Surface Modification of Liposomes by a Lipopolymer Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen for Theranostic Delivery in Prostate Cancer

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a marker for diagnosis and targeted delivery of therapeutics to advanced/metastasized prostate cancer. We report a liposome-based system for theranostic delivery to PSMA-expressing (PSMA⁺) LNCaP cells. A lipopolymer (P³) comprising of PSMA ligand (PSMAL), polyethylene glycol (PEG₂₀₀₀), and palmitate was synthesized and post-inserted into the surface of preformed liposomes. These P³-liposomes were loaded with doxorubicin and radiolabeled with ^99mTc radionuclide to study their theranostic characteristics. Differential expression of PSMA on LNCaP and PC3 cells was confirmed by immunoblotting as well as by uptake of PSMAL labeled with ¹⁸F radionuclide. We found that the uptake of ^99mTc-labeled P³-liposomes by LNCaP cells was >3-fold higher than ^99mTc-labeled Plain-liposomes; the amount of doxorubicin delivered to LNCaP cells was also found to be >3-fold higher by P³-liposomes. Cell-based cytotoxicity assay results showed that doxorubicin-loaded P³-liposomes were significantly more toxic to LNCaP cells (p < 0.05), but not to PSMA-negative PC3 cells. Compared to doxorubicin-loaded Plain-liposomes, the IC₅₀ value of doxorubicin-loaded P³-liposomes was reduced by ~5-fold in LNCaP cells. Together, these results suggest that surface functionalization of liposomes with small PSMA-binding motifs, such as PSMAL, can provide a viable platform for specific delivery of theranostics to PSMA⁺ prostate cancer.

Ubiquitin Receptor RPN13 Mediates the Inhibitory Interaction of Diphenyldihaloketones CLEFMA and EF24 With the 26S Proteasome

The proteasome is a validated target in drug discovery for diseases associated with unusual proteasomal activity. Here we report that two diphenyldihaloketones, CLEFMA and EF24, inhibit the peptidase activity of the 26S proteasome. The objective of this study was to investigate interaction of these compounds with the proteasome and identify a putative target within the protein components of the 26S proteasome. We employed standard fluorogenic peptide-based proteasome activity assay for trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, and caspase-like activities of human purified 26S proteasome in cell-free conditions. GFPu-1 and HUVEC cells were used as proteasome reporter cells. Direct binding studies used purified 19S, 20S, 26S, and recombinant RPN13-Pru for interaction with biotinylated analogs of CLEFMA and EF24. The reaction mixtures were subjected to horizontal gel electrophoresis, streptavidin-blotting, pull-down assays, and immunoblotting. The identity of the interacting protein was determined by 2D gel electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS. Drug affinity responsive target stability technique was utilized to examine if CLEFMA binding confers protection to RPN13 against thermolysin-catalyzed proteolysis. We found that trypsin-and chymotrypsin-like activities of the 26S proteasome were reduced significantly by both compounds. The compounds also reduced the proteolytic activity in GFPu-1 and HUVEC cells, resulting in accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins without affecting the autophagy process. From direct binding assays a 43 kDa protein in the 26S proteasome was found to be the interacting partner. This protein was identified by tandem mass spectroscopy as regulatory particle subunit 13 (RPN13), a ubiquitin receptor in the 19S regulatory particle. Furthermore, binding of CLEFMA to RPN13 did not protect latter from thermolysin-mediated proteolysis. Together, this study showed diphenyldihaloketones as potential proteasome inhibitors for treatment of diseases with perturbed proteasome function. The results also unraveled RPN13 as a unique target of CLEFMA and EF24. As a result, these compounds inhibit both trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like proteasome activities.

Induction of gut proteasome activity in hemorrhagic shock and its recovery by treatment with diphenyldihaloketones CLEFMA and EF24

Multiorgan failure in hemorrhagic shock is triggered by gut barrier dysfunction and consequent systemic infiltration of proinflammatory factors. Our previous study has shown that diphenyldihaloketone drugs 4-[3,5-bis[(2-chlorophenyl)methylene]-4-oxo-1-piperidinyl]-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid (CLEFMA) and 3,5-bis[(2-fluorophenyl)methylene]-4-piperidinone (EF24) restore gut barrier dysfunction and reduce systemic inflammatory response in hemorrhagic shock. We investigated the effect of hemorrhagic shock on proteasome activity of intestinal epithelium and how CLEFMA and EF24 treatments modulate proteasome function in hemorrhagic shock. CLEFMA or EF24 (0.4 mg/kg) were given 1 h after withdrawing 50% of blood from Sprague-Dawley rats; no other resuscitation was provided. After another 5 h of compensation, small gut was collected to process tissue for proteasome activity, immunoblotting, and mRNA levels of genes responsible for unfolded-protein response (XBP1, ATF4, glucose-regulated protein of 78/95 kDa, and growth arrest and DNA damage inducible genes 153/34), polyubiquitin B and C, and immunoproteasome subunits β type-8 and -10 and proteasome activator subunit 1. We found that hemorrhagic shock induced proteasome activity in gut tissue and reduced the amounts of ubiquitinated proteins displayed on antiubiquitin immunoblots. However, simultaneous induction of unfolded-protein response or immunoproteasome genes was not observed. CLEFMA and EF24 treatments abolished the hemorrhagic shock-induced increase in proteasome activity. Further investigations revealed that the induction of proteasome in hemorrhagic shock is associated with disassembly of 26S proteasome; CLEFMA and EF24 prevented this disassembly. Consistent with these data, CLEFMA and EF24 reduced hemorrhagic shock-induced degradation of 20S substrate ornithine decarboxylase in gut tissue. These results suggest that activated proteasome plays an important role in ischemic gut pathophysiology, and it can be a druggable target in shock-induced gut dysfunction. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ischemic injury to the gut is a trigger for the systemic inflammatory response and multiple organ failure in trauma and hemorrhagic shock. We show for the first time that hemorrhagic shock induces the gut proteasome activity by engendering 26S proteasome disassembly. Diphenyldihaloketones 4-[3,5-bis[(2-chlorophenyl)methylene]-4-oxo-1-piperidinyl]-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid and 3,5-bis[(2-fluorophenyl)methylene]-4-piperidinone treatment prevented the 26S disassembly. Understanding the role of proteasome in shock-associated gut injury will assist in the development of therapeutic means to address it.

Folate-PEG Conjugates of a Far-Red Light-Activatable Paclitaxel Prodrug to Improve Selectivity toward Folate Receptor-Positive Cancer Cells

We recently demonstrated the far-red light-activatable prodrug of paclitaxel (PTX), Pc-(L-PTX)2. Upon illumination with a 690 nm laser, Pc-(L-PTX)2 showed combinational cell killing from rapid photodynamic therapy damage by singlet oxygen, followed by sustained chemotherapy effects from locally released PTX. However, its high lipophilicity (log D7.4 > 3.1) caused aggregation in aqueous solutions and has nonselectivity toward cancer cells. To solve these important problems, we prepared folic acid (FA)-conjugated and photoactivatable prodrugs of PTX with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer of various chain lengths: FA-PEG n -Pc-L-PTX [n = 0 (0k, 5), ∼23 (1k, 7a), ∼45 (2k, 7b), ∼80 (3.5k, 7c), or ∼114 (5k, 7d)]. The PEGylated prodrugs 7a-d had a much improved hydrophilicity compared with the non-PEGylated prodrug, Pc-(L-PTX)2. As the PEG length increased, the hydrophilicity of the prodrug increased (log D7.4 values: 1.28, 0.09, -0.24, and -0.59 for 1k, 2k, 3.5k, and 5k PEG prodrugs, respectively). Fluorescence spectral data suggested that the PEGylated prodrugs had good solubility in the culture medium at lower concentrations (<1-2 μM), but showed fluorescence quenching due to limited solubility at higher concentrations (>2 μM). Dynamic light scattering indicated that all of the prodrugs formed nanosized particles in both phosphate-buffered saline and culture medium at a concentration of 5 μM. The PEG length affected both nonspecific and folate receptor (FR)-mediated uptake of the prodrugs. The enhanced cellular uptake was observed for the prodrugs with medium-sized PEGs (1k, 2k, or 3.5k) in FR-positive SKOV-3 cells, but not for the prodrugs with no PEG or with the longest PEG (5k), which suggests the optimal range of PEG length around 1k-3.5k for effective uptake of our prodrug system. Consistent with the cellular uptake pattern, medium-sized PEGylated prodrugs showed more potent phototoxic activity (IC50s, ∼130 nM) than prodrugs with no PEG or the longest PEG (IC50, ∼400 nM). In conclusion, we have developed far-red light-activatable prodrugs with improved water solubility and FR-targeting properties compared with the nontargeted prodrug.

Stability study on an anti-cancer drug 4-(3,5-bis(2-chlorobenzylidene)-4-oxo-piperidine-1-yl)-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid (CLEFMA) using a stability-indicating HPLC method

CLEFMA, 4-(3,5-bis(2-chlorobenzylidene)-4-oxo-piperidine-1-yl)-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid, is a new chemical entity with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we report its stability in solution against stress conditions of exposure to acid/base, light, oxidant, high temperature, and plasma. The identity of the degradation products was ascertained by mass and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To facilitate this study, we developed and validated a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method for detection of CLEFMA and its degradation. The method was linear over a range of 1–100 µg/mL; the accuracy and precision were within acceptable limits; it was stability-indicating as it successfully separated cis-/trans-isomers of CLEFMA as well as its degradation product. The major degradation product was produced from amide hydrolysis at maleic acid functionality caused by an acidic buffer, oxidant (3% hydrogen peroxide), or temperature stress (40–60 °C). The log k-pH profile showed that CLEFMA was most stable at neutral pH. In accelerated stability study we found that the shelf-life (T_90%) of CLEFMA at 25 °C and 4 °C was 45 days and 220 days, respectively. Upon exposure to UV-light (365 nm), the normally prevalent trans-CLEFMA attained cis-configuration. This isomerization also involved the maleic acid moiety. CLEFMA was stable in plasma from which it could be efficiently extracted by an acetonitrile precipitation method. These results indicate that CLEFMA is sensitive to hydrolytic cleavage at its maleic acid moiety, and it is recommended that its samples should be stored under refrigerated and light-free conditions, and under inert environment.

Abstract 1671: Local release of combretastatin A-4 from NIR-light activatable prodrugs overcomes areal and temporal limitations of photodynamic therapy

A unique prodrug strategy for treating localized cancers, in which NIR light-illuminated prodrug effectively ablates tumors through the combined effects of photodynamic therapy (i.e., singlet oxygen [SO]) and locally released anticancer drugs has been proposed. Due to short distance of action (&lt; 0.04 μs) and short lifetime (&lt; 0.02 μm) of SO, direct damage of PDT is both areally and temporally limited. We hypothesized that the locally released anticancer drugs would overcome the areal and temporal limits of SO. Near IR-activatable prodrug of combretastatin A-4 (CA4), Pc-(L-CA4)2, and its pseudo-prodrug, Pc-(NCL-CA4)2, were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. After partial illumination of a 24 well, all the cells in the prodrug-treated well were killed by the released CA4. Limited areal damage was observed in the pseudo-prodrug-treated wells. A time-dependent cell survival study revealed more extensive cell death in the prodrug-treated cells, due to the sustained damage from the released CA4. Cell cycle analysis and microscopic imaging data demonstrated the typical damage patterns of CA4 in the prodrug-treated cells. A time-dependent histological study showed that prodrug-treated tumors lacked mitotic bodies. The prodrug caused broader and more long-lasting tumor size reduction than did the pseudo-prodrug. These data consistently support that the released CA4 overcomes the areal and temporal limits of SO, providing far superior antitumor effects.

Citation Format: Pallavi Rajaputra, Moses Bio, Gregory Nkepang, Pritam Thapa, Sukyung Woo, Youngjae You. Local release of combretastatin A-4 from NIR-light activatable prodrugs overcomes areal and temporal limitations of photodynamic therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1671.

Far-Red Light-Activatable Prodrug of Paclitaxel for the Combined Effects of Photodynamic Therapy and Site-Specific Paclitaxel Chemotherapy

Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most useful chemotherapeutic agents approved for several cancers, including ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and nonsmall cell lung cancer. However, it causes systemic side effects when administered parenterally. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new strategy for treating local cancers using light and photosensitizer. Unfortunately, PDT is often followed by recurrence due to incomplete ablation of tumors. To overcome these problems, we prepared the far-red light-activatable prodrug of PTX by conjugating photosensitizer via singlet oxygen-cleavable aminoacrylate linker. Tubulin polymerization enhancement and cytotoxicity of prodrugs were dramatically reduced. However, once illuminated with far-red light, the prodrug effectively killed SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells through the combined effects of PDT and locally released PTX. Ours is the first PTX prodrug that can be activated by singlet oxygen using tissue penetrable and clinically useful far-red light, which kills the cancer cells through the combined effects of PDT and site-specific PTX chemotherapy.

Anticancer drug released from near IR-activated prodrug overcomes spatiotemporal limits of singlet oxygen

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment modality where photosensitizer (PS) is activated by visible and near IR light to produce singlet oxygen ((1)O2). However, (1)O2 has a short lifetime (<40 ns) and cannot diffuse (<20 nm) beyond the cell diameter (e.g., ∼ 1800 nm). Thus, (1)O2 damage is both spatially and temporally limited and does not produce bystander effect. In a heterogeneous tumor, cells escaping (1)O2 damage can regrow after PDT treatment. To overcome these limitations, we developed a prodrug concept (PS-L-D) composed of a photosensitizer (PS), an anti-cancer drug (D), and an (1)O2-cleavable linker (L). Upon illumination of the prodrug, (1)O2 is generated, which damages the tumor and also releases anticancer drug. The locally released drug could cause spatially broader and temporally sustained damage, killing the surviving cancer cells after the PDT damage. In our previous report, we presented the superior activity of our prodrug of CA4 (combretastatin A-4), Pc-(L-CA4)2, compared to its non-cleavable analog, Pc-(NCL-CA4)2, that produced only PDT effects. Here, we provide clear evidence demonstrating that the released anticancer drug, CA4, indeed damages the surviving cancer cells over and beyond the spatial and temporal limits of (1)O2. In the limited light illumination experiment, cells in the entire well were killed due to the effect of released anti-cancer drug, whereas only a partial damage was observed in the pseudo-prodrug treated wells. A time-dependent cell survival study showed more cell death in the prodrug-treated cells due to the sustained damage by the released CA4. Cell cycle analysis and microscopic imaging data demonstrated the typical damage patterns by CA4 in the prodrug treated cells. A time-dependent histological study showed that prodrug-treated tumors lacked mitotic bodies, and the prodrug caused broader and sustained tumor size reduction compared to those seen in the tumors treated with the pseudo-prodrug. This data consistently support that the released CA4 overcomes the spatiotemporal limitations of (1)O2, providing far superior antitumor effect.

Folate receptor-mediated enhanced and specific delivery of far-red light-activatable prodrugs of combretastatin A-4 to FR-positive tumor

We examined the concept of a novel prodrug strategy in which anticancer drug can be locally released by visible/near IR light, taking advantage of the photodynamic process and photo-unclick chemistry. Our most recently formulated prodrug of combretastatin A-4, Pc-(L-CA4)₂, showed multifunctionality for fluorescence imaging, light-activated drug release, and the combined effects of PDT and local chemotherapy. In this formulation, L is a singlet oxygen cleavable linker. Here, we advanced this multifunctional prodrug by adding a tumor-targeting group, folic acid (FA). We designed and prepared four FA-conjugated prodrugs 1–4 (CA4-L-Pc-PEG_n-FA: n = 0, 2, 18, ∼45) and one non-FA-conjugated prodrug 5 (CA4-L-Pc-PEG₁₈-boc). Prodrugs 3 and 4 had a longer PEG spacer and showed higher hydrophilicity, enhanced uptake to colon 26 cells via FR-mediated mechanisms, and more specific localization to SC colon 26 tumors in Balb/c mice than prodrugs 1 and 2. Prodrug 4 also showed higher and more specific uptake to tumors, resulting in selective tumor damage and more effective antitumor efficacy than non-FA-conjugated prodrug 5. FR-mediated targeting seemed to be an effective strategy to spare normal tissues surrounding tumors in the illuminated area during treatment with this prodrug.

Far-red light activatable, multifunctional prodrug for fluorescence optical imaging and combinational treatment

We recently developed “photo-unclick chemistry”, a novel chemical tool involving the cleavage of aminoacrylate by singlet oxygen, and demonstrated its application to visible light-activatable prodrugs. In this study, we prepared an advanced multifunctional prodrug, Pc-(L-CA4)₂, composed of the fluorescent photosensitizer phthalocyanine (Pc), an SO-labile aminoacrylate linker (L), and a cytotoxic drug combretastatin A-4 (CA4). Pc-(L-CA4)₂ had reduced dark toxicity compared with CA4. However, once illuminated, it showed improved toxicity similar to CA4 and displayed bystander effects in vitro. We monitored the time-dependent distribution of Pc-(L-CA4)₂ using optical imaging with live mice. We also effectively ablated tumors by the illumination with far-red light to the mice, presumably through the combined effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and released chemotherapy drug, without any sign of acute systemic toxicity.

Abstract 1603: Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of lipophilic cation conjugated photosensitizers for targeting mitochondria

Mitochondria-specific photosensitizers were designed by taking advantage of the preferential localization of delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) in mitochondria. Three conjugates, CMP-Rh, CMP-tPP, and CMP-(tPP)2, were successfully synthesized by linking the hydroxy core modified porphyrins (CMP-OH and CMP-(OH)2) to either rhodamine B (Rh B) or one or two triphenyl phosphine (tPP) cations respectively via a saturated hydrocarbon linker. Their ability for delivering photosensitizers to mitochondria was evaluated using dual staining fluorescence microscopy and staining pattern was compared with a mitochondrial specific probe. Fluorescence imaging study suggested that CMP-Rh specifically localized in mitochondria. On the other hand, CMP-tPP and CMP-(tPP)2 showed less significant mitochondrial localization. The conjugation of CMP to Rh and tPP did greatly improve intracellular uptake and in vitro photodynamic activity compared to CMP-OH. In addition, to evaluate the efficiency of the conjugates as photosensitizers, their photophysical properties and in vitro biological activities were studied in comparison to those of CMP-OH. All conjugates were capable of generating singlet oxygen at rates comparable to CMP-OH. This improved photodynamic activity might be primarily due to an enhanced cellular uptake. Our study suggests that Rh B cationic group is better at least for CMP than tPP as a mitochondrial targeting vector.

Citation Format: Pallavi Rajaputra, Gregory Nkepang, Ryan Watley, Youngjae You. Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of lipophilic cation conjugated photosensitizers for targeting mitochondria. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1603. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1603

Visible Light Controlled Release of Anticancer Drug through Double Activation of Prodrug

We designed and synthesized a novel double activatable prodrug system (drug-linker-deactivated photosensitizer), containing a photocleavable aminoacrylate-linker and a deactivated photosensitizer, to achieve the spatiotemporally controlled release of parent drugs using visible light. Three prodrugs of CA-4, SN-38, and coumarin were prepared to demonstrate the activation of deactivated photosensitizer by cellular esterase and the release of parent drugs by visible light (540 nm) via photounclick chemistry. Among these prodrugs, nontoxic coumarin prodrug was used to quantify the release of parent drug in live cells. About 99% coumarin was released from the coumarin prodrug after 24 h of incubation with MCF-7 cells followed by irradiation with low intensity visible light (8 mW/cm(2)) for 30 min. Less toxic prodrugs of CA-4 and SN-38 killed cancer cells as effectively as free drugs after the double activation.

Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of lipophilic cation conjugated photosensitizers for targeting mitochondria

Mitochondria-specific photosensitizers were designed by taking advantage of the preferential localization of delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) in mitochondria. Three DLC-porphyrin conjugates: CMP-Rh (a core modified porphyrin-rhodamine B cation), CMP-tPP (a core modified porphyrin-mono-triphenyl phosphonium cation), CMP-(tPP)(2) (a core modified porphyrin-di-tPP cation) were prepared. The conjugates were synthesized by conjugating a monohydroxy core modified porphyrin (CMP-OH) to rhodamine B (Rh B), or either one or two tPPs, respectively, via a saturated hydrocarbon linker. Their ability for delivering photosensitizers to mitochondria was evaluated using dual staining fluorescence microscopy. In addition, to evaluate the efficiency of the conjugates as photosensitizers, their photophysical properties and in vitro biological activities were studied in comparison to those of CMP-OH. Fluorescence imaging study suggested that CMP-Rh specifically localized in mitochondria. On the other hand, CMP-tPP and CMP-(tPP)(2) showed less significant mitochondrial localization. All conjugates were capable of generating singlet oxygen at rates comparable to CMP-OH. Interestingly, all cationic conjugates showed dramatic increase in cellular uptake and phototoxicity compared to CMP-OH. This improved photodynamic activity might be primarily due to an enhanced cellular uptake. Our study suggests that Rh B cationic group is better at least for CMP than tPP as a mitochondrial targeting vector.

Abstract 3466: Mitochondrial targeting photosensitizer-lipophilic cation conjugates for photodynamic therapy

Mitochondrion of a living cell plays a pivotal role in apoptosis. Targeting the mitochondria of cancer cell for the induction of apoptosis in photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained importance. Cancer cells have higher plasma and mitochondrial membrane potential compared to normal cells, consequently delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) tend to accumulate more in them than in normal cells. In PDT photosensitizers can be specifically delivered to the mitochondria of cancerous cell by conjugating them with DLCs. Three conjugates: CMP-TPP (a porphyrin-triphenyl phosphene monocation conjugate) and CMP-(TPP)2 (a porphyrin- triphenyl phosphene dication conjugate), CMP-Rh (a porphyrin -rhodamine monocation conjugate) were synthesized as mitochondria targeting photosensitizers. The conjugates were synthesized by conjugating a core modified porphyrin (CMP-TPP) to either 1 or 2 triphenyl phosphene (TPP) molecules or rhodamine B (Rh B) respectively via a saturated hydrocarbon linker. To evaluate the efficiency of the conjugates, the photophysical properties like fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET in CMP-Rh) and singlet oxygen generation was compared to that of the unconjugated CMP. Potent in vitro photodynamic activity was observed in Colon 26 cells upon treatment with CMP conjugates and exposure to 690 nm diode laser light source (5.6 mW/cm2 for 30 min, 10.8 J/cm2). No significant darktotoxicity was observed in cells treated up to 5 μM of the conjugates. The conjugates showed approximately 12-14 times higher uptake in Colon 26 cells compared to unconjugated porphyrin. Further, sub-cellular localization, comparison of preferential uptake by cancerous cells versus normal cells, in vivo bio-distribution, PDT in BALB/c mice will be discussed.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3466. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3466