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Paulus J, Sewald N. Small molecule- and peptide-drug conjugates addressing integrins: A story of targeted cancer treatment. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3561. [PMID: 38382900 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Targeted cancer treatment should avoid side effects and damage to healthy cells commonly encountered during traditional chemotherapy. By combining small molecule or peptidic ligands as homing devices with cytotoxic drugs connected by a cleavable or non-cleavable linker in peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) or small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs), cancer cells and tumours can be selectively targeted. The development of highly affine, selective peptides and small molecules in recent years has allowed PDCs and SMDCs to increasingly compete with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Integrins represent an excellent target for conjugates because they are overexpressed by most cancer cells and because of the broad knowledge about native binding partners as well as the multitude of small-molecule and peptidic ligands that have been developed over the last 30 years. In particular, integrin αVβ3 has been addressed using a variety of different PDCs and SMDCs over the last two decades, following various strategies. This review summarises and describes integrin-addressing PDCs and SMDCs while highlighting points of great interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Paulus
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Norbert Sewald
- Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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2
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Baun C, Naghavi-Behzad M, Hildebrandt MG, Gerke O, Thisgaard H. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor as a theranostic target in breast cancer: a systematic scoping review. Semin Nucl Med 2024; 54:256-269. [PMID: 38342656 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is known to be overexpressed in breast cancer, making it a promising target for both imaging and therapy within a theranostic framework. Various radioligands targeting GRPR have undergone investigation in preclinical and clinical studies related to breast cancer. This systematic scoping review aimed to assess the current evidence on GRPR-targeted radioligands for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in breast cancer. The methodology followed the PRISMA-ScR protocol. The literature search was conducted in September 2023 and encompassed MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. We included original peer-reviewed studies focused on breast cancer patients or in vivo breast cancer models. Two reviewers performed the study selection process independently. Data were extracted, synthesized, and categorized into preclinical and clinical studies, further subdivided based on radioligand properties. A total of 35 original studies were included in the review, with three of them evaluating therapeutic outcomes. The results indicated that GRPR-radioantagonists are superior to GRPR-agonists, exhibiting preferable in vivo stability, rapid, specific tumor targeting, and enhanced retention. Both preclinical and clinical evaluations demonstrated renal excretion and high uptake in normal GRPR-expressing tissue, primarily the pancreas. A significant positive correlation was observed between GRPR and estrogen-receptor expression. In the clinical setting, GRPR-radioligands effectively detected primary tumors and, to a lesser extent, lymph node metastases. Moreover, GRPR-targeted radioantagonists successfully identified distant metastases originating from various sites in advanced metastatic disease, strongly correlated with positive estrogen receptor expression. Preclinical therapeutic evaluation of GRPR-radioligands labeled with lutetium-177 showed promising tumor responses, and none of the studies reported any observed or measured side effects, indicating a safe profile. In conclusion, the evidence presented in this review indicates a preference for GRPR-targeted antagonists over agonists, owing to their superior kinetics and promising diagnostic potential. Clinical assessments suggested diagnostic value for GRPR-targeted theranostics in breast cancer patients, particularly those with high estrogen receptor expression. Nevertheless, in the therapeutic clinical context, paying attention to the radiation dose administered to the pancreas and kidneys is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Baun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Mohammad Naghavi-Behzad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Malene Grubbe Hildebrandt
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Center for Personalized Response Monitoring in Oncology (PREMIO), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Centre for Innovative Medical Technology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Oke Gerke
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helge Thisgaard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Kanellopoulos P, Mattsson A, Abouzayed A, Obeid K, Nock BA, Tolmachev V, Maina T, Orlova A. Preclinical evaluation of new GRPR-antagonists with improved metabolic stability for radiotheranostic use in oncology. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2024; 9:13. [PMID: 38366299 PMCID: PMC10873254 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-024-00242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) has been extensively studied as a biomolecular target for peptide-based radiotheranostics. However, the lack of metabolic stability and the rapid clearance of peptide radioligands, including radiolabeled GRPR-antagonists, often impede clinical application. Aiming at circumventing these drawbacks, we have designed three new GRPR-antagonist radioligands using [99mTc]Tc-DB15 ([99mTc]Tc-N4-AMA-DIG-DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Sar-His-Leu-NHEt; AMA: p-aminomethylaniline; DIG: diglycolate) as a motif, due to its high GRPR-affinity and stability to neprilysin (NEP). The new analogues carry the DOTAGA-chelator (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-glutaric acid-4,7,10-triacetic acid) through different linkers at the N-terminus to allow for labeling with the theranostic radionuclide pair In-111/Lu-177. After labeling with In-111 the following radioligands were evaluated: (i) [111In]In-AU-SAR-M1 ([111In]In-DOTAGA-AMA-DIG-DPhe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Sar-His-Leu-NHEt), (ii) [111In]In-AU-SAR-M2 ([111In]In-[DOTAGA-Arg]AU-SAR-M1) and (iii) [111In]In-AU-SAR-M3 ([111In]In-[DOTAGA-DArg]AU-SAR-M1). RESULTS These radioligands were compared in a series of in vitro assays using prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells and in murine models. They all displayed high and GRPR-specific uptake in PC-3 cells. Analysis of mice blood collected 5 min post-injection (pi) revealed similar or even higher metabolic stability of the new radioligands compared with [99mTc]Tc-DB15. The stability could be further increased when the mice were treated with Entresto® to in situ induce NEP-inhibition. In PC-3 xenograft-bearing mice, [111In]In-AU-SAR-M1 displayed the most favourable biodistribution profile, combining a good tumor retention with the highest tumor-to-organ ratios, with the kidneys as the dose-limiting organ. CONCLUSIONS These findings strongly point at AU-SAR-M1 as a promising radiotherapeutic candidate when labeled with Lu-177, or other medically appealing therapeutic radiometals, especially when combined with in situ NEP-inhibition. To this goal further investigations are currently pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Kanellopoulos
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341, Athens, Greece
| | - Adam Mattsson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ayman Abouzayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karim Obeid
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Berthold A Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341, Athens, Greece
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15341, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 75183, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75237, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Ferro-Flores G, Ancira-Cortez A, Ocampo-García B, Meléndez-Alafort L. Molecularly Targeted Lanthanide Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostic Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:296. [PMID: 38334567 PMCID: PMC10857384 DOI: 10.3390/nano14030296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Injectable colloidal solutions of lanthanide oxides (nanoparticles between 10 and 100 nm in size) have demonstrated high biocompatibility and no toxicity when the nanoparticulate units are functionalized with specific biomolecules that molecularly target various proteins in the tumor microenvironment. Among the proteins successfully targeted by functionalized lanthanide nanoparticles are folic receptors, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), and integrins associated with tumor neovasculature. Lutetium, samarium, europium, holmium, and terbium, either as lanthanide oxide nanoparticles or as nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions, have demonstrated their theranostic potential through their ability to generate molecular images by magnetic resonance, nuclear, optical, or computed tomography imaging. Likewise, photodynamic therapy, targeted radiotherapy (neutron-activated nanoparticles), drug delivery guidance, and image-guided tumor therapy are some examples of their potential therapeutic applications. This review provides an overview of cancer theranostics based on lanthanide nanoparticles coated with specific peptides, ligands, and proteins targeting the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina Ferro-Flores
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico; (G.F.-F.); (A.A.-C.); (B.O.-G.)
| | - Alejandra Ancira-Cortez
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico; (G.F.-F.); (A.A.-C.); (B.O.-G.)
| | - Blanca Ocampo-García
- Department of Radioactive Materials, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Ocoyoacac 52750, Mexico; (G.F.-F.); (A.A.-C.); (B.O.-G.)
| | - Laura Meléndez-Alafort
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35138 Padova, Italy
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5
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di Santo G, Santo G, Sviridenko A, Virgolini I. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy combinations for neuroendocrine tumours in ongoing clinical trials: status 2023. Theranostics 2024; 14:940-953. [PMID: 38250038 PMCID: PMC10797289 DOI: 10.7150/thno.91268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A growing body of literature reports on the combined use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with other anti-tumuor therapies in order to anticipate synergistic effects with perhaps increased safety issues. Combination treatments to enhance PRRT outcome are based on improved tumour perfusion, upregulation of somatostatin receptors (SSTR), radiosensitization with DNA damaging agents or targeted therapies. Several Phase 1 or 2 trials are currently recruiting patients in combined regimens. The combination of PRRT with cytotoxic chemotherapy, capecitabine and temozolomide (CAPTEM), seems to become clinically useful especially in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) with acceptable safety profile. Neoadjuvant PRRT prior to surgery, PRRT combinations of intravenous and intraarterial routes of application, combinations of PRRT with differently radiolabelled (alpha, beta, Auger) SSTR-targeting agonists and antagonists, inhibitors of immune checkpoints (ICIs), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1i), tyrosine kinase (TKI), DNA-dependent protein kinase, ribonucleotide reductase or DNA methyltransferase (DMNT) are tested in currently ongoing clinical trials. The combination with [131I]I-MIBG in rare NETs (such as paraganglioma, pheochromocytoma) and new non-SSTR-targeting radioligands are used in the personalization process of treatment. The present review will provide an overview of the current status of ongoing PRRT combination treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianpaolo di Santo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giulia Santo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Sviridenko
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Irene Virgolini
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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6
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Voter AF, Werner RA, Savas H, Gafita A, Ross AE, Gorin MA, Solnes LB, Pomper MG, Rowe SP, Sheikhbahaei S. A Practical Guide to the Pearls and Pitfalls of PSMA PET Imaging. Semin Nucl Med 2024; 54:119-131. [PMID: 37980186 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted PET agents have revolutionized the care of patients with prostate cancer, supplanting traditional methods of imaging prostate cancer, and improving the selection and delivery of therapies. This has led to a rapid expansion in both the number of PSMA PET scans performed and the imaging specialists required to interpret those scans. To aid those imagers and clinicians who are new to the interpretation of PSMA PET, this review provides an overview of the interpretation of PSMA PET/CT imaging and pearls for overcoming commonly encountered pitfalls. We discuss the physiologic distribution of the clinically available PSMA-targeted radiotracers, the commonly encountered patterns of prostate cancer spread, as well as the benign and malignant mimics of prostate cancer. Additionally, we review the standardized PSMA PET reporting systems and the role of PSMA in selecting appropriate patients for PSMA-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Voter
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Rudolf A Werner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hatice Savas
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Andrei Gafita
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ashley E Ross
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael A Gorin
- Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Lilja B Solnes
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Martin G Pomper
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Steven P Rowe
- Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Sara Sheikhbahaei
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Coll RP, Bright SJ, Martinus DKJ, Georgiou DK, Sawakuchi GO, Manning HC. Alpha Particle-Emitting Radiopharmaceuticals as Cancer Therapy: Biological Basis, Current Status, and Future Outlook for Therapeutics Discovery. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:991-1019. [PMID: 37845582 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01857-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Critical advances in radionuclide therapy have led to encouraging new options for cancer treatment through the pairing of clinically useful radiation-emitting radionuclides and innovative pharmaceutical discovery. Of the various subatomic particles used in therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, alpha (α) particles show great promise owing to their relatively large size, delivered energy, finite pathlength, and resulting ionization density. This review discusses the therapeutic benefits of α-emitting radiopharmaceuticals and their pairing with appropriate diagnostics, resulting in innovative "theranostic" platforms. Herein, the current landscape of α particle-emitting radionuclides is described with an emphasis on their use in theranostic development for cancer treatment. Commonly studied radionuclides are introduced and recent efforts towards their production for research and clinical use are described. The growing popularity of these radionuclides is explained through summarizing the biological effects of α radiation on cancer cells, which include DNA damage, activation of discrete cell death programs, and downstream immune responses. Examples of efficient α-theranostic design are described with an emphasis on strategies that lead to cellular internalization and the targeting of proteins involved in therapeutic resistance. Historical barriers to the clinical deployment of α-theranostic radiopharmaceuticals are also discussed. Recent progress towards addressing these challenges is presented along with examples of incorporating α-particle therapy in pharmaceutical platforms that can be easily converted into diagnostic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Coll
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1881 East Rd, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Scott J Bright
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6565 MD Anderson Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David K J Martinus
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6565 MD Anderson Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dimitra K Georgiou
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1881 East Rd, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Gabriel O Sawakuchi
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6565 MD Anderson Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H Charles Manning
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1881 East Rd, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
- Cyclotron Radiochemistry Facility, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1881 East Rd, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.
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8
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Gori A, Lodigiani G, Colombarolli SG, Bergamaschi G, Vitali A. Cell Penetrating Peptides: Classification, Mechanisms, Methods of Study, and Applications. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300236. [PMID: 37389978 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) encompass a class of peptides that possess the remarkable ability to cross cell membranes and deliver various types of cargoes, including drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins, into cells. For this reason, CPPs are largely investigated in drug delivery applications in the context of many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and genetic disorders. While sharing this functionality and some common structural features, such as a high content of positively charged amino acids, CPPs represent an extremely diverse group of elements, which can differentiate under many aspects. In this review, we summarize the most common characteristics of CPPs, introduce their main distinctive features, mechanistic aspects that drive their function, and outline the most widely used techniques for their structural and functional studies. We highlight current gaps and future perspectives in this field, which have the potential to significantly impact the future field of drug delivery and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Gori
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Lodigiani
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Stella G Colombarolli
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Greta Bergamaschi
- SCITEC - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Vitali
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta", National Research Council of Italy, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168, Roma, Italy
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Ramírez-Perdomo A, Márquez-Barrios G, Gutiérrez-Castañeda LD, Parra-Medina R. NEUROENDOCRINE PEPTIDES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF COLORECTAL CARCINOMA. Exp Oncol 2023; 45:3-16. [PMID: 37417286 DOI: 10.15407/exp-oncology.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most frequent neoplasm worldwide and the second leading cause of mortality. Neuroendocrine peptides such as glucagon, bombesin, somatostatin, cholecystokinin, and gastrin as well as growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor have been postulated as being involved in carcinogenesis. The fact that these neuroendocrine peptides are involved in the development of CRC through the activation of growth factors that stimulate a series of molecular pathways that activate oncogenic signaling mechanisms is emphasized in this review. Peptides such as CCK1, serotonin, and bombesin have been found to be over-expressed in human tumor tissues. Meanwhile, the expression of peptides such as GLP2 has been seen mainly in murine models. The information contained in this review provides a better understanding of the role these peptides play in the pathogenesis of CRC for basic and clinical science studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ramírez-Perdomo
- Pathology, University Foundation of Health Sciences, Bogota Calle 10 #18-75, ColombiaPathology, University Foundation of Health Sciences, Bogota Calle 10 #18-75, Colombia
| | - G Márquez-Barrios
- Pathology, University Foundation of Health Sciences, Bogota Calle 10 #18-75, Colombia
| | - L D Gutiérrez-Castañeda
- Basic Health Sciences Group, University Foundation of Health Sciences, Bogota, Colombia
- Research Institute, University Foundation of Health Sciences (FUCS), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - R Parra-Medina
- Pathology Department, University Foundation of Health Sciences (FUCS), Bogota Calle 10 #18-75, Colombia
- Research Institute, University Foundation of Health Sciences, Bogota, Colombia
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10
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Abouzayed A, Borin J, Lundmark F, Rybina A, Hober S, Zelchan R, Tolmachev V, Chernov V, Orlova A. The GRPR Antagonist [ 99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG 2-RM26 towards Phase I Clinical Trial: Kit Preparation, Characterization and Toxicity. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091611. [PMID: 37175001 PMCID: PMC10178091 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in the majority of primary prostate tumors and in prostatic lymph node and bone metastases. Several GRPR antagonists were developed for SPECT and PET imaging of prostate cancer. We previously reported a preclinical evaluation of the GRPR antagonist [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 (based on [D-Phe6, Sta13, Leu14-NH2]BBN(6-14)) which bound to GRPR with high affinity and had a favorable biodistribution profile in tumor-bearing animal models. In this study, we aimed to prepare and test kits for prospective use in an early-phase clinical study. The kits were prepared to allow for a one-pot single-step radiolabeling with technetium-99m pertechnetate. The kit vials were tested for sterility and labeling efficacy. The radiolabeled by using the kit GRPR antagonist was evaluated in vitro for binding specificity to GRPR on PC-3 cells (GRPR-positive). In vivo, the toxicity of the kit constituents was evaluated in rats. The labeling efficacy of the kits stored at 4 °C was monitored for 18 months. The biological properties of [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26, which were obtained after this period, were examined both in vitro and in vivo. The one-pot (gluconic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, stannous chloride, and maSSS-PEG2-RM26) single-step radiolabeling with technetium-99m was successful with high radiochemical yields (>97%) and high molar activities (16-24 MBq/nmol). The radiolabeled peptide maintained its binding properties to GRPR. The kit constituents were sterile and non-toxic when tested in living subjects. In conclusion, the prepared kit is considered safe in animal models and can be further evaluated for use in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Abouzayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jesper Borin
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fanny Lundmark
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anastasiya Rybina
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Sophia Hober
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 114 17 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roman Zelchan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
- Research Centrum for Oncotheranostics, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Chernov
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 83 Uppsala, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
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11
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Nock BA, Kanellopoulos P, Joosten L, Mansi R, Maina T. Peptide Radioligands in Cancer Theranostics: Agonists and Antagonists. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050674. [PMID: 37242457 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical success of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in the diagnosis and therapy-"theranostics"-of tumors expressing the somatostatin subtype 2 receptor (SST2R) has paved the way for the development of a broader panel of peptide radioligands targeting different human tumors. This approach relies on the overexpression of other receptor-targets in different cancer types. In recent years, a shift in paradigm from internalizing agonists to antagonists has occurred. Thus, SST2R-antagonist radioligands were first shown to accumulate more efficiently in tumor lesions and clear faster from the background in animal models and patients. The switch to receptor antagonists was soon adopted in the field of radiolabeled bombesin (BBN). Unlike the stable cyclic octapeptides used in the case of somatostatin, BBN-like peptides are linear, fast to biodegradable and elicit adverse effects in the body. Thus, the advent of BBN-like antagonists provided an elegant way to obtain effective and safe radiotheranostics. Likewise, the pursuit of gastrin and exendin antagonist-based radioligands is advancing with exciting new outcomes on the horizon. In the present review, we discuss these developments with a focus on clinical results, commenting on challenges and opportunities for personalized treatment of cancer patients by means of state-of-the-art antagonist-based radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berthold A Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15310 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Lieke Joosten
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalba Mansi
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR "Demokritos", 15310 Athens, Greece
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12
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Silva MJSA, Vinck R, Wang Y, Saubaméa B, Tharaud M, Dominguez-Jurado E, Karges J, Gois PMP, Gasser G. Towards Selective Delivery of a Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex-Containing Bombesin Conjugate into Cancer Cells. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200647. [PMID: 36479913 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of novel Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have been successfully applied as photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Despite recent advances in optimized PSs with refined photophysical properties, the lack of tumoral selectivity is often a major hurdle for their clinical development. Here, classical maleimide and versatile NHS-activated acrylamide strategies were employed to site-selectively conjugate a promising Ru(II) polypyridyl complex to the N-terminally Cys-modified Bombesin (BBN) targeting unit. Surprisingly, the decreased cell uptake of these novel Ru-BBN conjugates in cancer cells did not hamper the high phototoxic activity of the Ru-containing bioconjugates and even decreased the toxicity of the constructs in the absence of light irradiation. Overall, although deceiving in terms of selectivity, our new bioconjugates could still be useful for advanced cancer treatment due to their nontoxicity in the dark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J S A Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal.,Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Robin Vinck
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Youchao Wang
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Saubaméa
- Cellular and Molecular Imaging Facility, US25 Inserm, UAR3612 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Mickaël Tharaud
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Elena Dominguez-Jurado
- Faculty of Pharmacy of Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - Johannes Karges
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Pedro M P Gois
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005, Paris, France
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13
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Structures of human gastrin-releasing peptide receptors bound to antagonist and agonist for cancer and itch therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216230120. [PMID: 36724251 PMCID: PMC9963752 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216230120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), a member of the bombesin (BBN) G protein-coupled receptors, is aberrantly overexpressed in several malignant tumors, including those of the breast, prostate, pancreas, lung, and central nervous system. Additionally, it also mediates non-histaminergic itch and pathological itch conditions in mice. Thus, GRPR could be an attractive target for cancer and itch therapy. Here, we report the inactive state crystal structure of human GRPR in complex with the non-peptide antagonist PD176252, as well as two active state cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of GRPR bound to the endogenous peptide agonist gastrin-releasing peptide and the synthetic BBN analog [D-Phe6, β-Ala11, Phe13, Nle14] Bn (6-14), in complex with Gq heterotrimers. These structures revealed the molecular mechanisms for the ligand binding, receptor activation, and Gq proteins signaling of GRPR, which are expected to accelerate the structure-based design of GRPR antagonists and agonists for the treatments of cancer and pruritus.
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14
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Heh E, Allen J, Ramirez F, Lovasz D, Fernandez L, Hogg T, Riva H, Holland N, Chacon J. Peptide Drug Conjugates and Their Role in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010829. [PMID: 36614268 PMCID: PMC9820985 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug conjugates have become a significant focus of research in the field of targeted medicine for cancer treatments. Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), a subset of drug conjugates, are composed of carrier peptides ranging from 5 to 30 amino acid residues, toxic payloads, and linkers that connect the payload to the peptide. PDCs are further broken down into cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and cell-targeting peptides (CTPs), each having their own differences in the delivery of cytotoxic payloads. Generally, PDCs as compared to other drug conjugates-like antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)-have advantages in tumor penetration, ease of synthesis and cost, and reduced off-target effects. Further, as compared to traditional cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy and radiation), PDCs have higher specificity for the target cancer with generally less toxic side effects in smaller doses. However, PDCs can have disadvantages such as poor stability and rapid renal clearance due to their smaller size and limited oral bioavailability due to digestion of its peptide structure. Some of these challenges can be overcome with modifications, and despite drawbacks, the intrinsic small size of PDCs with high target specificity still makes them an attractive area of research for cancer treatments.
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15
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Alhaj-Suliman SO, Wafa EI, Salem AK. Engineering nanosystems to overcome barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114482. [PMID: 35944587 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, multidisciplinary investigations into the development of nanoparticles for medical applications have continually increased. However, nanoparticles are still subject to biological barriers and biodistribution challenges, which limit their overall clinical potential. This has motivated the implementation of innovational modifications to a range of nanoparticle formulations designed for cancer imaging and/or cancer treatment to overcome specific barriers and shift the accumulation of payloads toward the diseased tissues. In recent years, novel technological and chemical approaches have been employed to modify or functionalize the surface of nanoparticles or manipulate the characteristics of nanoparticles. Combining these approaches with the identification of critical biomarkers provides new strategies for enhancing nanoparticle specificity for both cancer diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This review discusses the most recent advances in the design and engineering of nanoparticles as well as future directions for developing the next generation of nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhaila O Alhaj-Suliman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Emad I Wafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Aliasger K Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
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16
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Li R, Gao R, Zhao Y, Zhang F, Wang X, Li B, Wang L, Ma L, Du J. pH-responsive graphene oxide loaded with targeted peptide and anticancer drug for OSCC therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:930920. [PMID: 35992794 PMCID: PMC9382286 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.930920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of cancer occurring in the oral and maxillofacial regions. Despite of the advances in the diagnosis and treatment, the overall 5-year survival rate has remained about 40%–50% in the past decades. Various nanotechnology-based carrier systems have been investigated for their potentials in the OSCC treatment. However, because of the lack of active targeting of tumors, their application is limited. Studies have shown that gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed on many human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we aimed to develop a GRPR-targeted nano-graphene oxide (NGO) nanoprobe drug delivery system for OSCC therapy. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 was synthesized by the non-covalent bonding method to couple carboxylated NGO with BBN-AF750 (bombesin antagonist peptides conjugated to Alexa Fluor 750) and DOX (doxorubicin) through π-π and hydrogen bonding. Internalization and antitumor activities were carried out in human HSC-3 cancer cells. The tumor pH microenvironment was simulated to study the release of antitumor drug DOX from the DOX@NGO-ant BBN-AF750 complex under different pH conditions. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 showed internalization into HSC-3 cells. The IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) was 5 µg/ml for DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 in HSC-3 cells. Furthermore, DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 showed a pH-sensitive drug release rate, and a dose-dependent and pH-responsive cytotoxicity in HSC-3 cells. DOX@NGO-BBN-AF750 presents the characteristics ensuring a slow release of DOX from the nanoprobe, thereby protecting the drug from degradation and prolonging the half-life of the drug. This report provides a versatile strategy to achieving targeted and imaging-guided therapy of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Li
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- *Correspondence: Ran Li, ; Lixin Ma, ; Jie Du,
| | - Ruifang Gao
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yingjiao Zhao
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bing Li
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lixin Ma
- Research Division/Biomolecular Imaging Center, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Ran Li, ; Lixin Ma, ; Jie Du,
| | - Jie Du
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
- *Correspondence: Ran Li, ; Lixin Ma, ; Jie Du,
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17
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Ramos-Alvarez I, Iordanskaia T, Mantey SA, Jensen RT. The Nonpeptide Agonist MK-5046 Functions As an Allosteric Agonist for the Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 382:66-78. [PMID: 35644465 PMCID: PMC9341266 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.001033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Allosteric ligands of various G-protein-coupled receptors are being increasingly described and are providing important advances in the development of ligands with novel selectivity and efficacy. These unusual properties allow expanded opportunities for pharmacologic studies and treatment. Unfortunately, no allosteric ligands are yet described for the bombesin receptor family (BnRs), which are proposed to be involved in numerous physiologic/pathophysiological processes in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. In this study, we investigate the possibility that the bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) specific nonpeptide receptor agonist MK-5046 [(2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-[4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-(4-[[1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropyl]methyl]-1H-imidazol-2-yl)propan-2-ol] functions as a BRS-3 allosteric receptor ligand. We find that in BRS-3 cells, MK-5046 only partially inhibits iodine-125 radionuclide (125I)-Bantag-1 [Boc-Phe-His-4-amino-5-cyclohexyl-2,4,5-trideoxypentonyl-Leu-(3-dimethylamino) benzylamide N-methylammonium trifluoroacetate] binding and that both peptide-1 (a universal BnR-agonist) and MK-5046 activate phospholipase C; however, the specific BRS-3 peptide antagonist Bantag-1 inhibits the action of peptide-1 competitively, whereas for MK-5046 the inhibition is noncompetitive and yields a curvilinear Schild plot. Furthermore, MK-5046 shows other allosteric behaviors, including slowing dissociation of the BRS-3 receptor ligand 125I-Bantag-1, dose-inhibition curves being markedly affected by increasing ligand concentration, and MK-5046 leftward shifting the peptide-1 agonist dose-response curve. Lastly, receptor chimeric studies and site-directed mutagenesis provide evidence that MK-5046 and Bantag-1 have different binding sites determining their receptor high affinity/selectivity. These results provide evidence that MK-5046 is functioning as an allosteric agonist at the BRS-3 receptor, which is the first allosteric ligand described for this family of receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: G-protein-coupled receptor allosteric ligands providing higher selectivity, selective efficacy, and safety that cannot be obtained using usual orthosteric receptor-based strategies are being increasingly described, resulting in enhanced usefulness in exploring receptor function and in treatment. No allosteric ligands exist for any of the mammalian bombesin receptor (BnR) family. Here we provide evidence for the first such example of a BnR allosteric ligand by showing that MK-5046, a nonpeptide agonist for bombesin receptor subtype-3, is functioning as an allosteric agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ramos-Alvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tatiana Iordanskaia
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Samuel A Mantey
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert T Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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18
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Amraee N, Alirezapour B, Hosntalab M, Yousefnia H. Human Dose Assessment of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD-BBN Heterodimer Peptide based on Animal Data. J Med Phys 2022; 47:287-293. [PMID: 36684706 PMCID: PMC9847008 DOI: 10.4103/jmp.jmp_34_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Calculation of the absorbed dose in human organs is one of the first steps for developing new radiopharmaceuticals. The aim of this study is to estimate the human absorbed dose of a newly developed 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD-BBN radiolabeled compound. Materials and Methods 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD-BBN was prepared by varying different parameters at optimized conditions. The stability of the radiolabeled peptide in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and in human serum was evaluated for 120 min. Afterward, the biodistribution of the complex was assessed in normal and tumor-bearing mice, at least for 120 min postinjection. Finally, the human absorbed dose of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD-BBN was estimated based on mice data using Radiation Dose Assessment Resource and Spark method. Results 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD-BBN was produced with radiochemical purity of more than 98% (high-performance liquid chromatography/ radio thin layer chromatography (RTLC)) with high stability in PBS buffer and in human serum at least for 2 h. The complex demonstrated high uptake in gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-expressing tumors compared to other nontarget organs. Furthermore, the dose assessment for the complex showed that the kidneys receive the highest absorbed dose in comparison with other organs. Conclusion The result of this study showed that 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD-BBN is an effective and radiolabeled ligand for tumor detection, however more studies are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naeimeh Amraee
- Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU), Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrouz Alirezapour
- Department of Radioisotope and Radiopharmaceutical Research, Radiation Application Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology, Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hosntalab
- Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Yousefnia
- Department of Radioisotope and Radiopharmaceutical Research, Radiation Application Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology, Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
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Marlin A, Hierlmeier I, Guillou A, Bartholomä M, Tripier R, Patinec V. Bioconjugated chelates based on (methylpyridinyl)tacn: synthesis, 64Cu labeling and in vitro evaluation for prostate cancer targeting. Metallomics 2022; 14:6596882. [PMID: 35648482 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Three new bifunctional copper chelators based on the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) platform have been synthesized and conjugated to peptide. The first one is constituted of the tacn with two methylpyridinyl and one methylthiazolyl carboxylic acid pendant arms, while, in the second and third ones, the macrocycle is functionalized by three methylpyridinyl groups, with an additional hexynoic acid chain on a carbon of one or two pyridine rings. These three bifunctional chelators have been conjugated to the antagonist JMV594 peptide for targeting the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRP-r), which is overexpressed in prostate cancer. The resulting monomeric bioconjugates have shown their efficiency to be radiolabeled with β+ emitter 64Cu, and the hydrophilicity and PC-3 cell internalisation properties of these radiolabeled conjugates have been studied. PC-3 cell binding affinity of mono- and dimeric metal-free and natCu metallated conjugates have been evaluated by IC50 measurements. The results demonstrate the potential of these methylpyridinyl tacn derivatives for radiopharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axia Marlin
- Univ Brest, UMR-CNRS 6521 CEMCA, 6 avenue Victor le Gorgeu, 29238 Brest, France
| | - Ina Hierlmeier
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Saarland University-Medical Center, Kirrbergerstrasse, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Amaury Guillou
- Univ Brest, UMR-CNRS 6521 CEMCA, 6 avenue Victor le Gorgeu, 29238 Brest, France
| | - Mark Bartholomä
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Saarland University-Medical Center, Kirrbergerstrasse, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Raphaël Tripier
- Univ Brest, UMR-CNRS 6521 CEMCA, 6 avenue Victor le Gorgeu, 29238 Brest, France
| | - Véronique Patinec
- Univ Brest, UMR-CNRS 6521 CEMCA, 6 avenue Victor le Gorgeu, 29238 Brest, France
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20
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Zhu D, Fang C, Yang Z, Ren Y, Yang F, Zheng S, Jiang M, Miao X, Liu D, Chen B, Yao X, Chen Y. Tubulin-binding peptide RR-171 derived from human umbilical cord serum displays antitumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma via inducing apoptosis and activating the NF-kappa B pathway. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13241. [PMID: 35504605 PMCID: PMC9136518 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still presents a high incidence of malignant tumours with poor prognosis. There is an urgent need for new therapeutic agents with high specificity, low toxicity and favourable solubility for the clinical treatment of HCC. Materials and Methods The bioactivity of human umbilical cord serum was investigated by proteomics biotechnology and a primitive peptide with certain biological activity was identified. The antitumour effect of RR‐171 was detected by cell viability assay in vitro, and determined by subcutaneous xenograft models assay and miniPDX assay in vivo. Pull‐down experiments were conducted to identify the potential targeting proteins of RR‐171. Immunofluorescence assay and tubulin polymerization assay were conducted to explore the relationship between RR‐171 and α‐tubulin. Fluorescence imaging in xenograft models was used to explore the biodistribution of RR‐171 in vivo. A phosphospecific protein microarray was performed to uncover the underlying signalling pathway by which RR‐171 induces tumour cell death. Results The results indicated that RR‐171 could be effective in the treatment of HCC in vivo and in vitro. RR‐171 could aggregate significantly in solid tumours and had no obvious systemic toxicity in vivo. RR‐171 could interact with α‐tubulin and activate the NF‐Kappa B pathway in HCC cells. Conclusions Taken together, RR‐171 exhibited significant antitumour activity against HCC in vivo and in vitro and could potentially be used in the clinical application of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglie Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Air Force Hospital of Northern Theater of People's Liberation Army of China, Shenyang, China
| | - Cheng Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zelong Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanjie Ren
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, China
| | - Fengrui Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics and Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shi Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingzuo Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangxia Miao
- Department of General Practice, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang, China
| | - Duoduo Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, China
| | - Biliang Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, China
| | - Xuebiao Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics and Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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21
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Calatayud DG, Neophytou S, Nicodemou E, Giuffrida SG, Ge H, Pascu SI. Nano-Theranostics for the Sensing, Imaging and Therapy of Prostate Cancers. Front Chem 2022; 10:830133. [PMID: 35494646 PMCID: PMC9039169 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.830133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We highlight hereby recent developments in the emerging field of theranostics, which encompasses the combination of therapeutics and diagnostics in a single entity aimed for an early-stage diagnosis, image-guided therapy as well as evaluation of therapeutic outcomes of relevance to prostate cancer (PCa). Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men and a frequent cause of male cancer death. As such, this overview is concerned with recent developments in imaging and sensing of relevance to prostate cancer diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. A major advantage for the effective treatment of PCa is an early diagnosis that would provide information for an appropriate treatment. Several imaging techniques are being developed to diagnose and monitor different stages of cancer in general, and patient stratification is particularly relevant for PCa. Hybrid imaging techniques applicable for diagnosis combine complementary structural and morphological information to enhance resolution and sensitivity of imaging. The focus of this review is to sum up some of the most recent advances in the nanotechnological approaches to the sensing and treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Targeted imaging using nanoparticles, radiotracers and biomarkers could result to a more specialised and personalised diagnosis and treatment of PCa. A myriad of reports has been published literature proposing methods to detect and treat PCa using nanoparticles but the number of techniques approved for clinical use is relatively small. Another facet of this report is on reviewing aspects of the role of functional nanoparticles in multimodality imaging therapy considering recent developments in simultaneous PET-MRI (Positron Emission Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging) coupled with optical imaging in vitro and in vivo, whilst highlighting feasible case studies that hold promise for the next generation of dual modality medical imaging of PCa. It is envisaged that progress in the field of imaging and sensing domains, taken together, could benefit from the biomedical implementation of new synthetic platforms such as metal complexes and functional materials supported on organic molecular species, which can be conjugated to targeting biomolecules and encompass adaptable and versatile molecular architectures. Furthermore, we include hereby an overview of aspects of biosensing methods aimed to tackle PCa: prostate biomarkers such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) have been incorporated into synthetic platforms and explored in the context of sensing and imaging applications in preclinical investigations for the early detection of PCa. Finally, some of the societal concerns around nanotechnology being used for the detection of PCa are considered and addressed together with the concerns about the toxicity of nanoparticles–these were aspects of recent lively debates that currently hamper the clinical advancements of nano-theranostics. The publications survey conducted for this review includes, to the best of our knowledge, some of the most recent relevant literature examples from the state-of-the-art. Highlighting these advances would be of interest to the biomedical research community aiming to advance the application of theranostics particularly in PCa diagnosis and treatment, but also to those interested in the development of new probes and methodologies for the simultaneous imaging and therapy monitoring employed for PCa targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G. Calatayud
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Department of Electroceramics, Instituto de Ceramica y Vidrio - CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Sofia I. Pascu, ; David G. Calatayud,
| | - Sotia Neophytou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Nicodemou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Haobo Ge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia I. Pascu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Centre of Therapeutic Innovations, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Sofia I. Pascu, ; David G. Calatayud,
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Lee L, Ramos-Alvarez I, Jensen RT. Predictive Factors for Resistant Disease with Medical/Radiologic/Liver-Directed Anti-Tumor Treatments in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Recent Advances and Controversies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051250. [PMID: 35267558 PMCID: PMC8909561 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor resistance, both primary and acquired, is leading to increased complexity in the nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced panNENs, which would be greatly helped by reliable prognostic/predictive factors. The importance in identifying resistance is being contributed to by the increased array of possible treatments available for treating resistant advanced disease; the variable clinical course as well as response to any given treatment approach of patients within one staging or grading system, the advances in imaging which are providing increasing promising results/parameters that correlate with grading/outcome/resistance, the increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis providing promising prognostic markers, all of which can contribute to selecting the best treatment to overcome resistance disease. Several factors have been identified that have prognostic/predictive value for identifying development resistant disease and affecting overall survival (OS)/PFS with various nonsurgical treatments of patients with advanced panNENs. Prognostic factors identified for patients with advanced panNENs for both OS/PFSs include various clinically-related factors (clinical, laboratory/biological markers, imaging, treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological, classification, grading) and molecular factors. Particularly important prognostic factors for the different treatment modalities studies are the recent grading systems. Most prognostic factors for each treatment modality for OS/PFS are not specific for a given treatment option. These advances have generated several controversies and new unanswered questions, particularly those related to their possible role in predicting the possible sequence of different anti-tumor treatments in patients with different presentations. Each of these areas is reviewed in this paper. Abstract Purpose: Recent advances in the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs) have led to an emerging need for sensitive and useful prognostic factors for predicting responses/survival. Areas covered: The predictive value of a number of reported prognostic factors including clinically-related factors (clinical/laboratory/imaging/treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological/classification/grading), and molecular factors, on therapeutic outcomes of anti-tumor medical therapies with molecular targeting agents (everolimus/sunitinib/somatostatin analogues), chemotherapy, radiological therapy with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, or liver-directed therapies (embolization/chemoembolization/radio-embolization (SIRTs)) are reviewed. Recent findings in each of these areas, as well as remaining controversies and uncertainties, are discussed in detail, particularly from the viewpoint of treatment sequencing. Conclusions: The recent increase in the number of available therapeutic agents for the nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced panNENs have raised the importance of prognostic factors predictive for therapeutic outcomes of each treatment option. The establishment of sensitive and useful prognostic markers will have a significant impact on optimal treatment selection, as well as in tailoring the therapeutic sequence, and for maximizing the survival benefit of each individual patient. In the paper, the progress in this area, as well as the controversies/uncertainties, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingaku Lee
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
- National Kyushu Cancer Center, Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatology, Fukuoka 811-1395, Japan
| | - Irene Ramos-Alvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
| | - Robert T. Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-496-4201
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Fersing C, Masurier N, Rubira L, Deshayes E, Lisowski V. AAZTA-Derived Chelators for the Design of Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals with Theranostic Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:234. [PMID: 35215346 PMCID: PMC8879111 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With the development of 68Ga and 177Lu radiochemistry, theranostic approaches in modern nuclear medicine enabling patient-centered personalized medicine applications have been growing in the last decade. In conjunction with the search for new relevant molecular targets, the design of innovative chelating agents to easily form stable complexes with various radiometals for theranostic applications has gained evident momentum. Initially conceived for magnetic resonance imaging applications, the chelating agent AAZTA features a mesocyclic seven-membered diazepane ring, conferring some of the properties of both acyclic and macrocyclic chelating agents. Described in the early 2000s, AAZTA and its derivatives exhibited interesting properties once complexed with metals and radiometals, combining a fast kinetic of formation with a slow kinetic of dissociation. Importantly, the extremely short coordination reaction times allowed by AAZTA derivatives were particularly suitable for short half-life radioelements (i.e., 68Ga). In view of these particular characteristics, the scope of this review is to provide a survey on the design, synthesis, and applications in the nuclear medicine/radiopharmacy field of AAZTA-derived chelators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Fersing
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (L.R.); (E.D.)
- IBMM, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34293 Montpellier, France; (N.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Nicolas Masurier
- IBMM, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34293 Montpellier, France; (N.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Léa Rubira
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (L.R.); (E.D.)
| | - Emmanuel Deshayes
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (L.R.); (E.D.)
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM U1194, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), University of Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Lisowski
- IBMM, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34293 Montpellier, France; (N.M.); (V.L.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, 191 Av. du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
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Lepareur N. Cold Kit Labeling: The Future of 68Ga Radiopharmaceuticals? Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:812050. [PMID: 35223907 PMCID: PMC8869247 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.812050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last couple of decades, gallium-68 (68Ga) has gained a formidable interest for PET molecular imaging of various conditions, from cancer to infection, through cardiac pathologies or neuropathies. It has gained routine use, with successful radiopharmaceuticals such as somatostatin analogs ([68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC and [68Ga]GaDOTATATE) for neuroendocrine tumors, and PSMA ligands for prostate cancer. It represents a major clinical impact, particularly in the context of theranostics, coupled with their 177Lu-labeled counterparts. Beside those, a bunch of new 68Ga-labeled molecules are in the preclinical and clinical pipelines, with some of them showing great promise for patient care. Increasing clinical demand and regulatory issues have led to the development of automated procedures for the production of 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals. However, the widespread use of these radiopharmaceuticals may rely on simple and efficient radiolabeling methods, undemanding in terms of equipment and infrastructure. To make them technically and economically accessible to the medical community and its patients, it appears mandatory to develop a procedure similar to the well-established kit-based 99mTc chemistry. Already available commercial kits for the production of 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals have demonstrated the feasibility of using such an approach, thus paving the way for more kit-based 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals to be developed. This article discusses the development of 68Ga cold kit radiopharmacy, including technical issues, and regulatory aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Lepareur
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, Inrae, Inserm, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition, Métabolismes et Cancer), UMR_A 1341, UMR_S 1241, Rennes, France
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Wang Z, Wu L, Wang H, Zhang Y, Xiao H. Agonist-induced extracellular vesicles contribute to the transfer of functional bombesin receptor-subtype 3 to recipient cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:72. [PMID: 35032194 PMCID: PMC11072852 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04114-z] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important carriers for biomolecules in the microenvironment that greatly promote intercellular and extracellular communications. However, it is unclear whether bombesin receptor-subtype 3 (BRS-3), an orphan G-protein coupled receptor, can be packed into EVs and functionally transferred to recipient cells. In this study, we applied the synthetic agonist and antagonist to activate and inhibit the BRS-3 in HEK293-BRS-3 cells, whose EVs release was BRS-3 activation dependent. The presence of BRS-3 in harvested EVs was further confirmed by an enhanced green fluorescent protein tag. After recipient cells were co-cultured with these EVs, the presence of BRS-3 in the recipient cells was discovered, whose function was experimentally validated. Quantitative proteomics approach was utilized to decipher the proteome of the EVs derived from HEK293-BRS-3 cells after different stimulations. More than 900 proteins were identified, including 51 systematically dysregulated EVs proteins. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that RhoA signaling pathway was as an essential player for the secretion of EVs. Selective inhibition of RhoA signaling pathway after BRS-3 activation dramatically reversed the increased secretion of EVs. Our data, collectively, demonstrated that EVs contributed to the transfer of functional BRS-3 to the recipient cells, whose secretion was partially regulated by RhoA signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lehao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Huiyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Hua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Maina T, Nock BA. Peptide radiopharmaceuticals for targeted diagnosis & therapy of human tumors. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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27
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Nuclear medicine therapy of lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00172-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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28
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Yap KM, Sekar M, Fuloria S, Wu YS, Gan SH, Mat Rani NNI, Subramaniyan V, Kokare C, Lum PT, Begum MY, Mani S, Meenakshi DU, Sathasivam KV, Fuloria NK. Drug Delivery of Natural Products Through Nanocarriers for Effective Breast Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Literature. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:7891-7941. [PMID: 34880614 PMCID: PMC8648329 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s328135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer (BC), it remains a global health issue affecting millions of women annually. Poor prognosis in BC patients is often linked to drug resistance as well as the lack of effective therapeutic options for metastatic and triple-negative BC. In response to these unmet needs, extensive research efforts have been devoted to exploring the anti-BC potentials of natural products owing to their multi-target mechanisms of action and good safety profiles. Various medicinal plant extracts/essential oils and natural bioactive compounds have demonstrated anti-cancer activities in preclinical BC models. Despite the promising preclinical results, however, the clinical translation of natural products has often been hindered by their poor stability, aqueous solubility and bioavailability. There have been attempts to overcome these limitations, particularly via the use of nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs). This review highlights the tumour targeting mechanisms of NDDSs, the advantages and disadvantages of the major classes of NDDSs and their current clinical status in BC treatment. Besides, it also discusses the proposed anti-BC mechanisms and nanoformulations of nine medicinal plants' extracts/essential oils and nine natural bioactive compounds; selected via the screening of various scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, based on the following keywords: "Natural Product AND Nanoparticle AND Breast Cancer". Overall, these nanoformulations exhibit improved anti-cancer efficacy against preclinical BC models, with some demonstrating biocompatibility with normal cell lines and mouse models. Further clinical studies are, however, warranted to ascertain their efficacy and biocompatibility in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Min Yap
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
| | - Mahendran Sekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
| | | | - Yuan Seng Wu
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Siew Hua Gan
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
| | | | - Chandrakant Kokare
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Sinhgad Technical Education Society’s, Sinhgad Institute of Pharmacy, Narhe, Pune, 411041, India
| | - Pei Teng Lum
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
| | - M Yasmin Begum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University (KKU), Asir-Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shankar Mani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Sri Adichunchanagiri College of Pharmacy, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya, Karnataka, 571418, India
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Shoari A, Khodabakhsh F, Ahangari Cohan R, Salimian M, Karami E. Anti-angiogenic peptides application in cancer therapy; a review. Res Pharm Sci 2021; 16:559-574. [PMID: 34760005 PMCID: PMC8562409 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.327503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease advanced via surplus angiogenesis. The development of new anti-angiogenic therapeutic agents with more efficacy and fewer side effects is still quite necessary. Conventional therapies saving the life of many cancer patients but due to drug resistance and lack of specificity utilizing these methods is faced with limits. Recently, new therapeutic agents have been developed and used to treat cancers such as scaffold proteins, monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and peptides. In antiangiogenic drug development, anti-angiogenic peptides design is a significant aim. Peptides have developed as substantial therapeutics that are being carefully investigated in angiogenesis-dependent diseases because of their high penetrating rate into the cancer cells, high specificity, and low toxicity. In this review, we focus on anti-angiogenic peptides in the field of cancer therapy that are designed, screened, or derived from nanobodies, mimotopes, phage displays, and natural resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shoari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Farnaz Khodabakhsh
- Department of Genetics and Advanced Medical Technology, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Morteza Salimian
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
| | - Elmira Karami
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
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Mansi R, Nock BA, Dalm SU, Busstra MB, van Weerden WM, Maina T. Radiolabeled Bombesin Analogs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225766. [PMID: 34830920 PMCID: PMC8616220 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recent medical advancements have strived for a personalized medicine approach to patients, aimed at optimizing therapy outcomes with minimum toxicity. In this respect, nuclear medicine methodologies have been playing increasingly important roles. For example, the overexpression of peptide receptors, such as the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), on tumor cells as opposed to their lack of expression in healthy surrounding tissues can be elegantly exploited with the aid of “smart” peptide carriers, such as the analogs of the amphibian 14-peptide bombesin (BBN). These molecules can bring clinically attractive radionuclides to malignant lesions in prostate, breast, and other human cancers, sparing healthy tissues. Depending upon the radionuclide in question, diagnostic imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) has been pursued, identifying patients who are eligible for peptide radionuclide receptor therapy (PRRT) in an integrated “theranostic” approach. In the present review, we (i) discuss the major steps taken in the development of anti-GRPR theranostic radioligands, with a focus on those selected for clinical testing; (ii) comment on the present status in this field of research; and (iii) reflect on the current limitations as well as on new opportunities for their broader and more successful clinical applications. Abstract The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is expressed in high numbers in a variety of human tumors, including the frequently occurring prostate and breast cancers, and therefore provides the rationale for directing diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides on cancer lesions after administration of anti-GRPR peptide analogs. This concept has been initially explored with analogs of the frog 14-peptide bombesin, suitably modified at the N-terminus with a number of radiometal chelates. Radiotracers that were selected for clinical testing revealed inherent problems associated with these GRPR agonists, related to low metabolic stability, unfavorable abdominal accumulation, and adverse effects. A shift toward GRPR antagonists soon followed, with safer analogs becoming available, whereby, metabolic stability and background clearance issues were gradually improved. Clinical testing of three main major antagonist types led to promising outcomes, but at the same time brought to light several limitations of this concept, partly related to the variation of GRPR expression levels across cancer types, stages, previous treatments, and other factors. Currently, these parameters are being rigorously addressed by cell biologists, chemists, nuclear medicine physicians, and other discipline practitioners in a common effort to make available more effective and safe state-of-the-art molecular tools to combat GRPR-positive tumors. In the present review, we present the background, current status, and future perspectives of this endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Mansi
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Berthold A. Nock
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, 15310 Athens, Greece;
| | - Simone U. Dalm
- Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.D.); (M.B.B.); (W.M.v.W.)
| | - Martijn B. Busstra
- Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.D.); (M.B.B.); (W.M.v.W.)
| | - Wytske M. van Weerden
- Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.D.); (M.B.B.); (W.M.v.W.)
| | - Theodosia Maina
- Molecular Radiopharmacy, INRaSTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, 15310 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-650-3908/3891
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Aslam M, Kanthlal SK, Panonummal R. Peptides: A Supercilious Candidate for Activating Intrinsic Apoptosis by Targeting Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability for Cancer Therapy. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10297-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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[ 99mTc]Tc-DB15 in GRPR-Targeted Tumor Imaging with SPECT: From Preclinical Evaluation to the First Clinical Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205093. [PMID: 34680243 PMCID: PMC8533986 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy of prostate (PC) and breast cancer (BC) using radiolabeled gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-antagonists represents a promising approach. We herein propose the GRPR-antagonist based radiotracer [99mTc]Tc-DB15 ([99mTc]Tc-N4-AMA-DGA-DPhe6,Sar11,LeuNHEt13]BBN(6-13); N4: 6-carboxy-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane, AMA: aminomethyl-aniline, DGA: diglycolic acid) as a new diagnostic tool for GRPR-positive tumors applying SPECT/CT. The uptake of [99mTc]Tc-DB15 was tested in vitro in mammary (T-47D) and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells and in vivo in T-47D or PC-3 xenograft-bearing mice as well as in BC patients. DB15 showed high GRPR-affinity (IC50 = 0.37 ± 0.03 nM) and [99mTc]Tc-DB15 strongly bound to the cell-membrane of T-47D and PC-3 cells, according to a radiolabeled antagonist profile. In mice, the radiotracer showed high and prolonged GRPR-specific uptake in PC-3 (e.g., 25.56 ± 2.78 %IA/g vs. 0.72 ± 0.12 %IA/g in block; 4 h pi) and T-47D (e.g., 15.82 ± 3.20 %IA/g vs. 3.82 ± 0.30 %IA/g in block; 4 h pi) tumors, while rapidly clearing from background. In patients with advanced BC, the tracer could reveal several bone and soft tissue metastases on SPECT/CT. The attractive pharmacokinetic profile of [99mTc]DB15 in mice and its capability to target GRPR-positive BC lesions in patients highlight its prospects for a broader clinical use, an option currently being explored by ongoing clinical studies.
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Dash BS, Lu YJ, Chen HA, Chuang CC, Chen JP. Magnetic and GRPR-targeted reduced graphene oxide/doxorubicin nanocomposite for dual-targeted chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 128:112311. [PMID: 34474862 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we design a rGO-based magnetic nanocomposite by decorating rGO with citrate-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CMNP). The magnetic rGO (mrGO) was modified by phospholipid-polyethylene glycol to prepare PEGylated mrGO, for conjugating with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-binding peptide (mrGOG). The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was bound to mrGO (mrGOG) by π-π stacking for drug delivery triggered by the low pH value in the endosome. The mrGOG showed enhanced photothermal effect under NIR irradiation, endorsing its role for dual targeted DOX delivery. With efficient DOX release in the endosomal environment and heat generation from light absorption in the NIR range, mrGOG/DOX could be used for combination chemo-photothermal therapy after intracellular uptake by cancer cells. We characterized the physico-chemical as well as biological properties of the synthesized nanocomposites. The mrGOG is stable in biological buffer solution, showing high biocompatibility and minimum hemolytic properties. Using U87 glioblastoma cells, we confirmed the magnetic drug targeting effect in vitro for selective cancer cell killing. The peptide ligand-mediated targeted delivery increases the efficiency of intracellular uptake of both nanocomposite and DOX up to ~3 times due to the over-expressed GRPR on U87 surface, leading to higher cytotoxicity. The increased cytotoxicity using mrGOG over mrGO was shown from a decreased IC50 value (0.70 to 0.48 μg/mL) and an increased cell apoptosis rate (19.8% to 47.1%). The IC50 and apoptosis rate changed further to 0.19 μg/mL and 76.8% in combination with NIR laser irradiation, with the photothermal effect supported from upregulation of heat shock protein HSP70 expression. Using U87 tumor xenograft model created in nude mice, we demonstrated that magnetic guidance after intravenous delivery of mrGOG/DOX could significantly reduce tumor size and prolong animal survival over free DOX and non-magnetic guided groups. Augmented with NIR laser treatment for 5 min, the anti-cancer efficacy significantly improves with elevated cell apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation. Together with safety profiles from hematological as well as major organ histological analysis of treated animals, the mrGOG nanocomposite is an effective nanomaterial for combination chemo-photothermal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banendu Sunder Dash
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Huai-An Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Cheng Chuang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Ping Chen
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Craniofacial Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Kwei-San, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, Tai-Shan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan.
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Wanka L, Behr V, Beck-Sickinger AG. Arrestin-dependent internalization of rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors. Biol Chem 2021; 403:133-149. [PMID: 34036761 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2021-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is an important mechanism regulating the signal strength and limiting the opportunity of receptor activation. Based on the importance of GPCRs, the detailed knowledge about the regulation of signal transduction is crucial. Here, current knowledge about the agonist-induced, arrestin-dependent internalization process of rhodopsin-like GPCRs is reviewed. Arrestins are conserved molecules that act as key players within the internalization process of many GPCRs. Based on highly conserved structural characteristics within the rhodopsin-like GPCRs, the identification of arrestin interaction sites in model systems can be compared and used for the investigation of internalization processes of other receptors. The increasing understanding of this essential regulation mechanism of receptors can be used for drug development targeting rhodopsin-like GPCRs. Here, we focus on the neuropeptide Y receptor family, as these receptors transmit various physiological processes such as food intake, energy homeostasis, and regulation of emotional behavior, and are further involved in pathophysiological processes like cancer, obesity and mood disorders. Hence, this receptor family represents an interesting target for the development of novel therapeutics requiring the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms influencing receptor mediated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizzy Wanka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103Leipzig, Germany
| | - Victoria Behr
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annette G Beck-Sickinger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103Leipzig, Germany
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Machado JF, Correia JDG, Morais TS. Emerging Molecular Receptors for the Specific-Target Delivery of Ruthenium and Gold Complexes into Cancer Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:3153. [PMID: 34070457 PMCID: PMC8197480 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin and derivatives are highly effective in the treatment of a wide range of cancer types; however, these metallodrugs display low selectivity, leading to severe side effects. Additionally, their administration often results in the development of chemoresistance, which ultimately results in therapeutic failure. This scenario triggered the study of other transition metals with innovative pharmacological profiles as alternatives to platinum, ruthenium- (e.g., KP1339 and NAMI-A) and gold-based (e.g., Auranofin) complexes being among the most advanced in terms of clinical evaluation. Concerning the importance of improving the in vivo selectivity of metal complexes and the current relevance of ruthenium and gold metals, this review article aims to survey the main research efforts made in the past few years toward the design and biological evaluation of target-specific ruthenium and gold complexes. Herein, we give an overview of the inorganic and organometallic molecules conjugated to different biomolecules for targeting membrane proteins, namely cell adhesion molecules, G-protein coupled receptors, and growth factor receptors. Complexes that recognize the progesterone receptors or other targets involved in metabolic pathways such as glucose transporters are discussed as well. Finally, we describe some complexes aimed at recognizing cell organelles or compartments, mitochondria being the most explored. The few complexes addressing targeted gene therapy are also presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Franco Machado
- Centro de Química Estrutural and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares and Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139, 7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - João D. G. Correia
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares and Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139, 7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - Tânia S. Morais
- Centro de Química Estrutural and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
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Vahidfar N, Aghanejad A, Ahmadzadehfar H, Farzanehfar S, Eppard E. Theranostic Advances in Breast Cancer in Nuclear Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4597. [PMID: 33925632 PMCID: PMC8125561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The implication of 'theranostic' refers to targeting an identical receptor for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, by the same radioligand, simultaneously or separately. In regard to extensive efforts, many considerable theranostic tracers have been developed in recent years. Emerging evidence strongly demonstrates the tendency of nuclear medicine towards therapies based on a diagnosis. This review is focused on the examples of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Vahidfar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1419733141, Iran;
| | - Ayuob Aghanejad
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran;
| | | | - Saeed Farzanehfar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1419733141, Iran;
| | - Elisabeth Eppard
- Positronpharma SA. Rancagua 878, Santiago 7500621, Chile;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Leipziger Strass 44, 39120 Magdedurg, Germany
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Ciobanasu C. Peptides-based therapy and diagnosis. Strategies for non-invasive therapies in cancer. J Drug Target 2021; 29:1063-1079. [PMID: 33775187 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2021.1906885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, remarkable progress was registered in the field of cancer research. Though, cancer still represents a major cause of death and cancer metastasis a problem seeking for urgent solutions as it is the main reason for therapeutic failure. Unfortunately, the most common chemotherapeutic agents are non-selective and can damage healthy tissues and cause side effects that affect dramatically the quality of life of the patients. Targeted therapy with molecules that act specifically at the tumour sites interacting with overexpressed cancer receptors is a very promising strategy for achieving the specific delivery of anticancer drugs, radioisotopes or imaging agents. This review aims to give an overview on different strategies for targeting cancer cell receptors localised either at the extracellular matrix or at the cell membrane. Molecules like antibodies, aptamers and peptides targeting the cell surface are presented with advantages and disadvantages, with emphasis on peptides. The most representative peptides are described, including cell penetrating peptides, homing and anticancer peptides with particular consideration on recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Ciobanasu
- Sciences Department, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Iaşi, Romania
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Advances in Development of Radiometal Labeled Amino Acid-Based Compounds for Cancer Imaging and Diagnostics. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020167. [PMID: 33669938 PMCID: PMC7924883 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiolabeled biomolecules targeted at tumor-specific enzymes, receptors, and transporters in cancer cells represent an intensively investigated and promising class of molecular tools for the cancer diagnosis and therapy. High specificity of such biomolecules is a prerequisite for the treatment with a lower burden to normal cells and for the effective and targeted imaging and diagnosis. Undoubtedly, early detection is a key factor in efficient dealing with many severe tumor types. This review provides an overview and critical evaluation of novel approaches in the designing of target-specific probes labeled with metal radionuclides for the diagnosis of most common death-causing cancers, published mainly within the last three years. Advances are discussed such traditional peptide radiolabeling approaches, and click and nanoparticle chemistry. The progress of radiolabeled peptide based ligands as potential radiopharmaceuticals is illustrated via novel structure and application studies, showing how the molecular modifications reflect their binding selectivity to significant onco-receptors, toxicity, and, by that, practical utilization. The most impressive outputs in categories of newly developed structures, as well as imaging and diagnosis approaches, and the most intensively studied oncological diseases in this context, are emphasized in order to show future perspectives of radiometal labeled amino acid-based compounds in nuclear medicine.
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Mitran B, Tolmachev V, Orlova A. Radiolabeled GRPR Antagonists for Imaging of Disseminated Prostate Cancer - Influence of Labeling Chemistry on Targeting Properties. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:7090-7111. [PMID: 32164503 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200312114902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radionuclide molecular imaging of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRPR) expression promises unparalleled opportunities for visualizing subtle prostate tumors, which due to small size, adjacent benign tissue, or a challenging location would otherwise remain undetected by conventional imaging. Achieving high imaging contrast is essential for this purpose and the molecular design of any probe for molecular imaging of prostate cancer should be aimed at obtaining as high tumor-to-organ ratios as possible. OBJECTIVE This short review summarizes the key imaging modalities currently used in prostate cancer, with a special focus on radionuclide molecular imaging. Emphasis is laid mainly on the issue of radiometals labeling chemistry and its influence on the targeting properties and biodistribution of radiolabeled GRPR antagonists for imaging of disseminated prostate cancer. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus library databases was conducted to find relevant articles. RESULTS The combination of radionuclide, chelator and required labeling chemistry was shown to have a significant influence on the stability, binding affinity and internalization rate, off-target interaction with normal tissues and blood proteins, interaction with enzymes, activity uptake and retention in excretory organs and activity uptake in tumors of radiolabeled bombesin antagonistic analogues. CONCLUSION Labeling chemistry has a very strong impact on the biodistribution profile of GRPRtargeting peptide based imaging probes and needs to be considered when designing a targeting probe for high contrast molecular imaging. Taking into account the complexity of in vivo interactions, it is not currently possible to accurately predict the optimal labeling approach. Therefore, a detailed in vivo characterization and optimization is essential for the rational design of imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Mitran
- Department of Medicianl Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vladimir Tolmachev
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Orlova
- Department of Medicianl Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Preclinical Evaluation of 99mTc-Labeled GRPR Antagonists maSSS/SES-PEG 2-RM26 for Imaging of Prostate Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020182. [PMID: 33573232 PMCID: PMC7912279 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is an important target for imaging of prostate cancer. The wide availability of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and the generator-produced 99mTc can be utilized to facilitate the use of GRPR-targeting radiotracers for diagnostics of prostate cancers. METHODS Synthetically produced mercaptoacetyl-Ser-Ser-Ser (maSSS)-PEG2-RM26 and mercaptoacetyl-Ser-Glu-Ser (maSES)-PEG2-RM26 (RM26 = d-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2) were radiolabeled with 99mTc and characterized in vitro using PC-3 cells and in vivo, using NMRI or PC-3 tumor bearing mice. SPECT/CT imaging and dosimetry calculations were performed for [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26. RESULTS Peptides were radiolabeled with high yields (>98%), demonstrating GRPR specific binding and slow internalization in PC-3 cells. [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 outperformed [99mTc]Tc-maSES-PEG2-RM26 in terms of GRPR affinity, with a lower dissociation constant (61 pM vs 849 pM) and demonstrating higher tumor uptake. [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 had tumor-to-blood, tumor-to-muscle, and tumor-to-bone ratios of 97 ± 56, 188 ± 32, and 177 ± 79, respectively. SPECT/CT images of [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 clearly visualized the GRPR-overexpressing tumors. The dosimetry estimated for [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 showed the highest absorbed dose in the small intestine (1.65 × 10-3 mGy/MBq), and the effective dose is 3.49 × 10-3 mSv/MBq. CONCLUSION The GRPR antagonist maSSS-PEG2-RM26 is a promising GRPR-targeting agent that can be radiolabeled through a single-step with the generator-produced 99mTc and used for imaging of GRPR-expressing prostate cancer.
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Moody TW, Lee L, Ramos-Alvarez I, Iordanskaia T, Mantey SA, Jensen RT. Bombesin Receptor Family Activation and CNS/Neural Tumors: Review of Evidence Supporting Possible Role for Novel Targeted Therapy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:728088. [PMID: 34539578 PMCID: PMC8441013 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.728088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are increasingly being considered as possible therapeutic targets in cancers. Activation of GPCR on tumors can have prominent growth effects, and GPCRs are frequently over-/ectopically expressed on tumors and thus can be used for targeted therapy. CNS/neural tumors are receiving increasing attention using this approach. Gliomas are the most frequent primary malignant brain/CNS tumor with glioblastoma having a 10-year survival <1%; neuroblastomas are the most common extracranial solid tumor in children with long-term survival<40%, and medulloblastomas are less common, but one subgroup has a 5-year survival <60%. Thus, there is an increased need for more effective treatments of these tumors. The Bombesin-receptor family (BnRs) is one of the GPCRs that are most frequently over/ectopically expressed by common tumors and is receiving particular attention as a possible therapeutic target in several tumors, particularly in prostate, breast, and lung cancer. We review in this paper evidence suggesting why a similar approach in some CNS/neural tumors (gliomas, neuroblastomas, medulloblastomas) should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry W. Moody
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Training, Office of the Director, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lingaku Lee
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Irene Ramos-Alvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tatiana Iordanskaia
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Samuel A. Mantey
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Robert T. Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Robert T. Jensen,
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Li X, Cai H, Wu X, Li L, Wu H, Tian R. New Frontiers in Molecular Imaging Using Peptide-Based Radiopharmaceuticals for Prostate Cancer. Front Chem 2020; 8:583309. [PMID: 33335885 PMCID: PMC7736158 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.583309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The high incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) increases the need for progress in its diagnosis, staging, and precise treatment. The overexpression of tumor-specific receptors for peptides in human cancer cells, such as gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, natriuretic peptide receptor, and somatostatin receptor, has indicated the ideal molecular basis for targeted imaging and therapy. Targeting these receptors using radiolabeled peptides and analogs have been an essential topic on the current forefront of PCa studies. Radiolabeled peptides have been used to target receptors for molecular imaging in human PCa with high affinity and specificity. The radiolabeled peptides enable optimal quick elimination from blood and normal tissues, producing high contrast for positron emission computed tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging with high tumor-to-normal tissue uptake ratios. Owing to their successful application in visualization, peptide derivatives with therapeutic radionuclides for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in PCa have been explored in recent years. These developments offer the promise of personalized, molecular medicine for individual patients. Hence, we review the preclinical and clinical literature in the past 20 years and focus on the newer developments of peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Huawei Cai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoai Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haoxing Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital and West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Preclinical Evaluation of the Copper-64 Labeled GRPR-Antagonist RM26 in Comparison with the Cobalt-55 Labeled Counterpart for PET-Imaging of Prostate Cancer. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25245993. [PMID: 33352838 PMCID: PMC7766840 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is overexpressed in the majority of prostate cancers. This study aimed to investigate the potential of 64Cu (radionuclide for late time-point PET-imaging) for imaging of GRPR expression using NOTA-PEG2-RM26 and NODAGA-PEG2-RM26. Methods: NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 were labeled with 64Cu and evaluated in GRPR-expressing PC-3 cells. Biodistribution of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 was studied in PC-3 xenografted mice and compared to the biodistribution of [57Co]Co-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 at 3 and 24 h p.i. Preclinical PET/CT imaging was performed in tumor-bearing mice. NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 were stably labeled with 64Cu with quantitative yields. In vitro, binding of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 was rapid and GRPR-specific with slow internalization. In vivo, [64Cu]Cu-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 bound specifically to GRPR-expressing tumors with fast clearance from blood and normal organs and displayed generally comparable biodistribution profiles to [57Co]Co-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26; tumor uptake exceeded normal tissue uptake 3 h p.i.. Tumor-to-organ ratios did not increase significantly with time. [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-PEG2-RM26 had a significantly higher liver and pancreas uptake compared to other agents. 57Co-labeled radioconjugates showed overall higher tumor-to-non-tumor ratios, compared to the 64Cu-labeled counterparts. [64Cu]Cu-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 was able to visualize GRPR-expression in a murine PC model using PET. However, [55/57Co]Co-NOTA/NODAGA-PEG2-RM26 provided better in vivo stability and overall higher tumor-to-non-tumor ratios compared with the 64Cu-labeled conjugates.
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Dhanasekaran S, Venugopal D, Al-Dayan N, Ravinayagam V, Mohammed AA. Emerging insights into mitochondria-specific targeting and drug delivering strategies: Recent milestones and therapeutic implications. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 27:3581-3592. [PMID: 33304169 PMCID: PMC7714987 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are a major intracellular organelle for drug targeting due to its functional roles in cellular metabolism and cell signaling for proliferation and cell death. Mitochondria-targeted treatment strategy could be promising to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cancer while minimizing the adverse side effects. Over the last decades, several studies have explored and focused on mitochondrial functions, which has led to the emergence of mitochondria-specific therapies. Molecules in the mitochondria are considered to be prime targets, and a wide range of molecular strategies have been designed for targeting mitochondria compared with that of the cytosol. In this review, we focused on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondria-specific ligand targeting and selective drug action strategies for targeting mitochondria, including those premised on mitochondrial targeting of signal peptides (MTS), cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), and use of lipophilic cations. Furthermore, most research has concentrated on specific conjugation of ligands to therapeutic molecules to enhance their effectiveness. There are several variations for the ideal design and development for mitochondrial-targeted drugs, such as selecting a suitable ligand and linker targets. However, some challenges related to drug solubility and selectivity could be resolved using the nanocarrier system. Nanoparticles yield excellent advantages for targeting and transmitting therapeutic drugs, and they offer elegant platforms for mitochondria-specific drug delivery. We explain many of the advanced and proven strategies for multifunctional mitochondria-specific targets, which should contribute to achieving better anticancer therapies in a promising future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugapriya Dhanasekaran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Wadi-Al Dawaser, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Divya Venugopal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Wadi-Al Dawaser, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noura Al-Dayan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vijaya Ravinayagam
- Deanship of Scientific Research & Department of Nano-Medicine Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif Ahmed Mohammed
- Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science Building-5, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Alshehri S, Fan W, Zhang W, Garrison JC. In Vitro Evaluation and Biodistribution Studies of HPMA Copolymers Targeting the Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor in Prostate Cancer. Pharm Res 2020; 37:229. [PMID: 33098043 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-02952-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents utilizing small peptides (e.g., bombesin (BBN)) to target the overexpression of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in cancers has been widely investigated. Herein, we examine the capabilities of BBN-modified HPMA copolymers to target the GRPR. METHODS Four positive, four negative, and two zwitterionic BBN HPMA copolymer conjugates of varying peptide content and charge were synthesized. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted in a GRPR-overexpressing prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) and a normal CF-1 mouse model, respectively. RESULTS Cellular uptake of the conjugates were found to be charge and BBN density dependent. The positively-charged conjugates illustrated a direct relationship between the extent of cellular internalization, ranging from 0.7 to 20%, and BBN-incorporation density. The negative and zwitterionic conjugates showed low PC-3 uptake values. Blocking studies confirmed the GRPR-targeting effect of the positively-charged constructs. In vivo studies of the positively-charged copolymers resulted in rapid blood clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS)-associated tissues (e.g., liver and spleen). CONCLUSION Positively-charged BBN-HPMA copolymer conjugates demonstrated good GRPR-targeting and internalization in vitro. However, the impact of peptide density and charge on in vivo MPS recognition are parameters that must be optimized in future agent development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA.,Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wei Fan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA.,Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA
| | - Wenting Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA.,Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA
| | - Jered C Garrison
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA. .,Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985830 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA. .,Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985950 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, USA.
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46
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Dobitz S, Wilhelm P, Romantini N, De Foresta M, Walther C, Ritler A, Schibli R, Berger P, Deupi X, Béhé M, Wennemers H. Distance-Dependent Cellular Uptake of Oligoproline-Based Homobivalent Ligands Targeting GPCRs-An Experimental and Computational Analysis. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:2431-2438. [PMID: 33047605 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tumor targeting with bivalent radiolabeled ligands for GPCRs is an attractive means for cancer imaging and therapy. Here, we studied and compared the distance dependence of homobivalent ligands for the human gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (hGRP-R) and the somatostatin receptor subtype II (hSstR2a). Oligoprolines were utilized as molecular scaffolds to enable distances of 10, 20, or 30 Å between two identical, agonistic recognition motifs. In vitro internalization assays revealed that ligands with a distance of 20 Å between the recognition motifs exhibit the highest cellular uptake in both ligand series. Structural modeling and molecular dynamics simulations support an optimal distance of 20 Å for accommodating ligand binding to both binding sites of a GPCR dimer. Translation of these findings to the significantly higher complexity in vivo proved difficult and showed only for the hGRP-R increased tumor uptake of the bivalent ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Dobitz
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, D-CHAB, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Wilhelm
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, D-CHAB, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nina Romantini
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Martina De Foresta
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, D-CHAB, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Walther
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Ritler
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, D-CHAB, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Roger Schibli
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.,Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, D-CHAB, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Berger
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research and Condensed Matter Theory Group, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Deupi
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research and Condensed Matter Theory Group, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Martin Béhé
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Helma Wennemers
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, D-CHAB, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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47
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Massaro C, Sgueglia G, Frattolillo V, Baglio SR, Altucci L, Dell’Aversana C. Extracellular Vesicle-Based Nucleic Acid Delivery: Current Advances and Future Perspectives in Cancer Therapeutic Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12100980. [PMID: 33081417 PMCID: PMC7589909 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are sophisticated and sensitive messengers released by cells to communicate with and influence distant and neighboring cells via selective transfer of bioactive content, including protein lipids and nucleic acids. EVs have therefore attracted broad interest as new and refined potential therapeutic systems in many diseases, including cancer, due to their low immunogenicity, non-toxicity, and elevated bioavailability. They might serve as safe and effective vehicles for the transport of therapeutic molecules to specific tissues and cells. In this review, we focus on EVs as a vehicle for gene therapy in cancer. We describe recent developments in EV engineering to achieve efficient intracellular delivery of cancer therapeutics and avoid off-target effects, to provide an overview of the potential applications of EV-mediated gene therapy and the most promising biomedical advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crescenzo Massaro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (G.S.); (V.F.)
| | - Giulia Sgueglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (G.S.); (V.F.)
| | - Victoria Frattolillo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (G.S.); (V.F.)
| | - S. Rubina Baglio
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (G.S.); (V.F.)
- Correspondence: (L.A.); (C.D.); Tel.: +39-081-5667569 (L.A.); +39-081-5667564 (C.D.)
| | - Carmela Dell’Aversana
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.M.); (G.S.); (V.F.)
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore” (IEOS)-National Research Council (CNR), Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.A.); (C.D.); Tel.: +39-081-5667569 (L.A.); +39-081-5667564 (C.D.)
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48
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Barrabés S, Ng-Choi I, Martínez MÁ, Manzano BR, Jalón FA, Espino G, Feliu L, Planas M, de Llorens R, Massaguer A. A nucleus-directed bombesin derivative for targeted delivery of metallodrugs to cancer cells. J Inorg Biochem 2020; 212:111214. [PMID: 32919249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2020.111214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have synthesized a set of bombesin derivatives with the aim of exploring their tumor targeting properties to deliver metal-based chemotherapeutics into cancer cells. Peptide QRLGNQWAVGHLL-NH2 (BN3) was selected based on its high internalization in gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-overexpressing PC-3 cells. Three metallopeptides were prepared by incorporating the terpyridine Pt(II) complex [PtCl(cptpy)]Cl (1) (cptpy = 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6,2″-terpyridine) at the N-terminus of BN3 or at the NƐ- or Nα-amino group of an additional Lys residue (1-BN3, Lys-1-BN3 and 1-Lys-BN3, respectively). 1-Lys-BN3 displayed the best cytotoxic activity (IC50: 19.2 ± 1.7 μM) and similar ability to intercalate into DNA than complex 1. Moreover, the polypyridine Ru(II) complex [Ru(bpy)2)(cmbpy)](PF6)2 (2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; cmbpy = 4-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-carboxylic acid), with proven activity as photosensitizer, was coupled to BN3 leading to metallopeptide 2-Lys-BN3. Upon photoactivation, 2-Lys-BN3 displayed 2.5-fold higher cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells (IC50: 7.6 ± 1.0 μM) than complex 2. To enhance the accumulation of the drugs into the cell nucleus, the nuclear localization signal (NLS) PKKKRKV was incorporated at the N-terminus of BN3. NLS-BN3 displayed higher cellular internalization along with nuclear biodistribution. Accordingly, metallopeptides 1-NLS-BN3 and 2-NLS-BN3 showed increased cytotoxicity (IC50: 12.0 ± 1.1 μM and 2.3 ± 1.1 μM). Interestingly, the phototoxic index of 2-NLS-BN3 was 8-fold higher than that of complex 2. Next, the selectivity towards cancer cells was explored using 1BR3.G fibroblasts. Higher selectivity indexes were obtained for 1-NLS-BN3 and 2-NLS-BN3 than for the unconjugated complexes. These results prove NLS-BN3 effective for targeted delivery of metallodrugs to GRPR-overexpressing cells and for enhancing the cytotoxic efficacy of metal-based photosensitizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Barrabés
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Iteng Ng-Choi
- Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Martínez
- Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - Blanca R Manzano
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas-IRICA, Avda. Camilo J. Cela 10, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Félix A Jalón
- Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologías Químicas-IRICA, Avda. Camilo J. Cela 10, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Gustavo Espino
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Burgos, Pza. Misael Bañuelos s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain
| | - Lidia Feliu
- Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - Marta Planas
- Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - Rafael de Llorens
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Massaguer
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003 Girona, Spain.
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49
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Rasaeifar B, Gomez-Gutierrez P, Perez JJ. New Insights into the Stereochemical Requirements of the Bombesin BB1 Receptor Antagonists Binding. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13080197. [PMID: 32824403 PMCID: PMC7463749 DOI: 10.3390/ph13080197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the family of bombesinlike peptides exert a wide range of biological activities both at the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues through at least three G-Protein Coupled Receptors: BB1, BB2 and BB3. Despite the number of peptide ligands already described, only a few small molecule binders have been disclosed so far, hampering a deeper understanding of their pharmacology. In order to have a deeper understanding of the stereochemical features characterizing binding to the BB1 receptor, we performed the molecular modeling study consisting of the construction of a 3D model of the receptor by homology modeling followed by a docking study of the peptoids PD168368 and PD176252 onto it. Analysis of the complexes permitted us to propose prospective bound conformations of the compounds, consistent with the experimental information available. Subsequently, we defined a pharmacophore describing minimal stereochemical requirements for binding to the BB1 receptor that was used in silico screening. This exercise yielded a set of small molecules that were purchased and tested, showing affinity to the BB1 but not to the BB2 receptor. These molecules exhibit scaffolds of diverse chemical families that can be used as a starting point for the development of novel BB1 antagonists.
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50
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[ 99mTc]Tc-DB1 Mimics with Different-Length PEG Spacers: Preclinical Comparison in GRPR-Positive Models. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25153418. [PMID: 32731473 PMCID: PMC7435657 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The frequent overexpression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) in human cancers provides the rationale for delivering clinically useful radionuclides to tumor sites using peptide carriers. Radiolabeled GRPR antagonists, besides being safer for human use, have often shown higher tumor uptake and faster background clearance than agonists. We herein compared the biological profiles of the GRPR-antagonist-based radiotracers [99mTc]Tc-[N4-PEGx-DPhe6,Leu-NHEt13]BBN(6-13) (N4: 6-(carboxy)-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane; PEG: polyethyleneglycol): (i) [99mTc]Tc-DB7 (x = 2), (ii) [99mTc]Tc-DB13 (x = 3), and (iii) [99mTc]Tc-DB14 (x = 4), in GRPR-positive cells and animal models. The impact of in situ neprilysin (NEP)-inhibition on in vivo stability and tumor uptake was also assessed by treatment of mice with phosphoramidon (PA). Methods: The GRPR affinity of DB7/DB13/DB14 was determined in PC-3 cell membranes, and cell binding of the respective [99mTc]Tc-radioligands was assessed in PC-3 cells. Each of [99mTc]Tc-DB7, [99mTc]Tc-DB13, and [99mTc]Tc-DB14 was injected into mice without or with PA coinjection and 5 min blood samples were analyzed by HPLC. Biodistribution was conducted at 4 h postinjection (pi) in severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) mice bearing PC-3 xenografts without or with PA coinjection. Results: DB7, -13, and -14 displayed single-digit nanomolar affinities for GRPR. The uptake rates of [99mTc]Tc-DB7, [99mTc]Tc-DB13, and [99mTc]Tc-DB14 in PC-3 cells was comparable and consistent with a radioantagonist profile. The radiotracers were found to be ≈70% intact in mouse blood and >94% intact after coinjection of PA. Treatment of mice with PA enhanced tumor uptake. Conclusions: The present study showed that increase of PEG-spacer length in the [99mTc]Tc-DB7-[99mTc]Tc-DB13-[99mTc]Tc-DB14 series had little effect on GRPR affinity, specific uptake in PC-3 cells, in vivo stability, or tumor uptake. A significant change in in vivo stability and tumor uptake was observed only after treatment of mice with PA, without compromising the favorably low background radioactivity levels.
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