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Mai J, Wu L, Yang L, Sun T, Liu X, Yin R, Jiang Y, Li J, Li Q. Therapeutic strategies targeting folate receptor α for ovarian cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1254532. [PMID: 37711615 PMCID: PMC10499382 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest gynecological cancer, and presents a major clinical challenge due to limited treatment options. Folate receptor alpha (FRα), encoded by the FOLR1 gene, is an attractive therapeutically target due to its prevalent and high expression in EOC cells. Recent basic and translational studies have explored several modalities, such as antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, and folate-drug conjugate, to exploit FRα for EOC treatment. In this review, we summarize the function of FRα, and clinical efficacies of various FRα-based therapeutics. We highlight mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV), or Elahere (ImmunoGen), the first FRα-targeting ADC approved by the FDA to treat platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. We discuss potential mechanisms and management of ocular adverse events associated with MIRV administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Mai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Limei Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The first Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rutie Yin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongmei Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinke Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qintong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Banerjee S, Michalarea V, Ang JE, Ingles Garces A, Biondo A, Funingana IG, Little M, Ruddle R, Raynaud F, Riisnaes R, Gurel B, Chua S, Tunariu N, Porter JC, Prout T, Parmar M, Zachariou A, Turner A, Jenkins B, McIntosh S, Ainscow E, Minchom A, Lopez J, de Bono J, Jones R, Hall E, Cook N, Basu B, Banerji U. A Phase I Trial of CT900, a Novel α-Folate Receptor-Mediated Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitor, in Patients with Solid Tumors with Expansion Cohorts in Patients with High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4634-4641. [PMID: 35984704 PMCID: PMC9623233 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE CT900 is a novel small molecule thymidylate synthase inhibitor that binds to α-folate receptor (α-FR) and thus is selectively taken up by α-FR-overexpressing tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS A 3+3 dose escalation design was used. During dose escalation, CT900 doses of 1-6 mg/m2 weekly and 2-12 mg/m2 every 2 weeks (q2Wk) intravenously were evaluated. Patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer were enrolled in the expansion cohorts. RESULTS 109 patients were enrolled: 42 patients in the dose escalation and 67 patients in the expansion cohorts. At the dose/schedule of 12 mg/m2/q2Wk (with and without dexamethasone, n = 40), the most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, cough, anemia, and pneumonitis, which were predominantly grade 1 and grade 2. Levels of CT900 more than 600 nmol/L needed for growth inhibition in preclinical models were achieved for >65 hours at a dose of 12 mg/m2. In the expansion cohorts, the overall response rate (ORR), was 14/64 (21.9%). Thirty-eight response-evaluable patients in the expansion cohorts receiving 12 mg/m2/q2Wk had tumor evaluable for quantification of α-FR. Patients with high or medium expression had an objective response rate of 9/25 (36%) compared with 1/13 (7.7%) in patients with negative/very low or low expression of α-FR. CONCLUSIONS The dose of 12 mg/m2/q2Wk was declared the recommended phase II dose/schedule. At this dose/schedule, CT900 exhibited an acceptable side effect profile with clinical benefit in patients with high/medium α-FR expression and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Banerjee
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Gynaecology Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vasiliki Michalarea
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joo Ern Ang
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alvaro Ingles Garces
- Gynaecology Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Biondo
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ionut-Gabriel Funingana
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Little
- Experimental Cancer Medicine Team, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Ruddle
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Florence Raynaud
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Riisnaes
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bora Gurel
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Chua
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Tunariu
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna C. Porter
- UCL Respiratory, University College London and Interstitial Lung Disease Service, University College London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Toby Prout
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mona Parmar
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Zachariou
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Turner
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Jenkins
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Anna Minchom
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juanita Lopez
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johann de Bono
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Jones
- Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Velindre University NHS Trust, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Hall
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Cook
- Experimental Cancer Medicine Team, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Bristi Basu
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Udai Banerji
- Drug Development Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Marverti G, Marraccini C, Martello A, D'Arca D, Pacifico S, Guerrini R, Spyrakis F, Gozzi G, Lauriola A, Santucci M, Cannazza G, Tagliazucchi L, Cazzato AS, Losi L, Ferrari S, Ponterini G, Costi MP. Folic Acid-Peptide Conjugates Combine Selective Cancer Cell Internalization with Thymidylate Synthase Dimer Interface Targeting. J Med Chem 2021; 64:3204-3221. [PMID: 33710891 PMCID: PMC8041318 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Drug-target interaction, cellular internalization, and target engagement should be addressed to design a lead with high chances of success in further optimization stages. Accordingly, we have designed conjugates of folic acid with anticancer peptides able to bind human thymidylate synthase (hTS) and enter cancer cells through folate receptor α (FRα) highly expressed by several cancer cells. Mechanistic analyses and molecular modeling simulations have shown that these conjugates bind the hTS monomer-monomer interface with affinities over 20 times larger than the enzyme active site. When tested on several cancer cell models, these conjugates exhibited FRα selectivity at nanomolar concentrations. A similar selectivity was observed when the conjugates were delivered in synergistic or additive combinations with anticancer agents. At variance with 5-fluorouracil and other anticancer drugs that target the hTS catalytic pocket, these conjugates do not induce overexpression of this protein and can thus help combating drug resistance associated with high hTS levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Marverti
- Department Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Marraccini
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Martello
- Department Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Domenico D'Arca
- Department Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Gaia Gozzi
- Department Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Angela Lauriola
- Department Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Santucci
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cannazza
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Lorena Losi
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Glauco Ponterini
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Maria P Costi
- Department Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Rosch J, DuRoss AN, Landry MR, Sun C. Development of a Pemetrexed/Folic Acid Nanoformulation: Synthesis, Characterization, and Efficacy in a Murine Colorectal Cancer Model. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:15424-15432. [PMID: 32637817 PMCID: PMC7331029 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The folate analogue pemetrexed (PEM) is an approved therapeutic for non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma with the potential for broader application in combination therapies. Here, we report the development of a nanoformulation of PEM and its efficacy against the CT26 murine colorectal cancer cell line in vitro and in vivo. Utilizing layer-by-layer deposition, we integrate PEM, along with folic acid (FA), onto a fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticle (NP) substrate. The final nanoformulation (PEM/FA-NP) has a size of ∼40 nm and a zeta potential of approximately -20 mV. Cell uptake studies indicated increased uptake in vitro for the PEM/FA-NP compared to the uncoated NP, likely due to the presence of PEM and FA. Viability studies were performed to determine the potency of the PEM/FA-NP formulation against CT26 cells. Syngeneic CT26 tumors in BALB/c mice showed reduced growth when treated once daily (2.1 mg/kg PEM) for 3 days with PEM/FA-NP versus the vehicle (uncoated) control, with no observable signs of systemic toxicity associated with the nanoformulation. Although the current study size is limited (n = 4 animals for each group), the overall performance and biocompatibility of the PEM/FA-NP observed suggest that further optimization and larger-scale studies may be warranted for this novel formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin
G. Rosch
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
| | - Allison N. DuRoss
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
| | - Madeleine R. Landry
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
| | - Conroy Sun
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
- Department
of Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
- . Phone: 503-346-4699
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5
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Scaranti M, Cojocaru E, Banerjee S, Banerji U. Exploiting the folate receptor α in oncology. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:349-359. [PMID: 32152484 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0339-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Folate receptor α (FRα) came into focus as an anticancer target many decades after the successful development of drugs targeting intracellular folate metabolism, such as methotrexate and pemetrexed. Binding to FRα is one of several methods by which folate is taken up by cells; however, this receptor is an attractive anticancer drug target owing to the overexpression of FRα in a range of solid tumours, including ovarian, lung and breast cancers. Furthermore, using FRα to better localize effective anticancer therapies to their target tumours using platforms such as antibody-drug conjugates, small-molecule drug conjugates, radioimmunoconjugates and, more recently, chimeric antigen receptor T cells could further improve the outcomes of patients with FRα-overexpressing cancers. FRα can also be harnessed for predictive biomarker research. Moreover, imaging FRα radiologically or in real time during surgery can lead to improved functional imaging and surgical outcomes, respectively. In this Review, we describe the current status of research into FRα in cancer, including data from several late-phase clinical trials involving FRα-targeted therapies, and the use of new technologies to develop FRα-targeted agents with improved therapeutic indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Scaranti
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Elena Cojocaru
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Susana Banerjee
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Udai Banerji
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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6
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Rosch JG, DuRoss AN, Landry MR, Sun C. Formulation of Folate-Modified Raltitrexed-Loaded Nanoparticles for Colorectal Cancer Theranostics. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12020133. [PMID: 32033317 PMCID: PMC7076500 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) that enable the imaging of drug delivery and facilitate cancer cell uptake are potentially powerful tools in tailoring oncologic treatments. Here we report the development of a layer-by-layer (LbL) formulation of folic acid (FA) and folate antimetabolites that have been well-established for enhanced tumor uptake and as potent chemotherapeutics, respectively. To investigate the uptake of LbL coated NPs, we deposited raltitrexed (RTX) or combined RTX-FA on fluorescent polystyrene NPs. The performance of these NP formulations was evaluated with CT26 murine colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and in vivo to examine both uptake and cytotoxicity against CRC. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry indicated an increased accumulation of the coated NP formulations versus bare NPs. Ex vivo near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging of major organs suggested the majority of NPs accumulated in the liver, which is typical of a majority of NP formulations. Imaging of the CRC tumors alone showed a higher average fluorescence from NPs accumulated in animals treated with the coated NPs, with the majority of RTX NP-treated animals showing the consistently-highest mean tumoral accumulation. Overall, these results contribute to the development of LbL formulations in CRC theranostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G. Rosch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA; (J.G.R.); (A.N.D.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Allison N. DuRoss
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA; (J.G.R.); (A.N.D.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Madeleine R. Landry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA; (J.G.R.); (A.N.D.); (M.R.L.)
| | - Conroy Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA; (J.G.R.); (A.N.D.); (M.R.L.)
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Correspondence:
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Sutton BJ, Davies AM, Bax HJ, Karagiannis SN. IgE Antibodies: From Structure to Function and Clinical Translation. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:E19. [PMID: 31544825 PMCID: PMC6640697 DOI: 10.3390/antib8010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are well known for their role in mediating allergic reactions, and their powerful effector functions activated through binding to Fc receptors FcεRI and FcεRII/CD23. Structural studies of IgE-Fc alone, and when bound to these receptors, surprisingly revealed not only an acutely bent Fc conformation, but also subtle allosteric communication between the two distant receptor-binding sites. The ability of IgE-Fc to undergo more extreme conformational changes emerged from structures of complexes with anti-IgE antibodies, including omalizumab, in clinical use for allergic disease; flexibility is clearly critical for IgE function, but may also be exploited by allosteric interference to inhibit IgE activity for therapeutic benefit. In contrast, the power of IgE may be harnessed to target cancer. Efforts to improve the effector functions of therapeutic antibodies for cancer have almost exclusively focussed on IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses, but IgE offers an extremely high affinity for FcεRI receptors on immune effector cells known to infiltrate solid tumours. Furthermore, while tumour-resident inhibitory Fc receptors can modulate the effector functions of IgG antibodies, no inhibitory IgE Fc receptors are known to exist. The development of tumour antigen-specific IgE antibodies may therefore provide an improved immune functional profile and enhanced anti-cancer efficacy. We describe proof-of-concept studies of IgE immunotherapies against solid tumours, including a range of in vitro and in vivo evaluations of efficacy and mechanisms of action, as well as ex vivo and in vivo safety studies. The first anti-cancer IgE antibody, MOv18, the clinical translation of which we discuss herein, has now reached clinical testing, offering great potential to direct this novel therapeutic modality against many other tumour-specific antigens. This review highlights how our understanding of IgE structure and function underpins these exciting clinical developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Sutton
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, London SE1 1UL, UK.
- Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK.
| | - Anna M Davies
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, London SE1 1UL, UK.
- Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK.
| | - Heather J Bax
- King's College London, St John's Institute of Dermatology, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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8
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Cheung A, Opzoomer J, Ilieva KM, Gazinska P, Hoffmann RM, Mirza H, Marlow R, Francesch-Domenech E, Fittall M, Dominguez Rodriguez D, Clifford A, Badder L, Patel N, Mele S, Pellizzari G, Bax HJ, Crescioli S, Petranyi G, Larcombe-Young D, Josephs DH, Canevari S, Figini M, Pinder S, Nestle FO, Gillett C, Spicer JF, Grigoriadis A, Tutt ANJ, Karagiannis SN. Anti-Folate Receptor Alpha-Directed Antibody Therapies Restrict the Growth of Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:5098-5111. [PMID: 30068707 PMCID: PMC6193548 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack validated therapeutic targets and have high risk of metastatic disease. Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is a central mediator of cell growth regulation that could serve as an important target for cancer therapy.Experimental Design: We evaluated FRα expression in breast cancers by genomic (n = 3,414) and IHC (n = 323) analyses and its association with clinical parameters and outcomes. We measured the functional contributions of FRα in TNBC biology by RNA interference and the antitumor functions of an antibody recognizing FRα (MOv18-IgG1), in vitro, and in human TNBC xenograft models.Results: FRα is overexpressed in significant proportions of aggressive basal like/TNBC tumors, and in postneoadjuvant chemotherapy-residual disease associated with a high risk of relapse. Expression is associated with worse overall survival. TNBCs show dysregulated expression of thymidylate synthase, folate hydrolase 1, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, involved in folate metabolism. RNA interference to deplete FRα decreased Src and ERK signaling and resulted in reduction of cell growth. An anti-FRα antibody (MOv18-IgG1) conjugated with a Src inhibitor significantly restricted TNBC xenograft growth. Moreover, MOv18-IgG1 triggered immune-dependent cancer cell death in vitro by human volunteer and breast cancer patient immune cells, and significantly restricted orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft growth.Conclusions: FRα is overexpressed in high-grade TNBC and postchemotherapy residual tumors. It participates in cancer cell signaling and presents a promising target for therapeutic strategies such as ADCs, or passive immunotherapy priming Fc-mediated antitumor immune cell responses. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5098-111. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Cheung
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Opzoomer
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina M Ilieva
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrycja Gazinska
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ricarda M Hoffmann
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hasan Mirza
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Marlow
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Francesch-Domenech
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Fittall
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Dominguez Rodriguez
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Clifford
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luned Badder
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nirmesh Patel
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Mele
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Pellizzari
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heather J Bax
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Crescioli
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gyula Petranyi
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Larcombe-Young
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debra H Josephs
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana Canevari
- Department of Applied Research and Technology Development, Fondazione, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Department of Applied Research and Technology Development, Fondazione, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Pinder
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- King's Health Partners Cancer Biobank, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frank O Nestle
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Immunology and Inflammation Therapeutic Research Area, Sanofi US, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Cheryl Gillett
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- King's Health Partners Cancer Biobank, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James F Spicer
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Grigoriadis
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew N J Tutt
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, United Kingdom.
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Ichikawa S, Zhu S, Buchwald SL. A Modified System for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched N-Arylamines through Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:8714-8718. [PMID: 29847002 PMCID: PMC6033674 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201803026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant recent progress in copper-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination chemistry, the synthesis of chiral N-arylamines, which are frequently found in natural products and pharmaceuticals, has not been realized. Initial experiments with N-arylhydroxylamine ester electrophiles were unsuccessful and, instead, their reduction in the presence of copper hydride (CuH) catalysts was observed. Herein, we report key modifications to our previously reported hydroamination methods that lead to broadly applicable conditions for the enantioselective net addition of secondary anilines across the double bond of styrenes, 1,1-disubstituted olefins, and terminal alkenes. NMR studies suggest that suppression of the undesired reduction pathway is the basis for the dramatic improvements in yield under the reported method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Ichikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Shaolin Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Stephen L Buchwald
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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10
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Ichikawa S, Zhu S, Buchwald SL. A Modified System for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched
N
‐Arylamines through Copper‐Catalyzed Hydroamination. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201803026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saki Ichikawa
- Department of Chemistry Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Shaolin Zhu
- Department of Chemistry Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Stephen L. Buchwald
- Department of Chemistry Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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11
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Catalano A, Luciani R, Carocci A, Cortesi D, Pozzi C, Borsari C, Ferrari S, Mangani S. X-ray crystal structures of Enterococcus faecalis thymidylate synthase with folate binding site inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 123:649-664. [PMID: 27517810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) represent nowadays a relevant health problem. We selected Thymidylate synthase (TS) from this organism as a potential specific target for antibacterial therapy. We have previously demonstrated that species-specific inhibition of the protein can be achieved despite the relatively high structural similarity among bacterial TSs and human TS. We had previously obtained the EfTS crystal structure of the protein in complex with the metabolite 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-FTHF) suggesting the protein role as metabolite reservoir; however, protein-inhibitors complexes were still missing. In the present work we identified some inhibitors bearing the phthalimidic core from our in-house library and we performed crystallographic screening towards EfTS. We obtained two X-ray crystallographic structures: the first with a weak phthalimidic inhibitor bound in one subunit and 5-hydroxymethylene-6-hydrofolic acid (5-HMHF) in the other subunit; a second X-ray structure complex with methotrexate. The structural information achieved confirm the role of EfTS as an enzyme involved in the folate pool system and provide a structural basis for structure-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Catalano
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessia Carocci
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Debora Cortesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Borsari
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy.
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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12
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Khan I, Ibrar A, Abbas N, Saeed A. Recent advances in the structural library of functionalized quinazoline and quinazolinone scaffolds: Synthetic approaches and multifarious applications. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 76:193-244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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13
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Wang Z, Sapienza PJ, Abeysinghe T, Luzum C, Lee AL, Finer-Moore JS, Stroud RM, Kohen A. Mg2+ binds to the surface of thymidylate synthase and affects hydride transfer at the interior active site. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:7583-92. [PMID: 23611499 PMCID: PMC3674108 DOI: 10.1021/ja400761x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Thymidylate synthase (TSase) produces the sole intracellular de novo source of thymidine (i.e., the DNA base T) and thus is a common target for antibiotic and anticancer drugs. Mg(2+) has been reported to affect TSase activity, but the mechanism of this interaction has not been investigated. Here we show that Mg(2+) binds to the surface of Escherichia coli TSase and affects the kinetics of hydride transfer at the interior active site (16 Å away). Examination of the crystal structures identifies a Mg(2+) near the glutamyl moiety of the folate cofactor, providing the first structural evidence for Mg(2+) binding to TSase. The kinetics and NMR relaxation experiments suggest that the weak binding of Mg(2+) to the protein surface stabilizes the closed conformation of the ternary enzyme complex and reduces the entropy of activation on the hydride transfer step. Mg(2+) accelerates the hydride transfer by ~7-fold but does not affect the magnitude or temperature dependence of the intrinsic kinetic isotope effect. These results suggest that Mg(2+) facilitates the protein motions that bring the hydride donor and acceptor together, but it does not change the tunneling ready state of the hydride transfer. These findings highlight how variations in cellular Mg(2+) concentration can modulate enzyme activity through long-range interactions in the protein, rather than binding at the active site. The interaction of Mg(2+) with the glutamyl tail of the folate cofactor and nonconserved residues of bacterial TSase may assist in designing antifolates with polyglutamyl substitutes as species-specific antibiotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Paul J. Sapienza
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Thelma Abeysinghe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Calvin Luzum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Andrew L. Lee
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Janet S. Finer-Moore
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Robert M. Stroud
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Amnon Kohen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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