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Tu Y, Gong J, Mou J, Jiang H, Zhao H, Gao J. Strategies for the development of stimuli-responsive small molecule prodrugs for cancer treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1434137. [PMID: 39144632 PMCID: PMC11322083 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1434137] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Approved anticancer drugs typically face challenges due to their narrow therapeutic window, primarily because of high systemic toxicity and limited selectivity for tumors. Prodrugs are initially inactive drug molecules designed to undergo specific chemical modifications. These modifications render the drugs inactive until they encounter specific conditions or biomarkers in vivo, at which point they are converted into active drug molecules. This thoughtful design significantly improves the efficacy of anticancer drug delivery by enhancing tumor specificity and minimizing off-target effects. Recent advancements in prodrug design have focused on integrating these strategies with delivery systems like liposomes, micelles, and polymerosomes to further improve targeting and reduce side effects. This review outlines strategies for designing stimuli-responsive small molecule prodrugs focused on cancer treatment, emphasizing their chemical structures and the mechanisms controlling drug release. By providing a comprehensive overview, we aim to highlight the potential of these innovative approaches to revolutionize cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Tu
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianbao Gong
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Mou
- Department of Neonatology, Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haibo Zhao
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiake Gao
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Zhang XL, Xiao W, Qian JP, Yang WJ, Xu H, Xu XD, Zhang GW. The Role and Application of Fibroblast Activating Protein. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:1097-1110. [PMID: 37259211 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230530095305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP), a type-II transmembrane serine protease, is rarely expressed in normal tissues but highly abundant in pathological diseases, including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Ever since its discovery, we have deciphered its structure and biological properties and continue to investigate its roles in various diseases while attempting to utilize it for targeted therapy. To date, no significant breakthroughs have been made in terms of efficacy. However, in recent years, several practical applications in the realm of imaging diagnosis have been discovered. Given its unique expression in a diverse array of pathological tissues, the fundamental biological characteristics of FAP render it a crucial target for disease diagnosis and immunotherapy. To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the research progress of FAP, its biological characteristics, involvement in diseases, and recent targeted application research have been reviewed. Moreover, we explored its development trend in the direction of clinical diagnoses and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lou Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Xiao
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ping Qian
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jun Yang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-da Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Wei Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Hu X, Zhou C, Wang L, Liu Q, Ma Y, Tang Y, Wang X, Chen K, Wang X, Liu Y. Procedurally Targeted Delivery of Antitumor Drugs Using FAPα-Responsive TPGS Dimer-Based Flower-like Polymeric Micelles. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4358-4371. [PMID: 37702706 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00543] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
To overcome the intestinal epithelium barrier and achieve a better antitumor effect, the procedurally targeting flower-like nanomicelles for oral delivery of antitumor drugs were designed based on FAPα-responsive TPGS1000 dimer (TPGS-Gly-Pro-TPGS) and L-carnitine linked poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(D, l-lactide) (Car-PEOz-b-PLA). As expected, compared with unmodified polymeric micelles (TT-PMs) composed of TPGS-Gly-Pro-TPGS, L-carnitine conjugated polymeric micelles (CTT-PMs) formed from both TPGS-Gly-Pro-TPGS and Car-PEOz-b-PLA with favorable stability in simulated gastrointestinal fluid and FAPα-dependent release capability exhibited remarkably enhanced cellular uptake and transmembrane transport through OCTN2 mediation confirmed by fluorescence immunoassay, which was intuitively evidenced by stronger fluorescence within epithelial cells, and the basal side of small intestinal epithelium of mice being given intragastric administration of DiI-labeled micelles. The transport of CTT-PMs across the intestinal epithelium in an intact form was mediated by clathrin along the intracellular transport pathway of endosome-lysosome-ER-Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, both the increased uptake by FAPα-positive U87MG cells and unchangeable uptake by FAPα-negative C6 cells for coumarin-6 (C-6)/CTT-PMs compared with C-6/TT-PMs evidenced the targeting ability of CTT-PMs to FAPα-positive tumor cells. Both OCTN2-mediation and FAPα-responsiveness were beneficial for polymeric micelles to improve the delivery and therapeutic efficiency of antitumor agents, which was further supported by the remarkable enhancement in in vivo antitumor efficacy via promoting apoptosis of tumor cells for paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded CTT-PMs (PTX/CTT-PMs) with low toxicity compared with PTX/TT-PMs. Our findings offered an alternative design strategy for procedurally targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics by an oral route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinping Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chuhang Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Leqi Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yining Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yingwei Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Kanghao Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Zhou X, Zhang P, Liu N, Zhang X, Lv H, Xu W, Huo M. Enhancing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer through efficient and sustained tumor microenvironment remodeling with a fibroblast-targeted nanosystem. J Control Release 2023; 361:161-177. [PMID: 37536546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis among all malignancies and poses great challenges to clinical drug accessibility due to the severely fibrotic and hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME). Therein, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are extremely abundant in PC, play a key role in forming the complex PC microenvironment. Therefore, a highly efficient TME reprogramming therapeutic paradigm that can specifically inhibit CAF function is urgently needed. Herein, we successfully developed a novel CAF-tailored nanosystem (Dex-GP-DOCA, DPD) loaded with a potent anti-fibrosis flavonoid compound (Quercetin, QUE), which possesses biological responsiveness to fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP-α), prolonged TME remodeling and enhancement of clinical chemotherapeutics. Specifically, DPD/QUE allowed for extracellular matrix (ECM) reduction, vessel normalization, hypoxia-induced drug resistance reversal, and blockade of Wnt16 paracrine in CAFs. More importantly, this chemotherapy conducive microenvironment persisted for at least 8 days following treatment with DPD/QUE. It should also be noted that the effective and prolonged microenvironment modulation induced by DPD/QUE significantly improved the chemotherapy sensitivity of Abraxane and gemcitabine, the first-line chemotherapeutic drugs for PC, with inhibition rates increasing from 37.5% and 40.0% to 87.5% and 85.2%, respectively. Overall, our CAFs-targeted nanosystem showed promising prospects for remodeling the TME and facilitating chemotherapy for refractory pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of clinical pharmacy, Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Hospital Affiliation with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Lv
- Department of clinical pharmacy, Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Hospital Affiliation with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of clinical pharmacy, Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Hospital Affiliation with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250012, People's Republic of China.
| | - Meirong Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China.
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Synthesis and anticancer activity of Boc-Gly-Pro dipeptide-annonaceous acetogenin prodrugs targeting fibroblast activation protein or other hydrolytic enzymes. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02857-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Feng G, Zhuang Y, Feng J, Zhao J, Zhong C, Chen S, Chen J. Development of A 3D-Printed Navigational Template for Establishing Rabbit VX2 Lung Cancer Model. J Surg Res 2021; 267:358-365. [PMID: 34198112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.05.038] [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: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CT-guided percutaneous puncture-inoculation for establishing the rabbit VX2 lung cancer model (LCM) is time-consuming, requires repeated CT scans, and has a high complication rate. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a navigational template using 3D technology to provide an alternative method for establishing the model with improved success and complication rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ideal pressure was determined using chest CT data from 15 anesthetized rabbits fitted with sphygmomanometer cuff around their chests. Subsequently, a preliminary 3D template with a square window and cross-sign to facilitate precise installation was designed. Using another 20 rabbits fixed with the preliminary template, an ideal common puncture point and parameter were determined, a navigational tunnel was set up on the template surface, and the final puncture navigational template was printed out. Eight-four rabbits (42/group) were assigned to the experimental (template-guided puncture) and control (traditional puncutre) groups and underwent VX2 tumor-fragment inoculation to validate the template. Differences in various parameters between two groups were analyzed. RESULTS The ideal pressure was 30 mmHg. All rabbits were inoculated successfully and the template adequately fit the rabbit chest. The experimental group displayed significantly better operation time (198.93±36.64 vs 735.14±91.19 seconds); number of CT scans (0 vs 7.19±1.64); pneumothorax (11.9% vs 35.7%), chest seeding (16.7% vs 35.7%), and mid-lung field tumor-bearing (88.1% vs 59.5%) rates than the control group (all, P <0.05). The groups did not differ in rib injury, tumor volume or survival time (all, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We successfully developed a puncture navigational template, providing an alternative method for establishing the rabbit VX2 LCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Feng
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
| | - Yiping Zhuang
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jianfang Feng
- Department of Radiology, Jiyuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiyuan, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Jiawei Zhao
- School of Food Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Chuan Zhong
- School of Food Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Shilin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Interventional and Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Yunna C, Mengru H, Fengling W, Lei W, Weidong C. Emerging strategies against tumor-associated fibroblast for improved the penetration of nanoparticle into desmoplastic tumor. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 165:75-83. [PMID: 33991610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic effect of nanoparticles is limited in solid tumors, especially desmoplastic tumors, because the tumor matrix hinders the delivery of nanoparticles. As the most abundant cells in the tumor stroma, tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) produce a dense extracellular matrix, which leads to higher tissue fluid pressure, thereby creating a physical barrier for nanoparticle delivery. Therefore, researchers focused on eliminating TAFs to combat desmoplastic tumors. In recent years, a series of methods for TAFs have been developed. In this paper, we first introduced the biological mechanism of TAFs hindering the penetration of nanoparticles. Then, the different methods of eliminating TAFs were summarized, and the mechanism of nanomedicine in eliminating TAFs was highlighted. Finally, the problems and future development directions for TAFs treatment were discussed from the perspective of the treatment of desmoplastic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yunna
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China
| | - Hu Mengru
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China
| | - Wang Fengling
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, Anhui 230011, China
| | - Wang Lei
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China.
| | - Chen Weidong
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, Anhui 230012, China.
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Teng C, Zhang B, Yuan Z, Kuang Z, Chai Z, Ren L, Qin C, Yang L, Han X, Yin L. Fibroblast activation protein-α-adaptive micelles deliver anti-cancer drugs and reprogram stroma fibrosis. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:23756-23767. [PMID: 33231238 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr04465b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the majority cell population of tumor stroma, and they not only play important roles in tumor growth and metastasis, but they also form a protective physical barrier for cancer cells. Herein, we designed a fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α)-adaptive polymeric micelle based on hyaluronic acid and curcumin conjugates. The polymeric micelle is composed of a CD44-targeting shell and a FAP-α-cleavable polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating. When FAP-α is encountered on the surface of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment, the PEG layer is released, hyaluronic acid is recovered on the surface of nanoparticles, and the nanoparticles effectively inhibit the growth of tumor cells and CAFs through CD44-mediated endocytosis. The FAP-α-adaptive polymeric micelle exhibited potent anti-cancer efficacy by enhancing CAF apoptosis and reducing collagen in tumor tissues. Collectively, FAP-α-adaptive nanoparticles may be a promising method for antitumor anticancer treatments via reprogramming of stroma fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Teng
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
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Šimková A, Bušek P, Šedo A, Konvalinka J. Molecular recognition of fibroblast activation protein for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140409. [PMID: 32171757 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a non-classical serine protease expressed predominantly in conditions accompanied by tissue remodeling, particularly cancer. Due to its plasma membrane localization, FAP represents a promising molecular target for tumor imaging and treatment. The unique enzymatic activity of FAP facilitates development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools based on molecular recognition of FAP by substrates and small-molecule inhibitors, in addition to conventional antibody-based strategies. In this review, we provide background on the pathophysiological role of FAP and discuss its potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Furthermore, we present a detailed analysis of the structural patterns crucial for substrate and inhibitor recognition by the FAP active site and determinants of selectivity over the related proteases dipeptidyl peptidase IV and prolyl endopeptidase. We also review published data on targeting of the tumor microenvironment with FAP antibodies, FAP-targeted prodrugs, activity-based probes and small-molecule inhibitors. We describe use of a recently developed, selective FAP inhibitor with low-nanomolar potency in inhibitor-based targeting strategies including synthetic antibody mimetics based on hydrophilic polymers and inhibitor conjugates for PET imaging. In conclusion, recent advances in understanding of the molecular structure and function of FAP have significantly contributed to the development of several tools with potential for translation into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adéla Šimková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 166 10 Praha 6, Czech Republic; Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 12843 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Bušek
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U Nemocnice 5, 128 53 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Aleksi Šedo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U Nemocnice 5, 128 53 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 542/2, 166 10 Praha 6, Czech Republic; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 12843 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
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Hou L, Chen D, Hao L, Tian C, Yan Y, Zhu L, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Zhang Z. Transformable nanoparticles triggered by cancer-associated fibroblasts for improving drug permeability and efficacy in desmoplastic tumors. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:20030-20044. [PMID: 31612175 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr06438a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important barriers for nanoparticles (NPs) to deeply penetrate into tumors and severely limit the antitumor efficacy of nanomedicines. Herein, we proposed a CAF-triggered transformable drug delivery system based on a cleavable peptide responsive to fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) specifically overexpressed on the surface of CAFs. The NPs were composed of cationic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers cross-linked by our designed peptide, a chemotherapeutical drug was incorporated onto PAMAM using disulfide bonds and finally, hyaluronic acid (HA) was conjugated to improve the tumor targetability as well as biocompatibility through electrostatic interactions. These NPs had an initial size of ∼200 nm and negative zeta potential favorable for stable blood circulation; however, after docking with CAFs, they dissociated into smaller NPs and exposed the relative positive surface charge to facilitate penetration and enter the tumor cells together with CAFs. An interesting finding was that this system intracellularly released different levels of drugs in these two kinds of cells, which was beneficial for the disruption of the stromal barrier and increasing the local drug accumulation. Our investigation confirmed that the constructed system could alleviate the biological barriers and hold promising therapeutic efficiency for desmoplastic solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Henan Province, China and Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China and Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Dandan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Modern Analysis and Computer Center of Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Lisha Hao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Modern Analysis and Computer Center of Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Chunyu Tian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Modern Analysis and Computer Center of Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Yingshan Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Modern Analysis and Computer Center of Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Ling Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Henan Province, China and Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Henan Province, China and Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zhenzhong Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. and Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Henan Province, China and Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
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