Photoactivatable Prodrug of Doxazolidine Targeting Exosomes

J Med Chem. 2019 Feb 28;62(4):1959-1970. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01508. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Abstract

Natural lipid nanocarriers, exosomes, carry cell-signaling materials such as DNA and RNA for intercellular communications. Exosomes derived from cancer cells contribute to the progression and metastasis of cancer cells by transferring oncogenic signaling molecules to neighboring and remote premetastatic sites. Therefore, applying the unique properties of exosomes for cancer therapy has been expected in science, medicine, and drug discovery fields. Herein, we report that an exosome-targeting prodrug system, designated MARCKS-ED-photodoxaz, could spatiotemporally control the activation of an exquisitely cytotoxic agent, doxazolidine (doxaz), with UV light. The MARCKS-ED peptide enters a cell by forming a complex with the exosomes in situ at its plasma membrane and in the media. MARCKS-ED-photodoxaz releases doxaz under near-UV irradiation to inhibit cell growth with low nanomolar IC50 values. The MARCKS-ED-photodoxaz system targeting exosomes and utilizing photochemistry will potentially provide a new approach for the treatment of cancer, especially for highly progressive and invasive metastatic cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / pharmacology
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemical synthesis
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / pharmacology
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / radiation effects
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Doxorubicin / chemical synthesis
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin / radiation effects
  • Exosomes / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Nitrobenzenes / chemical synthesis
  • Nitrobenzenes / pharmacology*
  • Nitrobenzenes / radiation effects
  • Oxazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Oxazoles / radiation effects
  • Photolysis
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology*
  • Prodrugs / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Nitrobenzenes
  • Oxazoles
  • Prodrugs
  • doxazolidine
  • Doxorubicin