Annexin-directed β-glucuronidase for the targeted treatment of solid tumors

Molecular determinants as therapeutic targets in cancer chemotherapy: An update

It is well known that cancer cells are heterogeneous in nature and very distinct from their normal counterparts. Commonly these cancer cells possess different and complementary metabolic profile, microenvironment and adopting behaviors to generate more ATPs to fulfill the requirement of high energy that is further utilized in the production of proteins and other essentials required for cell survival, growth, and proliferation. These differences create many challenges in cancer treatments. On the contrary, such situations of metabolic differences between cancer and normal cells may be expected a promising strategy for treatment purpose. In this article, we focus on the molecular determinants of oncogene-specific sub-organelles such as potential metabolites of mitochondria (reactive oxygen species, apoptotic proteins, cytochrome c, caspase 9, caspase 3, etc.), endoplasmic reticulum (unfolded protein response, PKR-like ER kinase, C/EBP homologous protein, etc.), nucleus (nucleolar phosphoprotein, nuclear pore complex, nuclear localization signal), lysosome (microenvironment, etc.) and plasma membrane phospholipids, etc. that might be exploited for the targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs for therapeutic benefits. This review will help to understand the various targets of subcellular organelles at molecular levels. In the future, this molecular level understanding may be combined with the genomic profile of cancer for the development of the molecularly guided or personalized therapeutics for complete eradication of cancer.

Improved cytotoxicity of novel TRAIL variants produced as recombinant fusion proteins

The TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) cytokine triggers apoptosis specifically in cancer cells. Susceptibility of a given cell to TRAIL depends on the activity of regulatory proteins, one of the most important of which is BID. The aim of this study was to increase the cytotoxic potential of TRAIL against cancer cells. TRAIL was fused to the BH3 domain of BID. Hence, TRAIL acted not only as an anticancer agent, but also as a specific carrier for the BID fragment. Two fusion protein variants were obtained by genetic engineering, harboring two different linker sequences. The short linker allowed both parts of the fusion protein to fold into their native structures. The long linker influenced the structure of the fused proteins but nonetheless resulted in their highest cytotoxic activity. Optimal buffer formulation was determined for all the analyzed TRAIL variants. Fusing the BH3 domain of BID to TRAIL improved the cytotoxic potential of TRAIL. Further, these findings may be useful for the optimization of other anticancer drugs based on TRAIL, since the appropriate formulation would secure their native structures during prolonged storage.

Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (ADEPT): Trials and tribulations

Antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy has the potential to be an effective therapy for most common solid cancers. Clinical studies with CPG2 system have shown the feasibility of this approach. The key limitation has been immunogenicity of the enzyme. Technologies now exist to eliminate this problem. Non-immunogenic enzymes in combination with prodrugs that generate potent cytotoxic drugs can provide a powerful approach to cancer therapy. ADEPT has the potential to be non -toxic to normal tissue and can therefore be combined with other modalities including immunotherapy for greater clinical benefit.