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Wong WW, O'Brien-Gortner SF, Anderson RF, Wilson WR, Hay MP, Dickson BD. Hypoxia-activated prodrugs of phenolic olaparib analogues for tumour-selective chemosensitisation. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1309-1330. [PMID: 37484567 PMCID: PMC10357951 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00117b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are used for treatment of tumours with a defect in homologous recombination (HR) repair. Combination with radio- or chemotherapy could broaden their applicability but a major hurdle is enhancement of normal tissue toxicity. Development of hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) of PARPi has potential to restrict PARP inhibition to tumours thereby avoiding off-target toxicity. We have designed and synthesised phenolic derivatives of olaparib (termed phenolaparibs) and corresponding ether-linked HAPs. Phenolaparib cytotoxicity in HR-proficient and deficient cell lines was consistent with inhibition of PARP-1. Prodrugs were deactivated relative to phenolaparibs in biochemical PARP-1 inhibition assays, and cell culture. Prodrug 7 was selectively converted to phenolaparib 4 under hypoxia and demonstrated hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity, including chemosensitisation of HR-proficient cells in combination with temozolomide. This work demonstrates the feasibility of a HAP approach to PARPi for use in combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Way W Wong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Sophia F O'Brien-Gortner
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Robert F Anderson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142 New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Michael P Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
| | - Benjamin D Dickson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1010 New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland Symonds St Auckland 1010 New Zealand
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Peng X, Pan W, Jiang F, Chen W, Qi Z, Peng W, Chen J. Selective PARP1 Inhibitors, PARP1-based Dual-Target Inhibitors, PROTAC PARP1 Degraders, and Prodrugs of PARP1 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy. Pharmacol Res 2022; 186:106529. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Tian XM, Xiang B, Yu YH, Li Q, Zhang ZX, Zhanghuang C, Jin LM, Wang JK, Mi T, Chen ML, Liu F, Wei GH. A novel cuproptosis-related subtypes and gene signature associates with immunophenotype and predicts prognosis accurately in neuroblastoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:999849. [PMID: 36211401 PMCID: PMC9540510 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most frequent solid tumor in pediatrics, which accounts for roughly 15% of cancer-related mortality in children. NB exhibited genetic, morphologic, and clinical heterogeneity, which limited the efficacy of available therapeutic approaches. Recently, a new term 'cuproptosis' has been used to denote a unique biological process triggered by the action of copper. In this instance, selectively inducing copper death is likely to successfully overcome the limitations of conventional anticancer drugs. However, there is still a gap regarding the role of cuproptosis in cancer, especially in pediatric neuroblastoma. Methods We characterized the specific expression of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in NB samples based on publicly available mRNA expression profile data. Consensus clustering and Lasso-Cox regression analysis were applied for CRGs in three independent cohorts. ESTIMATE and Xcell algorithm was utilized to visualize TME score and immune cell subpopulations' relative abundances. Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score was used to predict tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. To decipher the underlying mechanism, GSVA was applied to explore enriched pathways associated with cuproptosis signature and Connectivity map (CMap) analysis for drug exploration. Finally, qPCR verified the expression levels of risk-genes in NB cell lines. In addition, PDHA1 was screened and further validated by immunofluorescence in human clinical samples and loss-of-function assays. Results We initially classified NB patients according to CRGs and identified two cuproptosis-related subtypes that were associated with prognosis and immunophenotype. After this, a cuproptosis-related prognostic model was constructed and validated by LASSO regression in three independent cohorts. This model can accurately predict prognosis, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy responses. These genes also showed differential expression in various characteristic groups of all three datasets and NB cell lines. Loss-of-function experiments indicated that PDHA1 silencing significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion, in turn, promoted cell cycle arrest at the S phase and apoptosis of NB cells. Conclusions Taken together, this study may shed light on new research areas for NB patients from the cuproptosis perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mao Tian
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Xiang
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi-Hang Yu
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhao-Xia Zhang
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenghao Zhanghuang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Ming Jin
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Kui Wang
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Mi
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei-Lin Chen
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang-Hui Wei
- Department of Urology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing, China
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Nitroaromatic Hypoxia-Activated Prodrugs for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020187. [PMID: 35215299 PMCID: PMC8878295 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of “hypoxic” tissue (with O2 levels of <0.1 mmHg) in solid tumours, resulting in quiescent tumour cells distant from blood vessels, but capable of being reactivated by reoxygenation following conventional therapy (radiation or drugs), have long been known as a limitation to successful cancer chemotherapy. This has resulted in a sustained effort to develop nitroaromatic “hypoxia-activated prodrugs” designed to undergo enzyme-based nitro group reduction selectively in these hypoxic regions, to generate active drugs. Such nitro-based prodrugs can be classified into two major groups; those activated either by electron redistribution or by fragmentation following nitro group reduction, relying on the extraordinary difference in electron demand between an aromatic nitro group and its reduction products. The vast majority of hypoxia-activated fall into the latter category and are discussed here classed by the nature of their nitroaromatic trigger units.
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Therapeutic targeting of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:751-772. [PMID: 34326502 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00539-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is prevalent in human tumours and contributes to microenvironments that shape cancer evolution and adversely affect therapeutic outcomes. Historically, two different tumour microenvironment (TME) research communities have been discernible. One has focused on physicochemical gradients of oxygen, pH and nutrients in the tumour interstitium, motivated in part by the barrier that hypoxia poses to effective radiotherapy. The other has focused on cellular interactions involving tumour and non-tumour cells within the TME. Over the past decade, strong links have been established between these two themes, providing new insights into fundamental aspects of tumour biology and presenting new strategies for addressing the effects of hypoxia and other microenvironmental features that arise from the inefficient microvascular system in solid tumours. This Review provides a perspective on advances at the interface between these two aspects of the TME, with a focus on translational therapeutic opportunities relating to the elimination and/or exploitation of tumour hypoxia.
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Anduran E, Dubois LJ, Lambin P, Winum JY. Hypoxia-activated prodrug derivatives of anti-cancer drugs: a patent review 2006 - 2021. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 32:1-12. [PMID: 34241566 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1954617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The hypoxic tumor microenvironment represents a persistent obstacle in the treatment of most solid tumors. In the past years, significant efforts have been made to improve the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) of chemotherapeutic compounds have attracted widespread interest as a therapeutic means to treat hypoxic tumors. AREAS COVERED This updated review paper covers key patents published between 2006 and 2021 on the developments of HAP derivatives of anti-cancer compounds. EXPERT OPINION Despite significant achievements in the development of HAP derivatives of anti-cancer compounds and although many clinical trials have been performed or are ongoing both as monotherapies and as part of combination therapies, there has currently no HAP anti-cancer agent been commercialized into the market. Unsuccessful clinical translation is partly due to the lack of patient stratification based on reliable biomarkers that are predictive of a positive response to hypoxia-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Anduran
- IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.,GROW-School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- GROW-School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- GROW-School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Hypoxia-Mediated Decrease of Ovarian Cancer Cells Reaction to Treatment: Significance for Chemo- and Immunotherapies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249492. [PMID: 33327450 PMCID: PMC7764929 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, a common factor ruling the microenvironment composition, leads to tumor progression. In this hypoxic context, cytokines and cells cooperate to favor cancer development and metastasis. Tumor hypoxia is heterogeneously distributed. Oxygen gradients depend on the vicinity, functionality of blood vessels, and oxygen ability to diffuse into surrounding tissues. Thus, the vasculature state modulates the microenvironment of the tumor cells. Cells sense and react to small variations in oxygen tension, which explains the lack of tumor cells’ unicity in their reaction to drugs. Ovarian cancers are highly hypoxia-dependent, ascites worsening the access to oxygen, in their reactions to both chemotherapy and new immunotherapy. Consequently, hypoxia affects the results of immunotherapy, and is thus, crucial for the design of treatments. Controlling key immunosuppressive factors and receptors, as well as immune checkpoint molecule expression on tumor, immune and stromal cells, hypoxia induces immunosuppression. Consequently, new approaches to alleviate hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment bring promises for ovarian cancer immunotherapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the effects of hypoxia in the microenvironment and its consequences on tumor treatments. This opens the way to innovative combined treatments to the advantage of immunotherapy outcome in ovarian cancers.
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Anduran E, Aspatwar A, Parvathaneni NK, Suylen D, Bua S, Nocentini A, Parkkila S, Supuran CT, Dubois L, Lambin P, Winum JY. Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug Derivatives of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors in Benzenesulfonamide Series: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation. Molecules 2020; 25:E2347. [PMID: 32443462 PMCID: PMC7287649 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25102347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, a common feature of solid tumours' microenvironment, is associated with an aggressive phenotype and is known to cause resistance to anticancer chemo- and radiotherapies. Tumour-associated carbonic anhydrases isoform IX (hCA IX), which is upregulated under hypoxia in many malignancies participating to the microenvironment acidosis, represents a valuable target for drug strategy against advanced solid tumours. To overcome cancer cell resistance and improve the efficacy of therapeutics, the use of bio-reducible prodrugs also known as Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs), represents an interesting strategy to be applied to target hCA IX isozyme through the design of selective carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors (CAIs). Here, we report the design, synthesis and biological evaluations including CA inhibition assays, toxicity assays on zebrafish and viability assays on human cell lines (HT29 and HCT116) of new HAP-CAIs, harboring different bio-reducible moieties in nitroaromatic series and a benzenesulfonamide warhead to target hCA IX. The CA inhibition assays of this compound series showed a slight selectivity against hCA IX versus the cytosolic off-target hCA II and hCA I isozymes. Toxicity and viability assays have highlighted that the compound bearing the 2-nitroimidazole moiety possesses the lowest toxicity (LC50 of 1400 µM) and shows interesting results on viability assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Anduran
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM) UMR 5247 CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34296 Montpellier CEDEX 05, France; (E.A.); (N.-K.P.)
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW–School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Ashok Aspatwar
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Fimlab Ltd., University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Nanda-Kumar Parvathaneni
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM) UMR 5247 CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34296 Montpellier CEDEX 05, France; (E.A.); (N.-K.P.)
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW–School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Dennis Suylen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Silvia Bua
- Neurofarba Department, Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (S.B.); (A.N.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Neurofarba Department, Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (S.B.); (A.N.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Seppo Parkkila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Fimlab Ltd., University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy; (S.B.); (A.N.); (C.T.S.)
| | - Ludwig Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW–School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Philippe Lambin
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW–School for Oncology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Jean-Yves Winum
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM) UMR 5247 CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34296 Montpellier CEDEX 05, France; (E.A.); (N.-K.P.)
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Wong WW, Jackson RK, Liew LP, Dickson BD, Cheng GJ, Lipert B, Gu Y, Hunter FW, Wilson WR, Hay MP. Hypoxia-selective radiosensitisation by SN38023, a bioreductive prodrug of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitor IC87361. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 169:113641. [PMID: 31541630 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a key role in repair of radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks (DSB) by non-homologous end-joining. DNA-PK inhibitors (DNA-PKi) are therefore efficient radiosensitisers, but normal tissue radiosensitisation represents a risk for their use in radiation oncology. Here we describe a novel prodrug, SN38023, that is metabolised to a potent DNA-PKi (IC87361) selectively in radioresistant hypoxic cells. DNA-PK inhibitory potency of SN38023 was 24-fold lower than IC87361 in cell-free assays, consistent with molecular modelling studies suggesting that SN38023 is unable to occupy one of the predicted DNA-PK binding modes of IC87361. One-electron reduction of the prodrug by radiolysis of anoxic formate solutions, and by metabolic reduction in anoxic HCT116/POR cells that overexpress cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), generated IC87361 efficiently as assessed by LC-MS. SN38023 inhibited radiation-induced Ser2056 autophosphorylation of DNA-PK catalytic subunit and radiosensitised HCT116/POR and UT-SCC-54C cells selectively under anoxia. SN38023 was an effective radiosensitiser in anoxic HCT116 spheroids, demonstrating potential for penetration into hypoxic tumour tissue, but in spheroid co-cultures of high-POR and POR-null cells it showed no evidence of bystander effects resulting from local diffusion of IC87361. Pharmacokinetics of IC87361 and SN38023 at maximum achievable doses in NIH-III mice demonstrated sub-optimal exposure of UT-SCC-54C tumour xenografts and did not provide significant tumour radiosensitisation. In conclusion, SN38023 has potential for exploiting hypoxia for selective delivery of a potent DNA-PKi to the most radioresistant subpopulation of cells in tumours. However, prodrugs providing improved systemic pharmacokinetics and that release DNA-PKi that elicit bystander effects are needed to maximise therapeutic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Way Wua Wong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rosanna K Jackson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lydia P Liew
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin D Dickson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gary J Cheng
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Lipert
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yongchuan Gu
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Francis W Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Michael P Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
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Harms JK, Lee TW, Wang T, Lai A, Kee D, Chaplin JM, McIvor NP, Hunter FW, Macann AMJ, Wilson WR, Jamieson SMF. Impact of Tumour Hypoxia on Evofosfamide Sensitivity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Models. Cells 2019; 8:E717. [PMID: 31337055 PMCID: PMC6678517 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour hypoxia is a marker of poor prognosis and failure of chemoradiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), providing a strategy for therapeutic intervention in this setting. To evaluate the utility of the hypoxia-activated prodrug evofosfamide (TH-302) in HNSCC, we established ten early passage patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of HNSCC that were characterised by their histopathology, hypoxia status, gene expression, and sensitivity to evofosfamide. All PDX models closely resembled the histology of the patient tumours they were derived from. Pimonidazole-positive tumour hypoxic fractions ranged from 1.7-7.9% in line with reported HNSCC clinical values, while mRNA expression of the Toustrup hypoxia gene signature showed close correlations between PDX and matched patient tumours, together suggesting the PDX models may accurately model clinical tumour hypoxia. Evofosfamide as a single agent (50 mg/kg IP, qd × 5 for three weeks) demonstrated antitumour efficacy that was variable across the PDX models, ranging from complete regressions in one p16-positive PDX model to lack of significant activity in the three most resistant models. Despite all PDX models showing evidence of tumour hypoxia, and hypoxia being essential for activation of evofosfamide, the antitumour activity of evofosfamide only weakly correlated with tumour hypoxia status determined by pimonidazole immunohistochemistry. Other candidate evofosfamide sensitivity genes-MKI67, POR, and SLFN11-did not strongly influence evofosfamide sensitivity in univariate analyses, although a weak significant relationship with MKI67 was observed, while SLFN11 expression was lost in PDX tumours. Overall, these data confirm that evofosfamide has antitumour activity in clinically-relevant PDX tumour models of HNSCC and support further clinical evaluation of this drug in HNSCC patients. Further research is required to identify those factors that, alongside hypoxia, can influence sensitivity to evofosfamide and could act as predictive biomarkers to support its use in precision medicine therapy of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Harms
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Tet-Woo Lee
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Tao Wang
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Amy Lai
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Dennis Kee
- LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - John M Chaplin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Nick P McIvor
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Francis W Hunter
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Andrew M J Macann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Stephen M F Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
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