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Yang H, Zeng X, Liu J, Wen X, Liu H, Liang Y, Wang X, Fang J, Zhang Q, Li J, Zhang X, Guo Z. Development of small-molecular-based radiotracers for PET imaging of PD-L1 expression and guiding the PD-L1 therapeutics. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:1582-1592. [PMID: 38246910 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06610-3] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a crucial biomarker for immunotherapy. However, nearly 70% of patients do not respond to PD-L1 immune checkpoint therapy. Accurate monitoring of PD-L1 expression and quantification of target binding during treatment are essential. In this study, a series of small-molecule radiotracers were developed to assess PD-L1 expression and direct immunotherapy. METHODS Radiotracers of [68Ga]Ga-D-PMED, [68Ga]Ga-D-PEG-PMED, and [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED were designed based on a 2-methyl-3-biphenyl methanol scaffold and successfully synthesized. Cellular experiments and molecular docking assays were performed to determine their specificity for PD-L1. PD-L1 status was investigated via positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in MC38 tumor models. PET imaging of [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED was performed to noninvasively quantify PD-L1 blocking using an anti-mouse PD-L1 antibody (PD-L1 mAb). RESULTS The radiosyntheses of [68Ga]Ga-D-PMED, [68Ga]Ga-D-PEG-PMED, and [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED were achieved with radiochemical yields of 87 ± 6%, 82 ± 4%, and 79 ± 9%, respectively. In vitro competition assays demonstrated their high affinities (the IC50 values of [68Ga]Ga-D-PMED, [68Ga]Ga-D-PEG-PMED, and [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED were 90.66 ± 1.24, 160.8 ± 1.35, and 51.6 ± 1.32 nM, respectively). At 120 min postinjection (p.i.) of the radiotracers, MC38 tumors displayed optimized tumor-to-muscle ratios for all radioligands. Owing to its hydrophilic modification, [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED had the highest target-to-nontarget (T/NT) ratio of approximately 6.2 ± 1.2. Interestingly, the tumor/liver ratio was hardly affected by different concentrations of the inhibitor BMS202. We then evaluated the impacts of dose and time on accessible PD-L1 levels in the tumor during anti-mouse PD-L1 antibody treatment. The tumor uptake of [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED significantly decreased with increasing PD-L1 mAb dose. Moreover, after 8 days of treatment with a single antibody, the uptake of [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED in the tumor significantly increased but remained lower than that in the saline group. CONCLUSION PET imaging with [68Ga]Ga-D-pep-PMED, a small-molecule radiotracer, is a promising tool for evaluating PD-L1 expression and quantifying the target blockade of PD-L1 to assist in the development of effective therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xinying Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xuejun Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Huanhuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xueqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jianyang Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Qinglin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jindian Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianzhong Zhang
- Theranostics and Translational Research Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine & Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Zhide Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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Bojko M, Węgrzyn K, Sikorska E, Ciura P, Battin C, Steinberger P, Magiera-Mularz K, Dubin G, Kulesza A, Sieradzan AK, Spodzieja M, Rodziewicz-Motowidło S. Peptide-based inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis: potential immunotherapeutics for cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 42:101892. [PMID: 38359715 PMCID: PMC10877416 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The PD-1/PD-L1 complex belongs to the group of inhibitory immune checkpoints and plays a critical role in immune regulation. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is also responsible for immune evasion of cancer cells, and this complex is one of the main targets of immunotherapies used in oncology. Treatment using immune checkpoint inhibitors is mainly based on antibodies. This approach has great therapeutic potential; however, it also has major drawbacks and can induce immune-related adverse events. Thus, there is a strong need for alternative, non-antibody-based therapies using small molecules, peptides, or peptidomimetics. In the present study, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a set of PD-1-targeting peptides based on the sequence and structure of PD-L1. The binding of these peptides to PD-1 was investigated using SPR and ELISA. We also assessed their ability to compete with PD-L1 for binding to PD-1 and their inhibitory properties against the PD-1/PD-L1 complex at the cellular level. The best results were obtained for the peptide PD-L1(111-127)(Y112C-I126C), named (L11), which displaced PD-L1 from binding to PD-1 in the competitive assay and inhibited the formation of the PD-1/PD-L1 complex. The (L11) peptide also exhibited strong affinity for PD-1. NMR studies revealed that (L11) does not form a well-defined secondary structure; however, MD simulation indicated that (L11) binds to PD-1 at the same place as PD-L1. After further optimization of the structure, the peptide inhibitor obtained in this study could also be used as a potential therapeutic compound targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Bojko
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Węgrzyn
- University of Gdańsk, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Emilia Sikorska
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Piotr Ciura
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Claire Battin
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Medical University of Vienna, Institute of Immunology, Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Magiera-Mularz
- Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dubin
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Kulesza
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam K Sieradzan
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Spodzieja
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Xu X, Luo S, Zhao X, Tang B, Zhang E, Liu J, Duan L. Computational analysis of PD-L1 dimerization mechanism induced by small molecules and potential dynamical properties. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:130921. [PMID: 38492688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130921] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The design of small molecule inhibitors that target the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a forefront issue in immune checkpoint blocking therapy. Small-molecule inhibitors have been shown to exert therapeutic effects by inducing dimerization of the PD-L1 protein, however, the specific mechanisms underlying this dimerization process remain largely unexplored. Furthermore, there is a notable lack of comparative studies examining the binding modes of structurally diverse inhibitors. In view of the research gaps, this work employed molecular dynamics simulations to meticulously examine the interactions between two distinct types of inhibitors and PD-L1 in both monomeric and dimeric forms, and predicted the dimerization mechanism. The results revealed that inhibitors initially bind to a PD-L1 monomer, subsequently attracting another monomer to form a dimer. Notably, symmetric inhibitors observed superior binding efficiency compared to other inhibitors. Key residues, including Ile54, Tyr56, Met115 and Tyr123 played a leading role in binding. Structurally, symmetric inhibitors were capable of thoroughly engaging the binding pocket, promoting a more symmetrical formation of PD-L1 dimers. Furthermore, symmetric inhibitors formed more extensive hydrophobic interactions with protein residues. The insights garnered from this research are expected to significantly contribute to the rational design and optimization of small molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Xu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Song Luo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Bolin Tang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Enhao Zhang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Jinxin Liu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Lili Duan
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
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4
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Krutzek F, Donat CK, Ullrich M, Stadlbauer S. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Small-Molecule-Based Radioligands with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties for Imaging of Programmed Death Ligand 1. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15894-15915. [PMID: 38038981 PMCID: PMC10726354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Small molecules offer some advantages for developing positron emission tomography (PET) tracers and are therefore a promising approach for imaging and therapy monitoring of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive tumors. Here, we report six biphenyl PD-L1 radioligands using the NODA-GA-chelator for efficient copper-64 complexation. These radioligands contain varying numbers of sulfonic and/or phosphonic acid groups, serving as hydrophilizing units to lower the log D7.4 value down to -4.28. The binding affinities of compounds were evaluated using saturation binding and a real-time binding assay, with a highest binding affinity of 21 nM. Small-animal PET imaging revealed vastly different pharmacokinetic profiles depending on the quantity and type of hydrophilizing units. Of the investigated radioligands, [64Cu]Cu-3 showed the most favorable kinetics in vitro. This was also found in vivo, with a predominantly renal clearance and a specific uptake in the PD-L1-overexpressing tumor. With further modifications, this compound could be a promising candidate for the imaging of PD-L1 in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Krutzek
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Cornelius K. Donat
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Ullrich
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sven Stadlbauer
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical
Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
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5
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Qin Y, Meng X, Li L, Liu C, Gao F, Yuan X, Huang Y, Zhu Y. Develop a PD-1-blockade peptide to reinvigorate T-cell activity and inhibit tumor progress. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 960:176144. [PMID: 37866745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176144] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly monoclonal antibodies blocking the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway, have been successfully utilized in the clinic. However, certain drawbacks associated with antibodies, such as high immunogenicity and poor tissue penetration, need to be addressed for their broader clinical application. Peptides, as low molecular weight alternatives, have garnered increasing interest in this field. In this study, we employed bacterial surface display technology to identify a PD-1-binding peptide, PBP. The PBP peptide exhibited moderate affinity for human PD-1 (hPD-1) and displayed cross-reactivity with mouse PD-1 (mPD-1). Molecular docking analysis revealed that the interaction residues of the PBP peptide with PD-1 played crucial roles in the formation of the PD-1/PD-L1 complex. A competing binding assay demonstrated that the peptide could interfere the interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that the PBP peptide could reinvigorate T cells inhibited by PD-L1. In an in vivo mouse model of CT26, the PBP peptide effectively suppressed tumor growth by enhancing T cell function. In conclusion, our results suggest that the PBP peptide exerts an anti-tumor effect by impeding the interplay between PD-1 and PD-L1, highlighting its potential as an alternative for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhou Qin
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xiangzhou Meng
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Lin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Cuijuan Liu
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Fan Gao
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ying Huang
- School of Nano Technology and Nano Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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6
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Guo Y, Guo Y, Guo Z, Liu B, Xu J. Effect of Fragment 1 on the Binding of Epigallocatechin Gallate to the PD-L1 Dimer Explored by Molecular Dynamics. Molecules 2023; 28:7881. [PMID: 38067610 PMCID: PMC10708077 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Blocking the interaction between programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) by directly targeting the PD-L1 dimer has emerged as a hot topic in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural product, has been demonstrated binding to the PD-L1 dimer in our previous study, but has a weaker binding capacity, moreover, EGCG is located at the end of the binding pocket of the PD-L1 dimer. The inhibitor fragment 1 (FRA) lies at the other end. So, we proposed that the introduction of FRA might be able to improve the binding ability. To illuminate this issue, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed in the present study. Binding free energy calculations show that the binding affinity is significantly increased by 17 kcal/mol upon the introduction of FRA. It may be due to the energy contributions of emerging key residues ATyr56, AMet115, BTyr123, AIle54 and the enhanced contributions of initial key residues ATyr123 and BVal68. Binding mode and non-bonded interaction results indicate that FRA_EGCG (EGCG in combination with FRA) binds to the C-, F- and G-sheet of the PD-L1 dimer. Importantly, the introduction of FRA mainly strengthened the nonpolar interactions. The free energy landscape and secondary structure results further show that FRA_EGCG can interact with the PD-L1 dimer more stably. These data demonstrated here provide the theoretical basis for screening two or more natural products with additive inhibitory effect on this pathway and therefore exerting more effective anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
| | - Yilin Guo
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
| | - Zichao Guo
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
| | - Boping Liu
- Key Laboratory for Bio-Based Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- College of Food Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China; (Y.G.); (Y.G.); (Z.G.)
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7
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Ferro-Flores G, Ocampo-García B, Cruz-Nova P, Luna-Gutiérrez M, Bravo-Villegas G, Azorín-Vega E, Jiménez-Mancilla N, Michel-Sánchez E, García-Pérez O, Lara-Almazán N, Santos-Cuevas C. 99mTc-Labeled Cyclic Peptide Targeting PD-L1 as a Novel Nuclear Imaging Probe. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2662. [PMID: 38140003 PMCID: PMC10747430 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent cancer therapies have focused on reducing immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment to prevent cancer progression and metastasis. PD-1 is a checkpoint protein that stops the immune response and is expressed on immune T cells. Cancer cells express a PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) to bind to the T-cell surface and activate immunosuppressive pathways. This study aimed to design, synthesize, and evaluate a 99mTc-labeled PD-L1-targeting cyclic peptide inhibitor (99mTc-iPD-L1) as a novel SPECT radiopharmaceutical for PD-L1 expression imaging. AutoDock software (version 1.5) was used to perform molecular docking for affinity calculations. The chemical synthesis was based on the coupling reaction of 6-hydrazinylpyridine-3-carboxylic acid with a 14-amino-acid cyclic peptide. iPD-L1 was prepared for 99mTc labeling. Radio-HPLC was used to verify radiochemical purity. The stability of the radiopeptide in human serum was evaluated by HPLC. iPD-L1 specificity was assessed by SDS-PAGE. [99mTc]Tc-iPD-L1 cellular uptake in PD-L1-positive cancer cells (HCC827 and HCT116) and biodistribution in mice with induced tumors were also performed. One patient with advanced plantar malignant melanoma received [99mTc]Tc-iPD-L1. The iPD-L1 ligand (AutoDock affinity: -6.7 kcal/mol), characterized by UPLC mass, FT-IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, was obtained with a chemical purity of 97%. The [99mTc]Tc-iPD-L1 was prepared with a radiochemical purity of >90%. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated [99mTc]Tc-iPD-L1 stability (>90% at 24 h) in human serum, specific recognition for PD-L1, high uptake by the tumor (6.98 ± 0.89% ID/g at 1 h), and rapid hepatobiliary and kidney elimination. [99mTc]Tc-iPD-L1 successfully detected PD-L1-positive lesions in a patient with plantar malignant melanoma. The results obtained in this study warrant further dosimetric and clinical studies to determine the sensitivity and specificity of [99mTc]Tc-iPD-L1/SPECT for PD-L1 expression imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina Ferro-Flores
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
| | - Blanca Ocampo-García
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
| | - Pedro Cruz-Nova
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
| | - Myrna Luna-Gutiérrez
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
| | | | - Erika Azorín-Vega
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
| | | | - Emiliano Michel-Sánchez
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Osvaldo García-Pérez
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Nancy Lara-Almazán
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
| | - Clara Santos-Cuevas
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico
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8
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Tufail M. Unlocking the potential of the tumor microenvironment for cancer therapy. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154846. [PMID: 37837860 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) holds a crucial role in the progression of cancer. Epithelial-derived tumors share common traits in shaping the TME. The Warburg effect is a notable phenomenon wherein tumor cells exhibit resistance to apoptosis and an increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis for energy production. Recognizing the pivotal role of the TME in controlling tumor growth and influencing responses to chemotherapy, researchers have focused on developing potential cancer treatment strategies. A wide array of therapies, including immunotherapies, antiangiogenic agents, interventions targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and therapies directed at the extracellular matrix, have been under investigation and have demonstrated efficacy. Additionally, innovative techniques such as tumor tissue explants, "tumor-on-a-chip" models, and multicellular tumor spheres have been explored in laboratory research. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the intricate cross-talk between cancer-associated signaling pathways and the TME in cancer progression, current therapeutic approaches targeting the TME, the immune landscape within solid tumors, the role of the viral TME, and cancer cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tufail
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
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Li X, Zeng Q, Xu F, Jiang Y, Jiang Z. Progress in programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 pathway inhibitors and binding mode analysis. Mol Divers 2023; 27:1935-1955. [PMID: 35948846 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10509-2] [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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays an important role in negative regulating immunity. The search for effective PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has been at the cutting-edge of academic and industrial medicinal chemistry, leading to the emergence of 16 clinical candidate drugs and the launch of six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) drugs. However, due to the unclear mechanism of the interaction between drugs and substances in vivo, the screening of preclinical drugs often takes a long time. In order to shorten the time of drug development as much as possible, the binding mode analysis that can simulate the interaction between drugs and substances in vivo at the molecular level can significantly shorten the drug development process. This paper reviews the mechanism of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway at the molecular level, as well as the research progress and obstacles of inhibitors. Besides, we analyzed the binding mode of recently reported PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with PD-1 or PD-L1 protein in detail in order to provide ideas for the development of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chun'an County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, 311700, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qin Zeng
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengjiao Xu
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuying Jiang
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhongmei Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Chun'an County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, 311700, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Krutzek F, Donat CK, Ullrich M, Zarschler K, Ludik MC, Feldmann A, Loureiro LR, Kopka K, Stadlbauer S. Design and Biological Evaluation of Small-Molecule PET-Tracers for Imaging of Programmed Death Ligand 1. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092638. [PMID: 37174103 PMCID: PMC10177516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive molecular imaging of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint is of high clinical relevance for patient stratification and therapy monitoring in cancer patients. Here we report nine small-molecule PD-L1 radiotracers with solubilizing sulfonic acids and a linker-chelator system, designed by molecular docking experiments and synthesized according to a new, convergent synthetic strategy. Binding affinities were determined both in cellular saturation and real-time binding assay (LigandTracer), revealing dissociation constants in the single digit nanomolar range. Incubation in human serum and liver microsomes proved in vitro stability of these compounds. Small animal PET/CT imaging, in mice bearing PD-L1 overexpressing and PD-L1 negative tumors, showed moderate to low uptake. All compounds were cleared primarily through the hepatobiliary excretion route and showed a long circulation time. The latter was attributed to strong blood albumin binding effects, discovered during our binding experiments. Taken together, these compounds are a promising starting point for further development of a new class of PD-L1 targeting radiotracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Krutzek
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Cornelius K Donat
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Ullrich
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristof Zarschler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Charlotte Ludik
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana R Loureiro
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus Kopka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sven Stadlbauer
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
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11
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Barnwal A, Das S, Bhattacharyya J. Repurposing Ponatinib as a PD-L1 Inhibitor Revealed by Drug Repurposing Screening and Validation by In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:281-289. [PMID: 36798474 PMCID: PMC9926522 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cancer treatment by inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway using monoclonal antibodies has made great advances as it showed long-lasting antitumor responses in a wide range of cancers. However, antibodies exhibit several disadvantages, which include low permeability, immune-related adverse effects, complex synthetic procedures, and high treatment costs. Hence, small-molecule inhibitors can be used as alternatives; however, no small molecule with in vivo activity has been reported. In addition, there are many challenges in developing a new drug, including the timeline and escalating cost. Therefore, repurposing an approved drug offers advantages over the development of an entirely new drug. Herein, we identify an FDA-approved small-molecule drug, Ponatinib, as a PD-L1 inhibitor via virtual drug screening of the ZINC database. Ponatinib showed stable binding with PD-L1, with the highest binding energy among all of the screened FDA-approved drugs. The binding of Ponatinib with PD-L1 was supported by a fluorescence quenching assay and immunofluorescence study. Further, we compared the in vivo antitumor efficacy of Ponatinib with a commercially available anti-PD-L1 antibody in the murine melanoma model. Ponatinib was found to be more efficient in delaying tumor growth than the anti-PD-L1 antibody. Furthermore, Ponatinib also reduced the expression of PD-L1 in tumors and increased the T-cell population. Interestingly, splenocytes isolated from Ponatinib-treated mice showed enhanced cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) activity against B16-F10 cells. However, Ponatinib itself did not have any direct toxic effect on cancer cells in vitro. These findings suggest that Ponatinib can be used as a potent small-molecule inhibitor of PD-L1 to overcome the disadvantages associated with antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Barnwal
- Centre
for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute
of Technology, Delhi110016, India
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, All India Institute
of Medical Science, Delhi110029, India
| | - Sanjeev Das
- National
Institute of Immunology, Delhi110067, India
| | - Jayanta Bhattacharyya
- Centre
for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute
of Technology, Delhi110016, India
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, All India Institute
of Medical Science, Delhi110029, India
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12
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Hu C, Song Y, Zhang Y, He S, Liu X, Yang X, Gong T, Huang Y, Gao H. Sequential delivery of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade peptide and IDO inhibitor for immunosuppressive microenvironment remodeling via an MMP-2 responsive dual-targeting liposome. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:2176-2187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
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13
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Giannotta C, Castella B, Tripoli E, Grimaldi D, Avonto I, D’Agostino M, Larocca A, Kopecka J, Grasso M, Riganti C, Massaia M. Immune dysfunctions affecting bone marrow Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in multiple myeloma: Role of immune checkpoints and disease status. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1073227. [PMID: 36605214 PMCID: PMC9808386 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1073227] [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] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bone marrow (BM) Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are intrinsically predisposed to sense the immune fitness of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Methods In this work, we have used BM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells to interrogate the role of the immune checkpoint/immune checkpoint-ligand (ICP/ICP-L) network in the immune suppressive TME of MM patients. Results PD-1+ BM MM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells combine phenotypic, functional, and TCR-associated alterations consistent with chronic exhaustion and immune senescence. When challenged by zoledronic acid (ZA) as a surrogate assay to interrogate the reactivity to their natural ligands, BM MM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells further up-regulate PD-1 and TIM-3 and worsen TCR-associated alterations. BM MM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells up-regulate TIM-3 after stimulation with ZA in combination with αPD-1, whereas PD-1 is not up-regulated after ZA stimulation with αTIM-3, indicating a hierarchical regulation of inducible ICP expression. Dual αPD-1/αTIM-3 blockade improves the immune functions of BM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in MM at diagnosis (MM-dia), whereas single PD-1 blockade is sufficient to rescue BM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in MM in remission (MM-rem). By contrast, ZA stimulation induces LAG-3 up-regulation in BM Vγ9Vδ2 T cells from MM in relapse (MM-rel) and dual PD-1/LAG-3 blockade is the most effective combination in this setting. Discussion These data indicate that: 1) inappropriate immune interventions can exacerbate Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell dysfunction 2) ICP blockade should be tailored to the disease status to get the most of its beneficial effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Giannotta
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue (LITS), Centro Interdipartimentale di Biotecnologie Molecolari “Guido Tarone”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Molecolari e Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Barbara Castella
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue (LITS), Centro Interdipartimentale di Biotecnologie Molecolari “Guido Tarone”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Molecolari e Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy,Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera (AO) S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Ezio Tripoli
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue (LITS), Centro Interdipartimentale di Biotecnologie Molecolari “Guido Tarone”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Molecolari e Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy,Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera (AO) S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Daniele Grimaldi
- Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera (AO) S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Avonto
- Servizio Interdipartimentale di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Azienda Ospedaliera (AO) S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Mattia D’Agostino
- Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria (AOU) Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Larocca
- Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria (AOU) Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Joanna Kopecka
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Mariella Grasso
- Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera (AO) S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Massimo Massaia
- Laboratorio di Immunologia dei Tumori del Sangue (LITS), Centro Interdipartimentale di Biotecnologie Molecolari “Guido Tarone”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Molecolari e Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy,Struttura Complessa (SC) Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera (AO) S.Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy,*Correspondence: Massimo Massaia,
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14
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Zheng J, He W, Li J, Feng X, Li Y, Cheng B, Zhou Y, Li M, Liu K, Shao X, Zhang J, Li H, Chen L, Fang L. Bifunctional Compounds as Molecular Degraders for Integrin-Facilitated Targeted Protein Degradation. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:21831-21836. [PMID: 36417563 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
As effective ways to regulate protein levels, targeted protein degradation technologies have attracted great attention in recent years. Here, we established a novel integrin-facilitated lysosomal degradation (IFLD) strategy to degrade extracellular and cell membrane proteins using bifunctional compounds as molecular degraders. By conjugation of a target protein-binding ligand with an integrin-recognition ligand, the resulting molecular degrader proved to be highly efficient to induce the internalization and subsequent degradation of extracellular or cell membrane proteins in an integrin- and lysosome-dependent manner. As demonstrated in the development of BMS-L1-RGD, which is an efficient programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) degrader validated both in vitro and in vivo, the IFLD strategy expands the toolbox for regulation of secreted and membrane-associated proteins and thus has great potential to be applied in chemical biology and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Zheng
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Wanyi He
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Xuejia Feng
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Binghua Cheng
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yimin Zhou
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Meiqing Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Ximing Shao
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianchao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong China
| | - Hongchang Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lijing Fang
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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15
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Vaccine Improvements: Current Status and New Approaches. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081721. [PMID: 36015348 PMCID: PMC9415890 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in combination with approved or experimental vaccines has proven to be a promising approach to improve vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy. This strategy seeks to overcome the immunosuppressive mechanisms associated with the vaccine response, thereby achieving increased immunogenicity and efficacy. Most of the information on the use of ICIs combined with vaccines derives from studies on certain anti-tumor vaccines combined with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against either cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). However, over the past few years, emerging strategies to use new-generation ICIs as molecular adjuvants are paving the way for future advances in vaccine research. Here, we review the current state and future directions of the use of ICIs in experimental and clinical settings, including mAbs and alternative new approaches using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small non-coding RNAs, aptamers, peptides, and other small molecules for improving vaccine efficacy. The scope of this review mainly includes the use of ICIs in therapeutic antitumor vaccines, although recent research on anti-infective vaccines will also be addressed.
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16
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Li S, Xing R, van Hest JCM, Yan X. Peptide-based supramolecular assembly drugs toward cancer theranostics. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:847-860. [PMID: 35748126 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2093855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Peptide-based supramolecular self-assembly has been demonstrated to be a flexible approach for the fabrication of programmable de novo nanodrugs by employing synergistic or reciprocal intermolecular non-covalent interactions; this class of nanomaterials holds significant promise for clinical translation, especially as cancer theranostics. AREAS COVERED : In this review, we describe the concept of cancer theranostic drug assembly by employing non-covalent interactions. That is, molecular drugs are formulated into nanoscale and even microscale architectures by peptide-modulated self-assembly. A series of peptide-based supramolecular assembly drugs are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural feature and theranostic performance. EXPERT OPINION : Molecular design, manipulation of non-covalent interactions and elucidation of structure-function relationships not only facilitate the implementation of supramolecular self-assembly principles in drug development, but also provide a new means for advancing anticancer nanostructured drugs toward clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shukun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Beijing 100190, China.,Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ruirui Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Bio-Organic Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Xuehai Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Center for Mesoscience, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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17
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Krutzek F, Kopka K, Stadlbauer S. Development of Radiotracers for Imaging of the PD-1/PD-L1 Axis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060747. [PMID: 35745666 PMCID: PMC9228425 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has emerged as a major treatment option for a variety of cancers. Among the immune checkpoints addressed, the programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 are the key targets for an ICI. PD-L1 has especially been proven to be a reproducible biomarker allowing for therapy decisions and monitoring therapy success. However, the expression of PD-L1 is not only heterogeneous among and within tumor lesions, but the expression is very dynamic and changes over time. Immunohistochemistry, which is the standard diagnostic tool, can only inadequately address these challenges. On the other hand, molecular imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provide the advantage of a whole-body scan and therefore fully address the issue of the heterogeneous expression of checkpoints over time. Here, we provide an overview of existing PET, SPECT, and optical imaging (OI) (radio)tracers for the imaging of the upregulation levels of PD-1 and PD-L1. We summarize the preclinical and clinical data of the different molecule classes of radiotracers and discuss their respective advantages and disadvantages. At the end, we show possible future directions for developing new radiotracers for the imaging of PD-1/PD-L1 status in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Krutzek
- Department of Translational TME Ligands, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (F.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Klaus Kopka
- Department of Translational TME Ligands, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (F.K.); (K.K.)
- School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technical University Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, University Cancer Cancer (UCC), 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sven Stadlbauer
- Department of Translational TME Ligands, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328 Dresden, Germany; (F.K.); (K.K.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Urban VA, Davidovskii AI, Veresov VG. Computational discovery of small drug-like compounds as potential inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-17. [PMID: 35696453 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2085805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The programmed cell death ligand protein 1 (PD-L1) is a strong immunosuppressive molecule that inactivates tumor-specific T cells by binding to the programmed cell death- 1 protein (PD-1). Cancer immunotherapy based on the monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has demonstrated therapeutic responses without precedent over a wide range of cancers. However, the antibody-based immunotherapies have several limitations such as high production cost or the induction of severe immune-related adverse effects. Small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway are a promising alternative or complementary therapeutic to antibodies. Currently, the field of developing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 small-molecule inhibitors is intensively explored. In the present study a pharmacophore model was generated based on previously developed compounds and their atomistic structures with the PD-L1 dimer. Structure-based affinity-based virtual screening of small-molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway according to the pharmacophore model followed by a screening in terms of drug-likeness resulted in ten hit compounds of high affinity towards the PD-L1 dimer and the satisfaction to all of the drug-likeness rules. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that nine of ten compounds formed stable complexes with the PD-L1 dimer as evidenced by the analysis of MD trajectories. Molecular mechanics Poisson- Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculation revealed very low binding energies (<-46 kcal/mol) for the interactions of these ligands with the PD-L1 dimer, suggesting that identified compounds may serve as good scaffolds for the design of novel agents of antitumor immunotherapy able to target the PD-1/PD-L1 interactionCommunicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor A Urban
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Alexander I Davidovskii
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Valery G Veresov
- Department of Immunolgy and Cell Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus
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19
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Guo Y, Zhang Q, Zhu Q, Gao J, Zhu X, Yu H, Li Y, Zhang C. Copackaging photosensitizer and PD-L1 siRNA in a nucleic acid nanogel for synergistic cancer photoimmunotherapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn2941. [PMID: 35442728 PMCID: PMC9020667 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn2941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Packaging multiple drugs into a nanocarrier with rational design to achieve synergistic cancer therapy remains a challenge due to the intrinsically varied pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents. Especially difficult is combining small-molecule drugs and macromolecular biologics. Here, we successfully graft pheophorbide A (PPA) photosensitizers on DNA backbone at predesigned phosphorothioate modification sites. The synthesized four PPA-grafted DNAs are assembled into a tetrahedron framework, which further associates with a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) small interfering RNA (siRNA) linker through supramolecular self-assembly to form an siRNA and PPA copackaged nanogel. With dual therapeutic agents inside, the nanogel can photodynamically kill tumor cells and induce remarkable immunogenic cell death. Also, it simultaneously silences the PD-L1 expression of the tumor cells, which substantially promotes the antitumor immune response and leads to an enhanced antitumor efficacy in a synergistic fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Guo
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qiushuang Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Qiwen Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuehua Li
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Chuan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
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20
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Liu H, Hu M, Deng J, Zhao Y, Peng D, Feng Y, Wang L, Chen Y, Qiu L. A Novel Small Cyclic Peptide-Based 68Ga-Radiotracer for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of PD-L1 Expression in Tumors. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:138-147. [PMID: 34910492 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, programmed death protein 1 and programmed death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling pathways help tumors escape the immune system. We designed a gallium-68 (68Ga)-labeled small-molecule peptide-targeting PD-L1 and used positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to detect and dynamically monitor the expression level of PD-L1 in tumors. S-Cyclo(ETSK)-SF-NH2 (SETSKSF) is a cyclic peptide inhibitor comprising seven amino-acid residues. We connected it with the chelating agent DOTA, labeled DOTA-SETSKSF, with the short half-life nuclide Ga-68, and measured the stability of 68Ga-2,2',2″-(10-(2-((S)-1-((3S,6S,9S,18S)-18-((S)-1-((S)-1-amino-1-oxo-3-henylpropan-2-ylamino)-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-6-((R)-1-hydroxyethyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,5,8,12-tetraoxo-1,4,7,13-tetraazacyclooctadecan-9-ylamino)-3-ydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-ylamino)-2-oxoethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triyl)triacetic acid (68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF) in normal saline (NS), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and fetal bovine serum (FBS) in vitro. We conducted the 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF affinity test, cell-specific uptake experiments, time-combined experiments, western blotting, and laser confocal experiments to confirm the expression and localization of PD-L1 at the cell level and determine the uptake. Biodistribution and imaging experiments were performed using the H1975, B16F10, and A549 tumor models. 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF was successfully synthesized, and the radiochemical purity was >99% after purification. The in vitro stability of 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF was >95% in NS, PBS, and FBS at 37 °C after 4 h of incubation. Cell-binding experiments confirmed that 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF exhibited high uptake in H1975 tumors with high PD-L1 expression and low uptake in A549 tumors with low PD-L1 expression. The clear half-life (T1/2) of 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF from the blood was 14.48 ± 3.26 min. The percentages of the injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) for H1975 and A549 tumors were 5.29 ± 0.21 and 0.89 ± 0.10 at 1 h after injection, respectively. The H1975 tumor-to-muscle and tumor-to-blood ratios were 41.79 ± 5.81 and 4.75 ± 0.19 at 4 h, respectively. Apart from the H1975 tumor, the kidney and the bladder showed high accumulation because 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF was excreted through the urinary system. PET/CT images showed high accumulation of 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF in H1975 tumors and low uptake in A549 tumors, which was consistent with the results of biodistribution experiments. 68Ga-DOTA-SETSKSF is convenient to prepare, has high stability, can be used to monitor the expression of PD-L1, and has an extremely high clinical application value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiang Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Deng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Dengsai Peng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Feng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 25, Taiping Street, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China.,Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, People's Republic of China
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21
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Liu D, Gao S, Zhai Y, Yang X, Zhai G. Research progress of tumor targeted drug delivery based on PD-1/PD-L1. Int J Pharm 2022; 616:121527. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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22
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Anaya-Ruiz M, Perez-Santos M. Small-molecule inhibitor PD-1/PD-L1 interaction for colorectal cancer treatment. Pharm Pat Anal 2021; 10:245-250. [PMID: 34875853 DOI: 10.4155/ppa-2021-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is a target for the development of new therapies. US10710986 patent describes a small molecule that targets PDL-1/PD-1 interactions and triggers antitumor activity against colorectal cancer. However, it does not describe biological assays that allow us to suppose that this small molecule may be active in other types of cancer. So far, there are no reports of clinical trials to evaluate the safety, toxicity and efficacy, but it will be of great interest to analyze in the future if this compound surpasses the action of therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricruz Anaya-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Metepec, Puebla, CP 74360, México
| | - Martin Perez-Santos
- Dirección de Innovación y Transferencia de Conocimiento, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, CP 72570, México
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23
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24
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Kawashita S, Aoyagi K, Fukushima K, Hantani R, Naruoka S, Tanimoto A, Hori Y, Toyonaga Y, Yamanaka H, Miyazaki S, Hantani Y. SAR study of small molecule inhibitors of the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 interaction. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 98:914-929. [PMID: 34495575 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of small molecule inhibitors of programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) has drawn research interest for the treatment of cancer. Recently, we reported the discovery of a novel dimeric core small molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. In an effort to discover more potent inhibitors, we further explored the dimeric core scaffold. Our investigations of the structure-activity-relationship revealed that introduction of lipophilic substituents onto one of the di-alkoxylated phenyl rings improved binding affinities to PD-L1, and inhibitory activities of PD-1/PD-L1 in cellular assays. Furthermore, conversion of the ether linker part to an olefin linker not only improved binding affinity but also led to slow dissociation binding kinetics. We also explored more potent, as well as downsized, scaffolds. Compounds bearing a linear chain in place of one of the di-alkoxylated phenyl rings exhibited good binding affinity with improved ligand efficiency (LE). Representative compounds demonstrated potent inhibitory activities of PD-1/PD-L1 in the submicromolar range in cellular assays as well as cellular function in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay with efficacy comparable to anti-PD-1 antibody. Our results provide applicable information for the design of more potent inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Kawashita
- Chemical Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichi Aoyagi
- Chemical Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kyoko Fukushima
- Chemical Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rie Hantani
- Biological/Pharmacological Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shiori Naruoka
- Biological/Pharmacological Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsuo Tanimoto
- Biological/Pharmacological Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuji Hori
- Biological/Pharmacological Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukiyo Toyonaga
- Biological/Pharmacological Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamanaka
- Chemical Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Susumu Miyazaki
- Chemical Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiji Hantani
- Biological/Pharmacological Research Laboratories, Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
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25
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Wan M, Liu Z, Li T, Chen H, Wang Q, Chen T, Tao Y, Mao C. Zwitterion‐Based Hydrogen Sulfide Nanomotors Induce Multiple Acidosis in Tumor Cells by Destroying Tumor Metabolic Symbiosis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Ting Li
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Huan Chen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Qi Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Tiantian Chen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Yingfang Tao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Chun Mao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials School of Chemistry and Materials Science Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210023 China
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26
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Miao Q, Zhang W, Zhang K, Li H, Zhu J, Jiang S. Rational design of a potent macrocyclic peptide inhibitor targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction. RSC Adv 2021; 11:23270-23279. [PMID: 35479790 PMCID: PMC9036676 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03118j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report optimization by rational design of JMPDP-027, a potent cyclic peptide that interferes with the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction. JMPDP-027 shows a potent restoring ability towards T-cells with an EC50 of 5.9 nM that is comparable to that of the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab. In addition, JMPDP-027 shows not only high resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis in human serum but also no observable toxicity and potent in vivo anticancer activity comparable to that of the mouse PD-L1 antibody in a colon carcinoma (CT26) model. Cyclic peptide antagonists of this sort may provide novel drug candidates for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Wanheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Kuojun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 210009 China
| | - He Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
| | - Jidong Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai China
| | - Sheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 210009 China
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27
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Virtual Evolution of HVEM Segment for Checkpoint Inhibitor Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126638. [PMID: 34205742 PMCID: PMC8234244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune therapy has emerged as an effective treatment against cancers. Inspired by the PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, which have achieved great success in clinical, other immune checkpoint proteins have drawn increasing attention in cancer research. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) are potential targets for drug development. The co-crystal structure of BTLA/HVEM have revealed that HVEM (26-38) fragment is the core sequence which directly involved on the interface. Herein, we conducted virtual evolution with this sequence by using saturation mutagenesis in silico and mutants with lower binding energy were selected. Wet-lab experiments confirmed that several of them possessed higher affinity with BTLA. Based on the best mutant of the core sequence, extended peptides with better efficacy were obtained. Furthermore, the mechanism of the effects of mutations was revealed by computational analysis. The mutated peptide discovered here can be a potent inhibitor to block BTLA/HVEM interaction and its mechanism may extend people's view on inhibitor discovery for the checkpoint pair.
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28
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Discovery of phenyl-linked symmetric small molecules as inhibitors of the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 223:113637. [PMID: 34147746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) is one of the most promising targets in the field of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Beginning with our exploration of linkers and structure-activity relationship research, we found that the aromatic ring could replace the linker and aryl group to maintain the satisfactory activity of classic triaryl scaffold inhibitor. Based on previous studies, we designed and synthesized a series of C2-symmetric phenyl-linked compounds, and further tail optimization afforded the inhibitors, which displayed promising inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction with IC50 value at the single nanomolar range (C13-C15). Further cell-based PD-1/PD-L1 blockade bioassays indicated that these C2-symmetric molecules could significantly inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction at the cellular level and restore T cells' immune function at the safety concentrations. The discovery of these phenyl-linked symmetric small molecules showed the potential of simplified-linker and C2-symmetric strategy and provided a basis for developing symmetric small molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Moreover, C13 and C15 performed stable binding modes to PD-L1 dimeric after computational docking and dynamic simulation, which may serve as a good starting point for further development.
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29
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Wan M, Liu Z, Li T, Chen H, Wang Q, Chen T, Tao Y, Mao C. Zwitterion-Based Hydrogen Sulfide Nanomotors Induce Multiple Acidosis in Tumor Cells by Destroying Tumor Metabolic Symbiosis. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:16139-16148. [PMID: 33914416 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Destruction of tumor metabolism symbiosis is an attractive cancer treatment method which targets tumor cells with little harm to normal cells. Yet, a single intervention strategy and poor penetration of the drug in tumor tissue result in limited effect. Herein, we propose a zero-waste zwitterion-based hydrogen sulfide (H2 S)-driven nanomotor based on the basic principle of reaction in human body. When loaded with monocarboxylic acid transporter inhibitor α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (α-CHCA), the nanomotor can move in tumor microenvironment and induce multiple acidosis of tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth through the synergistic effect of motion effect, driving force H2 S and α-CHCA. Given the good biosafety of the substrate and driving gas of this kind of nanomotor, as well as the limited variety of nanomotors currently available to move in the tumor microenvironment, this kind of nanomotor may provide a competitive candidate for the active drug delivery system of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ting Li
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Huan Chen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qi Wang
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Tiantian Chen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yingfang Tao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chun Mao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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30
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Discovery of Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction via Structural Simplification Strategy. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113347. [PMID: 34199417 PMCID: PMC8199613 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockade of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction is currently the focus in the field of cancer immunotherapy, and so far, several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have achieved encouraging outcomes in cancer treatment. Despite this achievement, mAbs-based therapies are struggling with limitations including poor tissue and tumor penetration, long half-life time, poor oral bioavailability, and expensive production costs, which prompted a shift towards the development of the small-molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 pathways. Even though many small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have been reported, their development lags behind the corresponding mAb, partly due to the challenges of developing drug-like small molecules. Herein, we report the discovery of a series of novel inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 interaction via structural simplification strategy by using BMS-1058 as a starting point. Among them, compound A9 stands out as the most promising candidate with excellent PD-L1 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.93 nM, LE = 0.43) and high binding affinity to hPD-L1 (KD = 3.64 nM, LE = 0.40). Furthermore, A9 can significantly promote the production of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner by rescuing PD-L1 mediated T-cell inhibition in Hep3B/OS-8/hPD-L1 and CD3-positive T cells co-culture assay. Taken together, these results suggest that A9 is a promising inhibitor of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and is worthy for further study.
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OuYang Y, Gao J, Zhao L, Lu J, Zhong H, Tang H, Jin S, Yue L, Li Y, Guo W, Xu Q, Lai Y. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of o-(Biphenyl-3-ylmethoxy)nitrophenyl Derivatives as PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors with Potent Anticancer Efficacy In Vivo. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7646-7666. [PMID: 34037385 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Two series of novel o-(biphenyl-3-ylmethoxy)nitrophenyl compounds (A1-31 and B1-17) were designed as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. All compounds showed significant inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 2.7 to 87.4 nM except compound A17, and compound B2 displayed the best activity. Further experiments showed that B2 bound to the PD-L1 protein without obvious toxicity in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Furthermore, B2 significantly promoted interferon-gamma secretion in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Especially, B2 exhibited potent in vivo anticancer efficacy in an LLC-bearing allograft mouse model at a low dose of 5 mg/kg, which was more active than BMS-1018 (tumor growth inhibition rate: 48.5% vs 17.8%). A panel of immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry assays demonstrated that B2 effectively counteracted PD-1-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, thereby triggering antitumor immunity. These results indicate that B2 is a promising PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor worthy of further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiang OuYang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Jian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Junfeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Haiqing Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Hua Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Shuanglong Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Lu Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Yuezhen Li
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China
| | - Wenjie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Yisheng Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
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32
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Qin M, Meng Y, Yang H, Liu L, Zhang H, Wang S, Liu C, Wu X, Wu D, Tian Y, Hou Y, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Xu C, Wang L. Discovery of 4-Arylindolines Containing a Thiazole Moiety as Potential Antitumor Agents Inhibiting the Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5519-5534. [PMID: 33938739 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Through specific structural modification of a 4-phenylindoline precursor, new 4-arylindolines containing a thiazole moiety were developed and found to be promising modulators of the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis. Compound A30 exhibited outstanding biochemical activity, with an IC50 of 11.2 nM in a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay. In the cell-based assay, A30 significantly promoted IFN-γ secretion and rescued T-cell proliferation, which were inhibited by PD-1 activation. Furthermore, A30 showed favorable in vivo antitumor activity in a mouse 4T1 breast carcinoma model. Moreover, in mouse CT26 colon carcinoma models, A30 potently suppressed the growth of CT26/PD-L1 tumor but did not obviously affect the growth of CT26/vector tumor. The results of flow cytometry analysis indicated that A30 inhibited tumor growth by activating the immune microenvironment. We concluded that A30 is a new starting point for further development of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction inhibitors as antitumor agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingze Qin
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yangyang Meng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Haoshen Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Haotian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Simeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Chunyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Xia Wu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Di Wu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Ye Tian
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yunlei Hou
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yanfang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yajing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Congjun Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
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A comparative study of the recent most potent small-molecule PD-L1 inhibitors: what can we learn? Med Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02728-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Zhai W, Zhou X, Zhai M, Li W, Ran Y, Sun Y, Du J, Zhao W, Xing L, Qi Y, Gao Y. Blocking of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction by a novel cyclic peptide inhibitor for cancer immunotherapy. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 64:548-562. [PMID: 32737851 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1740-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 allows tumor cells to escape from immune surveillance. Clinical success of the antibody drugs has proven that blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we developed a cyclic peptide C8 by using Ph.D.-C7C phage display technology. C8 showed high binding affinity with hPD-1 and could effectively interfere the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1. Furthermore, C8 could stimulate CD8+ T cell activation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We also observed that C8 could suppress tumor growth in CT26 and B16-OVA, as well as anti-PD-1 antibody resistant B16 mouse model. CD8 T cells infiltration significantly increased in tumor microenvironment, and IFN-γ secretion by CD8+ T cells in draining lymph nodes also increased. Simultaneously, we exploited T cells depletion models and confirmed that C8 exerted anti-tumor effects via activating CD8+ T cells dependent manner. The interaction model of C8 with hPD-1 was simulated and confirmed by alanine scanning. In conclusion, C8 shows anti-tumor capability by blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, and C8 may provide an alternative candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Zhai
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiuman Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Mingxia Zhai
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wanqiong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yunhui Ran
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yixuan Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jiangfeng Du
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wenshan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Lingxiao Xing
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Yuanming Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Zhang J, Zhang Y, Qu B, Yang H, Hu S, Dong X. If small molecules immunotherapy comes, can the prime be far behind? Eur J Med Chem 2021; 218:113356. [PMID: 33773287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Anti-cancer immunotherapy, which includes cellular immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, has transformed the treatment strategies of several malignancies in the past decades. Immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) is the most commonly tested therapy and has the potential to induce a durable immune response in different types of cancers. However, all approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are fraught with disadvantages including lack of oral bioavailability, prolonged tissue retention and poor membrane permeability. Therefore, the research focus has shifted to developing small molecule inhibitors to obviate the limitations of mAbs. Given the complexity of the tumor micro-environment (TME), the combination of ICIs with various small molecule agonists/inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials to improve treatment outcomes and prevent tumor recurrence. In this review, we have summarized the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of several molecular targets, along with the current status of small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Bingxue Qu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), PR China; Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, PR China
| | - Shengquan Hu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
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Wu P, Gao W, Su M, Nice EC, Zhang W, Lin J, Xie N. Adaptive Mechanisms of Tumor Therapy Resistance Driven by Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:641469. [PMID: 33732706 PMCID: PMC7957022 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.641469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease which frequently has a poor prognosis. Although multiple therapeutic strategies have been developed for various cancers, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, resistance to these treatments frequently impedes the clinical outcomes. Besides the active resistance driven by genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has also been reported to be a crucial regulator in tumorigenesis, progression, and resistance. Here, we propose that the adaptive mechanisms of tumor resistance are closely connected with the TME rather than depending on non-cell-autonomous changes in response to clinical treatment. Although the comprehensive understanding of adaptive mechanisms driven by the TME need further investigation to fully elucidate the mechanisms of tumor therapeutic resistance, many clinical treatments targeting the TME have been successful. In this review, we report on recent advances concerning the molecular events and important factors involved in the TME, particularly focusing on the contributions of the TME to adaptive resistance, and provide insights into potential therapeutic methods or translational medicine targeting the TME to overcome resistance to therapy in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peijie Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Edouard C. Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Na Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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Recent advance of peptide-based molecules and nonpeptidic small-molecules modulating PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction or targeting PD-L1 protein degradation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113170. [PMID: 33454550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy has made great progress in recent years. In the tumor microenvironment, the binding of PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 can promote tumor immune escape and tumor survival. Clinical studies have indicated that antibodies blocking PD-1 and PD-L1 have reliable effects on many advanced malignant tumors. However, no small-molecule inhibitors have been approved so far, indicating that the development of marketable small-molecules PD-1/PD-L1 targeted therapy drugs is a challenging process. Small-molecule inhibitors can overcome the limitations of monoclonal antibodies, including poor oral bioavailability, high cost, poor tissue and tumor penetration and long half-life, which prompt researchers to turn their attention to the development of peptide molecules and small-molecule inhibitors modulating PD-1/PD-L1 to overcome some disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies or targeting PD-L1 protein degradation as potential alternatives or supplements. In this review, we will focus on the peptide-based and nonpeptidic molecules against PD-1/PD-L1 base on the structural classification. More importantly, we also focus on the latest research progress of small-molecules mediated PD-L1 degradation mechanism.
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Sasikumar PG, Ramachandra M. Peptide and peptide-inspired checkpoint inhibitors: Protein fragments to cancer immunotherapy. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2020.100073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Cheng Y, Chen Q, Guo Z, Li M, Yang X, Wan G, Chen H, Zhang Q, Wang Y. An Intelligent Biomimetic Nanoplatform for Holistic Treatment of Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via Photothermal Ablation and Immune Remodeling. ACS NANO 2020; 14:15161-15181. [PMID: 33143424 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is one of the main causes of failure in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Immunotherapy brings hope and opportunity to solve this challenge, while its clinical applications are greatly inhibited by the tumor immunosuppressive environment. Here, an intelligent biomimetic nanoplatform was designed based on dendritic large-pore mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DLMSNs) for suppressing metastatic TNBC by combining photothermal ablation and immune remodeling. Taking advantage of the ordered large-pore structure and easily chemically modified property of DLMSNs, the copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles with high photothermal conversion efficiency were in situ deposited inside the large pores of DLMSNs, and the immune adjuvant resiquimod (R848) was loaded controllably. A homogenous cancer cell membrane was coated on the surfaces of these DLMSNs, followed by conjugation with the anti-PD-1 peptide AUNP-12 through a polyethylene glycol linker with an acid-labile benzoic-imine bond. The thus-obtained AM@DLMSN@CuS/R848 was applied to holistically treat metastatic TNBC in vitro and in vivo. The data showed that AM@DLMSN@CuS/R848 had a high TNBC-targeting ability and induced efficient photothermal ablation on primary TNBC tumors under 980 nm laser irradiation. Tumor antigens thus generated and increasingly released R848 by response to the photothermal effect, combined with AUNP-12 detached from AM@DLMSN@CuS/R848 in the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment, synergistically exerted tumor vaccination, and T lymphocyte activation functions on immune remodeling to prevent TNBC recurrence and metastasis. Taken together, this study provides an intelligent biomimetic nanoplatform to enhance therapeutic outcomes in metastatic TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Cheng
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Qian Chen
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoyang Guo
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Mengwen Li
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Guoyun Wan
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Material, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, P.R. China
| | - Hongli Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Material, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, P.R. China
| | - Qiqing Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Material, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, P.R. China
| | - Yinsong Wang
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
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40
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Guo J, Luo L, Wang Z, Hu N, Wang W, Xie F, Liang E, Yan X, Xiao J, Li S. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Linear Aliphatic Amine-Linked Triaryl Derivatives as Potent Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Interaction with Promising Antitumor Effects In Vivo. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13825-13850. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Guo
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Longlong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyBeijing 100850, China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyBeijing 100850, China
| | - Naijing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyBeijing 100850, China
| | - Wei Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Fei Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Erguang Liang
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xinlin Yan
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Junhai Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Song Li
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
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Yang Y, Wang K, Chen H, Feng Z. Design, synthesis, evaluation, and SAR of 4-phenylindoline derivatives, a novel class of small-molecule inhibitors of the programmed cell death-1/ programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 211:113001. [PMID: 33272783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway with small molecules is an emerging immunotherapeutic approach. A novel series of 4-phenylindoline derivatives were synthesized, and their inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 protein-protein interaction (PPI) was evaluated through a homogenous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay. Among them, A20 and A22 exhibited potent activity with IC50 values of 17 nM and 12 nM, respectively. Furthermore, A20 showed the promising inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction with the EC50 value of 0.43 μM in a co-culture model of PD-L1/TCR Activator-expressing CHO cells and PD-1-expressing Jurkat cells. Besides, the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the novel synthesized 4-phenylindoline derivatives was concluded, and the binding mode of A22 with the PD-L1 dimer was analyzed by molecular simulation and docking, demonstrating that the N-atom in the side chain of indoline fragment could interact with the amino acid residue of the PD-L1 protein to lead to the potent inhibitory activity. This study provided a new insight for further drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Ke Wang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhiqiang Feng
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Active Substance Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Riccio A, Coletti A, Dolciami D, Mammoli A, Cerra B, Moretti S, Gioiello A, Ferlin S, Puxeddu E, Macchiarulo A. The Stone Guest: How Does pH Affect Binding Properties of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors? ChemMedChem 2020; 16:568-577. [PMID: 33085193 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 activates a coinhibitory signal that blocks T-cell activation, promoting the immune escape process in the tumor microenvironment. Development of monoclonal antibodies targeting and inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 interaction as anticancer immunotherapies has proved successful in multiple clinical settings and for various types of cancer. Notwithstanding, limitations exist with the use of these biologics, including drug resistance and narrow therapeutic response rate in a majority of patients, that demand for the design of more efficacious small molecule-based immunotherapies. Alteration of pH in the tumor microenvironment is a key factor that is involved in promoting drug resistance, tumor survival and progression. In this study, we have investigated the effect of pH shifts on binding properties of distinct classes of PD-L1 inhibitors, including macrocyclic peptide and small molecules. Results expand structure-activity relationships of PD-L1 inhibitors, providing insights into structural features and physicochemical properties that are useful for the design of ligands that may escape a drug resistance mechanism associated to variable pH conditions of tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Riccio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del liceo n.1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alice Coletti
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, via Gambuli, 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Daniela Dolciami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del liceo n.1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mammoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del liceo n.1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bruno Cerra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del liceo n.1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sonia Moretti
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, via Gambuli, 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antimo Gioiello
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del liceo n.1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Simone Ferlin
- Sterling S.p.A., Via della Carboneria, 30, 06073, Corciano, Perugia, Italy
| | - Efisio Puxeddu
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, via Gambuli, 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del liceo n.1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
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Choi JG, Kim YS, Kim JH, Kim TI, Li W, Oh TW, Jeon CH, Kim SJ, Chung HS. Anticancer Effect of Salvia plebeia and Its Active Compound by Improving T-Cell Activity via Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction in Humanized PD-1 Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2020; 11:598556. [PMID: 33224152 PMCID: PMC7674495 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.598556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, increasingly used to treat malignant tumors, are revolutionizing cancer treatment by improving the patient survival expectations. Despite the high antitumor efficacy of antibody therapeutics that bind to PD-1/PD-L1, study on small molecule-based PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors is required to overcome the side effects of antibody therapeutics caused by their size and affinity. Herein, we investigated antitumor potential of Salvia plebeia R. Br. extract (SPE), which has been used as a traditional oriental medicine and food in many countries, and its components by the blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. SPE and its component cosmosiin effectively blocked the molecular interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1. SPE also inhibited tumor growth by increasing CD8+ T-cells in the tumor through the activation of tumor-specific T-cells in a humanized PD-1 mouse model bearing hPD-L1 knock-in MC38 colon adenocarcinoma tumor. This finding presents a preclinical strategy to develop small molecule-based anticancer drugs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-Gi Choi
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Young Soo Kim
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Tae In Kim
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Wei Li
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Tae Woo Oh
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Chang Hyun Jeon
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Su Jin Kim
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hwan-Suck Chung
- Korean Medicine (KM) Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
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Fu S, Wang Y, Li H, Chen L, Liu Q. Regulatory Networks of LncRNA MALAT-1 in Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:10181-10198. [PMID: 33116873 PMCID: PMC7575067 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s276022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs are a group of RNAs with a length greater than 200 nt that do not encode a protein but play an essential role in regulating the expression of target genes in normal biological contexts as well as pathologic processes including tumorigenesis. The lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript (MALAT)-1 has been widely studied in cancer. In this review, we describe the known functions of MALAT-1; its mechanisms of action; and associated signaling pathways and their clinical significance in different cancers. In most malignancies, including lung, colorectal, thyroid, and other cancers, MALAT-1 functions as an oncogene and is upregulated in tumors and tumor cell lines. MALAT-1 has a distinct mechanism of action in each cancer type and is thus at the center of large gene regulatory networks. Dysregulation of MALAT-1 affects cellular processes such as alternative splicing, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, and autophagy, which ultimately results in the abnormal cell proliferation, invasion, and migration that characterize cancers. In other malignancies, such as glioma and endometrial carcinoma, MALAT-1 functions as a tumor suppressor and thus forms additional regulatory networks. The current evidence indicates that MALAT-1 and its associated signaling pathways can serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target in the treatment of many cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijian Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yuebei People's Hospital of Shaoguan, The Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, Shaoguan 512025, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, People's Republic of China
| | - Leilei Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanzhong Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, People's Republic of China
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Kuang Z, Heng Y, Huang S, Shi T, Chen L, Xu L, Mei H. Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis and Ensemble-Based Flexible Docking of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors: A Pilot Study. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:26914-26923. [PMID: 33111018 PMCID: PMC7581254 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Although mAbs targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway have achieved remarkable therapeutic potential against multiple types of cancer, it is still of great interest for researchers to develop small-molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors without the mAb-related disadvantages of no oral bioavailability and poor solid tumor penetration. However, targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with small molecules is normally considered challenging because of the flat and large interaction surface of the PD-1/PD-L1 complex. In this paper, a total of 2558 PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were compiled from recent patents and literatures and then used for exploring the chemical space and structural features of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors by partial least-squares discriminant analysis. The results showed that intramolecular H bond, amphotericity indices, radius of gyration, nonbond electrostatic energy, fractional van der Waals surface area of H-bond donors, octanol-water partition coefficient, and molecular weight are the seven key features discriminating the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors from noninhibitors, with the prediction accuracy larger than 0.90. Based on the seven crystal structures of the PD-L1 dimer complexed with the patent Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) inhibitors, the feasibility of molecular docking for this unconventional binding pocket was further investigated. The results showed that the ensemble-based flexible docking protocol can reproduce the near-native binding conformations of the BMS inhibitors with a strong correlation between the IC50 values and ligand-receptor interaction energies (R = 0.81). In general, this paper delineates, for the first time, the characteristic features of the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as well as a high-quality flexible docking strategy for the unconventional binding pocket of the PD-L1 dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuyin Kuang
- Key
Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yu Heng
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Shuheng Huang
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Tingting Shi
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Linxin Chen
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Lei Xu
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Hu Mei
- Key
Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- College
of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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Kaumaya PTP, Guo L, Overholser J, Penichet ML, Bekaii-Saab T. Immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy of a novel human PD-1 B-cell vaccine (PD1-Vaxx) and combination immunotherapy with dual trastuzumab/pertuzumab-like HER-2 B-cell epitope vaccines (B-Vaxx) in a syngeneic mouse model. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1818437. [PMID: 33117602 PMCID: PMC7553530 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1818437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has shown clinical success and activity across a broad set of cancer subtypes. However, monotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are only effective in a subset of patients and ongoing studies show efficacy of treatment depends on a combinatorial approach. Contrary to mAbs chimeric B-cell cancer vaccines incorporating a “promiscuous” T-cell epitope have the advantage of producing a polyclonal B-cell antibody that can potentially induce memory B- and T-cell responses, while reducing immune evasion and suppression. Here, we describe a novel PD-1 B-cell peptide epitope vaccine (amino acid 92–110; PD1-Vaxx) linked to a measles virus fusion peptide (MVF) amino acid 288–302 via a four amino acid residue (GPSL) emulsified in Montanide ISA 720VG that aims to induce the production of polyclonal antibodies that block PD-1 signaling and thus trigger anticancer effects similar to nivolumab. In preclinical studies, the PD1-Vaxx outperformed the standard anti-mouse PD-1 antibody (mAb 29F.1A12) in a mouse model of human HER-2 expressing colon carcinoma. Furthermore, the combination of PD1-Vaxx with combo HER-2 peptide vaccine (B-Vaxx) showed enhanced inhibition of tumor growth in colon carcinoma BALB/c model challenged with CT26/HER-2 cells. The PD-1 or combined vaccines were safe with no evidence of toxicity or autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.,The Wexner Medical Center and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Manuel L Penichet
- Division of Surgical Oncology Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Geng Q, Rohondia SO, Khan HJ, Jiao P, Dou QP. Small molecules as antagonists of co-inhibitory pathways for cancer immunotherapy: a patent review (2018-2019). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:677-694. [PMID: 32715813 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1801640] [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: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Therapeutic antibodies blocking co-inhibitory pathways do not attack tumor cells directly, but instead bind to their targeted proteins and mobilize the immune system to eradicate tumors. However, only a small fraction of patients with certain cancer types can benefit from the antibodies. Additionally, antibodies have shown serious immune-related adverse events in certain patients. Small-molecule antagonists may be a complementary and potentially synergistic approach to antibodies for patients with various cancers. AREAS COVERED The authors review the small molecules as antagonists of co-inhibitory pathway proteins, summarize their preliminary SARs, discuss biochemistry assays used in patents for the development of small molecules as novel antagonists. EXPERT OPINION The disclosed pharmacophores of small molecules as co-inhibitory pathway antagonists are represented by biphenyl derivatives, biaryl derivatives, teraryl derivatives, quateraryl derivatives, and oxadiazole/thiadiazole derivatives. However, these antagonists are still inferior to therapeutic antibodies in their inhibitory activities due to relatively flat of human co-inhibitory pathways proteins. Allosteric modulators may be an alternative approach. The more safety and efficacy evaluation trials of small-molecule antagonists targeting co-inhibitory pathways should be performed to demonstrate the proof-of-principle that small-molecule antagonists can result in sustained safety and antitumor response in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Geng
- Department of Chemistry, Qilu Normal University , Jinan, China
| | - Sagar O Rohondia
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Harras J Khan
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Peifu Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, Qilu Normal University , Jinan, China
| | - Q Ping Dou
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Departments of Oncology, Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, USA
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Tao H, Cheng L, Liu L, Wang H, Jiang Z, Qiang X, Xing L, Xu Y, Cai X, Yao J, Wang M, Qiu Z. A PD-1 peptide antagonist exhibits potent anti-tumor and immune regulatory activity. Cancer Lett 2020; 493:91-101. [PMID: 32805322 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have achieved great success. However, some disadvantages of antibodies have been found, which limit their clinical applications. Peptide antagonists are alternatives to antibodies in PD-1/PD-L1 blockage, but successful studies in this area are limited. A PD-1 targeting peptide, P-F4, was identified using phage display. P-F4 bound PD-1 with an affinity of 0.119 μM, inhibited PD-1/PD-L1 interaction at the cellular level and modulated T cell activity in vitro. We have overcome the poor solubility and rapid degradation problems of this peptide by packaging P-F4 in nanoparticles. In vivo experiments demonstrated that P-F4 nanoparticles could strongly inhibit tumor growth in a CT26 mouse model. Further research revealed that treatment of P-F4 nanoparticles increased CD8+T cells and reduced Tregs in the tumor microenvironment and tumor-draining lymph nodes. It was shown that treatment of P-F4 nanoparticles also increased lymphocytic activities, including proliferation, cytokine secretion and cytolytic activity. Moreover, computer modeling suggested that the P-F4 binding site to PD-1 overlaps with the PD-L1 binding surface. In this study, a peptide candidate for cancer immunotherapy was provided, and its working mechanisms were studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Tao
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Lihua Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Hong Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Zhijie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xu Qiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Lijun Xing
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xinying Cai
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jing Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Min Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Zheng Qiu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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Ashizawa T, Iizuka A, Tanaka E, Kondou R, Miyata H, Maeda C, Sugino T, Yamaguchi K, Ando T, Ishikawa Y, Ito M, Akiyama Y. Antitumor activity of the PD-1/PD-L1 binding inhibitor BMS-202 in the humanized MHC-double knockout NOG mouse. Biomed Res 2020; 40:243-250. [PMID: 31839668 DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.40.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the first series of small molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 were reported by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), which were developed using a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF)-based screening investigation of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Additional crystallographic and biophysical studies showed that these compounds inhibited the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 by inducing the dimerization of PD-L1, in which each dimer binds one molecule of the stabilizer at its interface. However, the immunological mechanism of the antitumor effect of these compounds remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we focused on BMS-202 (a representative of the BMS compounds) and investigated its antitumor activity using in vitro and in vivo experiments. BMS-202 inhibited the proliferation of strongly PD-L1-positive SCC-3 cells (IC50 15 μM) and anti-CD3 antibody-activated Jurkat cells (IC50 10 μM) in vitro. Additionally, BMS-202 had no regulatory effect on the PD-1 or PD-L1 expression level on the cell surface of these cells. In an in vivo study using humanized MHC-double knockout (dKO) NOG mice, BMS-202 showed a clear antitumor effect compared with the controls; however, a direct cytotoxic effect was revealed to be involved in the antitumor mechanism, as there was no lymphocyte accumulation in the tumor site. These results suggest that the antitumor effect of BMS-202 might be partly mediated by a direct off-target cytotoxic effect in addition to the immune response-based mechanism. Also, the humanized dKO NOG mouse model used in this study was shown to be a useful tool for the screening of small molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 binding that can inhibit tumor growth via an immune-response-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Ashizawa
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Akira Iizuka
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Emiko Tanaka
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Ryota Kondou
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Haruo Miyata
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Chie Maeda
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
| | | | - Ken Yamaguchi
- Office of the president, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital
| | | | | | - Mamoru Ito
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals
| | - Yasuto Akiyama
- Immunotherapy Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
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50
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Bailly C, Vergoten G. Protein homodimer sequestration with small molecules: Focus on PD-L1. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 174:113821. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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