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Batista-Silva JP, Gomes D, Sousa SF, Sousa Â, Passarinha LA. Advances in structure-based drug design targeting membrane protein markers in prostate cancer. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104130. [PMID: 39103143 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104130] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading cancers in men and the lack of suitable biomarkers or their modulators results in poor prognosis. Membrane proteins (MPs) have a crucial role in the development and progression of PCa and can be attractive therapeutic targets. However, experimental limitations in targeting MPs hinder effective biomarker and inhibitor discovery. To overcome this barrier, computational methods can yield structural insights and screen large libraries of compounds, accelerating lead identification and optimization. In this review, we examine current breakthroughs in computer-aided drug design (CADD), with emphasis on structure-based approaches targeting the most relevant membrane-bound PCa biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Batista-Silva
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Diana Gomes
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Sérgio F Sousa
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, BioSIM - Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela Sousa
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Luís A Passarinha
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, University of Beira Interior, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal.
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Patamia V, Zagni C, Brullo I, Saccullo E, Coco A, Floresta G, Rescifina A. Computer-Assisted Design of Peptide-Based Radiotracers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076856. [PMID: 37047831 PMCID: PMC10095039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In medical imaging, techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, contrast-enhanced computerized tomography, positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are extensively available and routinely used for disease diagnosis. PET probes with peptide-based targeting are typically composed of small peptides especially developed to have high affinity and specificity for a range of cellular and tissue targets. These probes’ key benefits include being less expensive than traditional antibody-based PET tracers and having an effective chemical modification process that allows them to be radiolabeled with almost any radionuclide, making them highly appealing for clinical usage. Currently, as with every pharmaceutical design, the use of in silico strategies is steadily growing in this field, even though it is not part of the standard toolkit used during radiopharmaceutical design. This review describes the recent applications of computational design approaches in the design of novel peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Patamia
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Zagni
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Ilaria Brullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Erika Saccullo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Coco
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Floresta
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Runge R, Naumann A, Miederer M, Kotzerke J, Brogsitter C. Up-Regulation of PSMA Expression In Vitro as Potential Application in Prostate Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040538. [PMID: 37111295 PMCID: PMC10144194 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040538] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Possibilities to improve the therapeutic efficacy of Lu-177-PSMA-617 radionuclide therapy by modulation of target expression are being investigated. Knowledge on regulatory factors that promote prostate cancer (PCa) progression may contribute to targeting prostate cancer more effectively. We aimed at the stimulation of PCa cell lines using the substances 5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine (5-aza-dC) and valproic acid (VPA) to achieve increased prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression. PC3, PC3-PSMA, and LNCaP cells were incubated with varying concentrations of 5-aza-dC and VPA to investigate the cell-bound activity of Lu-177-PSMA-617. Stimulation effects on both the genetically modified cell line PC3-PSMA and the endogenously PSMA-expressing LNCaP cells were demonstrated by increased cellular uptake of the radioligand. For PC3-PSMA cells, the fraction of cell-bound radioactivity was enhanced by about 20-fold compared to that of the unstimulated cells. Our study reveals an increased radioligand uptake mediated by stimulation for both PC3-PSMA and LNCaP cell lines. In perspective of an enhanced PSMA expression, the present study might contribute to advanced radionuclide therapy approaches that improve the therapeutic efficacy, as well as combined treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roswitha Runge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anne Naumann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Miederer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Joerg Kotzerke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Brogsitter
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
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Boinapally S, Lisok A, Lofland G, Minn I, Yan Y, Jiang Z, Shin MJ, Merino VF, Zheng L, Brayton C, Pomper MG, Banerjee SR. Hetero-bivalent agents targeting FAP and PSMA. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:4369-4381. [PMID: 35965291 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05933-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We developed a theranostic radiopharmaceutical that engages two key cell surface proteases, fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), each frequently overexpressed within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The latter is also expressed in most prostate tumor epithelium. To engage a broader spectrum of cancers for imaging and therapy, we conjugated small-molecule FAP and PSMA-targeting moieties using an optimized linker to provide 64Cu-labeled compounds. METHODS We synthesized FP-L1 and FP-L2 using two linker constructs attaching the FAP and PSMA-binding pharmacophores. We determined in vitro inhibition constants (Ki) for FAP and PSMA. Cell uptake assays and flow cytometry were conducted in human glioma (U87), melanoma (SK-MEL-24), prostate cancer (PSMA + PC3 PIP and PSMA - PC3 flu), and clear cell renal cell carcinoma lines (PSMA + /PSMA - 786-O). Quantitative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and tissue biodistribution studies were performed using U87, SK-MEL-24, PSMA + PC3 PIP, and PSMA + 786-O experimental xenograft models and the KPC genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS 64Cu-FP-L1 and 64Cu-FP-L2 were produced in high radiochemical yields (> 98%) and molar activities (> 19 MBq/nmol). Ki values were in the nanomolar range for both FAP and PSMA. PET imaging and biodistribution studies revealed high and specific targeting of 64Cu-FP-L1 and 64Cu-FP-L2 for FAP and PSMA. 64Cu-FP-L1 displayed more favorable pharmacokinetics than 64Cu-FP-L2. In the U87 tumor model at 2 h post-injection, tumor uptake of 64Cu-FP-L1 (10.83 ± 1.02%ID/g) was comparable to 64Cu-FAPI-04 (9.53 ± 2.55%ID/g). 64Cu-FP-L1 demonstrated high retention 5.34 ± 0.29%ID/g at 48 h in U87 tumor. Additionally, 64Cu-FP-L1 showed high retention in PSMA + PC3 PIP tumor (12.06 ± 0.78%ID/g at 2 h and 10.51 ± 1.82%ID/g at 24 h). CONCLUSIONS 64Cu-FP-L1 demonstrated high and specific tumor targeting of FAP and PSMA. This compound should enable imaging of lesions expressing FAP, PSMA, or both on the tumor cell surface or within the TME. FP-L1 can readily be converted into a theranostic for the management of heterogeneous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Boinapally
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alla Lisok
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabriela Lofland
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Il Minn
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yu Yan
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zirui Jiang
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Min Jay Shin
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vanessa F Merino
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lei Zheng
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cory Brayton
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin G Pomper
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Sangeeta Ray Banerjee
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Synthesis and in vitro proof-of-concept studies on bispecific iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles targeting PSMA and GRP receptors for PET/MR imaging of prostate cancer. Int J Pharm 2022; 624:122008. [PMID: 35820513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122008] [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: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy worldwide in men. This is a proof-of-concept study describing the development of 68Ga-magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (mNP) targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and gastrin releasing peptide (GRPR) receptors as potential tools for diagnosis of PCa with PET/MRI. Two pharmacophores targeting PSMA, 1, and GRPR, 2, were coupled to mNPs carrying -SH (mNP-S1/2) or -NH2 (mNP-N1/2) groups. The mNP-S1/2 and mNP-N1/2 were characterized for their size, zeta potential, structure, and efficiency of functionalization using dynamic light scattering (DLS), FT-IR and RP-HPLC. A direct 68Ga-labelling procedure was followed, where 68Ga-mNP-N1/2 proved superior to 68Ga-mNP-S1/2 regarding radiolabelling efficiency, and thus were further evaluated in vitro. Toxicity studies in PCa cells (LNCaP, PC-3) showed low toxicity, and minimal hemolysis of red blood cells. In vitro assays in cells expressing PSMA (LNCaP), and GRPR (PC-3), showed specific time-dependent binding (40 min to plateau), high avidity (PC-3: Kd = 28.27 nM, LNCaP: Kd = 11.49 nM) and high internalization rates for 68Ga-mNP-N1/2 in both cell lines.
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