Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB), a grade IV glioma, with high heterogeneity and chemoresistance, obligates a multidimensional antagonist to debilitate its competence. Considering the previous reports on thioesters as antitumor compounds, this paper investigates on use of this densely functionalized sulphur rich molecule as a potent anti-GB agent. Bio-evaluation of 12 novel compounds, containing α-thioether ketone and orthothioester functionalities, identified that five analogs exhibited better cytotoxic profile compared to standard drug cisplatin. Detailed toxicity studies of top compound were evaluated in two cell lines, using cell viability test, apoptotic activity, oxidative stress and caspase activation and RNA-sequencing analysis, to obtain a comprehensive molecular profile of drug activity. The most effective molecule presented half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 27 μM and 23 μM against U87 and LN229 GB cells, respectively. Same compound effectively weakened various angiogenic pathways, mainly MAPK and JAK-STAT pathways, downregulating VEGF. Transcriptome analysis identified significant promotion of apoptotic genes, and genes involved in cell cycle arrest, with concurrent inhibition of various tyrosine kinase cascades and stress response genes. Docking and immunoblotting studies suggest EGFR as a strong target of the orthothioester identified. Therefore, orthothioesters can potentially serve as a multi-dimensional chemotherapeutic possessing strong cytotoxic, anti-angiogenic and chemo-sensitization activity, challenging glioblastoma pathogenesis.