Discovery of Cyclic Peptide Inhibitors Targeting PD-L1 for Cancer Immunotherapy

J Med Chem. 2022 Sep 22;65(18):12002-12013. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00539. Epub 2022 Sep 6.

Abstract

Blockade of the interaction between programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its receptor PD-1 has shown great success in cancer immunotherapy. Peptides possess unique characteristics that give them significant advantages as immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, unfavorable physicochemical properties and proteolytic stability profiles limit the translation of bioactive peptides as therapeutic agents. Studies have revealed that cyclization improves the biological activity and stability of linear peptides. In this study, we report the use of macrocyclization scanning for the discovery of cyclic anti-PD-L1 peptides with improved bioactivity. The cyclic peptides demonstrated up to a 34-fold improvement in the PD-1/PD-L1 blocking activity and significant in vivo anti-tumor activity. Our results demonstrate that macrocyclization scanning is an effective way to improve the serum stability and bioactivity of the anti-PD-L1 linear peptide. This strategy can be employed in the optimization of other bioactive peptides, particularly those for protein-protein interaction modulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Ligands
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
  • Peptides, Cyclic / therapeutic use
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / metabolism

Substances

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Ligands
  • Peptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor