Invasion and metastasis of cancer is the leading cause of increased mortality. In addition, haematological malignancies (leukaemia and lymphoma) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Therefore, new treatments which will inhibit cancer progression are required. Integrin adhesion receptors, particularly the RGD-binding integrin subfamily comprising αvβ3, αvβ5, αvβ6, αvβ8, αllbβ3, α5β1, α8β1 and αvβ1 are related to progress and spread of cancer and poor prognosis. Because of the importance of integrin biology in the regulation of cancer dissemination, the integrin receptors are being utilised as targets to regulate cancer progression. The goal of this study was to develop a dual αvβ3/ αIIbβ3 expressing model for testing integrin antagonists. Expression of αv, αIIb, and β3 integrin subunits was characterised using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry in a panel of cell lines. After characterising the expression of αv, αIIb and β3 integrin subunits in inducible and natural expression models (K562 and MCF-7 cells respectively), functional tests for cellular adhesion, detachment and migration were determined. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated K562 cells showed increased adhesion on fibrinogen compared to untreated cells. Adhesion of cancer cells (K562 ± PMA and MCF-7) to fibrinogen was inhibited and detachment was induced by the known β3 antagonists, cRGDfV and GR104453. Migration of cancer cells (K562 without PMA and MCF-7) was inhibited by combination of the known β3 antagonists. A panel of 12 novel small molecules developed in the ICT was investigated for cytotoxicity and activity in the validated function assays. ICT9055 was the most potent antagonist in inhibition of cell adhesion, migration, and inducing cell detachment. The data presented in this thesis had selected models and assays for evaluating small molecule integrin antagonists and identified ICT9055 as a promising molecule to develop for further preclinical evaluation. / The Libyan Embassy; Omer Al Mukhtar University, Faculty of Medical Technology, Derna, Libya.

Yes / The integrins are a family of 24 heterodimeric transmembrane cell surface receptors. Involvement in cell attachment to the extracellular matrix, motility, and proliferation identifies integrins as therapeutic targets in cancer and associated conditions; thrombosis, angiogenesis and osteoporosis. The most reported strategy for drug development is synthesis of an agent that is highly selective for a single integrin receptor. However, the ability of cancer cells to change their integrin repertoire in response to drug treatment renders this approach vulnerable to the development of resistance and paradoxical promotion of tumor growth. Here, we review progress towards development of antagonists targeting two or more members of the RGD-binding integrins, notably αvβ3, αvβ5, αvβ6, αvβ8, α5β1, and αIIbβ3, as anticancer therapeutics.