Design, Synthesis, and Bioevaluation of Novel Enzyme-Triggerable Cell Penetrating Peptide-Based Dendrimers for Targeted Delivery of Camptothecin and Cancer Therapy

J Med Chem. 2022 Apr 14;65(7):5850-5865. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00287. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Abstract

Novel enzyme-triggerable cell penetrating peptide (ETCPP) dendrimers with a camptothecin (CPT) warhead were designed and synthesized based on an amphiphilic penetrating peptide (FKKFFRKLL, discovered by us before). Among the newly synthesized ETCPP dendrimer conjugates, BL_Oc-SS-CPT (a high-generation dendrimer) exhibited the highest activity with IC50s in the nanomolar range (31-747 nM) against a panel of cancer cells, which is 3-10 times better than that of CPT. BL_Oc-SS-CPT remained intact during transit to target cells and in normal tissues with a plasma half-life of 4.2 h, 2.3-fold longer than that of the monomer (1.8 h). Once reaching the tumor site, BL_Oc-SS-CPT gradually released CPT in the presence of excessive matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 and GSH in cancer cells. Importantly, BL_Oc-SS-CPT exhibited excellent in vivo tumor targeting capability and antitumor efficacy with benign toxicity profiles. Thus, the novel ETCPP dendrimer-based drug delivery system (e.g., BL_Oc-SS-CPT) represents a safe and effective strategy for targeted cancer therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin* / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides* / pharmacology
  • Dendrimers*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Dendrimers
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Camptothecin