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Benigno D, Navarro N, Aviñó A, Esposito V, Galeone A, Virgilio A, Fàbrega C, Eritja R. Aptamer-Drug conjugates for a targeted and synergistic anticancer Response: Exploiting T30923-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (INT-FdU) derivatives. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 201:114354. [PMID: 38852755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114354] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
One of the most appealing approaches for cancer treatment is targeted therapy, which is based on the use of drugs able to target cancer cells without affecting normal ones. This strategy lets to overcome the major limitation of conventional chemotherapy, namely the lack of specificity of anticancer drugs, which often leads to severe side effects, decreasing the therapy effectiveness. Delivery of cell-killing substances to tumor cells is one-way targeted drug therapy can work. Generally, monoclonal antibodies are combined with chemotherapeutic drugs, allowing cellular uptake through the binding to their targets on the surface of cancer cells. Aptamer-drug conjugates represent a promising alternative solution to antibodies to minimize off-target effects, considering the remarkable selective binding capabilities of aptamers. In this study, to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the antineoplastic agent 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdU) in various cancer cells, we focused on the development of a novel conjugate using the antiproliferative aptamer T30923 (INT) as a drug vehicle. Three derivatives composed of T30923 conjugated with a different number of FdU units were synthesized, and their structural and biological properties were thoroughly characterized, highlighting their potential for targeted and synergistic anticancer responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Benigno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Natalia Navarro
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain; Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain; Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Aldo Galeone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Antonella Virgilio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli 80131, Italy.
| | - Carme Fàbrega
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain; Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona 08034, Spain.
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain; Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona 08034, Spain.
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Han ZQ, Wen LN. Application of G-quadruplex targets in gastrointestinal cancers: Advancements, challenges and prospects. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:1149-1173. [PMID: 37546556 PMCID: PMC10401460 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i7.1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and inflammation are considered to be two enabling characteristics that support cancer development and progression. G-quadruplex structure is a key element that contributes to genomic instability and inflammation. G-quadruplexes were once regarded as simply an obstacle that can block the transcription of oncogenes. A ligand targeting G-quadruplexes was found to have anticancer activity, making G-quadruplexes potential anticancer targets. However, further investigation has revealed that G-quadruplexes are widely distributed throughout the human genome and have many functions, such as regulating DNA replication, DNA repair, transcription, translation, epigenetics, and inflammatory response. G-quadruplexes play double regulatory roles in transcription and translation. In this review, we focus on G-quadruplexes as novel targets for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. We summarize the application basis of G-quadruplexes in gastrointestinal cancers, including their distribution sites, structural characteristics, and physiological functions. We describe the current status of applications for the treatment of esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, as well as the associated challenges. Finally, we review the prospective clinical applications of G-quadruplex targets, providing references for targeted treatment strategies in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Qiang Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, Beijing 102211, China
| | - Li-Na Wen
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China
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Fàbrega C, Aviñó A, Navarro N, Jorge AF, Grijalvo S, Eritja R. Lipid and Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates for Therapeutic Purposes: From Simple Hybrids to Complex Multifunctional Assemblies. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:320. [PMID: 36839642 PMCID: PMC9959333 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense and small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides have been recognized as powerful therapeutic compounds for targeting mRNAs and inducing their degradation. However, a major obstacle is that unmodified oligonucleotides are not readily taken up into tissues and are susceptible to degradation by nucleases. For these reasons, the design and preparation of modified DNA/RNA derivatives with better stability and an ability to be produced at large scale with enhanced uptake properties is of vital importance to improve current limitations. In the present study, we review the conjugation of oligonucleotides with lipids and peptides in order to produce oligonucleotide conjugates for therapeutics aiming to develop novel compounds with favorable pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Fàbrega
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Navarro
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreia F. Jorge
- Department of Chemistry, Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Santiago Grijalvo
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Colloidal and Interfacial Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Nucleic Acids Chemistry Group, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Fàbrega C, Clua A, Eritja R, Aviñó A. Oligonucleotides Carrying Nucleoside Antimetabolites as Potential Prodrugs. Curr Med Chem 2023; 30:1304-1319. [PMID: 34844535 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211129124039] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleoside and nucleobase antimetabolites are an important class of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer as well as other diseases. INTRODUCTION In order to avoid undesirable side effects, several prodrug strategies have been developed. In the present review, we describe a relatively unknown strategy that consists of using oligonucleotides modified with nucleoside antimetabolites as prodrugs. METHODS The active nucleotides are generated by enzymatic degradation once incorporated into cells. This strategy has attracted large interest and is widely utilized at present due to the continuous developments made in therapeutic oligonucleotides and the recent advances in nanomaterials and nanomedicine. RESULTS A large research effort was made mainly in the improvement of the antiproliferative properties of nucleoside homopolymers, but recently, chemically modified aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides and/or siRNA carrying antiproliferative nucleotides have demonstrated a great potential due to the synergetic effect of both therapeutic entities. In addition, DNA nanostructures with interesting properties have been built to combine antimetabolites and enhancers of cellular uptake in the same scaffold. Finally, protein nanoparticles functionalized with receptor-binders and antiproliferative oligomers represent a new avenue for a more effective treatment in cancer therapy. CONCLUSION It is expected that oligonucleotides carrying nucleoside antimetabolites will be considered as potential drugs in the near future for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Fàbrega
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Clua
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Properties of Parallel Tetramolecular G-Quadruplex Carrying N-Acetylgalactosamine as Potential Enhancer for Oligonucleotide Delivery to Hepatocytes. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123944. [PMID: 35745067 PMCID: PMC9228010 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The development of oligonucleotide conjugates for in vivo targeting is one of the most exciting areas for oligonucleotide therapeutics. A major breakthrough in this field was the development of multifunctional GalNAc-oligonucleotides with high affinity to asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) that directed therapeutic oligonucleotides to hepatocytes. In the present study, we explore the use of G-rich sequences functionalized with one unit of GalNAc at the 3'-end for the formation of tetrameric GalNAc nanostructures upon formation of a parallel G-quadruplex. These compounds are expected to facilitate the synthetic protocols by providing the multifunctionality needed for the binding to ASGPR. To this end, several G-rich oligonucleotides carrying a TGGGGGGT sequence at the 3'-end functionalized with one molecule of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) were synthesized together with appropriate control sequences. The formation of a self-assembled parallel G-quadruplex was confirmed through various biophysical techniques such as circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, polyacrylamide electrophoresis and denaturation curves. Binding experiments to ASGPR show that the size and the relative position of the therapeutic cargo are critical for the binding of these nanostructures. The biological properties of the resulting parallel G-quadruplex were evaluated demonstrating the absence of the toxicity in cell lines. The internalization preferences of GalNAc-quadruplexes to hepatic cells were also demonstrated as well as the enhancement of the luciferase inhibition using the luciferase assay in HepG2 cell lines versus HeLa cells. All together, we demonstrate that tetramerization of G-rich oligonucleotide is a novel and simple route to obtain the beneficial effects of multivalent N-acetylgalactosamine functionalization.
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Fàbrega C, Aviñó A, Eritja R. Chemical Modifications in Nucleic Acids for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications. CHEM REC 2021; 22:e202100270. [DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carme Fàbrega
- Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Jordi Girona 18–26 E-08034 Barcelona Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) E-08034 Barcelona Spain
| | - Anna Aviñó
- Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Jordi Girona 18–26 E-08034 Barcelona Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) E-08034 Barcelona Spain
| | - Ramon Eritja
- Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Jordi Girona 18–26 E-08034 Barcelona Spain
- Networking Center on Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) E-08034 Barcelona Spain
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