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Li C, Shi K, Zhao S, Liu J, Zhai Q, Hou X, Xu J, Wang X, Liu J, Wu X, Fan W. Natural-source payloads used in the conjugated drugs architecture for cancer therapy: Recent advances and future directions. Pharmacol Res 2024; 207:107341. [PMID: 39134188 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Drug conjugates are obtained from tumor-located vectors connected to cytotoxic agents via linkers, which are designed to deliver hyper-toxic payloads directly to targeted cancer cells. These drug conjugates include antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs), nucleic acid aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs), and virus-like drug conjugate (VDCs), which show great therapeutic value in the clinic. Drug conjugates consist of a targeting carrier, a linker, and a payload. Payloads are key therapy components. Cytotoxic molecules and their derivatives derived from natural products are commonly used in the payload portion of conjugates. The ideal payload should have sufficient toxicity, stability, coupling sites, and the ability to be released under specific conditions to kill tumor cells. Microtubule protein inhibitors, DNA damage agents, and RNA inhibitors are common cytotoxic molecules. Among these conjugates, cytotoxic molecules of natural origin are summarized based on their mechanism of action, conformational relationships, and the discovery of new derivatives. This paper also mentions some cytotoxic molecules that have the potential to be payloads. It also summarizes the latest technologies and novel conjugates developed in recent years to overcome the shortcomings of ADCs, PDCs, SMDCs, ApDCs, and VDCs. In addition, this paper summarizes the clinical trials conducted on conjugates of these cytotoxic molecules over the last five years. It provides a reference for designing and developing safer and more efficient conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Kourong Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Siyuan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Qiaoli Zhai
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Xiaoli Hou
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Shanghai Wei Er Lab, Shanghai 201707, China.
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350108, China.
| | - Xin Wu
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350108, China; Shanghai Wei Er Lab, Shanghai 201707, China.
| | - Wei Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
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2
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Theocharopoulos C, Ziogas IA, Douligeris CC, Efstathiou A, Kolorizos E, Ziogas DC, Kontis E. Antibody-drug conjugates for hepato-pancreato-biliary malignancies: "Magic bullets" to the rescue? Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 129:102806. [PMID: 39094332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102806] [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: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) malignancies constitute a highly aggressive group of cancers that have a dismal prognosis. Patients not amenable to curative intent surgical resection are managed with systemic chemotherapy which, however, confers little survival benefit. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are tripartite compounds that merge the intricate selectivity and specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the cytodestructive potency of attached supertoxic payloads. In view of the unmet need for drugs that will enhance the survival rates of HPB cancer patients, the assessment of ADCs for treating HPB malignancies has become the focus of extensive clinical and preclinical investigation, showing encouraging preliminary results. In the current review, we offer a comprehensive overview of the growing body of evidence on ADC approaches tested for HPB malignancies. Starting from a concise discussion of the functional principles of ADCs, we summarize here all available data from preclinical and clinical studies evaluating ADCs in HPB cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ioannis A Ziogas
- Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Dimitrios C Ziogas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Elissaios Kontis
- Department of Surgery, Metaxa Cancer Hospital, Piraeus 18537, Greece
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3
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Chen WA, Williams TG, So L, Drew N, Fang J, Ochoa P, Nguyen N, Jawhar Y, Otiji J, Duerksen-Hughes PJ, Reeves ME, Casiano CA, Jin H, Dovat S, Yang J, Boyle KE, Francis-Boyle OL. Duocarmycin SA Reduces Proliferation and Increases Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4342. [PMID: 38673926 PMCID: PMC11050052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084342] [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: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy that is characterized by an expansion of immature myeloid precursors. Despite therapeutic advances, the prognosis of AML patients remains poor and there is a need for the evaluation of promising therapeutic candidates to treat the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of duocarmycin Stable A (DSA) in AML cells in vitro. We hypothesized that DSA would induce DNA damage in the form of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and exert cytotoxic effects on AML cells within the picomolar range. Human AML cell lines Molm-14 and HL-60 were used to perform 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), DNA DSBs, cell cycle, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU), colony formation unit (CFU), Annexin V, RNA sequencing and other assays described in this study. Our results showed that DSA induced DNA DSBs, induced cell cycle arrest at the G2M phase, reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis in AML cells. Additionally, RNA sequencing results showed that DSA regulates genes that are associated with cellular processes such as DNA repair, G2M checkpoint and apoptosis. These results suggest that DSA is efficacious in AML cells and is therefore a promising potential therapeutic candidate that can be further evaluated for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A. Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Terry G. Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Leena So
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Natalie Drew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Pedro Ochoa
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11085 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Nhi Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Yasmeen Jawhar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Jide Otiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Penelope J. Duerksen-Hughes
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Mark E. Reeves
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Carlos A. Casiano
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11085 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sinisa Dovat
- Departments of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology, Penn State Cancer Institute, 400 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kristopher E. Boyle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Olivia L. Francis-Boyle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, Shryock Hall 24745 Stewart Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy, Division of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
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4
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Li Y. DNA Adducts in Cancer Chemotherapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5113-5143. [PMID: 38552031 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
DNA adducting drugs, including alkylating agents and platinum-containing drugs, are prominent in cancer chemotherapy. Their mechanisms of action involve direct interaction with DNA, resulting in the formation of DNA addition products known as DNA adducts. While these adducts are well-accepted to induce cancer cell death, understanding of their specific chemotypes and their role in drug therapy response remain limited. This perspective aims to address this gap by investigating the metabolic activation and chemical characterization of DNA adducts formed by the U.S. FDA-approved drugs. Moreover, clinical studies on DNA adducts as potential biomarkers for predicting patient responses to drug efficacy are examined. The overarching goal is to engage the interest of medicinal chemists and stimulate further research into the use of DNA adducts as biomarkers for guiding personalized cancer treatment.
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5
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Zeisel L, Felber JG, Scholzen KC, Schmitt C, Wiegand AJ, Komissarov L, Arnér ESJ, Thorn-Seshold O. Piperazine-Fused Cyclic Disulfides Unlock High-Performance Bioreductive Probes of Thioredoxins and Bifunctional Reagents for Thiol Redox Biology. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5204-5214. [PMID: 38358897 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
We report piperazine-fused six-membered-cyclic disulfides as redox substrates that unlock best-in-class bioreduction probes for live cell biology, since their self-immolation after reduction is unprecedentedly rapid. We develop scalable, diastereomerically pure, six-step syntheses that access four key cis- and trans-piperazine-fused cyclic dichalcogenides without chromatography. Fluorogenic redox probes using the disulfide piperazines are activated >100-fold faster than the prior art monoamines, allowing us to deconvolute reduction and cyclization rates during activation. The cis- and trans-fused diastereomers have remarkably different reductant specificities, which we trace back to piperazine boat/chair conformation effects: the cis-fused disulfide C-DiThia is activated only by strong vicinal dithiol reductants, but the trans-disulfide T-DiThia is activated even by moderate concentrations of monothiols such as GSH. Thus, in cellular applications, cis-disulfide probes selectively report on the reductive activity of the powerful thioredoxin proteins, while trans-disulfides are rapidly but promiscuously reactive. Finally, we showcase late-stage diversifications of the piperazine-disulfides, promising their broad applicability as redox-cleavable cores for probes and prodrugs that interface powerfully with cellular thiol/disulfide redox biology, for solid phase synthesis and purification, and for stimulus-responsive linkers in bifunctional reagents and antibody-drug conjugates - in addition to their dithiols' potential as high-performance reducing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Zeisel
- Department of Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Jan G Felber
- Department of Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Karoline C Scholzen
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Carina Schmitt
- Department of Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Alexander J Wiegand
- Department of Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, Munich 81377, Germany
| | - Leonid Komissarov
- Center for Molecular Modeling (CMM), Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 46, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Elias S J Arnér
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
- Department of Selenoprotein Research, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest 1122, Hungary
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6
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Li XZ, He YP, Wu H. Multicomponent Cyclizative 1,2-Rearrangement Enabled Enantioselective Construction of 2,2-Disubstituted Pyrrolinones. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317182. [PMID: 38150406 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The 1,2-rearrangement reaction is one of the most important approaches to construct carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis. However, the development of catalytic asymmetric 1,2-rearrangements is still far from mature and often suffers from problems such as complex substrates, single product structure, and lack of synthetic application. Multicomponent reaction has been recognized as a robust tool for the synthesis of diverse and tunable products from readily available starting material. Conceptionally and practically, the development of multicomponent asymmetric 1,2-rearrangements is highly desirable. In this regard, we report herein a three-component benzilic acid-type rearrangement of 2,3-diketoesters, aromatic amines and aldehydes for the asymmetric construction of synthetically challenging pyrrolinones bearing aza-quaternary stereocenters. To the best of our knowledge, this reaction represents the first example of organocatalyzed multicomponent asymmetric 1,2-rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Zi Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yu-Ping He
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hua Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
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7
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Yelamali AR, Chendamarai E, Ritchey JK, Rettig MP, DiPersio JF, Persaud SP. Streptavidin-drug conjugates streamline optimization of antibody-based conditioning for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.12.579199. [PMID: 38405731 PMCID: PMC10888937 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.579199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) conditioning using antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) is a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy- and irradiation-based conditioning regimens. The drug payload bound to an ADC is a key contributor to its efficacy and potential toxicities; however, a comparison of HSCT conditioning ADCs produced with different toxic payloads has not been performed. Indeed, ADC optimization studies in general are hampered by the inability to produce and screen multiple combinations of antibody and drug payload in a rapid, cost-effective manner. Herein, we used Click chemistry to covalently conjugate four different small molecule payloads to streptavidin; these streptavidin-drug conjugates can then be joined to any biotinylated antibody to produce stable, indirectly conjugated ADCs. Evaluating CD45-targeted ADCs produced with this system, we found the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer SGD-1882 was the most effective payload for targeting mouse and human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and acute myeloid leukemia cells. In murine syngeneic HSCT studies, a single dose of CD45-PBD enabled near-complete conversion to donor hematopoiesis. Finally, human CD45-PBD provided significant antitumor benefit in a patient-derived xenograft model of acute myeloid leukemia. As our streptavidin-drug conjugates were generated in-house with readily accessible equipment, reagents, and routine molecular biology techniques, we anticipate this flexible platform will facilitate the evaluation and optimization of ADCs for myriad targeting applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya R Yelamali
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
| | - Ezhilarasi Chendamarai
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
| | - Julie K Ritchey
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
| | - Michael P Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
| | - John F DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
| | - Stephen P Persaud
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
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8
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Valsasina B, Orsini P, Caruso M, Albanese C, Ciavolella A, Cucchi U, Fraietta I, Melillo N, Fiorentini F, Rizzi S, Salsa M, Isacchi A, Gasparri F. Novel Thienoduocarmycin-Trastuzumab ADC Demonstrates Strong Antitumor Efficacy with Favorable Safety Profile in Preclinical Studies. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1465-1478. [PMID: 37722716 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
New antibodies-drug conjugate (ADC) payloads overcoming chemoresistance and killing also poorly proliferating tumors at well-tolerated doses are much desired. Duocarmycins are a well-known class of highly potent cytotoxic agents, with DNA minor groove-binding and alkylation properties, active also in chemoresistant tumors. Although different duocarmycin derivatives have been used during the years as payloads for ADC production, unfavorable physicochemical properties impaired the production of ADCs with optimal features. Optimization of the toxin to balance reactivity and stability features and best linker selection allowed us to develop the novel duocarmycin-like payload-linker NMS-P945 suitable for conjugation to mAbs with reproducible drug-antibody ratio (DAR) >3.5. When conjugated to trastuzumab, it generated an ADC with good internalization properties, ability to induce bystander effect and immunogenic cell death. Moreover, it showed strong target-driven activity in cells and cytotoxic activity superior to trastuzumab deruxtecan tested, in parallel, in cell lines with HER2 expression. High in vivo efficacy with cured mice at well-tolerated doses in HER2-driven models was also observed. A developed pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model based on efficacy in mice and cynomolgus monkey PK data, predicted tumor regression in patients upon administration of 2 doses of trastuzumab-NMS-P945-ADC at 0.5 mg/kg. Thus, considering the superior physicochemical features for ADC production and preclinical results obtained with the model trastuzumab ADC, including bystander effect, immunogenic cell death and activity in chemoresistant tumors, NMS-P945 represents a highly effective, innovative payload for the creation of novel, next-generation ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paolo Orsini
- Nerviano Medical Sciences srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Ulisse Cucchi
- Nerviano Medical Sciences srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ivan Fraietta
- Nerviano Medical Sciences srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Simona Rizzi
- Nerviano Medical Sciences srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Salsa
- Nerviano Medical Sciences srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy
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Felber JG, Kitowski A, Zeisel L, Maier MS, Heise C, Thorn-Seshold J, Thorn-Seshold O. Cyclic Dichalcogenides Extend the Reach of Bioreductive Prodrugs to Harness Thiol/Disulfide Oxidoreductases: Applications to seco-Duocarmycins Targeting the Thioredoxin System. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:763-776. [PMID: 37122469 PMCID: PMC10141580 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c01465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule prodrug approaches that can activate cancer therapeutics selectively in tumors are urgently needed. Here, we developed the first antitumor prodrugs designed for activation by thiol-manifold oxidoreductases, targeting the thioredoxin (Trx) system. The Trx system is a critical cellular redox axis that is tightly linked to dysregulated redox/metabolic states in cancer, yet it cannot be addressed by current bioreductive prodrugs, which mainly cluster around oxidized nitrogen species. We instead harnessed Trx/TrxR-specific artificial dichalcogenides to gate the bioactivity of 10 "off-to-on" reduction-activated duocarmycin prodrugs. The prodrugs were tested for cell-free and cellular reductase-dependent activity in 177 cell lines, establishing broad trends for redox-based cellular bioactivity of the dichalcogenides. They were well tolerated in vivo in mice, indicating low systemic release of their duocarmycin cargo, and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy trials in mouse models of breast and pancreatic cancer gave promising indications of effective tumoral drug release, presumably by in situ bioreductive activation. This work therefore presents a chemically novel class of bioreductive prodrugs against a previously unaddressed reductase chemotype, validates its ability to access in vivo-compatible small-molecule prodrugs even of potently cumulative toxins, and so introduces carefully tuned dichalcogenides as a platform strategy for specific bioreduction-based release.
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