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Kim HR, Park SJ, Cho YS, Moyo MK, Choi JU, Lee NK, Chung SW, Kweon S, Park J, Kim B, Ko YG, Yeo JH, Lee J, Kim SY, Byun Y. Stimulating macropinocytosis of peptide-drug conjugates through DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibition for treating KRAS-mutant cancer. J Control Release 2024; 372:176-193. [PMID: 38880331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.028] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
KRAS-mutant cancers, due to their protein targeting complexity, present significant therapeutic hurdles. The identification of the macropinocytic phenotype in these cancers has emerged as a promising alternative therapeutic target. Our study introduces MPD1, an macropinocytosis-targeting peptide-drug conjugates (PDC), which is developed to treat KRAS mutant cancers. This PDC is specifically designed to trigger a positive feedback loop through its caspase-3 cleavable characteristic. However, we observe that this loop is hindered by DNA-PK mediated DNA damage repair processes in cancer cells. To counter this impediment, we employ AZD7648, a DNA-PK inhibitor. Interestingly, the combined treatment of MPD1 and AZD7648 resulted in a 100% complete response rate in KRAS-mutant xenograft model. We focus on the synergic mechanism of it. We discover that AZD7648 specifically enhances macropinocytosis in KRAS-mutant cancer cells. Further analysis uncovers a significant correlation between the increase in macropinocytosis and PI3K signaling, driven by AMPK pathways. Also, AZD7648 reinforces the positive feedback loop, leading to escalated apoptosis and enhanced payload accumulation within tumors. AZD7648 possesses broad applications in augmenting nano-sized drug delivery and preventing DNA repair resistance. The promising efficacy and evident synergy underscore the potential of combining MPD1 with AZD7648 as a strategy for treating KRAS-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Rin Kim
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.; School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA 94305, United States
| | - Seong Jin Park
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seok Cho
- College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
| | | | - Jeong Uk Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Chung
- Depertment of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, United States
| | - Seho Kweon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Applied Life Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoungmo Kim
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Gun Ko
- Pharosgen Co.Ltd, Seoul, 05852, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hye Yeo
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinu Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngro Byun
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea..
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2
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Jang Y, Cho YS, Kim A, Zhou X, Kim Y, Wan Z, Moon JJ, Park H. CXCR4-Targeted Macrophage-Derived Biomimetic Hybrid Vesicle Nanoplatform for Enhanced Cancer Therapy through Codelivery of Manganese and Doxorubicin. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:17129-17144. [PMID: 38533538 PMCID: PMC11057903 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Immune-cell-derived membranes have garnered significant attention as innovative delivery modalities in cancer immunotherapy for their intrinsic immune-modulating functionalities and superior biocompatibilities. Integrating additional parental cell membranes or synthetic lipid vesicles into cellular vesicles can further potentiate their capacities to perform combinatorial pharmacological activities in activating antitumor immunity, thus providing insights into the potential of hybrid cellular vesicles as versatile delivery vehicles for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we have developed a macrophage-membrane-derived hybrid vesicle that has the dual functions of transporting immunotherapeutic drugs and shaping the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages for cancer immunotherapy. The platform combines M1 macrophage-membrane-derived vesicles with CXCR4-binding-peptide-conjugated liposomes loaded with manganese and doxorubicin. The hybrid nanovesicles exhibited remarkable macrophage-targeting capacity through the CXCR4-binding peptide, resulting in enhanced macrophage polarization to the antitumoral M1 phenotype characterized by proinflammatory cytokine release. The manganese/doxorubicin-loaded hybrid vesicles in the CXCR4-expressing tumor cells evoked potent cancer cytotoxicity, immunogenic cell death of tumor cells, and STING activation. Moreover, cotreatment with manganese and doxorubicin promoted dendritic cell maturation, enabling effective tumor growth inhibition. In murine models of CT26 colon carcinoma and 4T1 breast cancer, intravenous administration of the manganese/doxorubicin-loaded hybrid vesicles elicited robust tumor-suppressing activity at a low dosage without adverse systemic effects. Local administration of hybrid nanovesicles also induced an abscessive effect in a bilateral 4T1 tumor model. This study demonstrates a promising biomimetic manganese/doxorubicin-based hybrid nanovesicle platform for effective cancer immunotherapy tailored to the tumor microenvironment, which may offer an innovative approach to combinatorial immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonwoo Jang
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seok Cho
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - April Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xingwu Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yujin Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ziye Wan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - James J Moon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Hansoo Park
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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Zhou L, Lu Y, Liu W, Wang S, Wang L, Zheng P, Zi G, Liu H, Liu W, Wei S. Drug conjugates for the treatment of lung cancer: from drug discovery to clinical practice. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:26. [PMID: 38429828 PMCID: PMC10908151 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00493-8] [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: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
A drug conjugate consists of a cytotoxic drug bound via a linker to a targeted ligand, allowing the targeted delivery of the drug to one or more tumor sites. This approach simultaneously reduces drug toxicity and increases efficacy, with a powerful combination of efficient killing and precise targeting. Antibody‒drug conjugates (ADCs) are the best-known type of drug conjugate, combining the specificity of antibodies with the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs to reduce adverse reactions by preferentially targeting the payload to the tumor. The structure of ADCs has also provided inspiration for the development of additional drug conjugates. In recent years, drug conjugates such as ADCs, peptide‒drug conjugates (PDCs) and radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs) have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The scope and application of drug conjugates have been expanding, including combination therapy and precise drug delivery, and a variety of new conjugation technology concepts have emerged. Additionally, new conjugation technology-based drugs have been developed in industry. In addition to chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, drug conjugate therapy has undergone continuous development and made significant progress in treating lung cancer in recent years, offering a promising strategy for the treatment of this disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the use of drug conjugates for lung cancer treatment, including structure-based drug design, mechanisms of action, clinical trials, and side effects. Furthermore, challenges, potential approaches and future prospects are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunlong Lu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shanglong Wang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pengdou Zheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guisha Zi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiguo Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wukun Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China.
| | - Shuang Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China.
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Li C, Zhang D, Pan Y, Chen B. Human Serum Albumin Based Nanodrug Delivery Systems: Recent Advances and Future Perspective. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3354. [PMID: 37631411 PMCID: PMC10459149 DOI: 10.3390/polym15163354] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
With the success of several clinical trials of products based on human serum albumin (HSA) and the rapid development of nanotechnology, HSA-based nanodrug delivery systems (HBNDSs) have received extensive attention in the field of nanomedicine. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive reviews exploring the broader scope of HBNDSs in biomedical applications beyond cancer therapy. To address this gap, this review takes a systematic approach. Firstly, it focuses on the crystal structure and the potential binding sites of HSA. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive summary of recent progresses in the field of HBNDSs for various biomedical applications over the past five years, categorized according to the type of therapeutic drugs loaded onto HSA. These categories include small-molecule drugs, inorganic materials and bioactive ingredients. Finally, the review summarizes the characteristics and current application status of HBNDSs in drug delivery, and also discusses the challenges that need to be addressed for the clinical transformation of HSA formulations and offers future perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyong Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China;
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology & Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Dagui Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology & Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Yujing Pan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology & Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Biaoqi Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China;
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology & Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
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5
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Yang SB, Lee DN, Lee JH, Seo M, Shin DW, Lee S, Lee YH, Park J. Design and Evaluation of a Carrier-Free Prodrug-Based Palmitic-DEVD-Doxorubicin Conjugate for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:333-344. [PMID: 36735902 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In the development of new drugs, typical polymer- or macromolecule-based nanocarriers suffer from manufacturing process complexity, unwanted systematic toxicity, and low loading capacity. However, carrier-free nanomedicines have made outstanding progress in drug delivery and pharmacokinetics, demonstrating most of the advantages associated with nanoparticles when applied in targeted anticancer therapy. Here, to overcome the problems of nanocarriers and conventional cytotoxic drugs, we developed a novel, carrier-free, self-assembled prodrug consisting of a hydrophobic palmitic (16-carbon chain n-hexadecane chain) moiety and hydrophilic group (or moiety) which is included in a caspase-3-specific cleavable peptide (Asp-Glu-Val-Asp, DEVD) and a cytotoxic drug (doxorubicin, DOX). The amphiphilic conjugate, the palmitic-DEVD-DOX, has the ability to self-assemble into nanoparticles in saline without the need for any carriers or nanoformulations. Additionally, the inclusion of doxorubicin is in its prodrug form and the apoptosis-specific DEVD peptide lead to the reduced side effects of doxorubicin in normal tissue. Furthermore, the carrier-free palmitic-DEVD-DOX nanoparticles could passively accumulate in the tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice due to an enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect. As a result, the palmitic-DEVD-DOX conjugate showed an enhanced therapeutic effect compared with the unmodified DEVD-DOX conjugate. Therefore, this carrier-free palmitic-DEVD-DOX prodrug has great therapeutic potential to treat solid tumors, overcoming the problems of conventional chemotherapy and nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Bin Yang
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Nyeong Lee
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyuck Lee
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Minho Seo
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Shin
- College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokwoo Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ho Lee
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea.,Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.,Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
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6
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Cho YS, Kim HR, Park SJ, Chung SW, Ko YG, Yeo JH, Lee J, Kim SK, Choi JU, Kim SY, Byun Y. Sustained potentiation of bystander killing via PTEN-loss driven macropinocytosis targeted peptide-drug conjugate therapy in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Biomaterials 2022; 289:121783. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Peptide-Based Bioconjugates and Therapeutics for Targeted Anticancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071378. [PMID: 35890274 PMCID: PMC9320687 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With rapidly growing knowledge in bioinformatics related to peptides and proteins, amino acid-based drug-design strategies have recently gained importance in pharmaceutics. In the past, peptide-based biomedicines were not widely used due to the associated severe physiological problems, such as low selectivity and rapid degradation in biological systems. However, various interesting peptide-based therapeutics combined with drug-delivery systems have recently emerged. Many of these candidates have been developed for anticancer therapy that requires precisely targeted effects and low toxicity. These research trends have become more diverse and complex owing to nanomedicine and antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), showing excellent therapeutic efficacy. Various newly developed peptide–drug conjugates (PDC), peptide-based nanoparticles, and prodrugs could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for patients. In this review, we provide valuable insights into rational drug design and development for future pharmaceutics.
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Kim HR, Cho YS, Chung SW, Choi JU, Ko YG, Park SJ, Kim SY, Byun Y. Caspase-3 mediated switch therapy of self-triggered and long-acting prodrugs for metastatic TNBC. J Control Release 2022; 346:136-147. [PMID: 35447298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by its highly heterogeneous microenvironment and propensity for aggressive behavior, both of which represent, along with poor prognosis and high incidence of relapse, the main challenges of curing the disease. Although recent progress in targeted chemotherapy combinations has shown promising outcomes, conventional targeted chemotherapeutic approaches have relied on exploiting the expression of certain molecules or proteins overexpressed on cancer cells as drug targets, which have demonstrated limited clinical benefit against metastatic cancers. Here, we describe a tumoral caspase-3 mediated peptide-doxorubicin conjugates (PDC) switch therapy that adopts two different caspase-3 cleavable PDCs, RGDEVD-DOX (TPD1) and EMC-KGDEVD-DOX (MPD1), for targeting metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). First, using TPD1, an integrin αVβ3 based targeted strategy was utilized to target tumor cells or tumor vasculature associated with the highly malignant progression of mTNBC. TPD1 triggered the tumor cell-specific initial apoptosis and the induction of caspase-3 expression in the target tumor site. Then MPD1 was administered sequentially, which is an albumin-binding prodrug, and activated by induced caspase-3 in order to maintain the tumoral caspase-3 level and release the cytotoxic payload. The PDC switch therapy markedly accumulated doxorubicin in the tumor site and augmented tumor-specific in situ amplification of apoptosis. Importantly, the PDC switch therapy exerted a bystander killing effect on the neighboring cancer cells thus demonstrating potent therapeutic efficacy against both local and metastatic cancers. Given the limited therapeutic outcomes with conventional targeted therapies, our strategy of regulating the expression of caspase-3 level as a drug target could provide as a more durable and effective alternative in the treatment of highly heterogeneous mTNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Rin Kim
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seok Cho
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergent Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Chung
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jeong Uk Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Seong Jin Park
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, South Korea
| | - Youngro Byun
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Cho IK, Shim MK, Um W, Kim JH, Kim K. Light-Activated Monomethyl Auristatin E Prodrug Nanoparticles for Combinational Photo-Chemotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer. Molecules 2022; 27:2529. [PMID: 35458727 PMCID: PMC9032578 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly fatal disease that is becoming an increasingly leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In clinic, the most effective approach to treat pancreatic cancers is the combination treatment of several chemotherapeutic drugs, including fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX), but this approach is not adequate to manage patients due to their severe toxic side effects. Herein, we proposed light-activated monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) prodrug nanoparticles for combinational photo-chemotherapy and optimized its applications for pancreatic cancer treatment. The photosensitizer (Ce6) and chemotherapeutic drug (MMAE) were conjugated through caspase-3-specific cleavable peptide (KGDEVD). The resulting CDM efficiently promoted the reactive oxygen species (ROS) under visible light irradiation and thereby induced caspase-3 overexpression in pacreatic cancers, which subsequently released the MMAE from the system. Importantly, MMAE released from CDM further amplified the activation of CDM into MMAE by inducing extensive apoptotic cell death in tumor microenvironment for treatment of tumor cells in deep in the tumor tissues as far visible light cannot reach. In addition, CDM formed prodrug nanoparticles via intermolecular π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions, allowing durable and reliable treatment by preventing fast leakage from the pancreatic cancers via the lymphatic vessels. The CDM directly (intratumoral) injected into pancreatic cancers in orthotopic models through an invasive approach significantly delayed the tumor progression by combinational photo-chemotherapy with less toxic side effects. This study offers a promising and alternative approach for safe and more effective pancreatic cancer treatment via prodrug nanoparticles that combine photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Kyung Cho
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Korea;
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea;
| | - Man Kyu Shim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea;
| | - Wooram Um
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea;
| | - Jong-Ho Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea;
| | - Kwangmeyung Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea;
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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