1
|
Mező G, Gomena J, Ranđelović I, Dókus EL, Kiss K, Pethő L, Schuster S, Vári B, Vári-Mező D, Lajkó E, Polgár L, Kőhidai L, Tóvári J, Szabó I. Oxime-Linked Peptide-Daunomycin Conjugates as Good Tools for Selection of Suitable Homing Devices in Targeted Tumor Therapy: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1864. [PMID: 38339141 PMCID: PMC10855781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031864] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is still one of the main therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Nevertheless, its poor selectivity causes severe toxic side effects that, together with the development of drug resistance in tumor cells, results in a limitation for its application. Tumor-targeted drug delivery is a possible choice to overcome these drawbacks. As well as monoclonal antibodies, peptides are promising targeting moieties for drug delivery. However, the development of peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) is still a big challenge. The main reason is that the conjugates have to be stable in circulation, but the drug or its active metabolite should be released efficiently in the tumor cells. For this purpose, suitable linker systems are needed that connect the drug molecule with the homing peptide. The applied linker systems are commonly categorized as cleavable and non-cleavable linkers. Both the groups possess advantages and disadvantages that are summarized briefly in this manuscript. Moreover, in this review paper, we highlight the benefit of oxime-linked anthracycline-peptide conjugates in the development of PDCs. For instance, straightforward synthesis as well as a conjugation reaction proceed in excellent yields, and the autofluorescence of anthracyclines provides a good tool to select the appropriate homing peptides. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these conjugates can be used properly in in vivo studies. The results indicate that the oxime-linked PDCs are potential candidates for targeted tumor therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Mező
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
- Institute of Chemistry, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jacopo Gomena
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
- Institute of Chemistry, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ivan Ranđelović
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (B.V.); (J.T.)
| | - Endre Levente Dókus
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
| | - Krisztina Kiss
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Pethő
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
| | - Sabine Schuster
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
- Institute of Chemistry, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Vári
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (B.V.); (J.T.)
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Doctoral School of Pathological Sciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diána Vári-Mező
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (B.V.); (J.T.)
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Doctoral School of Pathological Sciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Lajkó
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (E.L.); (L.P.); (L.K.)
| | - Lívia Polgár
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (E.L.); (L.P.); (L.K.)
| | - László Kőhidai
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (E.L.); (L.P.); (L.K.)
| | - József Tóvári
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (B.V.); (J.T.)
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Doctoral School of Pathological Sciences, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Szabó
- HUN-REN-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.G.); (E.L.D.); (L.P.); (S.S.); (D.V.-M.); (I.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pethő L, Oláh-Szabó R, Mező G. Influence of the Drug Position on Bioactivity in Angiopep-2-Daunomycin Conjugates. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043106. [PMID: 36834514 PMCID: PMC9959518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a semipermeable system, and, therefore, most of the active substances are poorly transported through this barrier, resulting in decreased therapeutic effects. Angiopep-2 (TFFYGGSRGKRNNFKTEEY) is a peptide ligand of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1), which can cross the BBB via receptor-mediated transcytosis and simultaneously target glioblastomas. Angiopep-2 contains three amino groups that have previously been used to produce drug-peptide conjugates, although the role and importance of each position have not yet been investigated. Thus, we studied the number and position of drug molecules in Angiopep-2 based conjugates. Conjugates containing one, two, and three daunomycin molecules conjugated via oxime linkage in all possible variations were prepared. The in vitro cytostatic effect and cellular uptake of the conjugates were investigated on U87 human glioblastoma cells. Degradation studies in the presence of rat liver lysosomal homogenates were also performed in order for us to better understand the structure-activity relationship and to determine the smallest metabolites. Conjugates with the best cytostatic effects had a drug molecule at the N-terminus. We demonstrated that the increasing number of drug molecules does not necessarily increase the efficacy of the conjugates, and proved that modification of the different conjugation sites results in differing biological effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilla Pethő
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rita Oláh-Szabó
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Mező
- ELKH-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kougioumtzi A, Chatziathanasiadou MV, Vrettos EI, Sayyad N, Sakka M, Stathopoulos P, Mantzaris MD, Ganai AM, Karpoormath R, Vartholomatos G, Tsikaris V, Lazarides T, Murphy C, Tzakos AG. Development of novel GnRH and Tat 48-60 based luminescent probes with enhanced cellular uptake and bioimaging profile. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:9215-9224. [PMID: 34125130 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt00060h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
There is a clear need to develop photostable chromophores for bioimaging with respect to the classically utilized green fluorescent dye fluorescein. Along these lines, we utilized a phosphorescent carboxy-substituted ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl [Ru(bipy)2(mcb)]2+ (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridyl and mcb = 4-carboxy-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) complex. We developed two luminescent peptide conjugates of the cell-penetrating peptide Tat48-60 consisting of either [Ru(bipy)2(mcb)]2+ or 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (5(6)-FAM) tethered on the Lys50 of the peptide through amide bond. We confirmed the efficient cellular uptake of both bioconjugates in HeLa cells by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry and proved that the ruthenium-based chromophore possesses enhanced photostability compared to a 5(6)-FAM-based peptide, after continuous laser scanning. Furthermore, we designed and developed a luminescent agent with high photostability, based on the ruthenium core, that could be selectively localized in cancer cells overexpressing the GnRH receptor (GnRH-R). To achieve this, we took advantage of the tumor-homing character of d-Lys6-GnRH which selectively recognizes the GnRH-R. The [Ru(bipy)2(mcb)]2+-d-Lys6-GnRH peptide conjugate was synthesized, and its cellular uptake was evaluated through flow cytometric analysis and live-cell imaging in HeLa and T24 bladder cancer cells as negative and positive controls of GnRH-R, respectively. Besides the selective targeting that the specific conjugate could offer, we also recorded high internalization levels in T24 bladder cancer cells. The ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl peptide-based conjugates we developed is an intriguing approach that offers targeted cell imaging in the Near Infrared region, and simultaneously paves the way for further advancements in the dynamic studies on cellular imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Kougioumtzi
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, Department of Biomedical Research, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria V Chatziathanasiadou
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Eirinaios I Vrettos
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Nisar Sayyad
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Mariana Sakka
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Stathopoulos
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Michalis D Mantzaris
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, Department of Biomedical Research, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ab Majeed Ganai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville), Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Rajshekhar Karpoormath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville), Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Georgios Vartholomatos
- Hematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, 45110 Greece
| | - Vassilios Tsikaris
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Theodore Lazarides
- Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Carol Murphy
- Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, Department of Biomedical Research, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Andreas G Tzakos
- University of Ioannina, Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 45110, Ioannina, Greece. and University Research Center of Ioannina (URCI), Institute of Materials Science and Computing, Ioannina, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors in Prostate Cancer: Molecular Aspects and Biological Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249511. [PMID: 33327545 PMCID: PMC7765031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone receptors (GnRH-R) mediate the activity of the hypothalamic decapeptide GnRH, thus playing a key role in the regulation of the reproductive axis. Early-stage prostate cancer (PCa) is dependent on serum androgen levels, and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), based on GnRH agonists and antagonists, represents the standard therapeutic approach for PCa patients. Unfortunately, the tumor often progresses towards the more aggressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) stage. GnRH receptors are also expressed in CRPC tissues, where their binding to both GnRH agonists and antagonists is associated with significant antiproliferative/proapoptotic, antimetastatic and antiangiogenic effects, mediated by the Gαi/cAMP signaling cascade. GnRH agonists and antagonists are now considered as an effective therapeutic strategy for CRPC patients with many clinical trials demonstrating that the combined use of these drugs with standard therapies (i.e., docetaxel, enzalutamide, abiraterone) significantly improves disease-free survival. In this context, GnRH-based bioconjugates (cytotoxic drugs covalently linked to a GnRH-based decapeptide) have been recently developed. The rationale of this treatment is that the GnRH peptide selectively binds to its receptors, delivering the cytotoxic drug to CRPC cells while sparing nontumor cells. Some of these compounds have already entered clinical trials.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ranđelović I, Schuster S, Kapuvári B, Fossati G, Steinkühler C, Mező G, Tóvári J. Improved In Vivo Anti-Tumor and Anti-Metastatic Effect of GnRH-III-Daunorubicin Analogs on Colorectal and Breast Carcinoma Bearing Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4763. [PMID: 31557968 PMCID: PMC6801585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Among various homing devices, gonadotropin-releasing hormone-III (GnRH-III) peptide represents a suitable targeting moiety for drug delivery systems. The anti-tumor activity of the previously developed GnRH-III-[4Lys(Bu),8Lys(Dau=Aoa)] conjugate and the novel synthesized GnRH-III-[2ΔHis,3d-Tic,4Lys(Bu),8Lys(Dau=Aoa)] conjugate, containing the anti-cancer drug daunorubicin, were evaluated. Here, we demonstrate that both GnRH-III-Dau conjugates possess an efficient growth inhibitory effect on more than 20 cancer cell lines, whereby the biological activity is strongly connected to the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRH-R). The novel conjugate showed a higher in vitro anti-proliferative activity and a higher uptake capacity. Moreover, the treatment with GnRH-III-Dau conjugates cause a significant in vivo tumor growth and metastases inhibitory effect in three different orthotopic models, including 4T1 mice and MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma, as well as HT-29 human colorectal cancer bearing BALB/s and SCID mice, while toxic side-effects were substantially reduced in comparison to the treatment with the free drug. These findings illustrate that our novel lead compound is a highly promising candidate for targeted tumor therapy in both colon cancer and metastatic breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Ranđelović
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Sabine Schuster
- Faculty of Science, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Bence Kapuvári
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gianluca Fossati
- Preclinical R&D, Italfarmaco SpA, 20092 Cinisello Balsamo (Milan), Italy.
| | | | - Gábor Mező
- Faculty of Science, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - József Tóvári
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Apoptotic Effects of Drug Targeting Conjugates Containing Different GnRH Analogs on Colon Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184421. [PMID: 31500399 PMCID: PMC6769516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The wide range of cellular target reactions (e.g., antitumor) of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) variants provides the possibility to develop multifunctional GnRH conjugates. The aim of our work was to compare the cytotoxic/apoptotic activity of different GnRH-based, daunorubicin (Dau)-linked conjugates with or without butyrated Lys in position 4 (4Lys(Bu)) at a molecular level in a human colorectal carcinoma cell line. Cell viability was measured by impedimetry, cellular uptake and apoptosis were studied by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The modification with 4Lys(Bu) resulted in an increased cytotoxic and apoptotic effects and cellular uptake of the GnRH-I and GnRH-III conjugates. Depending on the GnRH isoform and the presence of 4Lys(Bu), the conjugates could regulate the expression of several apoptosis-related genes, especially tumor necrosis factor (TNF), tumor protein p53 (TP53) and the members of growth-factor signaling. The stronger cytotoxicity of GnRH-I and GnRH-III conjugates containing 4Lys(Bu) was associated with a stronger inhibitory effect on the expression of growth-factor signaling elements in comparison with their 4Ser counterparts, in which the upregulation of TP53 and caspases (e.g., CASP9) seemed to play a more important role. We were able to provide further evidence that targeting the GnRH receptor could serve as a successful therapeutic approach in colon cancer, and GnRH-III-[4Lys(Bu),8Lys(Dau=Aoa)] proved to be the best candidate for this purpose.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
There is a growing interest for the discovery of new cancer-targeted delivery systems for drug delivery and diagnosis. A synopsis of the bibliographic data will be presented on bombesin, neurotensin, octreotide, Arg-Gly-Asp, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and other peptides. Many of them have reached the clinics for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, and have been utilized as carriers of known cytotoxic agents such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, methotrexate or dyes and radioisotopes. In our article, recent advances in the development of peptides as carriers of cytotoxic drugs or radiometals will be analyzed.
Collapse
|
8
|
Murányi J, Varga A, Gurbi B, Gyulavári P, Mező G, Vántus T. In Vitro Imaging and Quantification of the Drug Targeting Efficiency of Fluorescently Labeled GnRH Analogues. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28362408 DOI: 10.3791/55529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
GnRH analogues are effective targeting moieties and able to deliver anticancer agents selectively into malignant tumor cells which highly express GnRH receptors. However, the quantitative analysis of GnRH analogues' cellular uptake and the investigated cell types in GnRH-based drug delivery systems are currently limited. Previously introduced, selectively labeled fluorescent GnRH I, -II and -III derivatives provide great detectability, and they have suitable chemical properties for reproducible and robust experiments. We also found that the appropriate up-to-date methods with these labeled GnRH analogues could offer novel information about the GnRH-based drug delivery systems. This manuscript introduces some simple and fast experiments regarding the cellular uptake of [D-Lys6(FITC)]-GnRH-I, [D-Lys6(FITC)]-GnRH-II and [Lys8(FITC)]-GnRH-III on the EBC-1 (lung), the BxPC-3 (pancreas) and on the Detroit-562- (pharynx) malignant tumor cells. In parallel with these GnRH-FITC conjugates, the cell surface level of GnRH-I receptors was also examined on these cell lines before and after the GnRH treatment by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The cellular uptake of GnRH-FITC conjugates was quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. In these experiments minor differences among GnRH analogues and major differences among cell types was observed. The significant differences among cell lines are correlated with their distinct level of cell surface GnRH-I receptors. The introduced experiments contain practical methods to visualize, quantify and compare the uptake efficiency of GnRH-FITC conjugates in a time- and concentration-dependent manner on various adherent cell cultures. These results could predict the drug targeting efficiency of GnRH conjugates on the given cell culture, and offer a good basis for further experiments in the examination of GnRH-based drug delivery systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- József Murányi
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Semmelweis University; Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University;
| | - Attila Varga
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Semmelweis University
| | - Bianka Gurbi
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Semmelweis University
| | - Pál Gyulavári
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Semmelweis University
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University
| | - Tibor Vántus
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Murányi J, Gyulavári P, Varga A, Bökönyi G, Tanai H, Vántus T, Pap D, Ludányi K, Mező G, Kéri G. Synthesis, characterization and systematic comparison of FITC-labelled GnRH-I, -II and -III analogues on various tumour cells. J Pept Sci 2017; 22:552-60. [PMID: 27443981 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Targeted tumour therapy is the focus of recent cancer research. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are able to deliver anticancer agents selectively into tumour cells, which highly express GnRH receptors. However, the effectiveness of different analogues as targeting moiety in drug delivery systems is rarely compared, and the investigated types of cancer are also limited. Therefore, we prepared selectively labelled, fluorescent derivatives of GnRH-I, -II and -III analogues, which were successfully used for drug targeting. In this manuscript, we investigated these analogues' solubility, stability and passive membrane permeability and compared their cellular uptake by various cancer cells. We found that these labelled GnRH conjugates provide great detectability, without undesired cytotoxicity and passive membrane permeability. The introduced experiments with these conjugates proved their reliable tracking, quantification and comparison. Cellular uptake efficiency was studied on human breast, colon, pancreas and prostate cancer cells (MCF-7, HT-29, BxPC-3, LNCaP) and on dog kidney cells (Madin-Darby canine kidney). Each of the three conjugates was taken up by GnRH-I receptor-expressing cells, but the different cells preferred different analogues. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time the high cell surface expression of GnRH-I receptors and the effective cellular uptake of GnRH analogues on human pharynx tumour (Detroit-562) cells. In summary, our presented results detail that the introduced conjugates could be innovative tools for the examination of the GnRH-based drug delivery systems on various cells and offer novel information about these peptides. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- József Murányi
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Gyulavári
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Varga
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Györgyi Bökönyi
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Henriette Tanai
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Vántus
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domonkos Pap
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Bókay János St. 53-54, H1083, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Ludányi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre St. 7, H1092, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös L. University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, H1518, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Kéri
- MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó St. 37-47, H1094, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hegedüs R, Pauschert A, Orbán E, Szabó I, Andreu D, Marquardt A, Mező G, Manea M. Modification of daunorubicin-GnRH-III bioconjugates with oligoethylene glycol derivatives to improve solubility and bioavailability for targeted cancer chemotherapy. Biopolymers 2016; 104:167-77. [PMID: 25753049 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Daunorubicin-GnRH-III bioconjugates have recently been developed as drug delivery systems with potential applications in targeted cancer chemotherapy. In order to improve their biochemical properties, several strategies have been pursued: (1) incorporation of an enzymatic cleavable spacer between the anticancer drug and the peptide-based targeting moiety, (2) peptide modification by short chain fatty acids, or (3) attachment of two anticancer drugs to the same GnRH-III derivative. Although these modifications led to more potent bioconjugates, a decrease in their solubility was observed. Here we report on the design, synthesis and biochemical characterization of daunorubicin-GnRH-III bioconjugates with increased solubility, which could be achieved by incorporating oligoethylene glycol-based spacers in their structure. First, we have evaluated the effect of an oligoethylene glycol-based spacer on the solubility, enzymatic stability/degradation, cellular uptake, and in vitro cytostatic effect of a bioconjugate containing only one daunorubicin attached through a GFLG tetrapeptide spacer to the GnRH-III targeting moiety. Thereafter, more complex compounds containing two copies of daunorubicin, GFLG spacers as well as Lys(nBu) in position 4 of GnRH-III were synthesized and biochemically characterized. Our results indicated that all synthesized oligoethylene glycol-containing bioconjugates had higher solubility in cell culture medium than the unmodified analogs. They were degraded in the presence of rat liver lysosomal homogenate leading to the formation of small drug containing metabolites. In the case of bioconjugates containing two copies of daunorubicin, the incorporation of oligoethylene glycol-based spacers led to increased in vitro cytostatic effect on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rózsa Hegedüs
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös L. University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Aline Pauschert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Erika Orbán
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös L. University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Szabó
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös L. University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreas Marquardt
- Proteomics Facility, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Eötvös L. University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marilena Manea
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.,Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kapuvári B, Hegedüs R, Schulcz Á, Manea M, Tóvári J, Gacs A, Vincze B, Mező G. Improved in vivo antitumor effect of a daunorubicin - GnRH-III bioconjugate modified by apoptosis inducing agent butyric acid on colorectal carcinoma bearing mice. Invest New Drugs 2016; 34:416-23. [PMID: 27146514 PMCID: PMC4919375 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-016-0354-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Compared to classical chemotherapy, peptide-based drug targeting is a promising therapeutic approach for cancer, which can provide increased selectivity and decreased side effects to anticancer drugs. Among various homing devices, gonadotropin-releasing hormone-III (GnRH-III) peptide represents a suitable targeting moiety, in particular in the treatment of hormone independent tumors that highly express GnRH receptors (e.g. colon carcinoma). We have previously shown that GnRH-III[4Lys(Ac),8Lys(Dau = Aoa)] bioconjugate, in which daunorubicin was attached via oxime linkage to the 8Lys of a GnRH-III derivative, exerted significant in vivo antitumor effect on subcutaneously developed HT-29 colon tumor. In contrast, results of the study reported here indicated that this compound was not active on an orthotopically developed tumor. However, if Lys in position 4 was acylated with butyric acid instead of acetic acid, the resulting bioconjugate GnRH-III[4Lys(Bu),8Lys(Dau = Aoa)] had significant tumor growth inhibitory effect. Furthermore, it prevented tumor neovascularization, without detectable side effects. Nevertheless, the development of metastases could not be inhibited by the bioconjugate; therefore, its application in combination with a metastasis preventive agent might be necessary in order to achieve complete tumor remission. In spite of this result, the treatment with GnRH-III[4Lys(Bu),8Lys(Dau = Aoa)] bioconjugate proved to have significant benefits over the administration of free daunorubicin, which was used at the maximum tolerated dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rózsa Hegedüs
- MTA-ELTE, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Pázmány P. stny. 1/A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Ákos Schulcz
- National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Marilena Manea
- Department of Chemistry and Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - József Tóvári
- National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | | | | | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE, Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Pázmány P. stny. 1/A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Böhme D, Beck-Sickinger AG. Drug delivery and release systems for targeted tumor therapy. J Pept Sci 2015; 21:186-200. [PMID: 25703117 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Most toxic agents currently used for chemotherapy show a narrow therapeutic window, because of their inability to distinguish between healthy and cancer cells. Targeted drug delivery offers the possibility to overcome this issue by selectively addressing structures on the surface of cancer cells, therefore reducing undesired side effects. In this broad field, peptide-drug conjugates linked by intracellular cleavable structures have evolved as highly promising agents. They can specifically deliver toxophores to tumor cells by targeting distinct receptors overexpressed in cancer. In this review, we focus on these compounds and describe important factors to develop a highly efficient peptide-drug conjugate. The necessary properties of tumor-targeting peptides are described, and the different options for cleavable linkers used to connect toxic agents and peptides are discussed, and synthetic considerations for the introduction of these structures are reported. Furthermore, recent examples and current developments of peptide-drug conjugates are critically evaluated with a special focus on the applied linker structures and their future use in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Böhme
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universität Leipzig, Brüderstraße 34, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Montagnani Marelli M, Manea M, Moretti RM, Marzagalli M, Limonta P. Oxime bond-linked daunorubicin-GnRH-III bioconjugates exert antitumor activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells via the type I GnRH receptor. Int J Oncol 2014; 46:243-53. [PMID: 25351635 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRH-R) are expressed in different types of cancers, including castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and mediate the antiproliferative effect of GnRH analogs. Thus, these compounds are employed as targeting moieties to selectively deliver chemotherapeutic agents to cancer cells. GnRH-III, the decapeptide isolated from the sea lamprey brain, has lower potency than GnRH in stimulating gonadotropin secretion, but it exerts antiproliferative effects on many tumors expressing the GnRH-R. GnRH-III-based peptides are considered promising targeting moieties for the preparation of anticancer drug delivery systems. These studies were aimed at i) evaluating the antitumor activity of two cytotoxic oxime bond-linked daunorubicin (Dau)-GnRH-III derivative bioconjugates (Dau-GnRH-III, in which daunorubicin was coupled to the 8Lys in the native form of GnRH-III, and Dau-[4Lys(Ac)]-GnRH-III, in which daunorubicin was attached to the 8Lys of a GnRH-III derivative where 4Ser was replaced by an acetylated lysine) on CRPC cells; and ii) to elucidate the involvement of the classical GnRH-R (type I GnRH-R) in this antitumor activity. Our results demonstrated that both Dau-GnRH-III and Dau-[4Lys(Ac)]-GnRH-III were rapidly internalized into DU145 prostate cancer cells and exerted a significant cytostatic effect. Both bioconjugates increased the levels of the active form of caspase-3, indicating the involvement of apoptosis in their antitumor activity. The antiproliferative effect of both Dau-GnRH-III and Dau-[4Lys(Ac)]-GnRH-III was counteracted by the simultaneous treatment of the cells with Antide, an antagonist of the GnRH-R. Moreover, after silencing the type I GnRH-R the antitumor activity of both bioconjugates was completely abolished. These data demonstrate that in CRPC cells, daunorubicin-GnRH-III derivative bioconjugates: i) inhibit tumor cell proliferation, by triggering the apoptosis process; ii) exert their antitumor effect through the activation of the type I GnRH-R expressed on these cells. Cytotoxic-GnRH-III derivative may represent promising targeted chemotherapeutics for the treatment of CRPC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marilena Manea
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Roberta M Moretti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yang J, Kopeček J. Macromolecular therapeutics. J Control Release 2014; 190:288-303. [PMID: 24747162 PMCID: PMC4142088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This review covers water-soluble polymer-drug conjugates and macromolecules that possess biological activity without attached low molecular weight drugs. The main design principles of traditional and backbone degradable polymer-drug conjugates as well as the development of a new paradigm in nanomedicines - (low molecular weight) drug-free macromolecular therapeutics are discussed. To address the biological features of cancer, macromolecular therapeutics directed to stem/progenitor cells and the tumor microenvironment are deliberated. Finally, the future perspectives of the field are briefly debated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA
| | - Jindřich Kopeček
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Schreier VN, Pethő L, Orbán E, Marquardt A, Petre BA, Mező G, Manea M. Protein expression profile of HT-29 human colon cancer cells after treatment with a cytotoxic daunorubicin-GnRH-III derivative bioconjugate. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94041. [PMID: 24718594 PMCID: PMC3981732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents is a new approach for the treatment of cancer, which provides increased selectivity and decreased systemic toxicity. We have recently developed a promising drug delivery system, in which the anticancer drug daunorubicin (Dau) was attached via oxime bond to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-III (GnRH-III) derivative used as a targeting moiety (Glp-His-Trp-Lys(Ac)-His-Asp-Trp-Lys(Dau = Aoa)-Pro-Gly-NH2; Glp = pyroglutamic acid, Ac = acetyl; Aoa = aminooxyacetyl). This bioconjugate exerted in vitro cytostatic/cytotoxic effect on human breast, prostate and colon cancer cells, as well as significant in vivo tumor growth inhibitory effect on colon carcinoma bearing mice. In our previous studies, H-Lys(Dau = Aoa)-OH was identified as the smallest metabolite produced in the presence of rat liver lysosomal homogenate, which was able to bind to DNA in vitro. To get a deeper insight into the mechanism of action of the bioconjugate, changes in the protein expression profile of HT-29 human colon cancer cells after treatment with the bioconjugate or free daunorubicin were investigated by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our results indicate that several metabolism-related proteins, molecular chaperons and proteins involved in signaling are differently expressed after targeted chemotherapeutic treatment, leading to the conclusion that the bioconjugate exerts its cytotoxic action by interfering with multiple intracellular processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lilla Pethő
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erika Orbán
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Gábor Mező
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marilena Manea
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Limonta P, Manea M. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors as molecular therapeutic targets in prostate cancer: Current options and emerging strategies. Cancer Treat Rev 2013; 39:647-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
17
|
Synthesis, solid state and solution studies of cobalt(II) complexes with 2-hydroxyiminopropanoic acid. Polyhedron 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2013.03.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
18
|
Schreier VN, Mező G, Orbán E, Dürr C, Marquardt A, Manea M. Synthesis, enzymatic stability and in vitro cytostatic effect of Daunorubicin-GnRH-III derivative dimers. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:2145-50. [PMID: 23434423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.01.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Bioconjugates containing chemotherapeutic agents attached to peptide hormones, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), are developed as drug delivery systems for targeted cancer chemotherapy. We report here the synthesis and biochemical characterization of disulfide bond-linked dimeric bioconjugates in which daunorubicin was coupled via an oxime linkage to aminooxyacetylated GnRH-III ([Glp-His-Trp-Ser-His-Asp-Trp-Lys(DauAoa-Cys)-Pro-Gly-NH2]2; where Glp is pyroglutamic acid and Aoa is aminooxyacetyl) and its derivatives modified in position four by N-Me-Ser and Lys(Ac). The in vitro stability/degradation of the bioconjugates was determined in human serum, as well as in the presence of rat liver lysosomal homogenate and digestive enzymes. All compounds were stable at least for 24h in human serum and in the presence of pepsin and trypsin, while they were degraded by lysosomal enzymes. The daunorubicin-GnRH-III derivative dimers were partly digested by α-chymotrypsin; however, they had increased stability compared to the corresponding monomers, making them potential candidates for oral administration. The in vitro cytostatic effect of the compounds was determined on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. All daunorubicin-GnRH-III derivative dimers exerted slightly increased in vitro cytostatic effect (IC50 values in low μM range) than the corresponding monomeric bioconjugates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Natalie Schreier
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Biopolymer Structure Analysis, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Manea M, Leurs U, Orbán E, Baranyai Z, Öhlschläger P, Marquardt A, Schulcz Á, Tejeda M, Kapuvári B, Tóvári J, Mező G. Enhanced Enzymatic Stability and Antitumor Activity of Daunorubicin-GnRH-III Bioconjugates Modified in Position 4. Bioconjug Chem 2011; 22:1320-9. [DOI: 10.1021/bc100547p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Manea
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Biopolymer Structure Analysis, Department of Chemistry
- Zukunftskolleg
| | - Ulrike Leurs
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Biopolymer Structure Analysis, Department of Chemistry
| | - Erika Orbán
- Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsa Baranyai
- Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Ákos Schulcz
- National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miguel Tejeda
- National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - József Tóvári
- National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Mező
- Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|