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Wang X, Zhao Y, Li X, Zhang Q, He J, Liu Y, Li M, Luo Z. Liposomal STAT3-Degrading PROTAC Prodrugs Promote Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunity via Chemically Reprogramming Cancer Stem Cells. Nano Lett 2024. [PMID: 38598369 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with hyperactivated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are a major driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we report a nanointegrative proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-based STAT3 degradation strategy that enables efficient chemical reprogramming of HCC-associated CSCs, which potently inhibits CSC growth while evoking anti-HCC immune responses. The PROTAC prodrug was synthesized by conjugating the STAT3 binding domain (inS3) with a thioketal-caged E3 ligase ligand (VL-TK) via an oligo(ethylene glycol) linker (OEG) with tuned length and flexibility and encapsulating it in cRGD-modified cationic liposomes for CSC-targeted delivery while facilitating their lysosomal escape. The PROTAC prodrugs were activated by the upregulated ROS levels in CSCs and efficiently degraded STAT3 for chemical reprogramming, which would not only impair their stemness features but also remodel the immunosuppressive TME into an immunosupportive state to boost anti-HCC immunity. This strategy provides an approach for improving HCC treatment in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Youbo Zhao
- Center for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qiqi Zhang
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Jinming He
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yingqi Liu
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Menghuan Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Zhong Luo
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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Zhang S, Lai Y, Pan J, Saeed M, Li S, Zhou H, Jiang X, Gao J, Zhu Y, Yu H, Zhang W, Xu Z. PROTAC Prodrug-Integrated Nanosensitizer for Potentiating Radiation Therapy of Cancer. Adv Mater 2024:e2314132. [PMID: 38353332 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202314132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the primary options for clinical cancer therapy, in particular advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Herein, the crucial role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4)-RAD51 associated protein 1 (RAD51AP1) axis in sensitizing RT of HNSCC is revealed. A versatile nanosensitizer (RPB7H) is thus innovatively engineered by integrating a PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTAC) prodrug (BPA771) and hafnium dioxide (HfO2 ) nanoparticles to downregulate BRD4-RAD51AP1 pathway and sensitize HNSCC tumor to RT. Upon intravenous administration, the RPB7H nanoparticles selectively accumulate at the tumor tissue and internalize into tumor cells by recognizing neuropilin-1 overexpressed in the tumor mass. HfO2 nanoparticles enhance RT effectiveness by amplifying X-ray deposition, intensifying DNA damage, and boosting oxidative stress. Meanwhile, BPA771 can be activated by RT-induced H2 O2 secretion to degrade BRD4 and inactivate RAD51AP1, thus impeding RT-induced DNA damage repair. This versatile nanosensitizer, combined with X-ray irradiation, effectively regresses HNSCC tumor growth in a mouse model. The findings introduce a PROTAC prodrug-based radiosensitization strategy by targeting the BRD4-RAD51AP1 axis, may offer a promising avenue to augment RT and more effective HNSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiaxing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 2000092, China
| | - Madiha Saeed
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shiqin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huiling Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xingyu Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Haijun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhiai Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
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