Article · Volume 59, Issue 3 · pp. 1221–1230
Drug Repurposing Revealed Abemaciclib and Palbociclib as Inhibitor of Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Paving the Way for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Norah Saeed Al-Zahrani1, Ayyub Ali Patel1, Basiouny El-Gamal1,2, Mohamed Abd Ellatif1,3, Khalid Ali Nasif1, Mohamed Babiker Abd Elrouf1, Heitham Mutwakil Mohammed4, Safaa Omer1, Marwa Saeed1, Muniera Mohieldeen1, Hagar Mohamed Mohamed5,6, Mohammad Rehan Ajmal7
- 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, SAUDI ARABIA.
- 2Healthcare and Pharma Department, Planaletix, Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
- 3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EGYPT.
- 4Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, SAUDI ARABIA.
- 5Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Liwa College, Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
- 6Department of Applied Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EGYPT.
- 7Department of Biochemistry, Physical Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.
Abstract
Background: A common element of the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts play a major role in the development of breast cancer via a variety of pathways. Studies show that cancer-associated fibroblasts over express phosphodiesterase-5 in comparison to normal fibroblasts and that this overexpression is linked to increased fibroblast activation and a more aggressive CAF phenotype. High PDE5 levels in CAFs contribute to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, increased secretion of pro-tumorigenic factors and suppression of anti-tumor immune responses.Materials and Methods: Targeting PDE5 in CAFs thus offers a convincing method to interfere with these cells' pro-tumorigenic activities. The potential to inhibit PDE5 was examined for four FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors: Abemaciclib, Palbociclib, Alvocidib and Ribociclib.Results: These drugs, with established safety profiles, were screened and docked against PDE5, showing binding affinities of -7.8, -7.8, -7.1 and -6.8 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to Sildenafil's -7.0 kcal/mol, a known inhibitor of PDE5. ADMET predictions, PASS analysis and Swiss Target Prediction affirmed their drug-like properties and potential for PDE5 inhibition.Conclusion: Based on these results, Abemaciclib and Palbociclib were chosen for in vitro experiments with cancer-associated fibroblasts. The 2 drugs significantly decreased the expression of PDE5 mRNA, indicating their potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of breast cancer.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Cancer-associated fibroblasts; CDK4/6 inhibitors; Inhibitor; Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5)
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