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Srinivasan S, Yee NA, Zakharian M, Alečković M, Mahmoodi A, Nguyen TH, Mejía Oneto JM. SQ3370, the first clinical click chemistry-activated cancer therapeutic, shows safety in humans and translatability across species. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.28.534654. [PMID: 37034617 PMCID: PMC10081183 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.28.534654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SQ3370 is the first demonstration of the Click Activated Protodrugs Against Cancer (CAPAC™) platform that uses click chemistry to activate drugs directly at tumor sites, maximizing therapeutic exposure. SQ3370 consists of a tumor-localizing biopolymer (SQL70) and a chemically-attenuated doxorubicin (Dox) protodrug SQP33; the protodrug is activated upon clicking with the biopolymer at tumor sites. Here, we present data from preclinical studies and a Phase 1 dose-escalation clinical trial in adult patients with advanced solid tumors ( NCT04106492 ) demonstrating SQ3370's activation at tumor sites, safety, systemic pharmacokinetics (PK), and immunological activity. METHODS Treatment cycles consisting of an intratumoral or subcutaneous injection of SQL70 biopolymer followed by 5 daily intravenous doses of SQP33 protodrug were evaluated in tumor-bearing mice, healthy dogs, and adult patients with solid tumors. RESULTS SQL70 effectively activated SQP33 at tumor sites, resulting in high Dox concentrations that were well tolerated and unachievable by conventional treatment. SQ3370 was safely administered at 8.9x the veterinary Dox dose in dogs and 12x the conventional Dox dose in patients, with no dose-limiting toxicity reported to date. SQ3370's safety, toxicology, and PK profiles were highly translatable across species. SQ3370 increased cytotoxic CD3 + and CD8 + T-cells in patient tumors indicating T-cell-dependent immune activation in the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS SQ3370, the initial demonstration of click chemistry in humans, enhances the safety of Dox at unprecedented doses and has the potential to increase therapeutic index. Consistent safety, toxicology, PK, and immune activation results observed with SQ3370 across species highlight the translatability of the click chemistry approach in drug development. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04106492; 7 September 2019.
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Dempke WCM, Zielinski R, Winkler C, Silberman S, Reuther S, Priebe W. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity – are we about to clear this hurdle? Eur J Cancer 2023; 185:94-104. [PMID: 36966697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Anthracyclines have contributed significantly to remarkable improvements in overall survival and are regarded as the most effective cytostatic drug for cancer treatment in various malignancies. However, anthracyclines are a significant cause of acute and chronic cardiotoxicity in cancer patients, and long-term cardiotoxicity can lead to death in about one-third of patients. Several molecular pathways have been implicated in the development of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, although the underlying mechanisms of some molecular pathways are not fully elucidated. It is now generally believed that anthracycline-induced reactive oxygen species (resulting from intracellular metabolism of anthracyclines) and drug-induced inhibition of topoisomerase II beta are the key mechanisms responsible for the cardiotoxicity. To prevent cardiotoxicity, several strategies are being followed: (i) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, sartans, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and statins; (ii) iron chelators; and (iii) by development of new anthracycline derivatives with little or no cardiotoxicity. This review will discuss clinically evaluated doxorubicin analogues that were developed as potentially non-cardiotoxic anticancer agents and include recent development of a novel liposomal anthracycline (L-Annamycin) for the treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma metastatic to the lung and acute myelogenous leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram C M Dempke
- University Medical School, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Moleculin Inc, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rafal Zielinski
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christina Winkler
- Haemato-Oncology Saalfeld, Department of Cardio-Oncology, Saalfeld, Germany
| | | | | | - Waldemar Priebe
- The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX, USA.
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3
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Van Renterghem B, Wozniak A, Tarantola L, Casazza A, Wellens J, Nysen M, Vanleeuw U, Lee CJ, Reyns G, Sciot R, Kindt N, Schöffski P. Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy of PhAc-ALGP-Dox, an Enzyme-Activated Doxorubicin Prodrug, in a Panel of THOP1-Expressing Patient-Derived Xenografts of Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040862. [PMID: 35453612 PMCID: PMC9025547 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite poor response rates and dose-limiting cardiotoxicity, doxorubicin (doxo) remains the standard-of-care for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. We evaluated the efficacy of two tetrapeptidic doxo prodrugs (PhAc-ALGP-Dox or CBR-049 and CBR-050) that are locally activated by enzymes expressed in the tumor environment, in ten sarcoma patient-derived xenografts. Xenograft models were selected based on expression of the main activating enzyme, i.e., thimet oligopeptidase (THOP1). Mice were either randomized to vehicle, doxo, CBR-049 and CBR-050 or control, doxo, aldoxorubicin (aldoxo) and CBR-049. Treatment efficacy was assessed by tumor volume measurement and histological assessment of ex-mouse tumors. CBR-049 showed significant tumor growth delay compared to control in all xenografts investigated and was superior compared to doxo in all but one. At the same time, CBR-049 showed comparable efficacy to aldoxo but the latter was found to have a complex safety profile in mice. CBR-050 demonstrated tumor growth delay compared to control in one xenograft but was not superior to doxo. For both experimental prodrugs, strong immunostaining for THOP1 was found to predict better antitumor efficacy. The prodrugs were well tolerated without any adverse events, even though molar doses were 17-fold higher than those administered and tolerated for doxo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Van Renterghem
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Agnieszka Wozniak
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Ludovica Tarantola
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Andrea Casazza
- CoBioRes, Campus Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.C.); (G.R.); (N.K.)
| | - Jasmien Wellens
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Madita Nysen
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Ulla Vanleeuw
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Che-Jui Lee
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
| | - Geert Reyns
- CoBioRes, Campus Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.C.); (G.R.); (N.K.)
| | - Raf Sciot
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Nele Kindt
- CoBioRes, Campus Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.C.); (G.R.); (N.K.)
| | - Patrick Schöffski
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (B.V.R.); (A.W.); (L.T.); (J.W.); (M.N.); (U.V.); (C.-J.L.)
- Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Casazza A, Van Helleputte L, Van Renterghem B, Pokreisz P, De Geest N, De Petrini M, Janssens T, Pellens M, Diricx M, Riera-Domingo C, Wozniak A, Mazzone M, Schöffski P, Defert O, Reyns G, Kindt N. PhAc-ALGP-Dox, a Novel Anticancer Prodrug with Targeted Activation and Improved Therapeutic Index. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:568-581. [PMID: 35149549 PMCID: PMC9377749 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical use of doxorubicin (Dox) is limited by cumulative myelo- and cardiotoxicity. This research focuses on the detailed characterization of PhAc-ALGP-Dox, a targeted tetrapeptide prodrug with a unique dual-step activation mechanism, designed to circumvent Dox-related toxicities and is ready for upcoming clinical investigation. Coupling Dox to a phosphonoacetyl (PhAc)-capped tetrapeptide forms the cell-impermeable, inactive compound, PhAc-ALGP-Dox. After extracellular cleavage by tumor-enriched thimet oligopeptidase-1 (THOP1), a cell-permeable but still biologically inactive dipeptide-conjugate is formed (GP-Dox), which is further processed intracellularly to Dox by fibroblast activation protein-alpha (FAPα) and/or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4). In vitro, PhAc-ALGP-Dox is effective in various 2D- and 3D-cancer models, while showing improved safety toward normal epithelium, hematopoietic progenitors, and cardiomyocytes. In vivo, these results translate into a 10-fold higher tolerability and 5-fold greater retention of Dox in the tumor microenvironment compared with the parental drug. PhAc-ALGP-Dox demonstrates 63% to 96% tumor growth inhibition in preclinical models, an 8-fold improvement in efficacy in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, and reduced metastatic burden in a murine model of experimental lung metastasis, improving survival by 30%. The current findings highlight the potential clinical benefit of PhAc-ALGP-Dox, a targeted drug-conjugate with broad applicability, favorable tissue biodistribution, significantly improved tolerability, and tumor growth inhibition at primary and metastatic sites in numerous solid tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Casazza
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Britt Van Renterghem
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Pokreisz
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Natalie De Geest
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marzia De Petrini
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Janssens
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Pellens
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjan Diricx
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carla Riera-Domingo
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Agnieszka Wozniak
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Schöffski
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Olivier Defert
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert Reyns
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nele Kindt
- CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Corresponding Author: Nele Kindt, CoBioRes NV, Campus Gasthuisberg, CDG, bus 913 Herestraat 49, Leuven, Flanders B-3000, Belgium. E-mail:
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Jiang Y, Jiang Z, Wang M, Ma L. Current understandings and clinical translation of nanomedicines for breast cancer therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114034. [PMID: 34736986 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers that is threatening women's life. Current clinical treatment regimens for breast cancer often involve neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic therapies, which somewhat are associated with unfavorable features. Also, the heterogeneous nature of breast cancers requires precision medicine that cannot be fulfilled by a single type of systemically administered drug. Taking advantage of the nanocarriers, nanomedicines emerge as promising therapeutic agents for breast cancer that could resolve the defects of drugs and achieve precise drug delivery to almost all sites of primary and metastatic breast tumors (e.g. tumor vasculature, tumor stroma components, breast cancer cells, and some immune cells). Seven nanomedicines as represented by Doxil® have been approved for breast cancer clinical treatment so far. More nanomedicines including both non-targeting and active targeting nanomedicines are being evaluated in the clinical trials. However, we have to realize that the translation of nanomedicines, particularly the active targeting nanomedicines is not as successful as people have expected. This review provides a comprehensive landscape of the nanomedicines for breast cancer treatment, from laboratory investigations to clinical applications. We also highlight the key advances in the understanding of the biological fate and the targeting strategies of breast cancer nanomedicine and the implications to clinical translation.
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Mizutani N, Abe M, Kajino K, Matsuoka S. A New CD10 Antibody Inhibits the Growth of Malignant Mesothelioma. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2021; 40:21-27. [PMID: 33625287 PMCID: PMC7910416 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2020.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) are aggressive therapy-resistant tumors that generally have a poor prognosis. We previously reported the establishment of four new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the diagnosis and treatment of MM. In this report, we characterized one of these antibodies, JMAM-1. The molecules whose antibodies were calibrated were picked up, transfected assuming CD10, and elucidated by fluorescence activated cell sorter. Survival experiments were performed using tumor-bearing mice model. JMAM-1 mAb was found to bind with CD10 antigen. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed a small but prolonged survival effect. JMAM-1 mAb-treated MSTO-211H cells showed increased cell cycle arrest involved by cyclin-dependent-kinase. JMAM-1 antibody has cytostatic effect and may be a candidate for the treatment of MM. Among mesothelioma, CD10-positive cases have been reported to have a poorer prognosis than negative cases, which can be used as a tool for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuko Mizutani
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty Health Sciences, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Immunological Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaaki Abe
- Department of Pathology, Oncology and School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kajino
- Department of Pathology, Oncology and School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Human Pathology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Matsuoka
- Department of Immunological Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Oncology and School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
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Wu K, Yee NA, Srinivasan S, Mahmoodi A, Zakharian M, Mejia Oneto JM, Royzen M. Click activated protodrugs against cancer increase the therapeutic potential of chemotherapy through local capture and activation. Chem Sci 2021; 12:1259-1271. [PMID: 34163888 PMCID: PMC8179178 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06099b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A desired goal of targeted cancer treatments is to achieve high tumor specificity with minimal side effects. Despite recent advances, this remains difficult to achieve in practice as most approaches rely on biomarkers or physiological differences between malignant and healthy tissue, and thus benefit only a subset of patients in need of treatment. To address this unmet need, we introduced a Click Activated Protodrugs Against Cancer (CAPAC) platform that enables targeted activation of drugs at a specific site in the body, i.e., a tumor. In contrast to antibodies (mAbs, ADCs) and other targeted approaches, the mechanism of action is based on in vivo click chemistry, and is thus independent of tumor biomarker expression or factors such as enzymatic activity, pH, or oxygen levels. The CAPAC platform consists of a tetrazine-modified sodium hyaluronate-based biopolymer injected at a tumor site, followed by one or more doses of a trans-cyclooctene (TCO)-modified cytotoxic protodrug with attenuated activity administered systemically. The protodrug is captured locally by the biopolymer through an inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction between tetrazine and TCO, followed by conversion to the active drug directly at the tumor site, thereby overcoming the systemic limitations of conventional chemotherapy or the need for specific biomarkers of traditional targeted therapies. Here, TCO-modified protodrugs of four prominent cytotoxics (doxorubicin, paclitaxel, etoposide and gemcitabine) are used, highlighting the modularity of the CAPAC platform. In vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity, solubility, stability and activation rendered the protodrug of doxorubicin, SQP33, as the most promising candidate for in vivo studies. In mice, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of SQP33 in combination with locally injected tetrazine-modified biopolymer (SQL70) was determined to be 19.1-times the MTD of conventional doxorubicin. Pharmacokinetics studies in rats show that a single injection of SQL70 efficiently captures multiple SQP33 protodrug doses given cumulatively at 10.8-times the MTD of conventional doxorubicin with greatly reduced systemic toxicity. Finally, combined treatment with SQL70 and SQP33 (together called SQ3370) showed antitumor activity in a syngeneic tumor model in mice. The Click Activated Protodrugs Against Cancer (CAPAC) platform uses click chemistry to activate cytotoxic drugs directly at a target site with minimal toxicity, overcoming limitations of conventional chemotherapy and traditional targeted therapies.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Wu
- University at Albany, SUNY 1400 Washington Ave., LS-1136 Albany NY 12222 USA
| | - Nathan A Yee
- Shasqi, Inc. 665 3rd St., Suite 501 San Francisco CA 94107 USA
| | | | - Amir Mahmoodi
- Shasqi, Inc. 665 3rd St., Suite 501 San Francisco CA 94107 USA
| | | | | | - Maksim Royzen
- University at Albany, SUNY 1400 Washington Ave., LS-1136 Albany NY 12222 USA
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Pedatella S, Cerchia C, Manfra M, Cioce A, Bolognese A, Lavecchia A. Antitumor agents 7. Synthesis, antiproliferative activity and molecular modeling of new l-lysine-conjugated pyridophenoxazinones as potent DNA-binding ligands and topoisomerase IIα inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 187:111960. [PMID: 31869654 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
A series of l-lysine-conjugated pyridophenoxazinones 2-5 and 2'-5' were designed and synthesized for developing compounds with multimodal anticancer potentialities. All compounds inhibited the proliferation of a panel of human liquid and solid neoplastic cell lines. 2 and 5 were the most active compounds with IC50 values in the submicromolar range. UV-vis, 1H NMR, unwinding, and docking experiments demonstrated that they intercalate between the middle 5'-GC-3' base pairs with the carboxamide side chain lying into major groove. Charge-transfer contribution to the complex stability, evaluated by ab initio calculations, was found to correlate with cytotoxicity. Relaxation and cleavage assays showed that 2 and 5 selectively target Topo IIα over Topo IIβ and stimulate the formation of covalent Topo II-DNA complexes, functioning as poisons. Moreover, compound 5 induced DNA damage and arrested MCF-7 cells at the G2/M phase. Altogether, the work provides interesting structure-activity relationships in the pyridophenoxazinone-l-lysine conjugate series and identifies 5 as a promising candidate for further in vivo evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Pedatella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cynthia 6, Monte Sant'Angelo, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Cerchia
- Department of Pharmacy, "Drug Discovery" Laboratory, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Manfra
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100, Potenza, Italy.
| | - Anna Cioce
- Department of Glycotechnology, CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramón 182, 20009, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Adele Bolognese
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cynthia 6, Monte Sant'Angelo, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavecchia
- Department of Pharmacy, "Drug Discovery" Laboratory, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Peptide Conjugates with Small Molecules Designed to Enhance Efficacy and Safety. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24101855. [PMID: 31091786 PMCID: PMC6572008 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24101855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides constitute molecular diversity with unique molecular mechanisms of action that are proven indispensable in the management of many human diseases, but of only a mere fraction relative to more traditional small molecule-based medicines. The integration of these two therapeutic modalities offers the potential to enhance and broaden pharmacology while minimizing dose-dependent toxicology. This review summarizes numerous advances in drug design, synthesis and development that provide direction for next-generation research endeavors in this field. Medicinal studies in this area have largely focused upon the application of peptides to selectively enhance small molecule cytotoxicity to more effectively treat multiple oncologic diseases. To a lesser and steadily emerging extent peptides are being therapeutically employed to complement and diversify the pharmacology of small molecule drugs in diseases other than just cancer. No matter the disease, the purpose of the molecular integration remains constant and it is to achieve superior therapeutic outcomes with diminished adverse effects. We review linker technology and conjugation chemistries that have enabled integrated and targeted pharmacology with controlled release. Finally, we offer our perspective on opportunities and obstacles in the field.
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Schöffski P, Delord JP, Brain E, Robert J, Dumez H, Gasmi J, Trouet A. First-in-man phase I study assessing the safety and pharmacokinetics of a 1-hour intravenous infusion of the doxorubicin prodrug DTS-201 every 3 weeks in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours. Eur J Cancer 2017; 86:240-247. [PMID: 29055839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE DTS-201 is a doxorubicin (Dox) prodrug that shows encouraging data in experimental models in terms of both efficacy and safety compared with conventional Dox. The purpose of this phase I study was to assess the safety profile, to establish the recommended dose (RD) for clinical phase II studies and to assess potential anticancer activity of the compound. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN DTS-201 was administered as a 1-hour infusion every 3 weeks in eligible patients with advanced solid tumours according to common clinical phase I criteria. Dose escalation was performed according to a modified Fibonacci schema. RESULTS Twenty-five patients with a median age of 58 years (range, 30-72) were enrolled in the study. The median number of treatment cycles was 2 (range, 1-8). DTS-201 was administered at four dose levels (DLs) ranging from 80 to 400 mg/m2, which is equivalent to 45-225 mg/m2 of conventional Dox. No dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred at the first two DLs. Three DLTs were observed at DL3 and DL4 (diarrhoea for DL3, vomiting and neutropenia for DL4). DL4 (400 mg/m2) was considered the maximum tolerated dose. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity, and NCI-CTC grade III-IV neutropenia was common at RD. Non-haematological adverse reactions were mild to moderate and included nausea, anorexia, asthenia and alopecia. No treatment-related severe cardiac adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS DTS-201 is well tolerated and safe in heavily pretreated solid tumour patients. A high equivalent dose of Dox could be delivered without severe drug-related cardiac events. DTS-201 showed evidence of clinical activity with a confirmed partial response in a patient with soft-tissue sarcoma. The recommended phase II dose is 400 mg/m2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schöffski
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of General Medical Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Etienne Brain
- Institut Curie (Hôpital René Huguenin), Saint Cloud, France
| | - Jacques Robert
- Institut Bergonié, and Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France
| | - Herlinde Dumez
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of General Medical Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jamal Gasmi
- Diatos S.A., 166 Boulevard Du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France
| | - André Trouet
- Diatos S.A., 166 Boulevard Du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France
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11
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Cornillie J, Wozniak A, Pokreisz P, Casazza A, Vreys L, Wellens J, Vanleeuw U, Gebreyohannes YK, Debiec-Rychter M, Sciot R, Hompes D, Schöffski P. In Vivo Antitumoral Efficacy of PhAc-ALGP-Doxorubicin, an Enzyme-Activated Doxorubicin Prodrug, in Patient-Derived Soft Tissue Sarcoma Xenograft Models. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1566-1575. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Huang RZ, Zhang B, Huang XC, Liang GB, Qin JM, Pan YM, Liao ZX, Wang HS. Synthesis and biological evaluation of terminal functionalized thiourea-containing dipeptides as antitumor agents. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra25590f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Terminal functionalized dipeptide derivatives containing the thiourea moiety were synthesized and evaluated for antitumor activity. Representative compoundI-11induced apoptosis by the ROS-dependent endoplasmic reticulum pathway in NCI-H460 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri-Zhen Huang
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China)
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- PR China
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
| | - Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China)
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- PR China
| | - Xiao-Chao Huang
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 211189
- China
| | - Gui-Bin Liang
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China)
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- PR China
| | - Jian-Mei Qin
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China)
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- PR China
| | - Ying-Ming Pan
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China)
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- PR China
| | - Zhi-Xin Liao
- Pharmaceutical Research Center and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Southeast University
- Nanjing 211189
- China
| | - Heng-Shan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources (Ministry of Education of China)
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Guangxi Normal University
- Guilin 541004
- PR China
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13
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De Nisco M, Bolognese A, Sala M, Pedatella S, Manfra M. Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Pyridophenoxazinones, a Class of Antiproliferative Compounds. ChemistrySelect 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201600316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro De Nisco
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata; Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10 I-85100 Potenza Italy
| | - Adele Bolognese
- Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Napoli Federico II; Via Cintia 4 I-80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Marina Sala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche; University of Salerno; Via Ponte Don Melillo I-84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Silvana Pedatella
- Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Napoli Federico II; Via Cintia 4 I-80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Michele Manfra
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata; Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10 I-85100 Potenza Italy
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14
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Kadota K, Villena-Vargas J, Nitadori JI, Sima CS, Jones DR, Travis WD, Adusumilli PS. Tumoral CD10 expression correlates with aggressive histology and prognosis in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Ann Surg Oncol 2015; 22:3136-43. [PMID: 25608772 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-015-4374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, tumor-node-metastasis stage and histologic type are the established prognostic factors for malignant pleural mesothelioma, whereas no prognostic markers have been established for clinical practice. We investigated the prognostic value of CD10, a metalloproteinase that can promote cancer aggressiveness through enzymatic degradation and intracellular signaling crosstalk, in malignant pleural mesothelioma. METHODS CD10 immunostaining was performed for 176 cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma (epithelioid, 148; biphasic, 14; sarcomatoid, 14), and its expression was dichotomized as negative (no staining) or positive (any staining). Epithelioid tumors were classified as pleomorphic subtype when cytologic pleomorphism was ≥10 % of the tumor. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed by log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS Tumoral CD10 expression was identified in 42 % of epithelioid non-pleomorphic tumors, 57 % of epithelioid pleomorphic tumors, 79 % of biphasic tumors, and 93 % of sarcomatoid tumors (p < 0.001). Positive CD10 expression was correlated with higher mitotic count (p = 0.002). Overall survival for patients with positive CD10 expression was significantly shorter than that for patients with negative CD10 expression in all patients (p = 0.001) and in patients with epithelioid tumor (p = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, CD10 expression was an independent prognostic factor for all patients (hazard ratio 1.48; p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Tumoral CD10 expression correlated with aggressive histologic types and higher mitotic activity and is an independent prognostic factor for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyuichi Kadota
- Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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15
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Protein– and Peptide–Drug Conjugates. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2015; 98:1-55. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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16
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Qi L, Li SH, Si LB, Lu M, Tian H. Expression of THOP1 and its relationship to prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106665. [PMID: 25180910 PMCID: PMC4152321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study was designed to detect the expression level of thimet oligopeptidase (THOP1) protein in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and investigate its correlation with clinicopathologic features and prognosis. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of THOP1 protein in 120 NSCLC specimens and 53 distant normal lung tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were employed to measure the expression of THOP1 in 16 pairs of primary NSCLC and corresponding normal tissues. RESULTS Analysis of immunohistochemical staining suggested low THOP1 expression was found in 71 (59.2%) of the 120 NSCLC specimens and significantly correlated with positive lymph node metastasis (P = 0.048). However, low THOP1 expression was found in 22 (41.5%) of the 53 normal lung tissues. Chi-square test suggested that the expression of THOP1 was significantly higher in the normal lung tissues than that in the NSCLC specimens (P = 0.032). Real-Time PCR and western blotting showed that NSCLC specimens had decreased THOP1 mRNA and protein expression compared to corresponding normal tissues. Univariate analysis demonstrated that low THOP1 expression significantly predicted decreased 5-year disease-free survival (P = 0.038) and overall survival (P = 0.017). In addition, positive lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025) and advanced TNM stage (P = 0.009) significantly predicted decreased 5-year overall survival. However, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that only low THOP1 expression retained its significance as an independent prognostic factor for unfavorable 5-year disease-free survival (P = 0.046) and overall survival (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS THOP1 may have clinical potentials to be employed as a promising biomarker to identify individuals with better prognosis and a novel antitumor agent for therapy of patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Qi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qi Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shu-hai Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qi Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li-bo Si
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qi Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ming Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qi Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hui Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qi Lu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
- * E-mail:
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17
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Sidoryk K, Świtalska M, Wietrzyk J, Jaromin A, Piętka-Ottlik M, Cmoch P, Zagrodzka J, Szczepek W, Kaczmarek Ł, Peczyńska-Czoch W. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Amino Acid and Dipeptide Derivatives of Neocryptolepine as Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2012; 55:5077-87. [DOI: 10.1021/jm300468t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Sidoryk
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793
Warszawa, Poland
| | - Marta Świtalska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Weigla Street, 53-114 Wrocław,
Poland
| | - Joanna Wietrzyk
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Weigla Street, 53-114 Wrocław,
Poland
| | - Anna Jaromin
- Department of Lipids
and Liposomes, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wrocław,
Poland
| | - Magdalena Piętka-Ottlik
- Division of Organic
Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego
27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Cmoch
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793
Warszawa, Poland
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Joanna Zagrodzka
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793
Warszawa, Poland
| | - Wojciech Szczepek
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793
Warszawa, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Rydygiera 8, 01-793
Warszawa, Poland
| | - Wanda Peczyńska-Czoch
- Division of Organic
Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego
27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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18
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Abstract
Heptapeptide, including seven amino acids of the PKC delta V5 region, which can bind HSP27 and abrogate HSP27-mediated resistance against IR and cisplatin ( Kim et al., 2007 ), was examined for single- and repeated-dose toxicity in mice. The single-dose experiment was performed with an intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg of heptapeptide, and the repeated-dose experiment was 14 doses over 28 days at 0, 5, 25, and 100 mg/kg of heptapeptide. Observations included clinical signs, mortality, body and organ weights, hematology, and serum biochemistry. No effects of heptapeptide on detected parameters were observed, and these findings indicated heptapeptide may be a possible therapeutic candidate without significant toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae-June Lee
- Division of Radiation Effects, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Charoensit P, Kawakami S, Higuchi Y, Yamashita F, Hashida M. Enhanced growth inhibition of metastatic lung tumors by intravenous injection of ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes in mice. Cancer Gene Ther 2010; 17:512-22. [PMID: 20414324 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2010.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a proinflammatory cytokine with antitumor activity. All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) exerts antitumor effects by regulating a variety of gene expressions, including tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), increases the number of TNFR1 and potentiates TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. In this study, ATRA-incorporated cationic liposome (ATRA-cationic liposome)/IL-12 plasmid DNA (pDNA) complexes were prepared to improve therapeutic efficacy of cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes in a mouse model of metastatic lung tumor after intravenous injection. IL-12 production in lungs by ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes was comparable with that by cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes. The number of metastatic tumor cells (colon26/Luc) was quantitatively evaluated by measuring luciferase activity. ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes reduced the number of colon26/Luc cells and tumor nodules in lungs. ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes significantly prolonged the survival time of mice, whereas cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA only slightly prolonged it. ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes increased the TNFR1 mRNA upregulation and the number of apoptotic cells in the lung. Moreover, reduced serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were observed in mice treated with ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes. These results suggest that intravenous injection of ATRA-cationic liposome/IL-12 pDNA complexes is an effective method for the treatment of lung metastasis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Charoensit
- Department of Drug Delivery Research, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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20
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Discovery of matrix metalloproteases selective and activated peptide–doxorubicin prodrugs as anti-tumor agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:853-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.12.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Revised: 12/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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21
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Application of liposomes incorporating doxorubicin with sialyl Lewis X to prevent stenosis after rat carotid artery injury. Biomaterials 2009; 30:118-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2008] [Accepted: 09/14/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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22
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Targeted delivery with peptidomimetic conjugated self-assembled nanoparticles. Pharm Res 2008; 26:612-30. [PMID: 19085091 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-008-9802-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2008] [Accepted: 12/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Peptides produce specific nanostructures, making them useful for targeting in biological systems but they have low bioavailability, potential immunogenicity and poor metabolic stability. Peptidomimetic self-assembled NPs can possess biological recognition motifs as well as providing desired engineering properties. Inorganic NPs, coated with self-assembled macromers for stability and anti-fouling, and conjugated with target-specific ligands, are advancing imaging from the anatomy-based level to the molecular level. Ligand conjugated NPs are attractive for cell-selective tumor drug delivery, since this process has high transport capacity as well as ligand dependent cell specificity. Peptidomimetic NPs can provide stronger interaction with surface receptors on tumor cells, resulting in higher uptake and reduced drug resistance. Self-assembled NPs conjugated with peptidomimetic antigens are ideal for sustained presentation of vaccine antigens to dendritic cells and subsequent activation of T cell mediated adaptive immune response. Self-assembled NPs are a viable alternative to encapsulation for sustained delivery of proteins in tissue engineering. Cell penetrating peptides conjugated to NPs are used as intracellular delivery vectors for gene expression and as transfection agents for plasmid delivery. In this work, synthesis, characterization, properties, immunogenicity, and medical applications of peptidomimetic NPs in imaging, tumor delivery, vaccination, tissue engineering, and intracellular delivery are reviewed.
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Hatfield JM, Wierdl M, Wadkins RM, Potter PM. Modifications of human carboxylesterase for improved prodrug activation. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2008; 4:1153-65. [PMID: 18721110 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.4.9.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carboxylesterases (CEs) are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of numerous clinically useful drugs. As ester moieties are frequently included in molecules to improve their water solubility and bioavailability, de facto they become substrates for CEs. OBJECTIVE In this review, we describe the properties of human CEs with regard to their ability to activate anticancer prodrugs and demonstrate how structure-based design can be used to modulate substrate specificity and to increase efficiency of hydrolysis. METHODS A specific example using CPT-11 and a human liver CE is discussed. However, these techniques can be applied to other enzymes and their associated prodrugs. RESULTS Structure-guided mutagenesis of CEs can be employed to alter substrate specificity and generate novel enzymes that are efficacious at anticancer prodrug activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Hatfield
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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