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Yoon H, Savoy EA, Mesbahi N, Hendricksen AT, March GL, Fulton MD, Backer BS, Berkman CE. A PSMA-targeted doxorubicin small-molecule drug conjugate. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 104:129712. [PMID: 38521177 PMCID: PMC11062396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129712] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
We developed a model small-molecule drug conjugate (SMDC) that employed doxorubicin as a representative chemotherapeutic targeted to the cell membrane biomarker PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) expressed on prostate cancer cells. The strategy capitalized on the clatherin-mediated internalization of PSMA to facilitate the selective uptake and release of doxorubicin in the target cells. The SMDC was prepared and assessed for binding kinetics, plasma stability, cell toxicity, and specificity towards PSMA expressing prostate cancer cell lines. We observed high affinity of the SMDC for PSMA (IC50 5 nM) with irreversible binding, as well as specific effectiveness against PSMA(+) cells. These findings validated the strategy for a small molecule-based approach in targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosog Yoon
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Emily A Savoy
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Nooshin Mesbahi
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Aaron T Hendricksen
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Gabrielle L March
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Melody D Fulton
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Brian S Backer
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Clifford E Berkman
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States.
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2
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Savoy EA, Olatunji FP, Mesbahi N, Ballard RK, Lovingier CL, Hendricksen AT, Fulton MD, Berkman CE. PSMA-targeted SMART molecules outfitted with SN38. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 101:129657. [PMID: 38360419 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129657] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we report the modular synthesis and evaluation of a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted small molecule drug conjugate (SMDC) carrying the chemotherapeutic agent, SN38. Due to the fluorogenic properties of SN38, payload release kinetics from the platform was observed in buffers representing the pH conditions of systemic circulation and cellular internalization. It was found that this platform is stable with minimal payload release at physiological pH with most rapid payload release observed at pH values representing the endosome complex. We confirmed selective payload release and chemotherapeutic efficacy for PSMA(+) prostate cancer cells over PSMA(-) cells. These results demonstrate that chemotherapeutic agents with limited solubility can be conjugated to a water-soluble targeting and linker platform without attenuating efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Savoy
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Feyisola P Olatunji
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Nooshin Mesbahi
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Ryanne K Ballard
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Christine L Lovingier
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Aaron T Hendricksen
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Melody D Fulton
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States
| | - Clifford E Berkman
- Washington State University, Department of Chemistry, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, United States.
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3
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Dhull A, Wei J, Pulukuri AJ, Rani A, Sharma R, Mesbahi N, Yoon H, Savoy EA, Xaivong Vi S, Goody KJ, Berkman CE, Wu BJ, Sharma A. PSMA-targeted dendrimer as an efficient anticancer drug delivery vehicle for prostate cancer. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:5634-5652. [PMID: 38440933 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr06520k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. Although early-stage treatments exhibit promising 5-year survival rates, the treatment options for advanced stage disease are constrained, with short survival benefits due to the challenges associated with effective and selective drug delivery to PCa cells. Even though targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) has been extensively explored and is clinically employed for imaging and radio-ligand therapy, the clinical success of PSMA-based approaches for targeted delivery of chemotherapies remains elusive. In this study, we combine a generation 4 hydroxy polyamidoamine dendrimer (PD) with irreversible PSMA ligand (CTT1298) to develop a PSMA-targeted nanoplatform (PD-CTT1298) for selective intracellular delivery of potent chemotherapeutics to PCa. PD-CTT1298-Cy5 exhibits a PSMA IC50 in the nanomolar range and demonstrates selective uptake in PSMA (+) PCa cells via PSMA mediated internalization. When systemically administered in a prostate tumor xenograft mouse model, PD-CTT1298-Cy5 selectively targets PSMA (+) tumors with significantly less accumulation in PSMA (-) tumors or upon blocking of the PSMA receptors. Moreover, the dendrimer clears rapidly from the off-target organs limiting systemic side-effects. Further, the conjugation of an anti-cancer agent, cabozantinib to the PSMA-targeted dendrimer translates to a significantly enhanced anti-proliferative activity in vitro compared to the free drug. These findings highlight the potential of PD-CTT1298 nanoplatform as a versatile approach for selective delivery of high payloads of potent chemotherapeutics to PCa, where dose related systemic side-effects are a major concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhav Dhull
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Anunay James Pulukuri
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Anu Rani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Rishi Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Nooshin Mesbahi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Hosog Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Emily A Savoy
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Sylvia Xaivong Vi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Kenneth John Goody
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Clifford E Berkman
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
| | - Boyang Jason Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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Goettig P, Koch NG, Budisa N. Non-Canonical Amino Acids in Analyses of Protease Structure and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14035. [PMID: 37762340 PMCID: PMC10531186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
All known organisms encode 20 canonical amino acids by base triplets in the genetic code. The cellular translational machinery produces proteins consisting mainly of these amino acids. Several hundred natural amino acids serve important functions in metabolism, as scaffold molecules, and in signal transduction. New side chains are generated mainly by post-translational modifications, while others have altered backbones, such as the β- or γ-amino acids, or they undergo stereochemical inversion, e.g., in the case of D-amino acids. In addition, the number of non-canonical amino acids has further increased by chemical syntheses. Since many of these non-canonical amino acids confer resistance to proteolytic degradation, they are potential protease inhibitors and tools for specificity profiling studies in substrate optimization and enzyme inhibition. Other applications include in vitro and in vivo studies of enzyme kinetics, molecular interactions and bioimaging, to name a few. Amino acids with bio-orthogonal labels are particularly attractive, enabling various cross-link and click reactions for structure-functional studies. Here, we cover the latest developments in protease research with non-canonical amino acids, which opens up a great potential, e.g., for novel prodrugs activated by proteases or for other pharmaceutical compounds, some of which have already reached the clinical trial stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Goettig
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nikolaj G. Koch
- Biocatalysis Group, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Nediljko Budisa
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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Ivanenkov YA, Machulkin AE, Garanina AS, Skvortsov DA, Uspenskaya AA, Deyneka EV, Trofimenko AV, Beloglazkina EK, Zyk NV, Koteliansky VE, Bezrukov DS, Aladinskaya AV, Vorobyeva NS, Puchinina MM, Riabykh GK, Sofronova AA, Malyshev AS, Majouga AG. Synthesis and biological evaluation of Doxorubicin-containing conjugate targeting PSMA. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:1246-1255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Choy CJ, Ling X, Geruntho JJ, Beyer SK, Latoche JD, Langton-Webster B, Anderson CJ, Berkman CE. 177Lu-Labeled Phosphoramidate-Based PSMA Inhibitors: The Effect of an Albumin Binder on Biodistribution and Therapeutic Efficacy in Prostate Tumor-Bearing Mice. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1928-1939. [PMID: 28638478 PMCID: PMC5479279 DOI: 10.7150/thno.18719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) continues to be an active biomarker for small-molecule PSMA-targeted imaging and therapeutic agents for prostate cancer and various non-prostatic tumors that are characterized by PSMA expression on their neovasculature. One of the challenges for small-molecule PSMA inhibitors with respect to delivering therapeutic payloads is their rapid renal clearance. In order to overcome this pharmacokinetic challenge, we outfitted a 177Lu-labeled phosphoramidate-based PSMA inhibitor (CTT1298) with an albumin-binding motif (CTT1403) and compared its in vivo performance with that of an analogous compound lacking the albumin-binding motif (CTT1401). The radiolabeling of CTT1401 and CTT1403 was achieved using click chemistry to connect 177Lu-DOTA-N3 to the dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO)-bearing CTT1298 inhibitor cores. A direct comparison in vitro and in vivo performance was made for CTT1401 and CTT1403; the specificity and efficacy by means of cellular uptake and internalization, biodistribution, and therapeutic efficacy were determined for both compounds. While both compounds displayed excellent uptake and rapid internalization in PSMA+ PC3-PIP cells, the albumin binding moiety in CTT1403 conferred clear advantages to the PSMA-inhibitor scaffold including increased circulating half-life and prostate tumor uptake that continued to increase up to 168 h post-injection. This increased tumor uptake translated into superior therapeutic efficacy of CTT1403 in PSMA+ PC3-PIP human xenograft tumors.
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Evans JC, Malhotra M, Cryan JF, O'Driscoll CM. The therapeutic and diagnostic potential of the prostate specific membrane antigen/glutamate carboxypeptidase II (PSMA/GCPII) in cancer and neurological disease. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:3041-3079. [PMID: 27526115 PMCID: PMC5056232 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) otherwise known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a membrane bound protein that is highly expressed in prostate cancer and in the neovasculature of a wide variety of tumours including glioblastomas, breast and bladder cancers. This protein is also involved in a variety of neurological diseases including schizophrenia and ALS. In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of both diagnostics and therapeutics that take advantage of the expression and activity of PSMA/GCPII. These include gene therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this review, we discuss the biological roles that PSMA/GCPII plays, both in normal and diseased tissues, and the current therapies exploiting its activity that are at the preclinical stage. We conclude by giving an expert opinion on the future direction of PSMA/GCPII based therapies and diagnostics and hurdles that need to be overcome to make them effective and viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Evans
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Meenakshi Malhotra
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Ganguly T, Dannoon S, Hopkins MR, Murphy S, Cahaya H, Blecha JE, Jivan S, Drake CR, Barinka C, Jones EF, VanBrocklin HF, Berkman CE. A high-affinity [(18)F]-labeled phosphoramidate peptidomimetic PSMA-targeted inhibitor for PET imaging of prostate cancer. Nucl Med Biol 2015; 42:780-7. [PMID: 26169882 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this study, a structurally modified phosphoramidate scaffold, with improved prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) avidity, stability and in vivo characteristics, as a PET imaging agent for prostate cancer (PCa), was prepared and evaluated. METHODS p-Fluorobenzoyl-aminohexanoate and 2-(3-hydroxypropyl)glycine were introduced into the PSMA-targeting scaffold yielding phosphoramidate 5. X-ray crystallography was performed on the PSMA/5 complex. [(18)F]5 was synthesized, and cell uptake and internalization studies were conducted in PSMA(+) LNCaP and CWR22Rv1 cells and PSMA(-) PC-3 cells. In vivo PET imaging and biodistribution studies were performed at 1 and 4 h post injection in mice bearing CWR22Rv1 tumor, with or without blocking agent. RESULTS The crystallographic data showed interaction of the p-fluorobenzoyl group with an arene-binding cleft on the PSMA surface. In vitro studies revealed elevated uptake of [(18)F]5 in PSMA(+) cells (2.2% in CWR22Rv1 and 12.1% in LNCaP) compared to PSMA(-) cells (0.08%) at 4 h. In vivo tumor uptake of 2.33% ID/g and tumor-to-blood ratio of 265:1 was observed at 4 h. CONCLUSIONS We have successfully synthesized, radiolabeled and evaluated a new PSMA-targeted PET agent. The crystal structure of the PSMA/5 complex highlighted the interactions within the arene-binding cleft contributing to the overall complex stability. The high target uptake and rapid non-target clearance exhibited by [(18)F]5 in PSMA(+) xenografts substantiates its potential use for PET imaging of PCa. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE The only FDA-approved imaging agent for PCa, Prostascint®, targets PSMA but suffers from inherent shortcomings. The data acquired in this manuscript confirmed that our new generation of [(18)F]-labeled PSMA inhibitor exhibited promising in vivo performance as a PET imaging agent for PCa and is well-positioned for subsequent clinical trials. Implications for Patient Care Our preliminary data demonstrate that this tracer possesses the required imaging characteristics to be sensitive and specific for PCa imaging in patients at all stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shorouk Dannoon
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Mark R Hopkins
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, USA
| | - Stephanie Murphy
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Hendry Cahaya
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Joseph E Blecha
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Salma Jivan
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Christopher R Drake
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Ella F Jones
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Henry F VanBrocklin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of CA, San Francisco, USA
| | - Clifford E Berkman
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, USA; Cancer Targeted Technology, USA.
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Lim SI, Kwon I. Bioconjugation of therapeutic proteins and enzymes using the expanded set of genetically encoded amino acids. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2015; 36:803-15. [DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2015.1048504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA and
| | - Inchan Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA and
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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