Bortezomib potentiates the antitumor effect of tributyltin(IV) ferulate in colon cancer cells exacerbating ER stress and promoting apoptosis

Organotin(IV) complexes represent promising drugs in medicinal chemistry for their potential use in cancer therapy. We recently reported synthesis and characterization of a new organotin(IV) complex of ferulic acid (FA), tributyltin(IV) ferulate (TBT-F), showing its antitumor action in colon cancer cells. Here we provide evidence that the efficacy of this compound is strongly potentiated by the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ). While low concentrations of tributyltin(IV) ferulate alone promoted autophagy without reducing cell viability, combination of the two compounds markedly affected colon cancer cell viability, cell morphology and exasperated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as r…

The Good and Bad of Nrf2: An Update in Cancer and New Perspectives in COVID-19

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a well-known transcription factor best recognised as one of the main regulators of the oxidative stress response. Beyond playing a crucial role in cell defence by transactivating cytoprotective genes encoding antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes, Nrf2 is also implicated in a wide network regulating anti-inflammatory response and metabolic reprogramming. Such a broad spectrum of actions renders the factor a key regulator of cell fate and a strategic player in the control of cell transformation and response to viral infections. The Nrf2 protective roles in normal cells account for its anti-tumour and anti-viral functions. However, Nrf2 over…

The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) Targets Oncogenic BRAF in Melanoma Cells and Promotes a Switch from Pro-Survival Autophagy to Apoptosis.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACI) are epigenetic compounds that have been widely considered very promising antitumor agents. Here, we focus on the effects of the pan-HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) in comparison with SAHA (Vorinostat) in melanoma cells bearing BRAF V600E oncogenic mutation. Our results indicate both ITF2357 and SAHA dose-dependently reduce the viability of BRAF-mutated SK-MEL-28 and A375 melanoma cells. The comparison of IC50 values revealed that ITF2357 was much more effective than SAHA. Interestingly, both inhibitors markedly decreased oncogenic BRAF protein expression levels, ITF2357 being the most effective compound. Moreover, the BRAF decrease induced by ITF23…

Combined treatment of caffeic acid and DMAPT induces AMPK dependent death in MDA-MB231 cells

HDAC inhibitors target oncogenic BRAF and p53 in melanoma cells and promote a switch from pro-survival autophagy to apoptosis

Anti-adipogenic potential of bio-waste products of Sicilian mango in 3T3-L1 cells

Oxidative stress induced by the novel compound tributyltin(iv) ferulate promotes ER stress and autophagy in colon cancer cells

Parthenolide and Its Soluble Analogues: Multitasking Compounds with Antitumor Properties

Due to its chemical properties and multiple molecular effects on different tumor cell types, the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PN) can be considered an effective drug with significant potential in cancer therapy. PN has been shown to induce either classic apoptosis or alternative caspase-independent forms of cell death in many tumor models. The therapeutical potential of PN has been increased by chemical design and synthesis of more soluble analogues including dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT). This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of both PN and analogues action in tumor models, highlighting their effects on gene expression, signal transduction and execution of different ty…

THE HDAC INHIBITOR ITF2357 (GIVINOSTAT) AS A KEY PLAYER IN EPIGENETIC TARGETING OF MELANOMA AND COLON CANCER CELLS

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are epigenetic compounds that have been recently considered for their promising anti-tumor activity. The aim of this PhD thesis was to elucidate and characterize the anti-tumor effect of the HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) in melanoma and colon cancer cells that are characterized by oncogenic BRAF mutations. Interestingly, data reported in this thesis demonstrate that ITF2357 exerts a remarkable anti-tumor effect in melanoma cells by inducing a switch from a pro-survival autophagy to caspase-dependent apoptosis. The thesis provides the first evidences that ITF2357 is able to target oncogenic BRAF and oncogenic p53. The ITF2357 decreasing effect on…

Oncogenic BRAF protein as a molecular target of HDAC inhibitors in melanoma cells

Oncogenic BRAF and p53 Interplay in Melanoma Cells and the Effects of the HDAC Inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat)

Oncogenic BRAF mutations have been widely described in melanomas and promote tumour progression and chemoresistance. We previously provided evidence that the HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) targets oncogenic BRAF in SK-MEL-28 and A375 melanoma cells. Here, we show that oncogenic BRAF localises to the nucleus of these cells, and the compound decreases BRAF levels in both the nuclear and cytosolic compartments. Although mutations in the tumour suppressor p53 gene are not equally frequent in melanomas compared to BRAF, the functional impairment of the p53 pathway may also contribute to melanoma development and aggressiveness. To understand whether oncogenic BRAF and p53 may cooperate, a po…

Tributyltin(Iv) butyrate: A novel epigenetic modifier with er stress-and apoptosis-inducing properties in colon cancer cells

Organotin(IV) compounds are a class of non-platinum metallo-conjugates exhibiting antitumor activity. The effects of different organotin types has been related to several mechanisms, including their ability to modify acetylation protein status and to promote apoptosis. Here, we focus on triorganotin(IV) complexes of butyric acid, a well-known HDAC inhibitor with antitumor properties. The conjugated compounds were synthesized and characterised by FTIR spectroscopy, multi-nuclear (1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR, and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In the triorganotin(IV) complexes, an anionic monodentate butyrate ligand was observed, which coordinated the tin atom on a tetra-coordinated, monomeric enviro…

Tributyltin(IV) ferulate, a novel synthetic ferulic acid derivative, induces autophagic cell death in colon cancer cells: From chemical synthesis to biochemical effects

Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural phenolic phytochemical that has low toxicity and exhibits therapeutic effects against various diseases, behaving as an antioxidant. FA also displays modest antitumor properties that have been reported at relatively high concentrations. With the aim of improving the anti-tumor efficacy of FA, we synthesized the novel compound tributyltin(IV) ferulate (TBT-F). The coordination environment at the tin center was investigated spectroscopically. Following synthesis, chemical characterization and computational analysis, we evaluated TBT-F effects in colon cancer cells. The results showed that TBT-F, at nanomolar range concentrations, was capable of reducing the viabi…

ROS-Dependent ER Stress and Autophagy Mediate the Anti-Tumor Effects of Tributyltin (IV) Ferulate in Colon Cancer Cells

Organotin compounds represent potential cancer therapeutics due to their pro-apoptotic action. We recently synthesized the novel organotin ferulic acid derivative tributyltin (IV) ferulate (TBT-F) and demonstrated that it displays anti-tumor properties in colon cancer cells related with autophagic cell death. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of TBT-F action in colon cancer cells. We specifically show that TBT-F-dependent autophagy is determined by a rapid generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and correlated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. TBT-F evoked nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant response and Nrf2 silenc…