Lung cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide and is a focus for developing targeted therapies due to its refractory nature to current treatment. We identified a RNA helicase, DDX3, which is overexpressed in many cancer types including lung cancer and is associated with lower survival in lung cancer patients. We designed a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor, RK-33, which binds to DDX3 and abrogates its activity. Inhibition of DDX3 by RK-33 caused G1 cell cycle arrest, induced apoptosis, and promoted radiation sensitization in DDX3-overexpressing cells. Importantly, RK-33 in combination with radiation induced tumor regression in multiple mouse models of lung cancer. Mechanistically, loss of DDX3 function either by shRNA or by RK-33 impaired Wnt signaling through disruption of the DDX3–β-catenin axis and inhibited non-homologous end joining—the major DNA repair pathway in mammalian somatic cells. Overall, inhibition of DDX3 by RK-33 promotes tumor regression, thus providing a compelling argument to develop DDX3 inhibitors for lung cancer therapy.

Synthesis of a series of novel, broad-spectrum anti-cancer agents containing the tricyclic 5:7:5-fused diimidazo[4,5-d:4’,5’-f][1,3]diazepine ring system is reported. Compounds 1, 2, 8, 11, and 12 in the series show promising in vitro antitumor activity with low micromolar IC50's against prostate, lung, breast, and ovarian cancer cell lines. Some notions about structure-activity relationships and a possible mechanism of biological activity are presented. Also presented are preliminary in vivo toxicity studies of 1 using SCID mice.

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Silica gel (60-120 mesh) efficiently catalyses the opening of epoxide rings by amines at rt under solvent-free conditions providing an easy method for the synthesis of 2-amino alcohols. Aromatic and aliphatic amines react with cyclohexene oxide with exclusive formation of the trans-2-aryl/alkylaminocyclohexanols in high yields. A complementary regioselectivity is exhibited by aromatic and aliphatic amines during the reaction with styrene oxide. The epoxide ring of non-styrenoidal unsymmetrical alkene oxide undergoes selective nucleophilic attack at the sterically less hindered carbon by aniline.

Lithium bromide has been found to be an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for the opening of epoxide rings by amines, and this provides an environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of β‐amino alcohols. Aromatic and aliphatic amines react with cycloalkene oxides to exclusively form trans‐2‐(aryl/alkylamino)cycloalkanols in high yields. A 98−100% selectivity in favour of nucleophilic attack at the benzylic carbon atom of styrene oxide is observed with aromatic amines. However, aliphatic amines exhibit a marginal preference for the reaction at the terminal carbon atom of the epoxide ring in styrene oxide. Non‐styrenoidal, unsymmetrical alkene oxides undergo selective nucleophilic attack at the sterically less hindered carbon atom by aniline. The chelation effect of the Li+ ion enables selective opening of the epoxide ring in 3‐phenoxypropylene oxide in the presence of styrene oxide. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)