title: Synthetic, non-saccharide, glycosaminoglycan mimetics selectively target colon cancer stem cells.
abstract: Selective targeting of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) is a paradigm-shifting approach. We hypothesized that CSCs can be targeted by interfering with functions of sulfated glycosaminoglycans, which play key roles in cancer cell growth, invasion and metastasis. We developed a tandem, dual screen strategy involving (1) assessing inhibition of monolayer versus spheroid growth and (2) assessing inhibition of primary versus secondary spheroid growth to identify G2.2, a unique sulfated nonsaccharide GAG mimetic (NSGM) from a focused library of 53 molecules, as a selective inhibitor of colon CSCs. The NSGM down-regulated several CSC markers through regulation of gene transcription, while closely related, inactive NSGMs G1.4 and G4.1 demonstrated no such changes. G2.2's effects on CSCs were mediated, in part, through induction of apoptosis and inhibition of self-renewal factors. Overall, this work presents the proof-of-principle that CSCs can be selectively targeted through novel NSGMs, which are likely to advance fundamental understanding on CSCs while also aiding development of novel therapeutic agents.
authors: Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23249, United States.
authors: Nirmita J
authors: NJ
authors: Patel
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Karuturi
authors: Rami A
authors: RA
authors: Al-Horani
authors: Somesh
authors: S
authors: Baranwal
authors: Jagrut
authors: J
authors: Patel
authors: Umesh R
authors: UR
authors: Desai
authors: Bhaumik B
authors: BB
authors: Patel
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans