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Rodrigues Toledo C, Tantawy AA, Lima Fuscaldi L, Malavolta L, de Aguiar Ferreira C. EGFR- and Integrin α Vβ 3-Targeting Peptides as Potential Radiometal-Labeled Radiopharmaceuticals for Cancer Theranostics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8553. [PMID: 39126121 PMCID: PMC11313252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158553] [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: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The burgeoning field of cancer theranostics has witnessed advancements through the development of targeted molecular agents, particularly peptides. These agents exploit the overexpression or mutations of specific receptors, such as the Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (EGFR) and αVβ3 integrin, which are pivotal in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Despite the extensive research into and promising outcomes associated with antibody-based therapies, peptides offer a compelling alternative due to their smaller size, ease of modification, and rapid bioavailability, factors which potentially enhance tumor penetration and reduce systemic toxicity. However, the application of peptides in clinical settings has challenges. Their lower binding affinity and rapid clearance from the bloodstream compared to antibodies often limit their therapeutic efficacy and diagnostic accuracy. This overview sets the stage for a comprehensive review of the current research landscape as it relates to EGFR- and integrin αVβ3-targeting peptides. We aim to delve into their synthesis, radiolabeling techniques, and preclinical and clinical evaluations, highlighting their potential and limitations in cancer theranostics. This review not only synthesizes the extant literature to outline the advancements in peptide-based agents targeting EGFR and integrin αVβ3 but also identifies critical gaps that could inform future research directions. By addressing these gaps, we contribute to the broader discourse on enhancing the diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes of cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cibele Rodrigues Toledo
- The Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.R.T.); (A.A.T.)
| | - Ahmed A. Tantawy
- The Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.R.T.); (A.A.T.)
- Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Leonardo Lima Fuscaldi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo 01221-020, Brazil; (L.L.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Luciana Malavolta
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo 01221-020, Brazil; (L.L.F.); (L.M.)
| | - Carolina de Aguiar Ferreira
- The Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.R.T.); (A.A.T.)
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Agwa MM, Marzouk RE, Sabra SA. Advances in active targeting of ligand-directed polymeric nanomicelles via exploiting overexpressed cellular receptors for precise nanomedicine. RSC Adv 2024; 14:23520-23542. [PMID: 39071479 PMCID: PMC11273262 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra04069d] [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: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Many of the utilized drugs which already exist in the pharmaceutical sector are hydrophobic in nature. These drugs are characterized by being poorly absorbed and difficult to formulate in aqueous environments with low bioavailability, which could result in consuming high and frequent doses in order to fulfil the required therapeutic effect. As a result, there is a decisive demand to find modern alternatives to overcome all these drawbacks. Self-assembling polymeric nanomicelles (PMs) with their unique structure appear to be a fascinating choice as a pharmaceutical carrier system for improving the solubility & bioavailability of many drugs. PMs as drug carriers have many advantages including suitable size, high stability, prolonged circulation time, elevated cargo capacity and controlled therapeutic release. Otherwise, the pathological features of some diseased cells, like cancer, allow PMs with particle size <200 nm to be passively uptaken via enhanced permeability and retention phenomenon (EPR). However, the passive targeting approach was proven to be insufficient in many cases. Consequently, the therapeutic efficiency of these PMs can be further reinforced by enhancing their cellular internalization via incorporating targeting ligands. These targeting ligands can enhance the assemblage of loaded cargos in the intended tissues via receptor-mediated endocytosis through exploiting receptors robustly expressed on the exterior of the intended tissue while minimizing their toxic effects. In this review, the up-to-date approaches of harnessing active targeting ligands to exploit certain overexpressed receptors will be summarized concerning the functionalization of the exterior of PMs for ameliorating their targeting potential in the scope of nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Agwa
- Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre 33 El-Behooth St, Dokki Giza 12622 Egypt +202 33370931 +202 33371635
| | - Rehab Elsayed Marzouk
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University Helwan Cairo Egypt
| | - Sally A Sabra
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University Alexandria 21526 Egypt
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Stribbling SM, Beach C, Ryan AJ. Orthotopic and metastatic tumour models in preclinical cancer research. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 257:108631. [PMID: 38467308 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108631] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Mouse models of disease play a pivotal role at all stages of cancer drug development. Cell-line derived subcutaneous tumour models are predominant in early drug discovery, but there is growing recognition of the importance of the more complex orthotopic and metastatic tumour models for understanding both target biology in the correct tissue context, and the impact of the tumour microenvironment and the immune system in responses to treatment. The aim of this review is to highlight the value that orthotopic and metastatic models bring to the study of tumour biology and drug development while pointing out those models that are most likely to be encountered in the literature. Important developments in orthotopic models, such as the increasing use of early passage patient material (PDXs, organoids) and humanised mouse models are discussed, as these approaches have the potential to increase the predictive value of preclinical studies, and ultimately improve the success rate of anticancer drugs in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Stribbling
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Callum Beach
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, ORCRB, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Anderson J Ryan
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, ORCRB, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; Fast Biopharma, Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire, OX49 5SW, UK.
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Bhadran A, Shah T, Babanyinah GK, Polara H, Taslimy S, Biewer MC, Stefan MC. Recent Advances in Polycaprolactones for Anticancer Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1977. [PMID: 37514163 PMCID: PMC10385458 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071977] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(ε-Caprolactone)s are biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters that have gained considerable attention for drug delivery applications due to their slow degradation and ease of functionalization. One of the significant advantages of polycaprolactone is its ability to attach various functionalities to its backbone, which is commonly accomplished through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of functionalized caprolactone monomer. In this review, we aim to summarize some of the most recent advances in polycaprolactones and their potential application in drug delivery. We will discuss different types of polycaprolactone-based drug delivery systems and their behavior in response to different stimuli, their ability to target specific locations, morphology, as well as their drug loading and release capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhi Bhadran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Tejas Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Godwin K Babanyinah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Himanshu Polara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Somayeh Taslimy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Michael C Biewer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Mihaela C Stefan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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EGFR-Targeted Cellular Delivery of Therapeutic Nucleic Acids Mediated by Boron Clusters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314793. [PMID: 36499115 PMCID: PMC9740766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
New boron carriers with high boron content and targeted cancer-cell delivery are considered the first choice for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for cancer treatment. Previously, we have shown that composites of antisense oligonucleotide and boron clusters are functional nanoparticles for the downregulation of expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and can be loaded into EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells without a transfection factor. In this study, we hypothesize that free cellular uptake is mediated by binding and activation of the EGFR by boron clusters. Proteomic analysis of proteins pulled-down from various EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells using short oligonucleotide probes, conjugated to 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (1,2-DCDDB, [C2B10H12]) and [(3,3'-Iron-1,2,1',2'-dicarbollide)-] (FESAN, [Fe(C2B9H11)2]-), evidenced that boron cage binds to EGFR subdomains. Moreover, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) and fluorescence microscopy analyses confirmed that FESANs-highly decorated B-ASOs were efficiently delivered and internalized by EGFR-overexpressing cells. Antisense reduction of EGFR in A431 and U87-MG cells resulted in decreased boron accumulation compared to control cells, indicating that cellular uptake of B-ASOs is related to EGFR-dependent internalization. The data obtained suggest that EGFR-mediated cellular uptake of B-ASO represents a novel strategy for cellular delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids (and possibly other medicines) conjugated to boron clusters.
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Challenges for the application of EGFR-targeting peptide GE11 in tumor diagnosis and treatment. J Control Release 2022; 349:592-605. [PMID: 35872181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal regulation of cell signaling pathways on cell survival, proliferation and migration contributes to the development of malignant tumors. Among them, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most important biomarkers in many types of malignant solid tumors. Its over-expression and mutation status can be served as a biomarker to identify patients who can be benifit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-EGFR monocloncal antibody (mAb) therapy. For decades, researches on EGFR targeted ligands were actively carried out to identify potent candidates for cancer therapy. An ideal EGFR ligand can competitively inhibit the binding of endogenous growth factor, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α) to EGFR, thus block EGFR signaling pathway and downregulate EGFR expression. Alternatively, conjugation of EGFR ligands on drug delivery systems (DDS) can facilitate targeting delivery of therapeutics or diagnostic agents to EGFR over-expression tumors via EGFR-mediated endocytosis. GE11 peptide is one of the potent EGFR ligand screened from a phage display peptide library. It is a dodecapeptide that can specifically binds to EGFR with high affinity and selectivity. GE11 has been widely used in the diagnosis and targeted delivery of drugs for radiotherapy, genetherapy and chemotherpy against EGFR positive tumors. In this review, the critical factors affecting the in vivo and in vitro targeting performance of GE11 peptide, including ligand-receptor intermolecular force, linker bond properties and physiochemical properties of carrier materials, are detailedly interpreted. This review provides a valuable vision for the rational design and optimization of GE11-based active targeting strategies for cancer treatment, and it will promote the translation studies of GE11 from lab research to clinical application.
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