DPS-2: A Novel Dual MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT Pathway Inhibitor with Powerful Ex Vivo and In Vivo Anticancer Properties.

DPS-2: A Novel Dual MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT Pathway Inhibitor with Powerful Ex Vivo and In Vivo Anticancer Properties. Transl Oncol. 2019 May 13;12(7):932-950 Authors: Goulielmaki M, Assimomytis N, Rozanc J, Taki E, Christodoulou I, Alexopoulos LG, Zoumpourlis V, Pintzas A, Papahatjis D Abstract Development of novel bioactive compounds against KRAS and/or BRAF mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently an urgent need in oncology. In addition, single or multitarget kinase inhibitors against MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways are of potential therapeutic advantage. A new compound based on the benzothiophene nucleus was synthesized, based on previous important outcomes on other pharmaceutical preparations, to be tested as potential anticancer agent. Treatments by 2-5 μM DPS-2 of several CRC and melanoma cell lines bearing either BRAF or KRAS mutations have shown a remarkable effect on cell viability in 2D and 3D cultures. More detailed analysis has shown that DPS-2 can kill cancer cells by apoptosis, reducing at the same time their autophagy properties. After testing activities of several signaling pathways, the compound was found to have a dual inhibition of two major proliferative/survival pathways, MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT, in both CRC and melanoma, thus providing a mechanistic evidence for its potent anticancer activity. Antitumor activity of DPS-2 was further validated in vivo, as DPS-2 treatment of mouse xenografts of Colo-205 colorectal ca...
Source: Translational Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Transl Oncol Source Type: research