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Wang Z, Li Q, Liang B. Hypoxia as a Target for Combination with Transarterial Chemoembolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1057. [PMID: 39204162 PMCID: PMC11357673 DOI: 10.3390/ph17081057] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a hallmark of solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia has proven to be involved in multiple tumor biological processes and associated with malignant progression and resistance to therapy. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a well-established locoregional therapy for patients with unresectable HCC. However, TACE-induced hypoxia regulates tumor angiogenesis, energy metabolism, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune processes through hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which may have adverse effects on the therapeutic efficacy of TACE. Hypoxia has emerged as a promising target for combination with TACE in the treatment of HCC. This review summarizes the impact of hypoxia on HCC tumor biology and the adverse effects of TACE-induced hypoxia on its therapeutic efficacy, highlighting the therapeutic potential of hypoxia-targeted therapy in combination with TACE for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhuo Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430022, China;
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China;
| | - Bin Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan 430022, China;
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2
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Lee TW, Singleton DC, Harms JK, Lu M, McManaway SP, Lai A, Tercel M, Pruijn FB, Macann AMJ, Hunter FW, Wilson WR, Jamieson SMF. Clinical relevance and therapeutic predictive ability of hypoxia biomarkers in head and neck cancer tumour models. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1885-1903. [PMID: 38426642 PMCID: PMC11306523 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13620] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumour hypoxia promotes poor patient outcomes, with particularly strong evidence for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To effectively target hypoxia, therapies require selection biomarkers and preclinical models that can accurately model tumour hypoxia. We established 20 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) models of HNSCC that we characterised for their fidelity to represent clinical HNSCC in gene expression, hypoxia status and proliferation and that were evaluated for their sensitivity to hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs). PDX models showed greater fidelity in gene expression to clinical HNSCC than cell lines, as did CDX models relative to their paired cell lines. PDX models were significantly more hypoxic than CDX models, as assessed by hypoxia gene signatures and pimonidazole immunohistochemistry, and showed similar hypoxia gene expression to clinical HNSCC tumours. Hypoxia or proliferation status alone could not determine HAP sensitivity across our 20 HNSCC and two non-HNSCC tumour models by either tumour growth inhibition or killing of hypoxia cells in an ex vivo clonogenic assay. In summary, our tumour models provide clinically relevant HNSCC models that are suitable for evaluating hypoxia-targeting therapies; however, additional biomarkers to hypoxia are required to accurately predict drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tet Woo Lee
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Dean C. Singleton
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and PathologyUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Julia K. Harms
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Man Lu
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Sarah P. McManaway
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Amy Lai
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacologyUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Moana Tercel
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Frederik B. Pruijn
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | | | - Francis W. Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Oncology Therapeutic AreaJanssen Research and DevelopmentSpring HousePAUSA
| | - William R. Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
| | - Stephen M. F. Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research CentreUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacologyUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand
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3
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Bhuniya S, Vrettos EI. Hypoxia-Activated Theragnostic Prodrugs (HATPs): Current State and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:557. [PMID: 38675218 PMCID: PMC11054426 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040557] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a significant feature of solid tumors and frequently poses a challenge to the effectiveness of tumor-targeted chemotherapeutics, thereby limiting their anticancer activity. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs represent a class of bio-reductive agents that can be selectively activated in hypoxic compartments to unleash the toxic warhead and thus, eliminate malignant tumor cells. However, their applicability can be further elevated by installing fluorescent modalities to yield hypoxia-activated theragnostic prodrugs (HATPs), which can be utilized for the simultaneous visualization and treatment of hypoxic tumor cells. The scope of this review is to summarize noteworthy advances in recent HATPs, highlight the challenges and opportunities for their further development, and discuss their potency to serve as personalized medicines in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankarprasad Bhuniya
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, JIS Institute of Advanced Studies and Research, JIS University, Kolkata 700091, India;
| | - Eirinaios I. Vrettos
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, 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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Zheng M, Xu H, Huang Y, Sun J, Zhang H, Lv Z, Liu Z, Tang Z, Chen X. Hypoxia-activated glutamine antagonist prodrug combined with combretastatin A4 nanoparticles for tumor-selective metabolic blockade. J Control Release 2024; 365:480-490. [PMID: 38040341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.054] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) is a potent glutamine antagonist with toxic side effects; in order to reduce these effects, multiple prodrugs have been designed. However, there are currently no reports of a DON prodrug with a defined mechanism to achieve high tumor selectivity. To improve the selective toxicity of DON to tumor cells while reducing systemic toxicity, a hypoxia-activated prodrug, termed HDON, was designed. HDON achieved remarkable tumor suppression of 76.4 ± 5.2% without leading to weight loss in an H22 murine liver cancer model with high hypoxia. Moreover, to augment the therapeutic efficacy of HDON, combretastatin A4 nanoparticles were used to aggravate tumor hypoxia of MC38 murine colon cancer and 4T1 murine breast cancer, activate HDON to DON, and stimulate a robust anti-tumor immune response while selectively killing in tumor cells in vivo, achieving significantly elevated tumor suppression rates of 98.3 ± 3.4% and 98.1 ± 3.1%, with cure rates of 80.0% and 20.0%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yue Huang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Jiali Sun
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Honglei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Applications of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Polymeric Materials & Application Technology of Hunan Province, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Zheng Lv
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhilin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Xuesi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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6
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Stracker TH, Osagie OI, Escorcia FE, Citrin DE. Exploiting the DNA Damage Response for Prostate Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:83. [PMID: 38201511 PMCID: PMC10777950 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancers that progress despite androgen deprivation develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer, a fatal disease with few treatment options. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of prostate cancer subtypes and alterations in the DNA damage response (DDR) that can predispose to the development of prostate cancer and affect its progression. We identify barriers to conventional treatments, such as radiotherapy, and discuss the development of new therapies, many of which target the DDR or take advantage of recurring genetic alterations in the DDR. We place this in the context of advances in understanding the genetic variation and immune landscape of CRPC that could help guide their use in future treatment strategies. Finally, we discuss several new and emerging agents that may advance the treatment of lethal disease, highlighting selected clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis H. Stracker
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
| | - Oloruntoba I. Osagie
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
| | - Freddy E. Escorcia
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Deborah E. Citrin
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
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7
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Tsuji T, Tsunematsu H, Imanishi M, Denda M, Tsuchiya K, Otaka A. Enhanced tumor specific drug release by hypoxia sensitive dual-prodrugs based on 2-nitroimidazole. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 95:129484. [PMID: 37716415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129484] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia in cancer is important in the development of cancer-selective medicines. Here, a novel hypoxia-responsible dual-prodrug is described. We designed and synthesized 2-nitroimidazole derivatives which spontaneously release both a PYG inhibitor and gemcitabine under hypoxic conditions. One such derivative, a prodrug 9 was found to be stable against chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis, and upon chemical reduction of the nitro group on imidazole, successfully releases both drugs. In an in vitro proliferation assay using human pancreatic cells, compound 9 exhibited significant anti-proliferative effects in hypoxia but fewer effects in normoxia. Consequently, prodrug 9 should be useful for cancer treatment due to its improved cancer selectivity and potential to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Tsuji
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Honoka Tsunematsu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Masaki Imanishi
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Masaya Denda
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Koichiro Tsuchiya
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| | - Akira Otaka
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan.
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8
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Chen X, Zhang L, Bao Q, Meng F, Liu C, Xu R, Ji X, You Q, Jiang Z. A JAK tyrosine kinase and pseudokinase Co-inhibition strategy combines enhanced potency and on-demand activation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115198. [PMID: 36805946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115198] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been on the market for several years, but their use is limited by drug resistance and intolerable side effects. Herein, we propose a novel strategy of JAK tyrosine kinase (TK) and pseudokinase (PK) domain co-inhibition system to consolidate robust JAK inhibition and on-demand activation. A photoexcited prodrug PAT-SIL-TG-1&AT exhibits the synergy effects of TK-PK co-inhibition and enable the spatiotemporal control of JAK2 signaling. The hypoxia-activated prodrug HAT-SIL-TG-1&AT significantly inhibited HEL cells proliferation and downregulated phosphorylated STAT3/5 under hypoxic conditions. Importantly, HAT-SIL-TG-1&AT showed synergistic antitumor effects and selectively inhibited the JAK-STAT signaling in tumor tissues in vivo. This work demonstrates a viable solution to achieve superior JAK2 inhibition, and provides an inspiration for other kinases containing PK domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetao Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Liangying Zhang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmacy, Hunan Food and Drug Vocational College, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Qichao Bao
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Fanying Meng
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chihong Liu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Rujun Xu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xinrui Ji
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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9
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Different phosphoric triamide [HN]3-nP(O)[N]n (n = 1, 2) skeletons lead to identical non-covalent interactions assemblies: X-ray crystallography investigation, Hirshfeld surface analysis and molecular docking study against SARS-CoV-2. Inorganica Chim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ica.2022.121190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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10
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Harris B, Saleem S, Cook N, Searle E. Targeting hypoxia in solid and haematological malignancies. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:318. [PMID: 36320041 PMCID: PMC9628170 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02522-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Tumour hypoxia is a known and extensively researched phenomenon that occurs in both solid and haematological malignancies. As cancer cells proliferate, demand for oxygen can outstrip supply reducing tumour oxygenation. In solid tumours this is contributed to by disorganized blood vessel development. Tumour hypoxia is associated with resistance to treatment, more aggressive disease behaviour and an increased likelihood of metastatic progression. It can be measured using both invasive and non-invasive methods to varying degrees of accuracy. The presence of hypoxia stimulates a complex cellular network of downstream factors including Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (HIF1), C-X-C motif chemokine 4 (CXCR4) and Hypoxia‐inducible glycolytic enzyme hexokinase‐2 (HK2) amongst many others. They work by affecting different mechanisms including influencing angiogenesis, treatment resistance, immune surveillance and the ability to metastasize all of which contribute to a more aggressive disease pattern. Tumour hypoxia has been correlated with poorer outcomes and worse prognosis in patients. The correlation between hypoxic microenvironments and poor prognosis has led to an interest in trying to therapeutically target this phenomenon. Various methods have been used to target hypoxic microenvironments. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) are drugs that are only activated within hypoxic environments and these agents have been subject to investigation in several clinical trials. Drugs that target downstream factors of hypoxic environments including HIF inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies are also in development and being used in combination in clinical trials. Despite promising pre-clinical data, clinical trials of hypoxia targeting strategies have proven challenging. Further understanding of the effect of hypoxia and related molecular mechanisms in human rather than animal models is required to guide novel therapeutic strategies and future trial design. This review will discuss the currently available methods of hypoxia targeting and assessments that may be considered in planning future clinical trials. It will also outline key trials to date in both the solid and haemato-oncology treatment spheres and discuss the limitations that may have impacted on clinical success to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bill Harris
- grid.412917.80000 0004 0430 9259Experimental Cancer Medicine Team, Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Sana Saleem
- grid.412917.80000 0004 0430 9259Haematology Department, Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Natalie Cook
- grid.412917.80000 0004 0430 9259Experimental Cancer Medicine Team, Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK ,grid.5379.80000000121662407Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma Searle
- grid.412917.80000 0004 0430 9259Haematology Department, Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK ,grid.5379.80000000121662407Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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11
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Gallez B. The Role of Imaging Biomarkers to Guide Pharmacological Interventions Targeting Tumor Hypoxia. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:853568. [PMID: 35910347 PMCID: PMC9335493 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.853568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors that contributes to angiogenesis, invasiveness, metastasis, altered metabolism and genomic instability. As hypoxia is a major actor in tumor progression and resistance to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, multiple approaches have emerged to target tumor hypoxia. It includes among others pharmacological interventions designed to alleviate tumor hypoxia at the time of radiation therapy, prodrugs that are selectively activated in hypoxic cells or inhibitors of molecular targets involved in hypoxic cell survival (i.e., hypoxia inducible factors HIFs, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, unfolded protein response). While numerous strategies were successful in pre-clinical models, their translation in the clinical practice has been disappointing so far. This therapeutic failure often results from the absence of appropriate stratification of patients that could benefit from targeted interventions. Companion diagnostics may help at different levels of the research and development, and in matching a patient to a specific intervention targeting hypoxia. In this review, we discuss the relative merits of the existing hypoxia biomarkers, their current status and the challenges for their future validation as companion diagnostics adapted to the nature of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
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12
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Functionalized Nitroimidazole Scaffold Construction and Their Pharmaceutical Applications: A 1950–2021 Comprehensive Overview. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050561. [PMID: 35631389 PMCID: PMC9144801 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitroimidazole represents one of the most essential and unique scaffolds in drug discovery since its discovery in the 1950s. It was K. Maeda in Japan who reported in 1953 the first nitroimidazole as a natural product from Nocardia mesenterica with antibacterial activity, which was later identified as Azomycin 1 (2-nitroimidazole) and remained in focus until now. This natural antibiotic was the starting point for synthesizing numerous analogs and regio-isomers, leading to several life-saving drugs and clinical candidates against a number of diseases, including infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic) and cancers, as well as imaging agents in medicine/diagnosis. In the present decade, the nitroimidazole scaffold has again been given two life-saving drugs (Delamanid and Pretomanid) used to treat MDR (multi-drug resistant) tuberculosis. Keeping in view the highly successful track-record of the nitroimidazole scaffold in providing breakthrough therapeutic drugs, this comprehensive review focuses explicitly on presenting the activity profile and synthetic chemistry of functionalized nitroimidazole (2-, 4- and 5-nitroimidazoles as well as the fused nitroimidazoles) based drugs and leads published from 1950 to 2021. The present review also presents the miscellaneous examples in each class. In addition, the mutagenic profile of nitroimidazole-based drugs and leads and derivatives is also discussed.
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13
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Shi S, Du Y, Zou Y, Niu J, Cai Z, Wang X, Qiu F, Ding Y, Yang G, Wu Y, Xu Y, Zhu Q. Rational Design for Nitroreductase (NTR)-Responsive Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) Selectively Targeting Tumor Tissues. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5057-5071. [PMID: 35175763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The catalytic properties of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) may lead to uncontrolled off-tissue target degradation that causes potential toxicity, limiting their clinical applications. The precise control of this technology in a tissue-selective manner can minimize the potential toxicity. Hypoxia is a hallmark of most solid tumors, accompanied by elevated levels of nitroreductase (NTR). Based on this character, we presented a type of NTR-responsive PROTACs to selectively degrade proteins of interest (POI) in tumor tissues. Compound 17-1 was the first NTR-responsive PROTAC synthesized by incorporating the caging group on the Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ubiquitin ligase ligand. It could be activated by NTR to release the active PROTAC 17 to efficiently degrade the EGFR protein and subsequently exert antitumor efficacy. Thus, a general strategy for the precise control of PROTAC to induce POI degradation in tumor tissues by NTR was established, which provided a generalizable platform for the development of NTR-controlled PROTACs to achieve selective degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yi Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zeyu Cai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Feihuang Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Gengchen Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yunze Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yungen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Qihua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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14
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Byun JY, Huang K, Lee JS, Huang W, Hu L, Zheng X, Tang X, Li F, Jo DG, Song X, Huang C. Targeting HIF-1α/NOTCH1 pathway eliminates CD44 + cancer stem-like cell phenotypes, malignancy, and resistance to therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:1352-1363. [PMID: 35013621 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02166-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Poor prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) results from resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To uncover the drivers of HNSCC resistance, including stemness and hypoxia, in this study, we compared the gene expression between CD44+ and CD44- HNSCC cells and assessed the correlation of CD44 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression with mouse features and outcomes of patients with HNSCC. We combined the knockdown or activation of HIF-1α with in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate effects on stemness and resistance of HNSCC cells. Analysis of clinical data showed that activation of HIF-1α in CD44+ patients with HNSCC was correlated with worse prognosis. Functional assays showed that HIF-1α promoted stemness, resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HNSCC CD44+ cells. HIF-1α activated NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCC stem-like cells characterized by CD44 expression. Moreover, inhibition of these signaling proteins using shRNA or Evofosfamide (Evo) development for cancer treatment, reversed chemoresistance in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results indicated that targeting HIF-1α attenuated NOTCH1-induced stemness, which regulates responses to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and malignancy in CD44+ HNSCCs. HIF-1α/NOTCH1 signaling may represent a target for HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Yun Byun
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jong Suk Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Hu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuyu Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fengzeng Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong-Gyu Jo
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Xinmao Song
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chuang Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital & Chongqing Cancer Institute & Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China.
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15
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Li Y, Zhao L, Li XF. Targeting Hypoxia: Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs in Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:700407. [PMID: 34395270 PMCID: PMC8358929 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.700407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is an important characteristic of most solid malignancies, and is closely related to tumor prognosis and therapeutic resistance. Hypoxia is one of the most important factors associated with resistance to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therapies targeting tumor hypoxia have attracted considerable attention. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) are bioreductive drugs that are selectively activated under hypoxic conditions and that can accurately target the hypoxic regions of solid tumors. Both single-agent and combined use with other drugs have shown promising antitumor effects. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of action and the current preclinical and clinical progress of several of the most widely used HAPs, summarize their existing problems and shortcomings, and discuss future research prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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16
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Anduran E, Dubois LJ, Lambin P, Winum JY. Hypoxia-activated prodrug derivatives of anti-cancer drugs: a patent review 2006 - 2021. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 32:1-12. [PMID: 34241566 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1954617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The hypoxic tumor microenvironment represents a persistent obstacle in the treatment of most solid tumors. In the past years, significant efforts have been made to improve the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) of chemotherapeutic compounds have attracted widespread interest as a therapeutic means to treat hypoxic tumors. AREAS COVERED This updated review paper covers key patents published between 2006 and 2021 on the developments of HAP derivatives of anti-cancer compounds. EXPERT OPINION Despite significant achievements in the development of HAP derivatives of anti-cancer compounds and although many clinical trials have been performed or are ongoing both as monotherapies and as part of combination therapies, there has currently no HAP anti-cancer agent been commercialized into the market. Unsuccessful clinical translation is partly due to the lack of patient stratification based on reliable biomarkers that are predictive of a positive response to hypoxia-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Anduran
- IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.,GROW-School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- GROW-School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- GROW-School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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17
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Wang X, Wang Z, Ma W, Wu X, Fang W, Guo C, Jin Y. Construction of a nanotheranostic system Zr-MOF@PPa/AF@PEG for improved photodynamic therapy effects based on the PDT‑oxygen consumption and hypoxia sensitive chemotherapeutic drug. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2021; 222:112274. [PMID: 34330082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained much attention in tumor therapy because of its special advantages. PDT heavily depends on the oxygen, yet the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a hypoxic and acid milieu, which weakens the PDT effect. Based on the consideration that the TME deteriorated by the PDT oxygen consumption could activate the hypoxic-sensitive small-molecule drug, we designed and prepared an integrated nanocomposite including zirconium ion metal organic framework (carrier), pyropheophorbide-a (PPa, photosensitizer), and 6-amino flavone (AF, hypoxic-sensitive drug), aiming to exert a cascaded PDT-chemotherapy (CT) antitumor effect and to solve the hypoxic challenge. The prepared nanocomposite showed great stability under the physiological (pH 7.4) condition and could continuously release PPa and AF under slightly acidic pH condition (pH 6.4), suggesting a tumor microenvironment responsive feature. Systematical in vitro and in vivo researches under various conditions (light, dark, hypoxic and normoxic) have showed that the obtained Zr-MOF@PPa/AF@PEG nanoparticles (NPs) had good biocompatibility and could achieve efficient antitumor effects based on PDT- chemotherapy (CT) cascade process. Finally, bright red fluorescence was observed in the tumor cells after internalization implying an application potential in tumor imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchao Wang
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China.
| | - Wei Ma
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Xiaodan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Wen Fang
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Changhong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genetic Breeding of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China.
| | - Yingxue Jin
- Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Genetic Breeding of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China.
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18
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Kang D, Cheung ST, Wong-Rolle A, Kim J. Enamine N-Oxides: Synthesis and Application to Hypoxia-Responsive Prodrugs and Imaging Agents. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:631-640. [PMID: 34056093 PMCID: PMC8155465 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia induces the large-scale adaptive reprogramming of cancer cells, promoting their transformation into highly invasive and metastatic species that lead to highly negative prognoses for cancer patients. We describe the synthesis and application of a hypoxia-responsive trigger derived from previously inaccessible enamine N-oxide structures. Hypoxia-dependent reduction of this motif by hemeproteins results in the concomitant activation of a caged molecule and a latent electrophile. We exploit the former in a hypoxia-activated prodrug application using a caged staurosporine molecule as a proof-of-principle. We demonstrate the latter in in vivo tumor labeling applications with enamine-N-oxide-modified near-infrared probes. Hypoxia-activated prodrug development has long been complicated by the heterogeneity of tumor hypoxia in patients. The dual drug release and imaging modalities of the highly versatile enamine N-oxide motif present an attractive opportunity for theranostic development that can address the need not only for new therapeutics but paired methods for patient stratification.
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19
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Li Y, Zhao L, Li XF. The Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug TH-302: Exploiting Hypoxia in Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:636892. [PMID: 33953675 PMCID: PMC8091515 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.636892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is an important feature of most solid tumors, conferring resistance to radiation and many forms of chemotherapy. However, it is possible to exploit the presence of tumor hypoxia with hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs), agents that in low oxygen conditions undergo bioreduction to yield cytotoxic metabolites. Although many such agents have been developed, we will focus here on TH-302. TH-302 has been extensively studied, and we discuss its mechanism of action, as well as its efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies, with the aim of identifying future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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20
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Guyon J, Chapouly C, Andrique L, Bikfalvi A, Daubon T. The Normal and Brain Tumor Vasculature: Morphological and Functional Characteristics and Therapeutic Targeting. Front Physiol 2021; 12:622615. [PMID: 33746770 PMCID: PMC7973205 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.622615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is among the most common tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Overall survival has not significantly improved over the last decade, even with optimizing standard therapeutic care including extent of resection and radio- and chemotherapy. In this article, we review features of the brain vasculature found in healthy cerebral tissue and in glioblastoma. Brain vessels are of various sizes and composed of several vascular cell types. Non-vascular cells such as astrocytes or microglia also interact with the vasculature and play important roles. We also discuss in vitro engineered artificial blood vessels which may represent useful models for better understanding the tumor-vessel interaction. Finally, we summarize results from clinical trials with anti-angiogenic therapy alone or in combination, and discuss the value of these approaches for targeting glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Guyon
- INSERM, LAMC, U1029, University Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Candice Chapouly
- INSERM, Biology of Cardiovascular Diseases, U1034, University Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Laetitia Andrique
- INSERM, LAMC, U1029, University Bordeaux, Pessac, France.,VoxCell 3D Plateform, UMS TBMcore 3427, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Thomas Daubon
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, IBGC, UMR 5095, Bordeaux, France
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21
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Tran NH, Foster NR, Mahipal A, Byrne T, Hubbard J, Silva A, Mody K, Alberts S, Borad MJ. Phase IB study of sorafenib and evofosfamide in patients with advanced hepatocellular and renal cell carcinomas (NCCTG N1135, Alliance). Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:1072-1080. [PMID: 33646489 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01090-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Sorafenib (Sor) remains a first-line option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or refractory renal cell carcinomas (RCC). PLC/PRF/5 HCC model showed upregulation of hypoxia with enhanced efficacy when Sor is combined with hypoxia-activated prodrug evofosfamide (Evo). Methods This phase IB 3 + 3 design investigated 3 Evo dose levels (240, 340, 480 mg/m2 on days 8, 15, 22), combined with Sor 200 mg orally twice daily (po bid) on days 1-28 of a 28-day cycle. Primary objectives included determining maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of Sor + Evo. Results Eighteen patients were enrolled (median age 62.5 years; 17 male /1 female; 12 HCC/6 RCC) across three dose levels (DL0: Sor 200 mg bid/Evo 240 mg/m2 [n = 6], DL1:Sor 200 mg bid/Evo 480 mg/m2 [n = 5], DL1a: Sor 200 mg bid/Evo 340 mg/m2 [n = 7]). Two dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were reported with Evo 480 mg/m2 (grade 3 mucositis, grade 4 hepatic failure). Grade 3 rash DLT was observed in one patient at Evo 240 mg/m2. No DLTs were observed at Evo 340 mg/m2. MTD and RP2D were established as Sor 200 mg/Evo 340 mg/m2 and Sor 200/Evo 240 mg/m2, respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events included fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, and nausea/vomiting. Two partial responses were observed, one each at DL0 and DL1a.; disease control rate was 55%. Conclusions RP2D was established as sorafenib 200 mg bid + Evo 240 mg/m2. While preliminary anti-tumor activity was observed, future development must account for advances in immunotherapy in HCC/RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen H Tran
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nathan R Foster
- Alliance Statistics and Data Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Amit Mahipal
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Thomas Byrne
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Joleen Hubbard
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alvin Silva
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, AZ, Scottsdale, USA
| | - Kabir Mody
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Steven Alberts
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mitesh J Borad
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA. .,Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA. .,Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Director - Precision Cancer Therapeutics Program, Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine (CIM) Program Leader - Gene and Virus Therapy Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85254, USA.
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22
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Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of Combretastatin A-4 phosphoramidates as novel anticancer prodrugs. Med Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02632-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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23
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Hamis S, Kohandel M, Dubois LJ, Yaromina A, Lambin P, Powathil GG. Combining hypoxia-activated prodrugs and radiotherapy in silico: Impact of treatment scheduling and the intra-tumoural oxygen landscape. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008041. [PMID: 32745136 PMCID: PMC7425994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) present a conceptually elegant approach to not only overcome, but better yet, exploit intra-tumoural hypoxia. Despite being successful in vitro and in vivo, HAPs are yet to achieve successful results in clinical settings. It has been hypothesised that this lack of clinical success can, in part, be explained by the insufficiently stringent clinical screening selection of determining which tumours are suitable for HAP treatments. Taking a mathematical modelling approach, we investigate how tumour properties and HAP-radiation scheduling influence treatment outcomes in simulated tumours. The following key results are demonstrated in silico: (i) HAP and ionising radiation (IR) monotherapies may attack tumours in dissimilar, and complementary, ways. (ii) HAP-IR scheduling may impact treatment efficacy. (iii) HAPs may function as IR treatment intensifiers. (iv) The spatio-temporal intra-tumoural oxygen landscape may impact HAP efficacy. Our in silico framework is based on an on-lattice, hybrid, multiscale cellular automaton spanning three spatial dimensions. The mathematical model for tumour spheroid growth is parameterised by multicellular tumour spheroid (MCTS) data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hamis
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammad Kohandel
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Ludwig J. Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ala Yaromina
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gibin G. Powathil
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
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24
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Huang Y, Jin C, Yu J, Wang L, Lu W. A novel multifunctional 2-nitroimidazole-based bioreductive linker and its application in hypoxia-activated prodrugs. Bioorg Chem 2020; 101:103975. [PMID: 32474180 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia has been widely explored over the years as a diagnostic and therapeutic marker. Herein, we designed, optimized and synthesized a new multifunctional bioreductive linker (12) containing an alkynyl group (potential click chemistry fragment); the linker is based on 2-nitroimidazole which was expected to simultaneously overcome the drawbacks of hypoxia-activated prodrugs (poor selectivity and unsatisfactory water solubility). Furthermore, a hypoxia-activated, water-soluble SN-38 prodrug was obtained, and it was stable under physiological conditions and was rapidly released as an active drug under hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Chen Jin
- Xingliu (Shanghai) Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Room A406, 1#Building, No. 1976 Middle Gaoke Road, Shanghai 201210, PR China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, PR China.
| | - Wei Lu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, PR China.
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25
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Winn BA, Devkota L, Kuch B, MacDonough MT, Strecker TE, Wang Y, Shi Z, Gerberich JL, Mondal D, Ramirez AJ, Hamel E, Chaplin DJ, Davis P, Mason RP, Trawick ML, Pinney KG. Bioreductively Activatable Prodrug Conjugates of Combretastatin A-1 and Combretastatin A-4 as Anticancer Agents Targeted toward Tumor-Associated Hypoxia. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:937-954. [PMID: 32196334 PMCID: PMC7644341 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The natural products combretastatin A-1 (CA1) and combretastatin A-4 (CA4) function as potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and as selective vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) in tumors. Bioreductively activatable prodrug conjugates (BAPCs) can enhance selectivity by serving as substrates for reductase enzymes specifically in hypoxic regions of tumors. A series of CA1-BAPCs incorporating nor-methyl, mono-methyl, and gem-dimethyl nitrothiophene triggers were synthesized together with corresponding CA4-BAPCs, previously reported by Davis (Mol. Cancer Ther. 2006, 5 (11), 2886), for comparison. The CA4-gem-dimethylnitrothiophene BAPC 45 proved exemplary in comparison to its nor-methyl 43 and mono-methyl 44 congeners. It was stable in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4, 24 h), was cleaved (25%, 90 min) by NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), was inactive (desirable prodrug attribute) as an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization (IC50 > 20 μM), and demonstrated hypoxia-selective activation in the A549 cell line [hypoxia cytotoxicity ratio (HCR) = 41.5]. The related CA1-gem-dimethylnitrothiophene BAPC 41 was also promising (HCR = 12.5) with complete cleavage (90 min) upon treatment with POR. In a preliminary in vivo dynamic bioluminescence imaging study, BAPC 45 (180 mg/kg, ip) induced a decrease (within 4 h) in light emission in a 4T1 syngeneic mouse breast tumor model, implying activation and vascular disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake A. Winn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Laxman Devkota
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Bunnarack Kuch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Matthew T. MacDonough
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Tracy E. Strecker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Zhe Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Jeni L. Gerberich
- Predictive Imaging Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9058, United States
| | - Deboprosad Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Alejandro J. Ramirez
- Mass Spectrometry Center, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97046, Waco, Texas 76798-7046, United States
| | - Ernest Hamel
- Screening Technologies Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - David J. Chaplin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
- Fast Biopharma Ltd., 10 Aston Park, Aston Rowant, OX49 5SW, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Davis
- Fast Biopharma Ltd., 10 Aston Park, Aston Rowant, OX49 5SW, United Kingdom
| | - Ralph P. Mason
- Predictive Imaging Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9058, United States
| | - Mary Lynn Trawick
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
| | - Kevin G. Pinney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, Texas 76798-7348, United States
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Sivala MR, Chintha V, Potla KM, Chinnam S, Chamarthi NR. In silico docking studies and synthesis of new phosphoramidate derivatives of 6-fluoro-3-(piperidin-4-yl)benzo[d]isoxazole as potential antimicrobial agents. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2020; 40:486-492. [DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2020.1752719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Venkataramaiah Chintha
- Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India
- Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, Tirupati, India
| | - Krishna Murthy Potla
- Department of Chemistry, Bapatla Engineering College (Autonomous), Acharya Nagarjuna University Post Graduate Research Centre, Bapatla, India
| | - Sampath Chinnam
- Department of Chemistry, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bengaluru, India
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Gerard Y, Voissière A, Peyrode C, Galmier MJ, Maubert E, Ghedira D, Tarrit S, Gaumet V, Canitrot D, Miot-Noirault E, Chezal JM, Weber V. Design, synthesis and evaluation of targeted hypoxia-activated prodrugs applied to chondrosarcoma chemotherapy. Bioorg Chem 2020; 98:103747. [PMID: 32208207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment in chondrosarcoma (CHS), a chemo- and radio-resistant cancer provides unique hallmarks for developing a chondrosarcoma targeted drug-delivery system. Tumor targeting could be achieved using a quaternary ammonium function (QA) as a ligand for aggrecan, the main high negative charged proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix of CHS, and a 2-nitroimidazole as trigger that enables hypoxia-responsive drug release. In a previous work, ICF05016 was identified as efficient proteoglycan-targeting hypoxia-activated prodrug in a human extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma model in mice and a first study of the structure-activity relationship of the QA function and the alkyl linker length was conducted. Here, we report the second part of the study, namely the modification of the nitro-aromatic trigger and the position of the proteoglycan-targeting ligand at the aromatic ring as well as the nature of the alkylating mustard. Synthetic approaches have been established to functionalize the 2-nitroimidazole ring at the N-1 and C-4 positions with a terminal tertiary alkyl amine, and to perform the phosphorylation step namely through the use of an amine borane complex, leading to phosphoramide and isophosphoramide mustards and also to a phosphoramide mustard bearing four 2-chloroethyl chains. In a preliminary study using a reductive chemical activation, QA-conjugates, except the 4-nitrobenzyl one, were showed to undergo efficient cleavage with release of the corresponding mustard. However N,N,N-trimethylpropylaminium tethered to the N-1 or C-4 positions of the imidazole seemed to hamper the enzymatic reduction of the prodrugs and all tested compounds featured moderate selectivity toward hypoxic cells, likely not sufficient for application as hypoxia-activated prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvain Gerard
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Aurélien Voissière
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Caroline Peyrode
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marie-Josephe Galmier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Elise Maubert
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Donia Ghedira
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sebastien Tarrit
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Vincent Gaumet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Damien Canitrot
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Elisabeth Miot-Noirault
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jean-Michel Chezal
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Valérie Weber
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Sensitive Prodrugs of the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Crizotinib. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051149. [PMID: 32143435 PMCID: PMC7179202 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors revolutionized cancer therapy but still evoke strong adverse effects that can dramatically reduce patients' quality of life. One possibility to enhance drug safety is the exploitation of prodrug strategies to selectively activate a drug inside the tumor tissue. In this study, we designed a prodrug strategy for the approved c-MET, ALK, and ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib. Therefore, a boronic-acid trigger moiety was attached to the 2-aminopyridine group of crizotinib, which is a crucial position for target kinase binding. The influence of the modifications on the c-MET- and ALK-binding ability was investigated by docking studies, and the strongly reduced interactions could be confirmed by cell-free kinase inhibition assay. Furthermore, the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their activation behavior with H2O2 and their stability in cell culture medium and serum. Finally, the biological activity of the prodrugs was investigated in three cancer cell lines and revealed a good correlation between activity and intrinsic H2O2 levels of the cells for prodrug A. Furthermore, the activity of this prodrug was distinctly reduced in a non-malignant, c-MET expressing human lung fibroblast (HLF) cell line.
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Liu A, Curran MA. Tumor hypermetabolism confers resistance to immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 65:155-163. [PMID: 31982512 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Advances in our understanding of tumor immune biology and development of cancer immunotherapies have led to improved outcomes for patients that suffer from aggressive cancers such as metastatic melanoma. Despite these advances, a significant proportion of patients still fail to benefit, and as a result, attention has shifted to understanding how cancer cells escape immune destruction. Of particular interest is the metabolic landscape of the tumor microenvironment, as recent studies have demonstrated how both competition for essential nutrients and depletion of specific amino acids can promote T cell dysfunction. Here, we will discuss the major energetic pathways engaged by both T cells and cancer cells, metabolic substrates present in the tumor microenvironment, and emerging therapeutic strategies that seek to improve T cell metabolic fitness and bolster the antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Liu
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
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Johansson H, Hussain O, Allison SJ, Robinson TV, Phillips RM, Sejer Pedersen D. Revisiting Bromohexitols as a Novel Class of Microenvironment-Activated Prodrugs for Cancer Therapy. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:228-235. [PMID: 31769617 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900578] [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: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Bromohexitols represent a potent class of DNA-alkylating carbohydrate chemotherapeutics that has been largely ignored over the last decades due to safety concerns. The limited structure-activity relationship data available reveals significant changes in cytotoxicity with even subtle changes in stereochemistry. However, no attempts have been made to improve the therapeutic window by rational drug design or by using a prodrug approach to exploit differences between tumour physiology and healthy tissue, such as acidic extracellular pH and hypoxia. Herein, we report the photochemical synthesis of highly substituted endoperoxides as key precursors for dibromohexitol derivatives and investigate their use as microenvironment-activated prodrugs for targeting cancer cells. One endoperoxide was identified to have a marked increased activity under hypoxic and low pH conditions, indicating that endoperoxides may serve as microenvironment-activated prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Johansson
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Omar Hussain
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Simon J Allison
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Tony V Robinson
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger M Phillips
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Daniel Sejer Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wei H, Duan Y, Gou W, Cui J, Ning H, Li D, Qin Y, Liu Q, Li Y. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives as hypoxia-selective EGFR and VEGFR-2 dual inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 181:111552. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Cheng W, Wang S, Yang Z, Tian X, Hu Y. Design, synthesis, and biological study of 4-[(2-nitroimidazole-1 H-alkyloxyl)aniline]-quinazolines as EGFR inhibitors exerting cytotoxicities both under normoxia and hypoxia. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2019; 13:3079-3089. [PMID: 31695326 PMCID: PMC6717862 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s209481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose In order to get novel EGFR inhibitors exerting more potency in tumor hypoxia than in normoxia. Methods A series of 4-[(2-nitroimidazole-1H-alkyloxyl)aniline]-quinazolines were designed and synthesized, and their in vitro cytotoxicity and EGFR inhibitory activity were evaluated. Molecule docking study was performed for the representative compound. Results The structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed that compounds bearing both meta-chloride and para-(2-nitroimidazole-1H-alkyloxy) groups on the aniline displayed potent inhibitory activities both in enzymatic and cellular levels. The most promising compound 16i potently inhibited EGFR with an IC50 value of 0.12 μM. Meanwhile, it manifested more potent cytotoxicity than the positive control lapatinib under tumor normoxia and hypoxia conditions (IC50 values of 1.59 and 1.09 μM against A549 cells, 2.46 and 1.35 μM against HT-29 cells, respectively). The proposed binding model of 16i in complex with EGFR was displayed by the docking results. Conclusion This study provides insights for developing hypoxia-activated kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyan Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhiheng Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yongzhou Hu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
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Harms JK, Lee TW, Wang T, Lai A, Kee D, Chaplin JM, McIvor NP, Hunter FW, Macann AMJ, Wilson WR, Jamieson SMF. Impact of Tumour Hypoxia on Evofosfamide Sensitivity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Models. Cells 2019; 8:E717. [PMID: 31337055 PMCID: PMC6678517 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour hypoxia is a marker of poor prognosis and failure of chemoradiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), providing a strategy for therapeutic intervention in this setting. To evaluate the utility of the hypoxia-activated prodrug evofosfamide (TH-302) in HNSCC, we established ten early passage patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of HNSCC that were characterised by their histopathology, hypoxia status, gene expression, and sensitivity to evofosfamide. All PDX models closely resembled the histology of the patient tumours they were derived from. Pimonidazole-positive tumour hypoxic fractions ranged from 1.7-7.9% in line with reported HNSCC clinical values, while mRNA expression of the Toustrup hypoxia gene signature showed close correlations between PDX and matched patient tumours, together suggesting the PDX models may accurately model clinical tumour hypoxia. Evofosfamide as a single agent (50 mg/kg IP, qd × 5 for three weeks) demonstrated antitumour efficacy that was variable across the PDX models, ranging from complete regressions in one p16-positive PDX model to lack of significant activity in the three most resistant models. Despite all PDX models showing evidence of tumour hypoxia, and hypoxia being essential for activation of evofosfamide, the antitumour activity of evofosfamide only weakly correlated with tumour hypoxia status determined by pimonidazole immunohistochemistry. Other candidate evofosfamide sensitivity genes-MKI67, POR, and SLFN11-did not strongly influence evofosfamide sensitivity in univariate analyses, although a weak significant relationship with MKI67 was observed, while SLFN11 expression was lost in PDX tumours. Overall, these data confirm that evofosfamide has antitumour activity in clinically-relevant PDX tumour models of HNSCC and support further clinical evaluation of this drug in HNSCC patients. Further research is required to identify those factors that, alongside hypoxia, can influence sensitivity to evofosfamide and could act as predictive biomarkers to support its use in precision medicine therapy of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Harms
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Tet-Woo Lee
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Tao Wang
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Amy Lai
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Dennis Kee
- LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - John M Chaplin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Nick P McIvor
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Francis W Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Andrew M J Macann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Stephen M F Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
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Diethelm-Varela B, Ai Y, Liang D, Xue F. Nitrogen Mustards as Anticancer Chemotherapies: Historic Perspective, Current Developments and Future Trends. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:691-712. [PMID: 30931858 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190401100519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogen mustards, a family of DNA alkylating agents, marked the start of cancer pharmacotherapy. While traditionally characterized by their dose-limiting toxic effects, nitrogen mustards have been the subject of intense research efforts, which have led to safer and more effective agents. Even though the alkylating prodrug mustards were first developed decades ago, active research on ways to improve their selectivity and cytotoxic efficacy is a currently active topic of research. This review addresses the historical development of the nitrogen mustards, outlining their mechanism of action, and discussing the improvements on their therapeutic profile made through rational structure modifications. A special emphasis is made on discussing the nitrogen mustard prodrug category, with Cyclophosphamide (CPA) serving as the main highlight. Selected insights on the latest developments on nitrogen mustards are then provided, limiting such information to agents that preserve the original nitrogen mustard mechanism as their primary mode of action. Additionally, future trends that might follow in the quest to optimize these invaluable chemotherapeutic medications are succinctly suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Diethelm-Varela
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Yong Ai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Dongdong Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Fengtian Xue
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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Cui D, Huang J, Zhen X, Li J, Jiang Y, Pu K. A Semiconducting Polymer Nano‐prodrug for Hypoxia‐Activated Photodynamic Cancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201814730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Cui
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637457 USA
| | - Jiaguo Huang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637457 USA
| | - Xu Zhen
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637457 USA
| | - Jingchao Li
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637457 USA
| | - Yuyan Jiang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637457 USA
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive Singapore 637457 USA
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Studies Towards Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs of PARP Inhibitors. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081559. [PMID: 31010230 PMCID: PMC6514732 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) have recently been approved for the treatment of breast and ovarian tumors with defects in homologous recombination repair (HRR). Although it has been demonstrated that PARPi also sensitize HRR competent tumors to cytotoxic chemotherapies or radiotherapy, normal cell toxicity has remained an obstacle to their use in this context. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) provide a means to limit exposure of normal cells to active drug, thus adding a layer of tumor selectivity. We have investigated potential HAPs of model PARPi in which we attach a bioreducible “trigger” to the amide nitrogen, thereby blocking key binding interactions. A representative example showed promise in abrogating PARPi enzymatic activity in a biochemical assay, with a ca. 160-fold higher potency of benzyl phthalazinone 4 than the corresponding model HAP 5, but these N-alkylated compounds did not release the PARPi upon one-electron reduction by radiolysis. Therefore, we extended our investigation to include NU1025, a PARPi that contains a phenol distal to the core binding motif. The resulting 2-nitroimidazolyl ether provided modest abrogation of PARPi activity with a ca. seven-fold decrease in potency, but released the PARPi efficiently upon reduction. This investigation of potential prodrug approaches for PARPi has identified a useful prodrug strategy for future exploration.
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Hunter FW, Devaux JBL, Meng F, Hong CR, Khan A, Tsai P, Ketela TW, Sharma I, Kakadia PM, Marastoni S, Shalev Z, Hickey AJR, Print CG, Bohlander SK, Hart CP, Wouters BG, Wilson WR. Functional CRISPR and shRNA Screens Identify Involvement of Mitochondrial Electron Transport in the Activation of Evofosfamide. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 95:638-651. [PMID: 30979813 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.115196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Evofosfamide (TH-302) is a hypoxia-activated DNA-crosslinking prodrug currently in clinical development for cancer therapy. Oxygen-sensitive activation of evofosfamide depends on one-electron reduction, yet the reductases that catalyze this process in tumors are unknown. We used RNA sequencing, whole-genome CRISPR knockout, and reductase-focused short hairpin RNA screens to interrogate modifiers of evofosfamide activation in cancer cell lines. Involvement of mitochondrial electron transport in the activation of evofosfamide and the related nitroaromatic compounds EF5 and FSL-61 was investigated using 143B ρ 0 (ρ zero) cells devoid of mitochondrial DNA and biochemical assays in UT-SCC-74B cells. The potency of evofosfamide in 30 genetically diverse cancer cell lines correlated with the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial electron transfer. A whole-genome CRISPR screen in KBM-7 cells identified the DNA damage-response factors SLX4IP, C10orf90 (FATS), and SLFN11, in addition to the key regulator of mitochondrial function, YME1L1, and several complex I constituents as modifiers of evofosfamide sensitivity. A reductase-focused shRNA screen in UT-SCC-74B cells similarly identified mitochondrial respiratory chain factors. Surprisingly, 143B ρ 0 cells showed enhanced evofosfamide activation and sensitivity but had global transcriptional changes, including increased expression of nonmitochondrial flavoreductases. In UT-SCC-74B cells, evofosfamide oxidized cytochromes a, b, and c and inhibited respiration at complexes I, II, and IV without quenching reactive oxygen species production. Our results suggest that the mitochondrial electron transport chain contributes to evofosfamide activation and that predicting evofosfamide sensitivity in patients by measuring the expression of canonical bioreductive enzymes such as cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase is likely to be futile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis W Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jules B L Devaux
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fanying Meng
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cho Rong Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aziza Khan
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Tsai
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Troy W Ketela
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Indumati Sharma
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Purvi M Kakadia
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefano Marastoni
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zvi Shalev
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony J R Hickey
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cristin G Print
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefan K Bohlander
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles P Hart
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bradly G Wouters
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (F.W.H., C.R.H., A.K., I.S., W.R.W.), Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery (F.W.H., A.J.R.H., C.G.P., W.R.W.), School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (J.B.L.D., A.J.R.H.), and Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (P.T., P.M.K., C.G.P., S.K.B.), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Threshold Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California (F.M., C.P.H.); Princess Margaret Genomics Centre (T.W.K.) and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (S.M., Z.S., B.G.W.), University Health Network, and Departments of Radiation Oncology (B.G.W.) and Medical Biophysics (B.G.W.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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38
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Abstract
Cells respond to hypoxia by shifting cellular processes from general housekeeping functions to activating specialized hypoxia-response pathways. Oxygen plays an important role in generating ATP to maintain a productive rate of protein synthesis in normoxia. In hypoxia, the rate of the canonical protein synthesis pathway is significantly slowed and impaired due to limited ATP availability, necessitating an alternative mechanism to mediate protein synthesis and facilitate adaptation. Hypoxia adaptation is largely mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). While HIFs are well known for their transcriptional functions, they also play imperative roles in translation to mediate hypoxic protein synthesis. Such adaptations to hypoxia are often hyperactive in solid tumors, contributing to the expression of cancer hallmarks, including treatment resistance. The current literature on protein synthesis in hypoxia is reviewed here, inclusive of hypoxia-specific mRNA selection to translation termination. Current HIF targeting therapies are also discussed as are the opportunities involved with targeting hypoxia specific protein synthesis pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy T Chee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Ines Lohse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Shaun P Brothers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
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39
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Su MX, Zhang LL, Huang ZJ, Shi JJ, Lu JJ. Investigational Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs: Making Sense of Future Development. Curr Drug Targets 2019; 20:668-678. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666181123122406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia, which occurs in most cancer cases, disrupts the efficacy of anticarcinogens. Fortunately,
hypoxia itself is a potential target for cancer treatment. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs)
can be selectively activated by reductase under hypoxia. Some promising HAPs have been already
achieved, and many clinical trials of HAPs in different types of cancer are ongoing. However, none of
them has been approved in clinic to date. From the studies on HAPs began, some achievements are
obtained but more challenges are put forward. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress of
HAPs to discuss the strategies for HAPs development. According to the research status and results of
these studies, administration pattern, reductase activity, and patient selection need to be taken into
consideration to further improve the efficacy of existing HAPs. As the requirement of new drug research
and development, design of optimal preclinical models and clinical trials are quite important in
HAPs development, while different drug delivery systems and anticancer drugs with different mechanisms
can be sources of novel HAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Xia Su
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Le-Le Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Zhang-Jian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Jie Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
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40
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Cui D, Huang J, Zhen X, Li J, Jiang Y, Pu K. A Semiconducting Polymer Nano-prodrug for Hypoxia-Activated Photodynamic Cancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:5920-5924. [PMID: 30793456 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201814730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds great promise for cancer therapy; however, its efficacy is often compromised by tumor hypoxia. Herein, we report the synthesis of a semiconducting polymer nanoprodrug (SPNpd) that not only efficiently generates singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) under NIR photoirradiation but also specifically activates its chemotherapeutic action in hypoxic tumor microenvironment. SPNpd is self-assembled from a amphiphilic polymer brush, which comprises a light-responsive photodynamic backbone grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) and conjugated with a chemodrug through hypoxia-cleavable linkers. The well-defined and compact nanostructure of SPNpd (30 nm) enables accumulation in the tumor of living mice. Owing to these features, SPNpd exerts synergistic photodynamic and chemo-therapy, and effectively inhibits tumor growth in a xenograft tumor mouse model. This study represents the first hypoxia-activatable phototherapeutic polymeric prodrug system with a high potential for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Cui
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, USA
| | - Jiaguo Huang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, USA
| | - Xu Zhen
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, USA
| | - Jingchao Li
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, USA
| | - Yuyan Jiang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, USA
| | - Kanyi Pu
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 70 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637457, USA
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41
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Angiogenesis in Pancreatic Cancer: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030381. [PMID: 30889903 PMCID: PMC6468440 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial event in tumor development and progression, occurring by different mechanisms and it is driven by pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules. Pancreatic cancer vascularization is characterized by a high microvascular density, impaired microvessel integrity and poor perfused vessels with heterogeneous distribution. In this review article, after a brief introduction on pancreatic cancer classification and on angiogenesis mechanisms involved in its progression, the pre-clinical and clinical trials conducted in pancreatic cancer treatment using anti-angiogenic inhibitors will be described. Finally, we will discuss the anti-angiogenic therapy paradox between the advantage to abolish vessel supply to block tumor growth and the disadvantage due to reduction of drug delivery at the same time. The purpose is to identify new anti-angiogenic molecules that may enhance treatment regimen.
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42
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Jackson RK, Liew LP, Hay MP. Overcoming Radioresistance: Small Molecule Radiosensitisers and Hypoxia-activated Prodrugs. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2019; 31:290-302. [PMID: 30853148 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The role of hypoxia in radiation resistance is well established and many approaches to overcome hypoxia in tumours have been explored, with variable success. Two small molecule strategies for targeting hypoxia have dominated preclinical and clinical efforts. One approach has been the use of electron-affinic nitroheterocycles as oxygen-mimetic sensitisers. These agents are best exemplified by the 5-nitroimidazole nimorazole, which has limited use in conjunction with radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The second approach seeks to leverage tumour hypoxia as a tumour-specific address for hypoxia-activated prodrugs. These prodrugs are selectively activated by reductases under hypoxia to release cytotoxins, which in some instances may diffuse to kill surrounding oxic tumour tissue. A number of these hypoxia-activated prodrugs have been examined in clinical trial and the merits and shortcomings of recent examples are discussed. There has been an evolution from delivering DNA-interactive cytotoxins to molecularly targeted agents. Efforts to implement these strategies clinically continue today, but success has been elusive. Several issues have been identified that compromised these clinical campaigns. A failure to consider the extravascular transport and the micropharmacokinetic properties of the prodrugs has reduced efficacy. One key element for these 'targeted' approaches is the need to co-develop biomarkers to identify appropriate patients. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs require biomarkers for hypoxia, but also for appropriate activating reductases in tumours, as well as markers of intrinsic sensitivity to the released drug. The field is still evolving and changes in radiation delivery and the impact of immune-oncology will provide fertile ground for future innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Jackson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - L P Liew
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - M P Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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43
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Najjar A, Karaman R. Successes, failures, and future prospects of prodrugs and their clinical impact. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:199-220. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1567487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anas Najjar
- Department of Bioorganic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Rafik Karaman
- Department of Bioorganic & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
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44
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Sharma A, Arambula JF, Koo S, Kumar R, Singh H, Sessler JL, Kim JS. Hypoxia-targeted drug delivery. Chem Soc Rev 2019; 48:771-813. [PMID: 30575832 PMCID: PMC6361706 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00304a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 311] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a state of low oxygen tension found in numerous solid tumours. It is typically associated with abnormal vasculature, which results in a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients, as well as impaired delivery of drugs. The hypoxic nature of tumours often leads to the development of localized heterogeneous environments characterized by variable oxygen concentrations, relatively low pH, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The hypoxic heterogeneity promotes tumour invasiveness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and an increase in multidrug-resistant proteins. These factors decrease the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs and can provide a barrier to advancing drug leads beyond the early stages of preclinical development. This review highlights various hypoxia-targeted and activated design strategies for the formulation of drugs or prodrugs and their mechanism of action for tumour diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
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45
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Liew LP, Singleton DC, Wong WW, Cheng GJ, Jamieson SMF, Hay MP. Hypoxia‐Activated Prodrugs of PERK Inhibitors. Chem Asian J 2019; 14:1238-1248. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201801826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia P. Liew
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Dean C. Singleton
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Way W. Wong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
| | - Gary J. Cheng
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
| | - Stephen M. F. Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
| | - Michael P. Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health SciencesUniversity of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular BiodiscoveryUniversity of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
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46
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Spiegelberg L, Houben R, Niemans R, de Ruysscher D, Yaromina A, Theys J, Guise CP, Smaill JB, Patterson AV, Lambin P, Dubois LJ. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs and (lack of) clinical progress: The need for hypoxia-based biomarker patient selection in phase III clinical trials. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2019; 15:62-69. [PMID: 30734002 PMCID: PMC6357685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-activated prodrugs have yielded promising results up to phase II trials. Implementation of hypoxia-activated prodrugs in the clinic has not been successful. Phase III clinical trials lack patient stratification based on tumor hypoxia status. Stratification will decrease the number of patients needed and increase success. Improvements in hypoxia-activated prodrug design can also increase success rates.
Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) are designed to specifically target the hypoxic cells of tumors, which are an important cause of treatment resistance to conventional therapies. Despite promising preclinical and clinical phase I and II results, the most important of which are described in this review, the implementation of hypoxia-activated prodrugs in the clinic has, so far, not been successful. The lack of stratification of patients based on tumor hypoxia status, which can vary widely, is sufficient to account for the failure of phase III trials. To fully exploit the potential of hypoxia-activated prodrugs, hypoxia stratification of patients is needed. Here, we propose a biomarker-stratified enriched Phase III study design in which only biomarker-positive (i.e. hypoxia-positive) patients are randomized between standard treatment and the combination of standard treatment with a hypoxia-activated prodrug. This implies the necessity of a Phase II study in which the biomarker or a combination of biomarkers will be evaluated. The total number of patients needed for both clinical studies will be far lower than in currently used randomize-all designs. In addition, we elaborate on the improvements in HAP design that are feasible to increase the treatment success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Spiegelberg
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud Houben
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raymon Niemans
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk de Ruysscher
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ala Yaromina
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Theys
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Christopher P Guise
- Translational Therapeutics Team, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jeffrey B Smaill
- Translational Therapeutics Team, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Adam V Patterson
- Translational Therapeutics Team, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Philippe Lambin
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW - School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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47
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ONECUT2 is a driver of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2019; 10:278. [PMID: 30655535 PMCID: PMC6336817 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08133-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), a lethal form of the disease, is characterized by loss of androgen receptor (AR) signaling during neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, which results in resistance to AR-targeted therapy. Clinically, genomically and epigenetically, NEPC resembles other types of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Through pan-NET analyses, we identified ONECUT2 as a candidate master transcriptional regulator of poorly differentiated NETs. ONECUT2 ectopic expression in prostate adenocarcinoma synergizes with hypoxia to suppress androgen signaling and induce neuroendocrine plasticity. ONEUCT2 drives tumor aggressiveness in NEPC, partially through regulating hypoxia signaling and tumor hypoxia. Specifically, ONECUT2 activates SMAD3, which regulates hypoxia signaling through modulating HIF1α chromatin-binding, leading NEPC to exhibit higher degrees of hypoxia compared to prostate adenocarcinomas. Treatment with hypoxia-activated prodrug TH-302 potently reduces NEPC tumor growth. Collectively, these results highlight the synergy between ONECUT2 and hypoxia in driving NEPC, and emphasize the potential of hypoxia-directed therapy for NEPC patients. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is characterized by loss of androgen receptor (AR) signaling during neuroendocrine transdifferentiation, resulting in resistance to AR-targeted therapy. Here they report ONECUT2 to drive NEPC tumorigenesis via regulation of hypoxia signaling and tumor hypoxia, and find hypoxia directed therapy to be effective in NEPC.
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48
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An Intratumor Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model for the Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug Evofosfamide (TH-302): Monotherapy Activity is Not Dependent on a Bystander Effect. Neoplasia 2018; 21:159-171. [PMID: 30591421 PMCID: PMC6314220 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia contributes to resistance to anticancer therapies. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) selectively target hypoxic cells and their activity can extend to well-oxygenated areas of tumors via diffusion of active metabolites. This type of bystander effect has been suggested to be responsible for the single agent activity of the clinical-stage HAP evofosfamide (TH-302) but direct evidence is lacking. To dissect the contribution of bystander effects to TH-302 activity, we implemented a Green's function pharmacokinetic (PK) model to simulate the spatial distribution of O2, TH-302 and its cytotoxic metabolites, bromo-isophosphoramide mustard (Br-IPM) and its dichloro derivative isophosphoramide mustard (IPM), in two digitized tumor microvascular networks. The model was parameterized from literature and experimentally, including measurement of diffusion coefficients of TH-302 and its metabolites in multicellular layer cultures. The latter studies demonstrate that Br-IPM and IPM cannot diffuse significantly from the cells in which they are generated, although evidence was obtained for diffusion of the hydroxylamine metabolite of TH-302. The spatially resolved PK model was linked to a pharmacodynamic (PD) model that describes cell killing probability at each point in the tumor microregion as a function of Br-IPM and IPM exposure. The resulting PK/PD model accurately predicted previously reported monotherapy activity of TH-302 in H460 tumors, without invoking a bystander effect, demonstrating that the notable single agent activity of TH-302 in tumors can be accounted for by significant bioreductive activation of TH-302 even in oxic regions, driven by the high plasma concentrations achievable with this well-tolerated prodrug.
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49
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Collins SL, Saha J, Bouchez LC, Hammond EM, Conway SJ. Hypoxia-Activated, Small-Molecule-Induced Gene Expression. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:3354-3360. [PMID: 30451487 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia, a condition of reduced oxygen, occurs in a wide variety of biological contexts, including solid tumors and bacterial biofilms, which are relevant to human health. Consequently, the development of chemical tools to study hypoxia is vital. Here we report a hypoxia-activated, small-molecule-mediated gene expression system using a bioreductive prodrug of the inducer isopropyl 1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside. As a proof-of-concept we have placed the production of a green fluorescent protein under the control of hypoxia. Our system has the potential to be extended to regulate the production of any given protein of choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Collins
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory , University of Oxford , Mansfield Road , Oxford OX1 3TA , U.K
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology , University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building , Oxford OX3 7DQ , U.K
| | - Jaideep Saha
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory , University of Oxford , Mansfield Road , Oxford OX1 3TA , U.K
| | - Laure C Bouchez
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research , Fabrikstrasse 22 , 4054 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Ester M Hammond
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology , University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building , Oxford OX3 7DQ , U.K
| | - Stuart J Conway
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory , University of Oxford , Mansfield Road , Oxford OX1 3TA , U.K
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50
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Abstract
The nitro group is considered to be a versatile and unique functional group in medicinal chemistry. Despite a long history of use in therapeutics, the nitro group has toxicity issues and is often categorized as a structural alert or a toxicophore, and evidence related to drugs containing nitro groups is rather contradictory. In general, drugs containing nitro groups have been extensively associated with mutagenicity and genotoxicity. In this context, efforts toward the structure-mutagenicity or structure-genotoxicity relationships have been undertaken. The current Perspective covers various aspects of agents that contain nitro groups, their bioreductive activation mechanisms, their toxicities, and approaches to combat their toxicity issues. In addition, recent advances in the field of anticancer, antitubercular and antiparasitic agents containing nitro groups, along with a patent survey on hypoxia-activated prodrugs containing nitro groups, are also covered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Nepali
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , 250 Wuxing Street , Taipei 11031 , Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Yun Lee
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , 250 Wuxing Street , Taipei 11031 , Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ping Liou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy , Taipei Medical University , 250 Wuxing Street , Taipei 11031 , Taiwan
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