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Xi M, Zhu J, Zhang F, Shen H, Chen J, Xiao Z, Huangfu Y, Wu C, Sun H, Xia G. Antibody-drug conjugates for targeted cancer therapy: Recent advances in potential payloads. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116709. [PMID: 39068862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116709] [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: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising cancer therapy modality which specifically delivers highly toxic payloads to cancer cells through antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). To date, 15 ADCs have been approved and more than 100 ADC candidates have advanced to clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers. Among these ADCs, microtubule-targeting and DNA-damaging agents are at the forefront of payload development. However, several challenges including toxicity and drug resistance limit the potential of this modality. To tackle these issues, multiple innovative payloads such as immunomodulators and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are incorporated into ADCs to enable multimodal cancer therapy. In this review, we describe the mechanism of ADCs, highlight the importance of ADC payloads and summarize recent progresses of conventional and unconventional ADC payloads, trying to provide an insight into payload diversification as a key step in future ADC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyang Xi
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jingjing Zhu
- NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312090, China
| | - Fengxia Zhang
- NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312090, China
| | - Hualiang Shen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Ziyan Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Yanping Huangfu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Chunlei Wu
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Gang Xia
- NovoCodex Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312090, China
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Tonon G, Rizzolio F, Visentin F, Scattolin T. Antibody Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy: From Metallodrugs to Nature-Inspired Payloads. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8651. [PMID: 39201338 PMCID: PMC11355040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168651] [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: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This review highlights significant advancements in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) equipped with metal-based and nature-inspired payloads, focusing on synthetic strategies for antibody conjugation. Traditional methods such us maleimide and succinimide conjugation and classical condensation reactions are prevalent for metallodrugs and natural compounds. However, emerging non-conventional strategies such as photoconjugation are gaining traction due to their milder conditions and, in an aspect which minimizes side reactions, selective formation of ADC. The review also summarizes the therapeutic and diagnostic properties of these ADCs, highlighting their enhanced selectivity and reduced side effects in cancer treatment compared to non-conjugated payloads. ADCs combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs, offering a targeted approach to the elimination of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. This targeted mechanism has demonstrated impressive clinical efficacy in various malignancies. Key future advancements include improved linker technology for enhanced stability and controlled release of cytotoxic agents, incorporation of novel, more potent, cytotoxic agents, and the identification of new cancer-specific antigens through genomic and proteomic technologies. ADCs are also expected to play a crucial role in combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells, and small molecule inhibitors, leading to more durable and potentially curative outcomes. Ongoing research and clinical trials are expanding their capabilities, paving the way for more effective, safer, and personalized treatments, positioning ADCs as a cornerstone of modern medicine and offering new hope to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tonon
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia-Mestre, Italy; (G.T.); (F.R.)
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia-Mestre, Italy; (G.T.); (F.R.)
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Biology and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Fabiano Visentin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Università Ca’ Foscari Campus Scientifico, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia-Mestre, Italy; (G.T.); (F.R.)
| | - Thomas Scattolin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
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Ricardo MG, Llanes D, Rennert R, Jänicke P, Rivera DG, Wessjohann LA. Improved Access to Potent Anticancer Tubulysins and Linker-Functionalized Payloads Via an All-On-Resin Strategy. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202401943. [PMID: 38771268 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202401943] [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: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Tubulysins are among the most recent antimitotic compounds to enter into antibody/peptide-drug conjugate (ADC/PDC) development. Thus far, the design of the most promising tubulysin payloads relied on simplifying their structures, e. g., by using small tertiary amide N-substituents (Me, Et, Pr) on the tubuvaline residue. Cumbersome solution-phase approaches are typically used for both syntheses and functionalization with cleavable linkers. p-Aminobenzyl quaternary ammonium (PABQ) linkers were a remarkable advancement for targeted delivery, but the procedures to incorporate them into tubulysins are only of moderate efficiency. Here we describe a novel all-on-resin strategy permitting a loss-free resin linkage and an improved access to super potent tubulysin analogs showing close resemblance to the natural compounds. For the first time, a protocol enables the integration of on-resin tubulysin derivatization with, e. g., a maleimido-Val-Cit-PABQ linker, which is a notable progress for the payload-PABQ-linker technology. The strategy also allows tubulysin diversification of the internal amide N-substituent, thus enabling to screen a tubulysin library for the discovery of new potent analogs. This work provides ADC/PDC developers with new tools for both rapid access to new derivatives and easier linker-attachment and functionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel G Ricardo
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata & G, Havana, 10400, Cuba
- Present address: Department of Biomolecular Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dayma Llanes
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Robert Rennert
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Paul Jänicke
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel G Rivera
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata & G, Havana, 10400, Cuba
| | - Ludger A Wessjohann
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Wang Z, Li H, Gou L, Li W, Wang Y. Antibody-drug conjugates: Recent advances in payloads. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4025-4059. [PMID: 37799390 PMCID: PMC10547921 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody‒drug conjugates (ADCs), which combine the advantages of monoclonal antibodies with precise targeting and payloads with efficient killing, show great clinical therapeutic value. The ADCs' payloads play a key role in determining the efficacy of ADC drugs and thus have attracted great attention in the field. An ideal ADC payload should possess sufficient toxicity, low immunogenicity, high stability, and modifiable functional groups. Common ADC payloads include tubulin inhibitors and DNA damaging agents, with tubulin inhibitors accounting for more than half of the ADC drugs in clinical development. However, due to clinical limitations of traditional ADC payloads, such as inadequate efficacy and the development of acquired drug resistance, novel highly efficient payloads with diverse targets and reduced side effects are being developed. This perspective summarizes the recent research advances of traditional and novel ADC payloads with main focuses on the structure-activity relationship studies, co-crystal structures, and designing strategies, and further discusses the future research directions of ADC payloads. This review also aims to provide valuable references and future directions for the development of novel ADC payloads that will have high efficacy, low toxicity, adequate stability, and abilities to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, China
| | - Hanxuan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Lantu Gou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, China
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Yin L, Xu A, Zhao Y, Gu J. Bioanalytical Assays for Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Drug Metab Dispos 2023; 51:1324-1331. [PMID: 37290939 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.123.001313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are produced by the chemical linkage of cytotoxic agents and monoclonal antibodies. The complexity and heterogeneity of ADCs and the low concentration of cytotoxic agent released in vivo poses big challenges to their bioanalysis. Understanding the pharmacokinetic behavior, exposure-safety, and exposure-efficacy relationships of ADCs is needed for their successful development. Accurate analytical methods are required to evaluate intact ADCs, total antibody, released small molecule cytotoxins, and related metabolites. The selection of appropriate bioanalysis methods for comprehensive analysis of ADCs is mainly dependent on the properties of cytotoxic agents, the chemical linker, and the attachment sites. The quality of the information about the whole pharmacokinetic profile of ADCs has been improved due to the development and improvement of analytical strategies for detection of ADCs, such as ligand-binding assays and mass spectrometry-related techniques. In this article, we will focus on the bioanalytical assays that have been used in the pharmacokinetic study of ADCs and discuss their advantages, current limitations, and potential challenges. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This article describes bioanalysis methods which have been used in pharmacokinetic study of ADCs and discusses the advantages, disadvantages and potential challenges of these assays. This review is useful and helpful and will provide insights and reference for bioanalysis and development of ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yin
- Research Center for Drug Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China (L.Y., A.X., Y.Z., J.G.) and School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, PR China (L.Y.)
| | - Aiyun Xu
- Research Center for Drug Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China (L.Y., A.X., Y.Z., J.G.) and School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, PR China (L.Y.)
| | - Yumeng Zhao
- Research Center for Drug Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China (L.Y., A.X., Y.Z., J.G.) and School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, PR China (L.Y.)
| | - Jingkai Gu
- Research Center for Drug Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China (L.Y., A.X., Y.Z., J.G.) and School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, PR China (L.Y.)
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Yu U, Kim J, Park S, Cho K. Tubulysins are Essential for the Preying of Ciliates by Myxobacteria. J Microbiol 2023:10.1007/s12275-023-00056-2. [PMID: 37314675 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-023-00056-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tubulysins are bioactive secondary metabolites produced by myxobacteria that promote microtubule disassembly. Microtubules are required for protozoa such as Tetrahymena to form cilia and flagella. To study the role of tubulysins in myxobacteria, we co-cultured myxobacteria and Tetrahymena. When 4000 Tetrahymena thermophila and 5.0 × 108 myxobacteria were added to 1 ml of CYSE medium and co-cultured for 48 h, the population of T. thermophila increased to more than 75,000. However, co-culturing tubulysin-producing myxobacteria, including Archangium gephyra KYC5002, with T. thermophila caused the population of T. thermophila to decrease from 4000 to less than 83 within 48 h. Almost no dead bodies of T. thermophila were observed in the culture medium. Co-culturing of T. thermophila and the A. gephyra KYC5002 strain with inactivation of the tubulysin biosynthesis gene led to the population of T. thermophila increasing to 46,667. These results show that in nature, most myxobacteria are preyed upon by T. thermophila, but some myxobacteria prey on and kill T. thermophila using tubulysins. Adding purified tubulysin A to T. thermophila changed the cell shape from ovoid to spherical and caused cell surface cilia to disappear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uisang Yu
- Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan, 31499, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiha Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan, 31499, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohui Park
- Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan, 31499, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungyun Cho
- Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University, Asan, 31499, Republic of Korea.
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Zheng B, Ortiz A, Guerrero CA, Luzung MR, Zhu J, Schmidt MA, Eastgate MD. Stereoselective Synthesis of a Tubulysin Core for Antibody–Drug Conjugate Studies. Org Process Res Dev 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.2c00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Adrian Ortiz
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Carlos A. Guerrero
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Michael R. Luzung
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Jason Zhu
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Michael A. Schmidt
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Martin D. Eastgate
- Chemical Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
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