Probing cytochrome P450 (CYP) bioactivation with chloromethylindoline bioprecursors derived from the duocarmycin family of compounds

The duocarmycins belong to a class of agent which has great potential for use in cancer therapy. Their exquisite potency means they are too toxic for systemic use, and targeted approaches are required to unlock their clinical potential. In this study, we have explored seco-OH-chloromethylindoline (CI) duocarmycin-based bioprecursors for their potential for cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated cancer cell kill. We report on synthetic and biological explorations of racemic seco-CI-MI, where MI is a 5-methoxy indole motif, and dehydroxylated analogues. We show up to a 10-fold bioactivation of de-OH CI-MI and a fluoro bioprecursor analogue in CYP1A1-transfected cells. Using CYP bactosomes, we also demonstrate that CYP1A2 but not CYP1B1 or CYP3A4 has propensity for potentiating these compounds, indicating preference for CYP1A bioactivation.

Probing cytochrome P450 bioactivation and fluorescent properties with morpholinyl-tethered anthraquinones

Structural features from the anticancer prodrug nemorubicin (MMDX) and the DNA-binding molecule DRAQ5™ were used to prepare anthraquinone-based compounds, which were assessed for their potential to interrogate cytochrome P450 (CYP) functional activity and localisation. 1,4-disubstituted anthraquinone 8 was shown to be 5-fold more potent in EJ138 bladder cancer cells after CYP1A2 bioactivation. In contrast, 1,5-bis((2-morpholinoethyl)amino) substituted anthraquinone 10 was not CYP-bioactivated but was shown to be fluorescent and subsequently photo-activated by a light pulse (at a bandwidth 532-587 nm), resulting in punctuated foci accumulation in the cytoplasm. It also showed low toxicity in human osteosarcoma cells. These combined properties provide an interesting prospective approach for opto-tagging single or a sub-population of cells and seeking their location without the need for continuous monitoring.

Development of an In Vitro Model to Screen CYP1B1-Targeted Anticancer Prodrugs

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is an anticancer therapeutic target due to its overexpression in a number of steroid hormone-related cancers. One anticancer drug discovery strategy is to develop prodrugs specifically activated by CYP1B1 in malignant tissues to cytotoxic metabolites. Here, we aimed to develop an in vitro screening model for CYP1B1-targeted anticancer prodrugs using the KLE human endometrial carcinoma cell line. KLE cells demonstrated superior stability of CYP1B1 expression relative to transiently transfected cells and did not express any appreciable amount of cognate CYP1A1 or CYP1A2, which would have compromised the specificity of the screening assay. The effect of two CYP1B1-targeted probe prodrugs on KLE cells was evaluated in the absence and presence of a CYP1B1 inhibitor to chemically "knock out" CYP1B1 activity (CYP1B1 inhibited). Both probe prodrugs were more toxic to KLE cells than to CYP1B1-inhibited KLE cells and significantly induced G0/G1 arrest and decreased the S phase in KLE cells. They also exhibited pro-apoptotic effects in KLE cells, which were attenuated in CYP1B1-inhibited KLE cells. In summary, a KLE cell-based model has been characterized to be suitable for identifying CYP1B1-targeted anticancer prodrugs and should be further developed and employed for screening chemical libraries.