronic
F68.RTM., bile acid salts), protease inhibitors, surfactants (e.g.,
sodium lauryl sulfate), permeation enhancers, solubilizing agents
(e.g., glycerol, polyethylene glycerol), a glidant (e.g., colloidal
silicon dioxide), anti-oxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, sodium
metabisulfite, butylated hydroxyanisole), stabilizers (e.g.,
hydroxypropyl cellulose, hyroxypropylmethyl cellulose), viscosity
increasing agents (e.g., carbomer, colloidal silicon dioxide, ethyl
cellulose, guar gum), sweeteners (e.g., sucrose, aspartame, citric
acid), flavoring agents (e.g., peppermint, methyl salicylate, or
orange flavoring), preservatives (e.g., Thimerosal, benzyl alcohol,
parabens), lubricants (e.g., stearic acid, magnesium stearate,
polyethylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate), flow-aids (e.g.,
colloidal silicon dioxide), plasticizers (e.g., diethyl phthalate,
triethyl citrate), emulsifiers (e.g., carbomer, hydroxypropyl
cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate), polymer coatings (e.g.,
poloxamers or poloxamines), coating and film forming agents (e.g.,
ethyl cellulose, acrylates, polymethacrylates) and/or
adjuvants.
[0178] In certain embodiments, the active compounds can be prepared
with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid
elimination from the body, such as a controlled release
formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery
systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as
ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid,
collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for
preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled
in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from
Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Liposomal
suspensions (including liposomes targeted to infected cells with
monoclonal antibodies to viral antigens) can also be used as
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared
according to methods known to those skilled in the art.
[0179] It is especially advantageous to formulate oral compositions
in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of
dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically
discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be
treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active
compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in
association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The
specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are
dictated by and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of
the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be
achieved, and the limitations inherent in the art of compounding
such an active compound for the treatment of individuals.
[0180] The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a
container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for
administration. For example, the compounds may be administered
intravenously on the first day of treatment, with oral
administration on the second day and all consecutive days
thereafter. The compounds of the present invention may be
administered for the purpose of preventing disease progression or
stabilizing tumor growth.
[0181] The preparation of pharmaceutical compositions that contain
an active component is well understood in the art, for example, by
mixing, granulating, or tablet-forming processes. The active
therapeutic ingredient is often mixed with excipients that are
pharmaceutically acceptable and compatible with the active
ingredient. For oral administration, the active agents are mixed
with additives customary for this purpose, such as vehicles,
stabilizers, or inert diluents, and converted by customary methods
into suitable forms for administration, such as tablets, coated
tablets, hard or soft gelatin capsules, aqueous, alcoholic or oily
solutions and the like as detailed above.
[0182] The amount of the compound or formulation administered to
the patient is less than an amount that would cause toxicity in the
patient. In the certain embodiments, the amount of the compound
that is administered to the patient is less than the amount that
causes a concentration of the compound in the patient's plasma to
equal or exceed the toxic level of the compound. Preferably, the
concentration of the compound in the patient's plasma is maintained
at about 10 nM. In another embodiment, the concentration of the
compound in the patient's plasma is maintained at about 25 nM. In
another embodiment, the concentration of the compound in the
patient's plasma is maintained at about 50 nM.
[0183] In another embodiment, the concentration of the compound in
the patient's plasma is maintained at ranges between about 10 to
about 50 nM. The optimal amount of the compound that should be
administered to the patient in the practice of the present
invention will depend on the particular compound used and the type
of cancer being treated.
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* * * * *
References