Antitumor activity of sphingosine kinase inhibitors

KJ French, JJ Upson, SN Keller, Y Zhuang… - … of Pharmacology and …, 2006 - ASPET
KJ French, JJ Upson, SN Keller, Y Zhuang, JK Yun, CD Smith
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2006ASPET
Sphingosine kinase (SK) is an oncogenic sphingolipid-metabolizing enzyme that catalyzes
the formation of the mitogenic second messenger sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) at the
expense of proapoptotic ceramide. Thus, SK is an attractive target for cancer therapy
because blockage of S1P formation leads to inhibition of proliferation, as well as the
induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. We have recently identified novel SK inhibitors with
nanomolar to low micromolar potencies toward recombinant human SK. This study …
Sphingosine kinase (SK) is an oncogenic sphingolipid-metabolizing enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the mitogenic second messenger sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) at the expense of proapoptotic ceramide. Thus, SK is an attractive target for cancer therapy because blockage of S1P formation leads to inhibition of proliferation, as well as the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. We have recently identified novel SK inhibitors with nanomolar to low micromolar potencies toward recombinant human SK. This study describes the continuing analysis of these inhibitors through in vitro and in vivo experiments. All three structurally diverse SK inhibitors tested showed antitumor activity in mice without exhibiting toxicity. Blood and tumor inhibitor concentrations exceeded in vitro potency levels. Cell signaling analyses in vitro revealed mixed inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and Akt phosphorylation by the SK inhibitors. Importantly, 4-[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-phenol (SKI-II) is orally bioavailable, detected in the blood for at least 8 h, and showed a significant inhibition of tumor growth in mice. These compounds are the first examples of nonlipid selective inhibitors of SK with in vivo antitumor activity and provide leads for further development of inhibitors of this important molecular target.
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