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Nature Communications Dec 2023Prodrug photolysis enables spatiotemporal control of drug release at the desired lesions. For photoactivated therapy, near-infrared (NIR) light is preferable due to its...
Prodrug photolysis enables spatiotemporal control of drug release at the desired lesions. For photoactivated therapy, near-infrared (NIR) light is preferable due to its deep tissue penetration and low phototoxicity. However, most of the photocleavable groups cannot be directly activated by NIR light. Here, we report a upconversion-like process via only one step of energy transfer for NIR light-triggered prodrug photolysis. We utilize a photosensitizer (PS) that can be activated via singlet-triplet (S-T) absorption and achieve photolysis of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based prodrugs via triplet-triplet energy transfer. Using the strategy, NIR light can achieve green light-responsive photolysis with a single-photon process. A wide range of drugs and bioactive molecules are designed and demonstrated to be released under low-irradiance NIR light (100 mW/cm, 5 min) with high yields (up to 87%). Moreover, a micellar nanosystem encapsulating both PS and prodrug is developed to demonstrate the practicality of our strategy in normoxia aqueous environment for cancer therapy. This study may advance the development of photocleavable prodrugs and photoresponsive drug delivery systems for photo-activated therapy.
Topics: Prodrugs; Photolysis; Drug Delivery Systems; Photosensitizing Agents; Energy Transfer
PubMed: 38062051
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43805-y -
Nature Materials Aug 2020Long-acting cabotegravir (CAB) extends antiretroviral drug administration from daily to monthly. However, dosing volumes, injection site reactions and health-care...
Long-acting cabotegravir (CAB) extends antiretroviral drug administration from daily to monthly. However, dosing volumes, injection site reactions and health-care oversight are obstacles towards a broad usage. The creation of poloxamer-coated hydrophobic and lipophilic CAB prodrugs with controlled hydrolysis and tissue penetrance can overcome these obstacles. To such ends, fatty acid ester CAB nanocrystal prodrugs with 14, 18 and 22 added carbon chains were encased in biocompatible surfactants named NMCAB, NM2CAB and NM3CAB and tested for drug release, activation, cytotoxicity, antiretroviral activities, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Pharmacokinetics studies, performed in mice and rhesus macaques, with the lead 18-carbon ester chain NM2CAB, showed plasma CAB levels above the protein-adjusted 90% inhibitory concentration for up to a year. NM2CAB, compared with NMCAB and NM3CAB, demonstrated a prolonged drug release, plasma circulation time and tissue drug concentrations after a single 45 mg per kg body weight intramuscular injection. These prodrug modifications could substantially improve CAB's effectiveness.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Biological Transport; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Compounding; Drug Interactions; Drug Stability; Mice; Nanostructures; Prodrugs; Pyridones
PubMed: 32341511
DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-0674-z -
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England... Feb 2022In this work, we present the first study about the interactions of mitochondria-damaging Pt(IV) prodrugs with cytochrome c. We synthesized a cisplatin-based Pt(IV)...
In this work, we present the first study about the interactions of mitochondria-damaging Pt(IV) prodrugs with cytochrome c. We synthesized a cisplatin-based Pt(IV) prodrug bearing a lipophilic hydrocarbon tail and anionic dansyl head group. The amphiphilic structure facilitates its accumulation in the mitochondria of cancer cells, which was validated using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and fluorescence imaging. Accordingly, this Pt(IV) prodrug is able to trigger mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. Overall, the Pt(IV) prodrug exhibits superior therapeutic effects against a panel of human cancer cells compared to cisplatin. It also overcomes drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Notably, HPLC analysis indicates that cytochrome c accelerates reduction (or activation) of the Pt(IV) prodrug in the presence of the electron donor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). More interestingly, additional studies indicate that cytochrome c was platinated by the reduced product of Pt(IV) prodrugs, and that empowers the proapoptotic peroxidase activity.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cytochromes c; Humans; Mitochondria; Platinum Compounds; Prodrugs
PubMed: 35029256
DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03875c -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2022Cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (Etp) are recommended first-line therapy for lung cancer. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are engineered to deliver drugs for lung...
PURPOSE
Cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (Etp) are recommended first-line therapy for lung cancer. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are engineered to deliver drugs for lung cancer treatment. In the present study, NLCs were applied to coload an Etp prodrug (EtpP) and CDDP.
METHODS
The Etp prodrug was synthesized by linking the phenolic hydroxyl group of Etp with polyethylene glycol (PEG). EtpP and CDDP coencapsulated NLCs (EtpP-CDDP NLCs) were prepared using film ultrasound. Cytotoxicity of drugs and drug-containing NLCs was assessed by evaluating cell viability using MTT assays. In vivo antitumor efficiency of EtpP-CDDP NLCs was evaluated on lung cancer-bearing xenografts.
RESULTS
EtpP-CDDP NLCs showed a uniformly spherical morphology with a size of 176.8±4.9 nm and -potential of -31.9±3.2 mV. Cellular uptake efficiency of EtpP-CDDP NLCs was 57.4%±3.9% on A549/DDP cells. EtpP-CDDP NLCs exhibited more sustained plasma retention, the highest drug distribution in tumors, and the highest tumor-inhibition rates in lung tumor-bearing mice.
CONCLUSION
EtpP-CDDP NLCs improved tumor-cell uptake, cytotoxicity, and tumor-inhibition efficiency, and could be used as a promising drug-delivery system for lung cancer combination therapy.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Cisplatin; Etoposide; Prodrugs; Lipids; Cell Line, Tumor; Nanostructures; Drug Carriers; Lung Neoplasms; Particle Size
PubMed: 36506793
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S386100 -
Science Advances May 2020CO gas molecule not only could selectively kill cancer cells but also exhibits limited anticancer efficacy because of the lack of active tumor-targeted accumulation...
CO gas molecule not only could selectively kill cancer cells but also exhibits limited anticancer efficacy because of the lack of active tumor-targeted accumulation capability. In this work, a multistage assembly/disassembly strategy is developed to construct a new intelligent nanomedicine by encapsulating a mitochondria-targeted and intramitochondrial microenvironment-responsive prodrug (FeCO-TPP) within mesoporous silica nanoparticle that is further coated with hyaluronic acid by step-by-step electrostatic assembly, realizing tumor tissue-cell-mitochondria-targeted multistage delivery and controlled release of CO in a step-by-step disassembly way. Multistage targeted delivery and controlled release of CO involve (i) the passive tumor tissue-targeted nanomedicine delivery, (ii) the active tumor cell-targeted nanomedicine delivery, (iii) the acid-responsive prodrug release, (iv) the mitochondria-targeted prodrug delivery, and (v) the ROS-responsive CO release. The developed nanomedicine has effectively augmented the efficacy and safety of CO therapy of cancer both in vitro and in vivo. The proposed multistage assembly/disassembly strategy opens a new window for targeted CO therapy.
Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Prodrugs; Silicon Dioxide; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 32440551
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba1362 -
Molecular Pharmaceutics Nov 2022Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States. In this manuscript, we assessed...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States. In this manuscript, we assessed the utility of an -(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-based dexamethasone (Dex) prodrug (P-Dex) in the treatment of TBI. Using a controlled cortical impact TBI mouse model, P-Dex was found to passively target and sustain at the traumatic/inflammatory brain tissue for over 14 days after systemic administration. The histological evidence supports P-Dex's therapeutic potential in ameliorating neuroinflammation and mitigating neurodegeneration. Behaviorally, the P-Dex-treated animals showed statistically significant improvement in balance recovery. A trend of neurological severity score improvement at the early time point post-TBI was also noted but did not achieve statistical significance. While probing the potential glucocorticoid side effects that may associate with P-Dex treatment, we discovered that the TBI mice develop osteopenia. Interestingly, the P-Dex-treated TBI mice demonstrated higher bone mineral density and better bone microarchitecture parameters when compared to free Dex and the saline control, revealing the osteoprotective effect of P-Dex in addition to its neuronal protection benefits post-TBI.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Prodrugs; Dexamethasone; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Macromolecular Substances; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 36042532
DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00482 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Jan 2022
Topics: Cell Hypoxia; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Prodrugs
PubMed: 35058439
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00833-8 -
British Journal of Pharmacology May 2022Sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by acute myocardial ischaemia and ventricular fibrillation (VF) is an unmet therapeutic need. Lidocaine suppresses ischaemia-induced...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by acute myocardial ischaemia and ventricular fibrillation (VF) is an unmet therapeutic need. Lidocaine suppresses ischaemia-induced VF, but its utility is limited by side effects and a narrow therapeutic index. Here, we characterise OCT2013, a putative ischaemia-activated prodrug of lidocaine.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
The rat Langendorff-perfused isolated heart, anaesthetised rat and rat ventricular myocyte preparations were utilised in a series of blinded and randomised studies to investigate the antiarrhythmic effectiveness, adverse effects and mechanism of action of OCT2013, compared with lidocaine.
KEY RESULTS
In isolated hearts, OCT2013 and lidocaine prevented ischaemia-induced VF equi-effectively, but OCT2013 did not share lidocaine's adverse effects (PR widening, bradycardia and negative inotropy). In anaesthetised rats, i.v. OCT2013 and lidocaine suppressed VF and increased survival equi-effectively; OCT2013 had no effect on cardiac output even at 64 mg·kg i.v., whereas lidocaine reduced it even at 1 mg·kg . In adult rat ventricular myocytes, OCT2013 had no effect on Ca handling, whereas lidocaine impaired it. In paced isolated hearts, lidocaine caused rate-dependent conduction slowing and block, whereas OCT2013 was inactive. However, during regional ischaemia, OCT2013 and lidocaine equi-effectively hastened conduction block. Chromatography and MS analysis revealed that OCT2013, detectable in normoxic OCT2013-perfused hearts, became undetectable during global ischaemia, with lidocaine becoming detectable.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
OCT2013 is inactive but is bio-reduced locally in ischaemic myocardium to lidocaine, acting as an ischaemia-activated and ischaemia-selective antiarrhythmic prodrug with a large therapeutic index, mimicking lidocaine's benefit without adversity.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Ischemia; Lidocaine; Myocardial Ischemia; Prodrugs; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Ventricular Fibrillation
PubMed: 34855992
DOI: 10.1111/bph.15764 -
Biochemical Pharmacology Jul 2022Despite significant preclinical promise as anticancer agents, vascular-disrupting agents have yet to fulfil their clinical potential due to systemic toxicities. ICT2588...
Despite significant preclinical promise as anticancer agents, vascular-disrupting agents have yet to fulfil their clinical potential due to systemic toxicities. ICT2588 is a tumour-selective MT1-MMP-targeted prodrug of azademethylcolchicine, ICT2552. We investigate activation of ICT2588 and subsequent release of ICT2552 in tumour cells, and examine its ability to induce G2/M cell cycle arrest. We also explore synergism between ICT2588 and ATR inhibition, since colchicine, in addition to its vascular-disrupting properties, is known to induce G2/M arrest, DNA damage, and trigger apoptosis. Several ATR inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. The cellular activation of ICT2588 was observed to correlate with MT1-MMP expression, with selective release of ICT2552 not compromised by cellular uptake and prodrug activation mechanisms. ICT2588 induced G2/M arrest, and triggered apoptosis in MT1-MMP-expressing cells, but not in cells lacking MT1-MMP expression, while ICT2552 itself induced G2/M arrest and triggered apoptosis in both cell lines. Interestingly, we uncovered that the intracellular release and accumulation dynamics of ICT2552 subsequent to prodrug activation provided synergism with an ATR inhibitor in a way not observed with direct administration of ICT2552. These findings have important potential implications for clinical combinations of ICT2588 and DNA repair inhibitors.
Topics: Apoptosis; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Colchicine; G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14; Neoplasms; Prodrugs; Protein Kinase Inhibitors
PubMed: 35598808
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115095 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jan 2024Off-targeted distribution of chemotherapeutic drugs causes severe side effects, further leading to poor prognosis and patient compliance. Ligand/receptor-mediated...
BACKGROUND
Off-targeted distribution of chemotherapeutic drugs causes severe side effects, further leading to poor prognosis and patient compliance. Ligand/receptor-mediated targeted drug delivery can improve drug accumulation in the tumor but it always attenuated by protein corona barriers.
RESULTS
To address these problems, a radically different strategy is proposed that can leave the off-targeted drugs inactive but activate the tumor-distributed drugs for cancer-targeting therapy in a tumor microenvironment-independent manner. The feasibility and effectiveness of this strategy is demonstrated by developing an ultrasound (US)-activated prodrug-loaded liposome (CPBSN38L) comprising the sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6)-modified lipids and the prodrug of pinacol boronic ester-conjugated SN38 (PBSN38). Once CPBSN38L is accumulated in the tumor and internalized into the cancer cells, under US irradiation, the sonosensitizer Ce6 rapidly induces extensive production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby initiating a cascade amplified ROS-responsive activation of PBSN38 to release the active SN38 for inducing cell apoptosis. If some of the injected CPBSN38L is distributed into normal tissues, the inactive PBSN38 exerts no pharmacological activity on normal cells. CPBSN38L exhibited strong anticancer activity in multiple murine tumor models of colon adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma with no chemotherapy-induced side effects, compared with the standard first-line anticancer drugs irinotecan and topotecan.
CONCLUSIONS
This study established a side-effect-evitable, universal, and feasible strategy for cancer-targeting therapy.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Liposomes; Prodrugs; Reactive Oxygen Species; Adenocarcinoma; Colonic Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Nanoparticles; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38169390
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02195-5