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Tuttolomondo M, Pham STD, Terp MG, Cendán Castillo V, Kalisi N, Vogel S, Langkjær N, Hansen UM, Thisgaard H, Schrøder HD, Palarasah Y, Ditzel HJ. A novel multitargeted self-assembling peptide-siRNA complex for simultaneous inhibition of SARS-CoV-2-host cell interaction and replication. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102227. [PMID: 38939051 PMCID: PMC11203390 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Effective therapeutics are necessary for managing severe COVID-19 disease despite the availability of vaccines. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can silence viral genes and restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication. Cell-penetrating peptides is a robust method for siRNA delivery, enhancing siRNA stability and targeting specific receptors. We developed a peptide HE25 that blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication by various mechanisms, including the binding of multiple receptors involved in the virus's internalization, such as ACE2, integrins and NRP1. HE25 not only acts as a vehicle to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase siRNA into cells but also facilitates their internalization through endocytosis. Once inside endosomes, the siRNA is released into the cytoplasm through the Histidine-proton sponge effect and the selective cleavage of HE25 by cathepsin B. These mechanisms effectively inhibited the replication of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant BA.5 in vitro. When HE25 was administered in vivo, either by intravenous injection or inhalation, it accumulated in lungs, veins and arteries, endothelium, or bronchial structure depending on the route. Furthermore, the siRNA/HE25 complex caused gene silencing in lung cells in vitro. The SARS-CoV-2 siRNA/HE25 complex is a promising therapeutic for COVID-19, and a similar strategy can be employed to combat future emerging viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tuttolomondo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Thuy Duong Pham
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Green Terp
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Virginia Cendán Castillo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Nazmie Kalisi
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Stefan Vogel
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Langkjær
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ulla Melchior Hansen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Imaging Core Facility, DaMBIC, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Helge Thisgaard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Daa Schrøder
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Yaseelan Palarasah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Jørn Ditzel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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2
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Bae JH, Kim HS. A pH-Responsive Protein Assembly through Clustering of a Charge-Tunable Single Amino Acid Repeat. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 39216082 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Specific targeting of tumor cells is a key to achieving high therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target side effects. As a general approach to targeting diverse tumor cells, considerable attention has been paid to the tumor microenvironment, particularly its slightly acidic pH (6.5-6.8). However, existing pH-sensitive nanomaterials, based on organic polymers and proteins, often lack sufficient pH sensitivity and specificity. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to construct a pH-responsive protein assembly through clustering of a single amino acid repeat as a charge-tunable moiety. As a proof of concept, a histidine peptide with varying lengths was displayed on the surface of a ferritin assembly composed of 24 subunits by genetic fusion to a subunit. The resulting self-assembled ferritin particles, termed "pHerricle (pH-responsive ferritin particle)", were shown to exhibit a specific binding to tumor cells in response to pH changes through cooperative effects of histidine peptides. Increasing the histidine peptide length from 0 to 12 residues increased the pHerricle's cell-binding capacity by 21-fold and allowed modulation of the targetable pH range. General applicability as a tumor cell-targeting platform was shown by specific delivery of a cytotoxic cargo by the pHerricle into tumor cells of various origins in a pH-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ho Bae
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Hak-Sung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Korea
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3
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Cheng Z, Benson S, Mendive-Tapia L, Nestoros E, Lochenie C, Seah D, Chang KY, Feng Y, Vendrell M. Enzyme-Activatable Near-Infrared Hemicyanines as Modular Scaffolds for in vivo Photodynamic Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404587. [PMID: 38717316 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy is an anti-cancer treatment that requires illumination of photosensitizers to induce local cell death. Current near-infrared organic photosensitizers are built from large and non-modular structures that cannot be tuned to improve safety and minimize off-target toxicity. This work describes a novel chemical platform to generate enzyme-activatable near-infrared photosensitizers. We optimized the Se-bridged hemicyanine scaffold to include caging groups and biocompatible moieties, and generated cathepsin-triggered photosensitizers for effective ablation of human glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that enzyme-activatable Se-bridged hemicyanines are effective photosensitizers for the safe ablation of microtumors in vivo, creating new avenues in the chemical design of targeted anti-cancer photodynamic therapy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Cheng
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sam Benson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lorena Mendive-Tapia
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eleni Nestoros
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Charles Lochenie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Deborah Seah
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kai Yee Chang
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yi Feng
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, EH4 2XR, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marc Vendrell
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
- IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Edinburgh, UK
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4
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Pasch T, Bäumer N, Bäumer S, Buchholz F, Mootz HD. Towards targeted Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas) delivery: Preparation of IgG antibody-Cas9 conjugates using a split intein. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3592. [PMID: 38447547 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized the field of genetic engineering, but targeted cellular delivery remains a central problem. The delivery of the preformed ribonuclease-protein (RNP) complex has the advantages of fewer side effects and avoidance of potential permanent effects. We reasoned that an internalizing IgG antibody as a targeting device could address the delivery of Cas9-RNP. We opted for protein trans-splicing mediated by a split intein to facilitate posttranslational conjugation of the two large protein entities. We recently described the cysteine-less CL split intein that efficiently performs under oxidizing conditions and does not interfere with disulfide bonds or thiol bioconjugation chemistries. Using the CL split intein, we report for the first time the ligation of monoclonal IgG antibody precursors, expressed in mammalian cells, and a Cas9 precursor, obtained from bacterial expression. A purified IgG-Cas9 conjugate was loaded with sgRNA to form the active RNP complex and introduced a double-strand break in its target DNA in vitro. Furthermore, a synthetic peptide variant of the short N-terminal split intein precursor proved useful for chemical modification of Cas9. The split intein ligation procedure reported here for IgG-Cas9 provides the first step towards a novel CRISPR-Cas9 targeting approach involving the preformed RNP complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Pasch
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicole Bäumer
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bäumer
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Buchholz
- Medical Systems Biology, University Cancer Center (UCC), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Henning D Mootz
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Niazi SK, Mariam Z, Magoola M. Engineered Antibodies to Improve Efficacy against Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6683. [PMID: 38928395 PMCID: PMC11203520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibodies that can selectively remove rogue proteins in the brain are an obvious choice to treat neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), but after decades of efforts, only two antibodies to treat Alzheimer's disease are approved, dozens are in the testing phase, and one was withdrawn, and the other halted, likely due to efficacy issues. However, these outcomes should have been evident since these antibodies cannot enter the brain sufficiently due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) protectant. However, all products can be rejuvenated by binding them with transferrin, preferably as smaller fragments. This model can be tested quickly and at a low cost and should be applied to bapineuzumab, solanezumab, crenezumab, gantenerumab, aducanumab, lecanemab, donanemab, cinpanemab, and gantenerumab, and their fragments. This paper demonstrates that conjugating with transferrin does not alter the binding to brain proteins such as amyloid-β (Aβ) and α-synuclein. We also present a selection of conjugate designs that will allow cleavage upon entering the brain to prevent their exocytosis while keeping the fragments connected to enable optimal binding to proteins. The identified products can be readily tested and returned to patients with the lowest regulatory cost and delays. These engineered antibodies can be manufactured by recombinant engineering, preferably by mRNA technology, as a more affordable solution to meet the dire need to treat neurodegenerative disorders effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zamara Mariam
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry City CV1 5FB, UK;
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Cornelius P, Mayes BA, Petersen JS, Turnquist DJ, Dufour PJ, Dannenberg AJ, Shanahan JM, Carver BJ. Pharmacological Characterization of SDX-7320/Evexomostat: A Novel Methionine Aminopeptidase Type 2 Inhibitor with Anti-tumor and Anti-metastatic Activity. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:595-605. [PMID: 38530115 PMCID: PMC11063762 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Methionine aminopeptidase type 2 (METAP2) is a ubiquitous, evolutionarily conserved metalloprotease fundamental to protein biosynthesis which catalyzes removal of the N-terminal methionine residue from nascent polypeptides. METAP2 is an attractive target for cancer therapeutics based upon its over-expression in multiple human cancers, the importance of METAP2-specific substrates whose biological activity may be altered following METAP2 inhibition, and additionally, that METAP2 was identified as the target for the anti-angiogenic natural product, fumagillin. Irreversible inhibition of METAP2 using fumagillin analogues has established the anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor characteristics of these derivatives; however, their full clinical potential has not been realized due to a combination of poor drug-like properties and dose-limiting central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. This report describes the physicochemical and pharmacological characterization of SDX-7320 (evexomostat), a polymer-drug conjugate of the novel METAP2 inhibitor (METAP2i) SDX-7539. In vitro binding, enzyme, and cell-based assays demonstrated that SDX-7539 is a potent and selective METAP2 inhibitor. In utilizing a high molecular weight, water-soluble polymer to conjugate the novel fumagillol-derived, cathepsin-released, METAP2i SDX-7539, limitations observed with prior generation, small molecule fumagillol derivatives were ameliorated including reduced CNS exposure of the METAP2i, and prolonged half-life enabling convenient administration. Multiple xenograft and syngeneic cancer models were utilized to demonstrate the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic profile of SDX-7320. Unlike polymer-drug conjugates in general, reductions in small molecule-equivalent efficacious doses following polymer conjugation were observed. SDX-7320 has completed a phase I clinical safety study in patients with late-stage cancer and is currently being evaluated in multiple phase Ib/II clinical studies in patients with advanced solid tumors.
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7
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Chen P, Yang W, Mochida Y, Li S, Hong T, Kinoh H, Kataoka K, Cabral H. Selective Intracellular Delivery of Antibodies in Cancer Cells with Nanocarriers Sensing Endo/Lysosomal Enzymatic Activity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317817. [PMID: 38342757 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
The differential enzymatic activity in the endo/lysosomes of particular cells could trigger targeted endosomal escape functions, enabling selective intracellular protein delivery. However, this strategy may be jeopardized due to protein degradation during endosomal trafficking. Herein, using custom made fluorescent probes to assess the endosomal activity of cathepsin B (CTSB) and protein degradation, we found that certain cancer cells with hyperacidified endosomes grant a spatiotemporal window where CTSB activity surpass protein digestion. This inspired the engineering of antibody-loaded polymeric nanocarriers having CTSB-activatable endosomal escape ability. The nanocarriers selectively escaped from the endo/lysosomes in the cells with high endosomal CTSB activity and delivered active antibodies to intracellular targets. This study provides a viable strategy for cell-specific protein delivery using stimuli-responsive nanocarriers with controlled endosomal escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengwen Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Wenqian Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuki Mochida
- Innovation Center of Nanomedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shangwei Li
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Taehun Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kinoh
- Innovation Center of Nanomedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of Nanomedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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8
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Zuppone S, Zarovni N, Vago R. The cell type dependent sorting of CD9- and CD81 to extracellular vesicles can be exploited to convey tumor sensitive cargo to target cells. Drug Deliv 2023; 30:2162161. [PMID: 36579638 PMCID: PMC9809379 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2162161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane-bound particles involved in cell-to-cell communication through a delivery of regulatory molecules essential for physiological processes. Since EVs efficiently vectorize specific cargo molecules, they have been proposed as suitable vehicles for therapeutic agents. Drug loading into EVs can be achieved by active, exogenous strategies or by genetic modifications of vesicle-producing cells. With the aim to produce EVs conveying therapeutic proteins, we genetically engineered and compared HEK293 to tumor cells. Tetraspanin-based RFP fusions were found to be more stable and preferentially sorted into EVs in HEK293. EVs isolated from genetically modified HEK293 cells media were captured by cancer cells, efficiently delivering their cargo. Cathepsin B cleavage site introduced between CD9/CD81 and RFP was recognized by tumor specific proteases allowing the release of the reporter protein. Our results indicate HEK293 cells as a preferential system for the production of EVs and pave the way to the development of nano-platforms for the efficient delivery of therapeutic proteins and prodrugs to tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zuppone
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Vago
- Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy,Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy,CONTACT Riccardo Vago Urological Research Institute, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132Milano, Italy
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9
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Mahdikia H, Saadati F, Alizadeh AM, Khalighfard S, Bekeschus S, Shokri B. Low-frequency magnetic fields potentiate plasma-modified magneto-electric nanoparticle drug loading for anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17536. [PMID: 37845238 PMCID: PMC10579258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44683-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A multiferroic nanostructure of manganese ferrite barium-titanate called magneto-electric nanoparticles (MENs) was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of spinel core and perovskite shell phases with average crystallite sizes of 70-90 nm. Magnetic, optical, and magnetoelectrical properties of MENs were investigated using VSM, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, DLS, and EIS spectroscopy techniques. After pre-activation by low-pressure argon (Ar) plasma, the MENs were functionalized by a highly hydrophilic acrylic acid and Oxygen (AAc+O2) mixture to produce COOH and C=O-rich surfaces. The loading and release of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) on MENs were investigated using UV-vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry under alternating low-frequency magnetic fields. Plasma treatment enabled drug-loading control by changing the particles' roughness as physical adsorption and creating functional groups for chemical absorption. This led to reduced metabolic activity and cell adherences associated with elevated expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL-2, caspase 3) in 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro exposed to alternating current magnetic field (ACMF) compared to MENs-DOX without field exposure. ACMF-potentiated anticancer effects of MENs were validated in vivo in tumor-bearing Balb/C mice. Altogether, our results suggest potentiated drug loading of MENs showing superior anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo when combined with ACMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Mahdikia
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Fariba Saadati
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ali Mohammad Alizadeh
- Breast Diseases Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Sander Bekeschus
- Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald, Germany
| | - Babak Shokri
- Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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Zhou Q, Xiang J, Qiu N, Wang Y, Piao Y, Shao S, Tang J, Zhou Z, Shen Y. Tumor Abnormality-Oriented Nanomedicine Design. Chem Rev 2023; 123:10920-10989. [PMID: 37713432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer nanomedicines have been proven effective in mitigating the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. However, challenges remain in augmenting their therapeutic efficacy. Nanomedicines responsive to the pathological abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are expected to overcome the biological limitations of conventional nanomedicines, enhance the therapeutic efficacies, and further reduce the side effects. This Review aims to quantitate the various pathological abnormalities in the TME, which may serve as unique endogenous stimuli for the design of stimuli-responsive nanomedicines, and to provide a broad and objective perspective on the current understanding of stimuli-responsive nanomedicines for cancer treatment. We dissect the typical transport process and barriers of cancer drug delivery, highlight the key design principles of stimuli-responsive nanomedicines designed to tackle the series of barriers in the typical drug delivery process, and discuss the "all-into-one" and "one-for-all" strategies for integrating the needed properties for nanomedicines. Ultimately, we provide insight into the challenges and future perspectives toward the clinical translation of stimuli-responsive nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiajia Xiang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nasha Qiu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yechun Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ying Piao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shiqun Shao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianbin Tang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhuxian Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Center for Bionanoengineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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11
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Wang Z, Fan X, Mu G, Zhao X, Wang Q, Wang J, Tang X. Cathepsin B-activatable cyclic antisense oligonucleotides for cell-specific target gene knockdown in vitro and in vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:548-558. [PMID: 37588686 PMCID: PMC10425675 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Trigger-activatable antisense oligonucleotides have been widely applied to regulate gene function. Among them, caged cyclic antisense oligonucleotides (cASOs) maintain a specific topology that temporarily inhibits their interaction with target genes. By inserting linkers that respond to cell-specific endogenous stimuli, they can be powerful tools and potential therapeutic agents for specific types of cancer cells with low off-target effects on normal cells. Here, we developed enzyme-activatable cASOs by tethering two terminals of linear antisense oligonucleotides through a cathepsin B (CB) substrate peptide (Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly [GFLG]), which could be efficiently uncaged by CB. CB-activatable cASOs were used to successfully knock down two disease-related endogenous genes in CB-abundant PC-3 tumor cells at the mRNA and protein levels but had much less effect on gene knockdown in CB-deficient human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs). In addition, reduced nonspecific immunostimulation was found using cASOs compared with their linear counterparts. Further in vivo studies indicated that CB-activatable cASOs showed effective tumor inhibition in PC-3 tumor model mice through downregulation of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) protein in tumors. This study applies endogenous enzyme-activatable cASOs for antitumor therapy in tumor model mice, which demonstrates a promising stimulus-responsive cASO strategy for cell-specific gene knockdown upon endogenous activation and ASO prodrug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanqun Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoran Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinjing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38, Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, People’s Republic of China
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12
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Ogundipe OD, Olajubutu O, Adesina SK. Targeted drug conjugate systems for ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115151. [PMID: 37473683 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal disease that affects women. Early diagnosis and treatment of women with early-stage disease improve the probability of survival. Unfortunately, the majority of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages 3 and 4 which makes treatment challenging. While the majority of the patients respond to first-line treatment, i.e. cytoreductive surgery integrated with platinum-based chemotherapy, the rate of disease recurrence is very high and the available treatment options for recurrent disease are not curative. Thus, there is a need for more effective treatment options for ovarian cancer. Targeted drug conjugate systems have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ovarian cancer. These systems provide the opportunity to selectively deliver highly potent chemotherapeutic drugs to ovarian cancer, sparing healthy normal cells. Thus, the effectiveness of the drugs is improved and systemic toxicity is greatly reduced. In this review, different targeted drug conjugate systems that have been or are being developed for the treatment of ovarian cancer will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omotola D Ogundipe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Simeon K Adesina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
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13
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Lee JH, Yang SB, Lee JH, Lim H, Lee S, Kang TB, Lim JH, Kim YJ, Park J. Doxorubicin covalently conjugated heparin displays anti-cancer activity as a self-assembled nanoparticle with a low-anticoagulant effect. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 314:120930. [PMID: 37173028 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Heparin is a glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) member and well-known FDA-approved anticoagulant that has been widely used in the clinic for 100 years. It has also been evaluated in various fields for further clinical applications, such as in anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory therapy beyond its anticoagulant effect. Here, we sought to utilize heparin molecules as drug carriers by directly conjugating the anticancer drug doxorubicin to the carboxyl group of unfractionated heparin. Given the molecular action of doxorubicin in intercalating DNA, it is expected to be less effective when structurally combined with other molecules. However, by utilizing doxorubicin molecules to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), we found that the heparin-doxorubicin conjugates have significant cytotoxic ability to kill CT26 tumor cells with low anticoagulant activity. Several doxorubicin molecules were bound to heparin to provide sufficient cytotoxic capability and self-assembly ability due to their amphiphilic properties. The self-assembled formation of these nanoparticles was demonstrated through DLS, SEM and TEM. The cytotoxic ROS-generating doxorubicin-conjugated heparins could inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in CT26-bearing Balb/c animal models. Our results demonstrate that this cytotoxic doxorubicin-based heparin conjugate can significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, thus showing promise as a potential new anti-cancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hyeon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Bin Yang
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyuck Lee
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansol Lim
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokwoo Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Bong Kang
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hong Lim
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea; Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea; Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Park SH, Lee JH, Yang SB, Lee DN, Kang TB, Park J. Development of a Peptide-Based Nano-Sized Cathepsin B Inhibitor for Anticancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041131. [PMID: 37111617 PMCID: PMC10141979 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous cathepsin B inhibitors have been developed and are under investigation as potential cancer treatments. They have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit cathepsin B activity and reduce tumor growth. However, they have shown critical limitations, including low anticancer efficacy and high toxicity, due to their low selectivity and delivery problems. In this study, we developed a novel peptide and drug conjugate (PDC)-based cathepsin B inhibitor using cathepsin-B-specific peptide (RR) and bile acid (BA). Interestingly, this RR and BA conjugate (RR–BA) was able to self-assemble in an aqueous solution, and as a result, it formed stable nanoparticles. The nano-sized RR–BA conjugate showed significant cathepsin B inhibitory effects and anticancer effects against mouse colorectal cancer (CT26) cells. Its therapeutic effect and low toxicity were also confirmed in CT26 tumor-bearing mice after intravenous injection. Therefore, based on these results, the RR–BA conjugate could be developed as an effective anticancer drug candidate for inhibiting cathepsin B in anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Hyeon Park
- Department of Applied Life Science, BK21 Program, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyuck Lee
- Department of Applied Life Science, BK21 Program, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Bin Yang
- Department of Applied Life Science, BK21 Program, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Nyeong Lee
- Department of Applied Life Science, BK21 Program, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Bong Kang
- Department of Applied Life Science, BK21 Program, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Applied Life Science, BK21 Program, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
- Center for Metabolic Diseases, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
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15
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Doxorubicin-An Agent with Multiple Mechanisms of Anticancer Activity. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040659. [PMID: 36831326 PMCID: PMC9954613 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) constitutes the major constituent of anti-cancer treatment regimens currently in clinical use. However, the precise mechanisms of DOX's action are not fully understood. Emerging evidence points to the pleiotropic anticancer activity of DOX, including its contribution to DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, senescence, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis induction, as well as its immunomodulatory role. This review aims to collect information on the anticancer mechanisms of DOX as well as its influence on anti-tumor immune response, providing a rationale behind the importance of DOX in modern cancer therapy.
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16
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Targeting the Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-R) in Cancer Therapy: Development of Bombesin-Based Peptide-Drug Conjugates. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043400. [PMID: 36834815 PMCID: PMC9967152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted tumour therapy has proved to be an efficient alternative to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Among several receptors upregulated in cancer cells, the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) has recently emerged as a promising target for cancer imaging, diagnosing and treatment due to its overexpression on cancerous tissues such as breast, prostate, pancreatic and small-cell lung cancer. Herein, we report on the in vitro and in vivo selective delivery of the cytotoxic drug daunorubicin to prostate and breast cancer, by targeting GRP-R. Exploiting many bombesin analogues as homing peptides, including a newly developed peptide, we produced eleven daunorubicin-containing peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), acting as drug delivery systems to safely reach the tumour environment. Two of our bioconjugates revealed remarkable anti-proliferative activity, an efficient uptake by all three tested human breast and prostate cancer cell lines, high stability in plasma and a prompt release of the drug-containing metabolite by lysosomal enzymes. Moreover, they revealed a safe profile and a consistent reduction of the tumour volume in vivo. In conclusion, we highlight the importance of GRP-R binding PDCs in targeted cancer therapy, with the possibility of further tailoring and optimisation.
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17
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Rais R, Lemberg KM, Tenora L, Arwood ML, Pal A, Alt J, Wu Y, Lam J, Aguilar JMH, Zhao L, Peters DE, Tallon C, Pandey R, Thomas AG, Dash RP, Seiwert T, Majer P, Leone RD, Powell JD, Slusher BS. Discovery of DRP-104, a tumor-targeted metabolic inhibitor prodrug. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq5925. [PMID: 36383674 PMCID: PMC9668306 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq5925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) is a glutamine antagonist that suppresses cancer cell metabolism but concurrently enhances the metabolic fitness of tumor CD8+ T cells. DON showed promising efficacy in clinical trials; however, its development was halted by dose-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities. Given its clinical potential, we designed DON peptide prodrugs and found DRP-104 [isopropyl(S)-2-((S)-2-acetamido-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propanamido)-6-diazo-5-oxo-hexanoate] that was preferentially bioactivated to DON in tumor while bioinactivated to an inert metabolite in GI tissues. In drug distribution studies, DRP-104 delivered a prodigious 11-fold greater exposure of DON to tumor versus GI tissues. DRP-104 affected multiple metabolic pathways in tumor, including decreased glutamine flux into the TCA cycle. In efficacy studies, both DRP-104 and DON caused complete tumor regression; however, DRP-104 had a markedly improved tolerability profile. DRP-104's effect was CD8+ T cell dependent and resulted in robust immunologic memory. DRP-104 represents a first-in-class prodrug with differential metabolism in target versus toxicity tissue. DRP-104 is now in clinical trials under the FDA Fast Track designation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Lemberg
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Matthew L. Arwood
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Arindom Pal
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ying Wu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jenny Lam
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Diane E. Peters
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rajeev Pandey
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ajit G. Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ranjeet P. Dash
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Tanguy Seiwert
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Prague 16000, Czech Republic
| | - Robert D. Leone
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Powell
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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18
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Long K, Wang Y, Lv W, Yang Y, Xu S, Zhan C, Wang W. Photoresponsive prodrug-dye nanoassembly for in-situ monitorable cancer therapy. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10311. [PMID: 36176605 PMCID: PMC9472000 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Photocleavable prodrugs enable controllable drug delivery to target sites modulated by light irradiation. However, the in vivo utility is usually hindered by their insolubility and inefficient delivery. In this study, we report a simple strategy of co-assembling boron-dipyrromethene-chlorambucil prodrug and near-infrared dye IR783 to fabricate photoresponsive nanoassemblies, which achieved both high prodrug loading capacity (~99%) and efficient light-triggered prodrug activation. The incorporated IR783 dye not only stabilized the nanoparticles and contributed tumor targeting as usual, but also exhibited degradation after light irradiation and in-situ monitoring of nanoparticle dissociation by fluorescent imaging. Systemic administration of the nanoparticles and localized light irradiation at tumor sites enabled monitorable and efficient drug release in vivo. Our results demonstrate that such prodrug-dye co-assembled nanomedicine is a promising formulation for photoresponsive drug delivery, which would advance the translation of photoresponsive nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqi Long
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak‐Sum Research CentreThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Yifan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak‐Sum Research CentreThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Wen Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak‐Sum Research CentreThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of PolymersFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of EducationFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shuting Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak‐Sum Research CentreThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Changyou Zhan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of PolymersFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of EducationFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Weiping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Laboratory of Molecular Engineering and Nanomedicine, Dr. Li Dak‐Sum Research CentreThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
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19
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Kyu Shim M, Yang S, Sun IC, Kim K. Tumor-activated carrier-free prodrug nanoparticles for targeted cancer Immunotherapy: Preclinical evidence for safe and effective drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 183:114177. [PMID: 35245568 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers initiating antitumor immune responses, certain chemotherapeutic drugs have shown considerable potential to reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM) into immune-responsive tumors. The application of these drugs in nanomedicine provides a more enhanced therapeutic index by improving unfavorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and inefficient tumor targeting. However, the clinical translation of conventional nanoparticles is restricted by fundamental problems, such as risks of immunogenicity and potential toxicity by carrier materials, premature drug leakage in off-target sites during circulation, low drug loading contents, and complex structure and synthetic processes that hinder quality control (QC) and scale-up industrial production. To address these limitations, tumor-activated carrier-free prodrug nanoparticles (PDNPs), constructed only by the self-assembly of prodrugs without any additional carrier materials, have been widely investigated with distinct advantages for safe and more effective drug delivery. In addition, combination immunotherapy based on PDNPs with other diverse modalities has efficiently reversed the ITM to immune-responsive tumors, potentiating the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. In this review, the trends and advances in PDNPs are outlined, and each self-assembly mechanism is discussed. In addition, various combination immunotherapies based on PDNPs are reviewed. Finally, a physical tumor microenvironment remodeling strategy to maximize the potential of PDNPs, and key considerations for clinical translation are highlighted.
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20
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Pereira S, Ma G, Na L, Hudoklin S, Kreft ME, Kostevsek N, Al-Jamal WT. Encapsulation of doxorubicin prodrug in heat-triggered liposomes overcomes off-target activation for advanced prostate cancer therapy. Acta Biomater 2022; 140:530-546. [PMID: 34954416 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
L-377,202 prodrug consists of doxorubicin (Dox) conjugated to a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) peptide substrate that can be cleaved by enzymatically active PSA at the tumor site. Despite the initial promise in phase I trial, further testing of L-377,202 (herein called Dox-PSA) was ceased due to some degree of non-specific activation and toxicity concerns. To improve safety of Dox-PSA, we encapsulated it into low temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSL) to bypass systemic activation, while maintaining its biological activity upon controlled release in response to mild hyperthermia (HT). A time-dependent accumulation of activated prodrug in the nuclei of PSA-expressing cells exposed to mild HT was observed, showing that Dox-PSA was efficiently released from the LTSL, cleaved by PSA and entering the cell nucleus as free Dox. Furthermore, we have shown that Dox-PSA loading in LTSL can block its biological activity at 37°C, while the combination with mild HT resulted in augmented cytotoxicity in both 2D and 3D PC models compared to the free Dox-PSA. More importantly, Dox-PSA encapsulation in LTSL prolonged its blood circulation and reduced Dox accumulation in the heart of C4-2B tumor-bearing mice over the free Dox-PSA, thus significantly improving Dox-PSA therapeutic window. Finally, Dox-PSA-loaded LTSL combined with HT significantly delayed tumor growth at a similar rate as mice treated with free Dox-PSA in both solid and metastatic PC tumor models. This indicates this strategy could block the systemic cleavage of Dox-PSA without reducing its efficacy in vivo, which could represent a safer option to treat patients with locally advanced PC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study investigates a new tactic to tackle non-specific cleavage of doxorubicin PSA-activatable prodrug (L-377,202) to treat advanced prostate cancer. In the present study, we report a nanoparticle-based approach to overcome the non-specific activation of L-377,202 in the systemic circulation. This includes encapsulating Dox-PSA in low temperature-sensitive liposomes to prevent its premature hydrolysis and non-specific cleavage. This class of liposomes offers payload protection against degradation in plasma, improved pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting, and an efficient and controlled drug release triggered by mild hyperthermia (HT) (∼42°C). We believe that this strategy holds great promise in bypassing any systemic toxicity concerns that could arise from the premature activation of the prodrug whilst simultaneously being able to control the spatiotemporal context of Dox-PSA cleavage and metabolism.
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21
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Song SJ, Choi JS. Enzyme-Responsive Amphiphilic Peptide Nanoparticles for Biocompatible and Efficient Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14010143. [PMID: 35057039 PMCID: PMC8779831 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled peptide nanostructures recently have gained much attention as drug delivery systems. As biomolecules, peptides have enhanced biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to polymer-based carriers. We introduce a peptide nanoparticle system containing arginine, histidine, and an enzyme-responsive core of repeating GLFG oligopeptides. GLFG oligopeptides exhibit specific sensitivity towards the enzyme cathepsin B that helps effective controlled release of cargo molecules in the cytoplasm. Arginine can induce cell penetration, and histidine facilitates lysosomal escape by its buffering capacity. Herein, we propose an enzyme-responsive amphiphilic peptide delivery system (Arg-His-(Gly-Phe-Lue-Gly)3, RH-(GFLG)3). The self-assembled RH-(GFLG)3 globular nanoparticle structure exhibited a positive charge and formulation stability for 35 days. Nile Red-tagged RH-(GFLG)3 nanoparticles showed good cellular uptake compared to the non-enzyme-responsive control groups with d-form peptides (LD (LRH-D(GFLG)3), DL (DRH-L(GFLG)3), and DD (DRH-D(GFLG)3). The RH-(GFLG)3 nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity in HeLa cells and human RBCs. To determine the drug delivery efficacy, we introduced the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) in the RH-(GFLG)3 nanoparticle system. LL-Dox exhibited formulation stability, maintaining the physical properties of the nanostructure, as well as a robust anticancer effect in HeLa cells compared to DD-Dox. These results indicate that the enzyme-sensitive RH-(GFLG)3 peptide nanoparticles are promising candidates as drug delivery carriers for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Jeong Song
- Korean Medicine Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea;
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Joon Sig Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-(42)-821-5489
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22
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Baroud M, Lepeltier E, El-Makhour Y, Lautram N, Bejaud J, Thepot S, Duval O. Azacitidine Omega-3 Self-Assemblies: Synthesis, Characterization, and Potent Applications for Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1317. [PMID: 34959720 PMCID: PMC8706301 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Azacitidine, a cytidine analogue used as a hypomethylating agent, is one of the main drugs for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly. However, after administration, it exhibits several limitations, including restricted diffusion and cellular internalization due to its hydrophilicity, and a rapid enzymatic degradation by adenosine deaminase. The aim of this study was to improve the drug cell diffusion and protect it from metabolic degradation via the synthesis of amphiphilic prodrugs and their potential self-assembly. Azacitidine was conjugated to two different omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The carboxylic acid group of the omega-3 fatty acids was effectively conjugated to the amine group of the azacitidine base, yielding two amphiphilic prodrugs. Nanoprecipitation of the obtained prodrugs was performed and self-assemblies were successfully obtained for both prodrugs, with a mean diameter of 190 nm, a polydispersity index below 0.2 and a positive zeta potential. The formation of self-assemblies was confirmed using pyrene as a fluorescent dye, and the critical aggregation concentrations were determined: 400 µM for AzaEPA and 688 µM for AzaDHA. Additionally, the stability of the obtained self-assemblies was studied and after 5 days their final stable arrangement was reached. Additionally, cryo-TEM revealed that the self-assemblies attain a multilamellar vesicle supramolecular structure. Moreover, the obtained self-assemblies presented promising cytotoxicity on a leukemia human cell line, having a low IC50 value, comparable to that of free azacitidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Baroud
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Elise Lepeltier
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Yolla El-Makhour
- Environmental Health Research Lab, Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Nabatieh 1700, Lebanon;
| | - Nolwenn Lautram
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Jerome Bejaud
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
| | - Sylvain Thepot
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France;
- Federation Hospital of Universitaire Grand Ouest Acute Leukemia (FHU GOAL), 49933 Angers, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Nantes Angers (CRCINA), INSERM, University of Angers, 49933 Angers, France
| | - Olivier Duval
- Micro & Nanomedecines Translationnelles (MINT), Inserm, The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), SFR ICAT, University of Angers, 49000 Angers, France; (M.B.); (E.L.); (N.L.); (J.B.)
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Angers, 49933 Angers, France;
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23
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Paruchuri BC, Gopal V, Sarupria S, Larsen J. Toward enzyme-responsive polymersome drug delivery. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2021; 16:2679-2693. [PMID: 34870451 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In drug delivery, enzyme-responsive drug carriers are becoming increasingly relevant because of the growing association of disease pathology with enzyme overexpression. Polymersomes are of interest to such applications because of their tunable properties. While polymersomes open up a wide range of chemical and physical properties to explore, they also present a challenge in developing generalized rules for the synthesis of novel systems. Motivated by this issue, in this perspective, we summarize the existing knowledge on enzyme-responsive polymersomes and outline the main design choices. Then, we propose heuristics to guide the design of novel systems. Finally, we discuss the potential of an integrated approach using computer simulations and experimental studies to streamline this design process and close the existing knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Varun Gopal
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering & Material Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sapna Sarupria
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.,Center for Optical Materials Science & Engineering Technologies (COMSET), Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29670, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Jessica Larsen
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
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24
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Bae J, Kim H, Kim G, Song J, Kim H. Dendrimer-Like Supramolecular Assembly of Proteins with a Tunable Size and Valency Through Stepwise Iterative Growth. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2102991. [PMID: 34719882 PMCID: PMC8693032 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202102991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of proteins in a programmable manner provides insight into the creation of novel functional nanomaterials for practical applications. Despite many advances, however, a rational protein assembly with an easy scalability in terms of size and valency remains a challenge. Here, a simple bottom-up approach to the supramolecular protein assembly with a tunable size and valency in a programmable manner is presented. The dendrimer-like protein assembly, simply called a "protein dendrimer," is constructed through a stepwise and alternate addition of a building block protein. Starting from zeroth-generation protein dendrimer (pG0 ) of 27 kDa, the protein dendrimer is sequentially grown to pG1 , pG2 , pG3 , to pG4 with a molecular mass of 94, 216, 483, and 959 kDa, respectively. The valency of the protein dendrimers at the periphery increases by a factor of two after each generation, allowing a tunable valency and easy functionalization. The protein dendrimers functionalizes with a targeting moiety and a cytotoxic protein cargo shows a typical feature of multi-valency in the avidity and a highly enhanced cellular cytotoxicity, exemplifying their utility as a protein delivery platform. The present approach can be effectively used in the creation of protein architectures with new functions for biotechnological and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin‐Ho Bae
- Department of Biological SciencesKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Korea
- Present address:
ProEn TherapeuticsSeongnam‐si13105Korea
| | - Hong‐Sik Kim
- Department of Biological SciencesKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Korea
| | - Gijeong Kim
- Department of Biological SciencesKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Korea
| | - Ji‐Joon Song
- Department of Biological SciencesKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Korea
| | - Hak‐Sung Kim
- Department of Biological SciencesKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Korea
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25
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Wang Z, Little N, Chen J, Lambesis KT, Le KT, Han W, Scott AJ, Lu J. Immunogenic camptothesome nanovesicles comprising sphingomyelin-derived camptothecin bilayers for safe and synergistic cancer immunochemotherapy. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 16:1130-1140. [PMID: 34385682 PMCID: PMC8855709 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-00950-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the enormous therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), it benefits only a small subset of patients. Some chemotherapeutics can switch 'immune-cold' tumours to 'immune-hot' to synergize with ICB. However, safe and universal therapeutic platforms implementing such immune effects remain scarce. We demonstrate that sphingomyelin-derived camptothecin nanovesicles (camptothesomes) elicit potent granzyme-B- and perforin-mediated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, potentiating PD-L1/PD-1 co-blockade to eradicate subcutaneous MC38 adenocarcinoma with developed memory immunity. In addition, camptothesomes improve the pharmacokinetics and lactone stability of camptothecin, avoid systemic toxicities, penetrate deeply into the tumour and outperform the antitumour efficacy of Onivyde. Camptothesome co-load the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibitor indoximod into its interior using the lipid-bilayer-crossing capability of the immunogenic cell death inducer doxorubicin, eliminating clinically relevant advanced orthotopic CT26-Luc tumours and late-stage B16-F10-Luc2 melanoma, and achieving complete metastasis remission when combined with ICB and folate targeting. The sphingomyelin-derived nanotherapeutic platform and doxorubicin-enabled transmembrane transporting technology are generalizable to various therapeutics, paving the way for transformation of the cancer immunochemotherapy paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiren Wang
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nicholas Little
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kevin Tyler Lambesis
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kimberly Thi Le
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Weiguo Han
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Aaron James Scott
- NCI-Designated University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jianqin Lu
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- NCI-Designated University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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26
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Folate-Targeted Monodisperse PEG-Based Conjugates Made by Chemo-Enzymatic Methods for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910347. [PMID: 34638688 PMCID: PMC8509027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper focuses on preliminary in vitro and in vivo testing of new bivalent folate-targeted PEGylated doxorubicin (DOX) made by modular chemo-enzymatic processes (FA2-dPEG-DOX2). A unique feature is the use of monodisperse PEG (dPEG). The modular approach with enzyme catalysis ensures exclusive γ-conjugation of folic acid, full conversion and selectivity, and no metal catalyst residues. Flow cytometry analysis showed that at 10 µM concentration, both free DOX and FA2-dPEG-DOX2 would be taken up by 99.9% of triple-negative breast cancer cells in 2 h. Intratumoral injection to mice seemed to delay tumor growth more than intravenous delivery. The mouse health status, food, water consumption, and behavior remained unchanged during the observation.
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27
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Allemailem KS, Almatroudi A, Alrumaihi F, Almatroodi SA, Alkurbi MO, Basfar GT, Rahmani AH, Khan AA. Novel Approaches of Dysregulating Lysosome Functions in Cancer Cells by Specific Drugs and Its Nanoformulations: A Smart Approach of Modern Therapeutics. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:5065-5098. [PMID: 34345172 PMCID: PMC8324981 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s321343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The smart strategy of cancer cells to bypass the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway has led to the discovery of novel anti-cancer approaches including the targeting of lysosomes. Recent discoveries observed that lysosomes perform far beyond just recycling of cellular waste, as these organelles are metabolically very active and mediate several signalling pathways to sense the cellular metabolic status. These organelles also play a significant role in mediating the immune system functions. Thus, direct or indirect lysosome-targeting with different drugs can be considered a novel therapeutic approach in different disease including cancer. Recently, some anticancer lysosomotropic drugs (eg, nortriptyline, siramesine, desipramine) and their nanoformulations have been engineered to specifically accumulate within these organelles. These drugs can enhance lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP) or disrupt the activity of resident enzymes and protein complexes, like v-ATPase and mTORC1. Other anticancer drugs like doxorubicin, quinacrine, chloroquine and DQ661 have also been used which act through multi-target points. In addition, autophagy inhibitors, ferroptosis inducers and fluorescent probes have also been used as novel theranostic agents. Several lysosome-specific drug nanoformulations like mixed charge and peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), Au-ZnO hybrid NPs, TPP-PEG-biotin NPs, octadecyl-rhodamine-B and cationic liposomes, etc. have been synthesized by diverse methods. These nanoformulations can target cathepsins, glucose-regulated protein 78, or other lysosome specific proteins in different cancers. The specific targeting of cancer cell lysosomes with drug nanoformulations is quite recent and faces tremendous challenges like toxicity concerns to normal tissues, which may be resolved in future research. The anticancer applications of these nanoformulations have led them up to various stages of clinical trials. Here in this review article, we present the recent updates about the lysosome ultrastructure, its cross-talk with other organelles, and the novel strategies of targeting this organelle in tumor cells as a recent innovative approach of cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled S Allemailem
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Almatroudi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris Alrumaihi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Almatroodi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad O Alkurbi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghaiyda Talal Basfar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arshad Husain Rahmani
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amjad Ali Khan
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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28
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Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins are proteases critical in physiopathological processes and show potential as targets or biomarkers for diseases and medical conditions. The 11 members of the cathepsin family are redundant in some cases but remarkably independent of others, demanding the development of both pan-cathepsin targeting tools as well as probes that are selective for specific cathepsins with little off-target activity. This review addresses the diverse design strategies that have been employed to accomplish this tailored selectivity among cysteine cathepsin targets and the imaging modalities incorporated. The power of these diverse tools is contextualized by briefly highlighting the nature of a few prominent cysteine cathepsins, their involvement in select diseases, and the application of cathepsin imaging probes in research spanning basic biochemical studies to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelton A Schleyer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Lina Cui
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1345 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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29
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Zhang D, Wang Z, Hu S, Balamkundu S, To J, Zhang X, Lescar J, Tam JP, Liu CF. pH-Controlled Protein Orthogonal Ligation Using Asparaginyl Peptide Ligases. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:8704-8712. [PMID: 34096285 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c02638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Peptide asparaginyl ligases (PALs) catalyze transpeptidation at the Asn residue of a short Asn-Xaa1-Xaa2 tripeptide motif. Due to their high catalytic activity toward the P1-Asn substrates at around neutral pH, PALs have been used extensively for peptide ligation at asparaginyl junctions. PALs also bind to aspartyl substrates, but only when the γCOOH of P1-Asp remains in its neutral, protonated form, which usually requires an acidic pH. However, this limits the availability of the amine nucleophile and, consequently, the ligation efficiency at aspartyl junctions. Because of this perceived inefficiency, the use of PALs for Asp-specific ligation remains largely unexplored. We found that PAL enzymes, such as VyPAL2, display appreciable catalytic activities toward P1-Asp substrates at pH 4-5, which are at least 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of sortase A, making them practically useful for both intra- and intermolecular ligations. This also allows sequential ligations, first at Asp and then at Asn junctions, because the newly formed aspartyl peptide bond is resistant to the ligase at the pH used for asparaginyl ligation in the second step. Using this pH-controlled orthogonal ligation method, we dually labeled truncated sfGFP with a cancer-targeting peptide and a doxorubicin derivative at the respective N- and C-terminal ends in the N-to-C direction. In addition, a fluorescein tag and doxorubicin derivative were tagged to an EGFR-targeting affibody in the C-to-N direction. This study shows that the pH-dependent catalytic activity of PAL enzymes can be exploited to prepare multifunction protein biologics for pharmacological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingpeng Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Side Hu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | | | - Janet To
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Julien Lescar
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - James P Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Chuan-Fa Liu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
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30
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Rana A, Bhatnagar S. Advancements in folate receptor targeting for anti-cancer therapy: A small molecule-drug conjugate approach. Bioorg Chem 2021; 112:104946. [PMID: 33989916 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Targeted delivery combined with controlled release of drugs has a crucial role in future of personalized medicine. The majority of cancer drugs are intended to interfere with one or more cellular events. Anticancer agents can also be toxic to healthy cells, as healthy cells may also need to proliferate and avoid apoptosis. The focus of this review covers the principles, advantages, drawbacks and summarize criteria that must be met for design of small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs) to achieve the desired therapeutic potency with minimal toxicity. SMDCs are composed of a targeting ligand, a releasable bridge, a spacer, and a therapeutic payload. We summarize the criteria for the effective design that influences the selection of tumor specific receptor and optimum elements in the design of SMDCs. We also discuss the criteria for selecting the optimal therapeutic drug payload, spacer and linker. The linker chemistries and cleavage strategies are also discussed. Finally, we review the folate receptor targeting SMDCs that are in preclinical development and in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash Rana
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Seema Bhatnagar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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31
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Baroud M, Lepeltier E, Thepot S, El-Makhour Y, Duval O. The evolution of nucleosidic analogues: self-assembly of prodrugs into nanoparticles for cancer drug delivery. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:2157-2179. [PMID: 36133769 PMCID: PMC9418958 DOI: 10.1039/d0na01084g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Nucleoside and nucleotide analogs are essential tools in our limited arsenal in the fight against cancer. However, these structures face severe drawbacks such as rapid plasma degradation or hydrophilicity, limiting their clinical application. Here, different aspects of nucleoside and nucleotide analogs have been exposed, while providing their shortcomings. Aiming to improve their fate in the body and combating their drawbacks, two different approaches have been discussed, the prodrug and nanocarrier technologies. Finally, a novel approach called "PUFAylation" based on both the prodrug and nanocarrier technologies has been introduced, promising to be the supreme method to create a novel nucleoside or nucleotide analog based formulation, with enhanced efficacy and highly reduced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Baroud
- Micro et Nanomédecines Translationnelles, MINT, UNIV Angers, UMR INSERM 1066, UMR CNRS 6021 Angers France
| | - Elise Lepeltier
- Micro et Nanomédecines Translationnelles, MINT, UNIV Angers, UMR INSERM 1066, UMR CNRS 6021 Angers France
| | - Sylvain Thepot
- University Hospital of Angers, Hematology 49933 Angers France
- Université d'Angers, Inserm, CRCINA 49000 Angers France
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire 'Grand Ouest Against Leukemia' (FHU GOAL) France
| | - Yolla El-Makhour
- Environmental Health Research Lab (EHRL), Faculty of Sciences V, Lebanese University Nabatieh Lebanon
| | - Olivier Duval
- Micro et Nanomédecines Translationnelles, MINT, UNIV Angers, UMR INSERM 1066, UMR CNRS 6021 Angers France
- University Hospital of Angers, Hematology 49933 Angers France
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32
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Yin S, Wang Y, Zhang B, Qu Y, Liu Y, Dai S, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Bi J. Engineered Human Heavy-Chain Ferritin with Half-Life Extension and Tumor Targeting by PAS and RGDK Peptide Functionalization. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13040521. [PMID: 33918853 PMCID: PMC8070472 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferritin, one of the most investigated protein nanocages, is considered as a promising drug carrier because of its advantageous stability and safety. However, its short half-life and undesirable tumor targeting ability has limited its usage in tumor treatment. In this work, two types of functional peptides, half-life extension peptide PAS, and tumor targeting peptide RGDK (Arg-Gly-Asp-Lys), are inserted to human heavy-chain ferritin (HFn) at C-terminal through flexible linkers with two distinct enzyme cleavable sites. Structural characterizations show both HFn and engineered HFns can assemble into nanoparticles but with different apparent hydrodynamic volumes and molecular weights. RGDK peptide enhanced the internalization efficiency of HFn and showed a significant increase of growth inhibition against 4T1 cell line in vitro. Pharmacokinetic study in vivo demonstrates PAS peptides extended ferritin half-life about 4.9 times in Sprague Dawley rats. RGDK peptides greatly enhanced drug accumulation in the tumor site rather than in other organs in biodistribution analysis. Drug loaded PAS-RGDK functionalized HFns curbed tumor growth with significantly greater efficacies in comparison with drug loaded HFn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Yin
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA5005, Australia; (S.Y.); (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China;
| | - Bingyang Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA5005, Australia; (S.Y.); (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Yiran Qu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA5005, Australia; (S.Y.); (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Yongdong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemistry Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Sheng Dai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK;
| | - Yao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemistry Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yingli Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China;
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (J.B.)
| | - Jingxiu Bi
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA5005, Australia; (S.Y.); (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (J.B.)
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33
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Yang S, Shim MK, Kim WJ, Choi J, Nam GH, Kim J, Kim J, Moon Y, Kim HY, Park J, Park Y, Kim IS, Ryu JH, Kim K. Cancer-activated doxorubicin prodrug nanoparticles induce preferential immune response with minimal doxorubicin-related toxicity. Biomaterials 2021; 272:120791. [PMID: 33831739 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The effective chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin (DOX), elicits immunogenic cell death (ICD) and additional anticancer immune responses during chemotherapy. However, it also induces severe side effects and systemic immunosuppression, hampering its wide clinical application. Herein, we constructed cancer-activated DOX prodrug by conjugating the cathepsin B-cleavable peptide (Phe-Arg-Arg-Gly, FRRG) to a doxorubicin (DOX), resulting in FRRG-DOX that self-assembled into cancer-activated DOX prodrug nanoparticles (CAP-NPs). The resulting CAP-NPs were further stabilized with the FDA-approved compound, Pluronic F68. CAP-NPs formed stable prodrug nanoparticles and they were specifically cleaved to cytotoxic DOX molecules only in cathepsin B-overexpressing cancer cells, inducing a cancer cell-specific cytotoxicity. In particular, the CAP-NPs induced ICD through cathepsin B-cleavage mechanism only in targeted cancer cells in vitro. In colon tumor-bearing mice, selectively accumulated CAP-NPs at tumors enhanced antitumor immunity without DOX-related severe toxicity, inflammatory response and systemic immunosuppression. Moreover, cytotoxicity against immune cells infiltrated into tumor microenvironment was significantly reduced compared to free DOX, leading to increased response to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The combinatorial treatment of CAP-NPs with anti-PD-L1 exhibited high rate of complete tumor regression (50%) compared to free DOX with anti-PD-L1. Concurrently, DOX-related side effects were greatly reduced during chemoimmunotherapy. Collectively, our results suggest that cancer-activated DOX prodrug nanoparticles provide a promising approach to increase clinical benefit by inducing an immune response preferentially only to targeted cancer cells, not to normal cells and immune cells, and potentiates checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suah Yang
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Kyu Shim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jun Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoong Choi
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Hoon Nam
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongrae Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinseong Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujeong Moon
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Young Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Park
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - In-San Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hee Ryu
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kwangmeyung Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea; Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarangno 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
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Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Rahbarizadeh F, Khoshtinat Nikkhoi S. Strategies for Dodging the Obstacles in CAR T Cell Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:627549. [PMID: 33869011 PMCID: PMC8047470 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.627549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has offered cancer patients a new alternative therapeutic choice in recent years. This novel type of therapy holds tremendous promise for the treatment of various hematologic malignancies including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and lymphoma. However, CAR T cell therapy has experienced its ups and downs in terms of toxicities and efficacy shortcomings. Adverse events such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, graft rejection, on-target off-tumor toxicities, and tumor relapse have tied the rescuing hands of CAR T cell therapies. Moreover, in the case of solid tumor treatment, CAR T cell therapies have not yielded encouraging results mainly due to challenges such as the formidable network of the tumor microenvironments (TME) that operates in a suppressive fashion resulting in CAR T cell dysfunction. In this review, we tend to shine a light on emerging strategies and solutions for addressing the mentioned barriers. These solutions might dramatically help shorten the gap between a successful clinical outcome and the hope for it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Sun Y, Davis E. Nanoplatforms for Targeted Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery: A Review of Platform Materials and Stimuli-Responsive Release and Targeting Mechanisms. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:746. [PMID: 33809633 PMCID: PMC8000772 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To achieve the promise of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer, they should (1) avoid premature clearance; (2) accumulate in tumors and undergo endocytosis by cancer cells; and (3) exhibit appropriate stimuli-responsive release of the payload. It is challenging to address all of these requirements simultaneously. However, the numerous proof-of-concept studies addressing one or more of these requirements reported every year have dramatically expanded the toolbox available for the design of drug delivery systems. This review highlights recent advances in the targeting and stimuli-responsiveness of drug delivery systems. It begins with a discussion of nanocarrier types and an overview of the factors influencing nanocarrier biodistribution. On-demand release strategies and their application to each type of nanocarrier are reviewed, including both endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Recent developments in stimuli-responsive targeting strategies are also discussed. The remaining challenges and prospective solutions in the field are discussed throughout the review, which is intended to assist researchers in overcoming interdisciplinary knowledge barriers and increase the speed of development. This review presents a nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems toolbox that enables the application of techniques across platforms and inspires researchers with interdisciplinary information to boost the development of multifunctional therapeutic nanoplatforms for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Davis
- Materials Engineering Program, Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 101 Wilmore Drive, Auburn, AL 36830, USA;
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Vizovisek M, Ristanovic D, Menghini S, Christiansen MG, Schuerle S. The Tumor Proteolytic Landscape: A Challenging Frontier in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052514. [PMID: 33802262 PMCID: PMC7958950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, dysregulation of proteases and atypical proteolysis have become increasingly recognized as important hallmarks of cancer, driving community-wide efforts to explore the proteolytic landscape of oncologic disease. With more than 100 proteases currently associated with different aspects of cancer development and progression, there is a clear impetus to harness their potential in the context of oncology. Advances in the protease field have yielded technologies enabling sensitive protease detection in various settings, paving the way towards diagnostic profiling of disease-related protease activity patterns. Methods including activity-based probes and substrates, antibodies, and various nanosystems that generate reporter signals, i.e., for PET or MRI, after interaction with the target protease have shown potential for clinical translation. Nevertheless, these technologies are costly, not easily multiplexed, and require advanced imaging technologies. While the current clinical applications of protease-responsive technologies in oncologic settings are still limited, emerging technologies and protease sensors are poised to enable comprehensive exploration of the tumor proteolytic landscape as a diagnostic and therapeutic frontier. This review aims to give an overview of the most relevant classes of proteases as indicators for tumor diagnosis, current approaches to detect and monitor their activity in vivo, and associated therapeutic applications.
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Synthesis, characterization, and targeted chemotherapy of SCT200-linker-monomethyl auristatin E conjugates. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 216:113297. [PMID: 33677351 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are currently among the most successful and important strategies for treating patients with solid tumors. ADCs are composed of a monoclonal antibody and warhead, which are conjugated via a linker. Currently, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) is the most widely applied warhead in the development of ADCs. However, MMAE-based ADCs are generally constructed using the MC-VC-PABC linker, and this design has limited structural diversity and some disadvantages. Accordingly, in this study, we generated three types of novel linker-MMAE (with alterations in the spacer, catabolizing area, and self-immolative compared with MC-VC-PABC-MMAE) in ADCs, termed SCT200-linker-MMAE conjugates, and then evaluated the linker-drug plasma stability and the rate of drug release by cathepsin B. The binding ability, internalization rates, and efficacy of all SCT200-linker-MMAE ADCs were systematically studied, and the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and the therapeutic efficacies of SCT200-M-2, -C-2, and -C-4 were evaluated. The results showed that the activities of some of these ADCs were increased for epidermal growth factor receptor-positive tumors. Moreover, the novel linkers designed in this study can be linked with other antibodies to treat other types of cancer. Overall, these findings provide important insights into the application of SCT200-based linkers in ADCs.
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Chong SE, Oh JH, Min K, Park S, Choi S, Ahn JH, Chun D, Lee HH, Yu J, Lee Y. Intracellular delivery of immunoglobulin G at nanomolar concentrations with domain Z-fused multimeric α-helical cell penetrating peptides. J Control Release 2021; 330:161-172. [PMID: 33340565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A new vehicle is designed for the intracellular delivery of antibodies at nanomolar concentrations by combination of domain Z, a small affibody with strong binding affinity to Fc regions of immunoglobulin G (IgG), and the multimers of LK sequences, α-helical cell penetrating peptides (CPP) with powerful cell penetrating activities. Domain Z and multimeric LK are fused together to form LK-domain Z proteins. The LK-domain Z can bind with IgG at a specific ratio at nanomolar concentrations by simple mixing. The IgG/LK-domain Z complexes can successfully penetrate live cells at nanomolar concentration and the delivery efficiency is strongly dependent upon the concentrations of IgG/LK-domain Z complex as well as the species and subclasses of IgGs. The IgG/LK-domain Z complexes penetrate cells via ATP-dependent endocytosis pathway and the majority of delivered IgG seems to escape endosome to cytosol. Remarkably, the delivered IgGs are able to control the targeted intracellular signaling pathway as shown in the down-regulation of pro-survival genes by the delivery of anti-NF-κB using an LK-domain Z vehicle with a cathepsin B-cleavable linker between the LK sequence and domain Z. The simple but very efficient intracellular delivery method of antibodies at nanomolar concentrations is expected to facilitate profound understanding of cell mechanisms and development of new future therapeutics on the basis of intracellular antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Eun Chong
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Oh
- ERATO Hamachi Innovative Molecular Technology for Neuroscience, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Katsura, Katsura Int'tech Center #308, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8530, Japan
| | - Kyungjin Min
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyun Park
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sejong Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Hyung Ahn
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dahyun Chun
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Ho Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehoon Yu
- Department of Chemistry & Education, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yan Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Cahuzac H, Devel L. Analytical Methods for the Detection and Quantification of ADCs in Biological Matrices. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13120462. [PMID: 33327644 PMCID: PMC7765153 DOI: 10.3390/ph13120462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) is a one of the critical steps enabling their successful development and optimization. Their complex structure combining large and small molecule characteristics brought out multiple bioanalytical methods to decipher the behavior and fate of both components in vivo. In this respect, these methods must provide insights into different key elements including half-life and blood stability of the construct, premature release of the drug, whole-body biodistribution, and amount of the drug accumulated within the targeted pathological tissues, all of them being directly related to efficacy and safety of the ADC. In this review, we will focus on the main strategies enabling to quantify and characterize ADCs in biological matrices and discuss their associated technical challenges and current limitations.
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Zhou N, Zhang N, Zhi Z, Jing X, Liu D, Shao Y, Wang D, Meng L. One-pot synthesis of acid-degradable polyphosphazene prodrugs for efficient tumor chemotherapy. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:10540-10548. [PMID: 33118582 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01992e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In order to improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the side effects of anticancer drugs, stimuli-responsive and biodegradable drug-delivery systems have attracted significant attention in the past three decades. Herein, we report acid-responsive and degradable polyphosphazene nano-prodrugs synthesized via a one-pot cross-linking reaction of 4-hydroxybenzhydrazide-modified doxorubicin (BMD) with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP). The phenol groups in the as-synthesized BMD exhibited a high reactivity towards HCCP and in the presence of a basic catalyst the determined drug loading ratio of the nanoparticles, denoted as HCCP-BMD, was up to 85.64%. Interestingly, the hydrazone bonds in BMD and the skeleton of polyphosphazene tended to break down in acidic environments, and the antitumor active drug DOX was found to be released in an acidic tumor microenvironment (pH ∼ 6.8 for extracellular, and pH ∼ 5.0 for endosomes and lysosomes). The resulting HCCP-BMD prodrug exhibited high cytotoxicity to HeLa cells and could effectively suppress tumor growth, with negligible damage to normal tissues. We therefore believe that this acid- degradable polyphosphazene prodrug may offer great potential in various biomedical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhou
- School of Chemistry, MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Sustainable Energy Material Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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Boyce JH, Dang B, Ary B, Edmondson Q, Craik CS, DeGrado WF, Seiple IB. Platform to Discover Protease-Activated Antibiotics and Application to Siderophore-Antibiotic Conjugates. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:21310-21321. [PMID: 33301681 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c06987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Here we present a platform for discovery of protease-activated prodrugs and apply it to antibiotics that target Gram-negative bacteria. Because cleavable linkers for prodrugs had not been developed for bacterial proteases, we used substrate phage to discover substrates for proteases found in the bacterial periplasm. Rather than focusing on a single protease, we used a periplasmic extract of E. coli to find sequences with the greatest susceptibility to the endogenous mixture of periplasmic proteases. Using a fluorescence assay, candidate sequences were evaluated to identify substrates that release native amine-containing payloads. We next designed conjugates consisting of (1) an N-terminal siderophore to facilitate uptake, (2) a protease-cleavable linker, and (3) an amine-containing antibiotic. Using this strategy, we converted daptomycin-which by itself is active only against Gram-positive bacteria-into an antibiotic capable of targeting Gram-negative Acinetobacter species. We similarly demonstrated siderophore-facilitated delivery of oxazolidinone and macrolide antibiotics into a number of Gram-negative species. These results illustrate this platform's utility for development of protease-activated prodrugs, including Trojan horse antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Boyce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Bobo Dang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China.,Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China.,Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Beatrice Ary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Quinn Edmondson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Ian B Seiple
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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Li Y, Mei T, Han S, Han T, Sun Y, Zhang H, An F. Cathepsin B-responsive nanodrug delivery systems for precise diagnosis and targeted therapy of malignant tumors. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Abstract
Enzymes are a class of protein that catalyze a wide range of chemical reactions, including the cleavage of specific peptide bonds. They are expressed in all cell types, play vital roles in tissue development and homeostasis, and in many diseases, such as cancer. Enzymatic activity is tightly controlled through the use of inactive pro-enzymes, endogenous inhibitors and spatial localization. Since the presence of specific enzymes is often correlated with biological processes, and these proteins can directly modify biomolecules, they are an ideal biological input for cell-responsive biomaterials. These materials include both natural and synthetic polymers, cross-linked hydrogels and self-assembled peptide nanostructures. Within these systems enzymatic activity has been used to induce biodegradation, release therapeutic agents and for disease diagnosis. As technological advancements increase our ability to quantify the expression and nanoscale organization of proteins in cells and tissues, as well as the synthesis of increasingly complex and well-defined biomaterials, enzyme-responsive biomaterials are poised to play vital roles in the future of biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Thomas Pashuck
- Department of Bioengineering, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, Lehigh University Bethlehem Pennsylvania USA
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Karaosmanoglu S, Zhou M, Shi B, Zhang X, Williams GR, Chen X. Carrier-free nanodrugs for safe and effective cancer treatment. J Control Release 2020; 329:805-832. [PMID: 33045313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Clinical applications of many anti-cancer drugs are restricted due to their hydrophobic nature, requiring use of harmful organic solvents for administration, and poor selectivity and pharmacokinetics resulting in off-target toxicity and inefficient therapies. A wide variety of carrier-based nanoparticles have been developed to tackle these issues, but such strategies often fail to encapsulate drug efficiently and require significant amounts of inorganic and/or organic nanocarriers which may cause toxicity problems in the long term. Preparation of nano-formulations for the delivery of water insoluble drugs without using carriers is thus desired, requiring elegantly designed strategies for products with high quality, stability and performance. These strategies include simple self-assembly or involving chemical modifications via coupling drugs together or conjugating them with various functional molecules such as lipids, carbohydrates and photosensitizers. During nanodrugs synthesis, insertion of redox-responsive linkers and tumor targeting ligands endows them with additional characteristics like on-target delivery, and conjugation with immunotherapeutic reagents enhances immune response alongside therapeutic efficacy. This review aims to summarize the methods of making carrier-free nanodrugs from hydrophobic drug molecules, evaluating their performance, and discussing the advantages, challenges, and future development of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sena Karaosmanoglu
- School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK
| | - Mengjiao Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, 226000, Nantong, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Bingyang Shi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Gareth R Williams
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
| | - Xianfeng Chen
- School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK.
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Herceg V, Bouilloux J, Janikowska K, Allémann E, Lange N. Cathepsin B-Cleavable Cyclopeptidic Chemotherapeutic Prodrugs. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184285. [PMID: 32962018 PMCID: PMC7570921 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclopeptidic chemotherapeutic prodrugs (cPCPs) are macromolecular protease-sensitive doxorubicin (DOX) prodrugs synthesized from a cyclodecapeptidic scaffold, termed Regioselectively Addressable Functionalized Template (RAFT). In order to increase the chemotherapeutic potential of DOX and limit its toxicity, we used a Cathepsin B (Cat B)-sensitive prodrug concept for its targeted release since this enzyme is frequently overexpressed in cancer cells. Copper-free “click” chemistry was used to synthesize cPCPs containing up to four DOX moieties tethered to the upper face of the scaffold through a Cat B-cleavable peptidic linker (GAGRRAAG). On the lower part, PEG 5, 10 and 20 kDa and a fifth peptidyl DOX moiety were grafted in order to improve the solubility, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profiles of the compound. In vitro results on HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells showed that cPCPs display a delayed action that consists of a cell cycle arrest in the G2 phase comparable to DOX alone, and increased cell membrane permeability.
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Wang S, Zhou D, Xu Z, Song J, Qian X, Lv X, Luan J. Anti-tumor Drug Targets Analysis: Current Insight and Future Prospect. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:1180-1202. [PMID: 30947670 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666190402145325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of malignant tumors are on the rise, which has become the second leading cause of death in the world. At present, anti-tumor drugs are one of the most common methods for treating cancer. In recent years, with the in-depth study of tumor biology and related disciplines, it has been gradually discovered that the essence of cell carcinogenesis is the infinite proliferation of cells caused by the disorder of cell signal transduction pathways, followed by a major shift in the concept of anti-tumor drugs research and development. The focus of research and development is shifting from traditional cytotoxic drugs to a new generation of anti-tumor drugs targeted at abnormal signaling system targets in tumor cells. In this review, we summarize the targets of anti-tumor drugs and analyse the molecular mechanisms of their effects, which lay a foundation for subsequent treatment, research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Dexi Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jing Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xueyi Qian
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiongwen Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Liver Disease of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jiajie Luan
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
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47
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Nair JB, Mohapatra S, Joseph MM, Maniganda S, Gupta V, Ghosh S, Maiti KK. Tracking the Footprints of Paclitaxel Delivery and Mechanistic Action via SERS Trajectory in Glioblastoma Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:5254-5263. [PMID: 33455274 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The design and development of an efficacious tumor-specific drug-delivery system is a challenging task. In this study, we have synthesized target-specific small peptide substrates on an octaguanidine sorbitol scaffold, named small molecular targeted drug-delivery conjugate (SMTDDC). The SMTDDC fabrication, with dual targeting cRGD and Cathepsin B (Cath B)-specific tripeptide (Glu-Lys-Phe), altered the microtubule network of glioblastoma cells by the orchestrated release of the cytotoxic paclitaxel (PTX). Cath B assisted PTX delivery was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) modalities. The time-dependent SERS fingerprinting and imaging revealed a fast and accurate PTX release profile and subsequent in vitro cytotoxicity as well as the apoptotic events and microtubule network alteration in U-87 MG glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, SMTDDC displayed adequate stability under physiological conditions and demonstrated biocompatibility toward red blood cells and lymphocytes. This study indicated a new insight on SERS-guided peptidomimetic sorbitol molecular transporter, enabling a greater promise with high potential for the further development of PTX delivery in glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyothi B Nair
- Chemical Sciences & Technology Division (CSTD), Organic Chemistry Section, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Industrial Estate, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Saswat Mohapatra
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, West Bengal, India.,Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 65, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India.,Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre (JMDRC) and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Manu M Joseph
- Chemical Sciences & Technology Division (CSTD), Organic Chemistry Section, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Industrial Estate, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India
| | - Santhi Maniganda
- Chemical Sciences & Technology Division (CSTD), Organic Chemistry Section, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Industrial Estate, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Varsha Gupta
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, West Bengal, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, West Bengal, India.,Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 65, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Kaustabh Kumar Maiti
- Chemical Sciences & Technology Division (CSTD), Organic Chemistry Section, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology (NIIST), Industrial Estate, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram 695019, Kerala, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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48
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Yang F, Xu J, Fu M, Ji J, Chi L, Zhai G. Development of stimuli-responsive intelligent polymer micelles for the delivery of doxorubicin. J Drug Target 2020; 28:993-1011. [PMID: 32378974 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1766474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Doxorubicin is still used as a first-line drug in current therapeutics for numerous types of malignant tumours (including lymphoma, transplantable leukaemia and solid tumour). Nevertheless, to overcome the serious side effects like cardiotoxicity and myelosuppression caused by effective doses of doxorubicin remains as a world-class puzzle. In recent years, the usage of biocompatible polymeric nanomaterials to form an intelligently sensitive carrier for the targeted release in tumour microenvironment has attracted wide attention. These different intelligent polymeric micelles (PMs) could change the pharmacokinetics process of drugs or respond in the special microenvironment of tumour site to maximise the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of doxorubicin in other tissues and organs. Several intelligent PMs have already been in the clinical research stage and planned for market. Therefore, related research remains active, and the latest nanotechnology approaches for doxorubicin delivery are always in the spotlight. Centring on the model drugs doxorubicin, this review summarised the mechanisms of PMs, classified the polymers used in the application of doxorubicin delivery and discussed some interesting and imaginative smart PMs in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Jiangkang Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Manfei Fu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Jianbo Ji
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Liqun Chi
- Department of Pharmacy, Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guangxi Zhai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
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49
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Poreba M. Protease-activated prodrugs: strategies, challenges, and future directions. FEBS J 2020; 287:1936-1969. [PMID: 31991521 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Proteases play critical roles in virtually all biological processes, including proliferation, cell death and survival, protein turnover, and migration. However, when dysregulated, these enzymes contribute to the progression of multiple diseases, with cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation, and blood disorders being the most prominent examples. For a long time, disease-associated proteases have been used for the activation of various prodrugs due to their well-characterized catalytic activity and ability to selectively cleave only those substrates that strictly correspond with their active site architecture. To date, versatile peptide sequences that are cleaved by proteases in a site-specific manner have been utilized as bioactive linkers for the targeted delivery of multiple types of cargo, including fluorescent dyes, photosensitizers, cytotoxic drugs, antibiotics, and pro-antibodies. This platform is highly adaptive, as multiple protease-labile conjugates have already been developed, some of which are currently in clinical use for cancer treatment. In this review, recent advancements in the development of novel protease-cleavable linkers for selective drug delivery are described. Moreover, the current limitations regarding the selectivity of linkers are discussed, and the future perspectives that rely on the application of unnatural amino acids for the development of highly selective peptide linkers are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Poreba
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
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50
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Almuqbil RM, Heyder RS, Bielski ER, Durymanov M, Reineke JJ, da Rocha SRP. Dendrimer Conjugation Enhances Tumor Penetration and Efficacy of Doxorubicin in Extracellular Matrix-Expressing 3D Lung Cancer Models. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:1648-1662. [PMID: 32227969 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent broadly used in the treatment of a range of solid tumors. In spite of its high potency, as is the case for many other chemotherapeutic drugs, there are many challenges associated with the use of DOX in clinical oncology. This is particularly true for DOX in the treatment of lung cancer, where in vitro potency is shown to be very high, but low lung distribution and off-target toxicity (particularly cardiotoxicity) restrict its use. Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems (nanoDDS) have been shown to help alter biodistribution and alleviate off-target toxicity associated with DOX. While significant understanding exists regarding the design parameters to achieve those clinical benefits, much less is known regarding the design of nanoDDS capable of enhancing tumor penetration of DOX (and other drugs), which is another major factor leading to DOX's reduced efficacy. The purpose of this study was to design a dendrimer-based nanoDDS capable of enhancing the penetration of DOX as measured in an in vitro 3D lung tumor model and to correlate those results with its efficacy. Spheroids formed with the A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells/murine fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3 cell line) are shown to produce the essential components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is known as a physical barrier that hinders the transport of DOX. DOX was conjugated to generation 4 succinamic acid-terminated poly(amido-amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (G4SA) through an enzyme-liable tetrapeptide (G4SA-GFLG-DOX), resulting in a nanoDDS with ∼5.5 DOX, -17 mV surface (ζ) potential, and a 10 nm hydrodynamic diameter (HD). The penetration of DOX to the core of the spheroid in terms of DOX fluorescence was determined to be 3.1-fold greater compared to free DOX, which positively correlated with enhanced efficacy as measured by the Caspase 3/7 assay. This improved penetration happens as the interactions between the G4SA-GFLG-DOX and the highly negatively charged ECM are minimized by shielding the protonatable amine of DOX upon conjugation, and the HD of the conjugate is kept smaller than the estimated mesh size of the ECM. Interestingly, the conjugate provided more specificity for DOX to tumor cells compared to fibroblasts, while free DOX is equally distributed in both tumor and fibroblasts as assessed in the coculture spheroids. Growth inhibition studies show that the released DOX maintains its activity and leads to tumor reduction to the same extent as free DOX. The results obtained here are of relevance for the design of dendrimer-based nanoDDS and for the treatment of solid tumors as they provide critical information regarding desirable surface characteristics and sizes for efficient tumor penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mikhail Durymanov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota 57007, United States
| | - Joshua J Reineke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota 57007, United States
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