Self-Assembled Peptide-Derived Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) Nanoparticles for Tumor-Targeted and Durable PD-L1 Degradation in Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a promising technique for the specific and durable degradation of cancer-related proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system in cancer treatment. However, the therapeutic efficacy of PROTACs is restricted due to their hydrophobicity, poor cell permeability and insufficient tumor-targeting ability. Herein, we develop the self-assembled peptide-derived PROTAC nanoparticles (PT-NPs) for precise and durable programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) degradation in targeted tumors. The PT-NPs with an average size of 211.8 nm are formed through the self-assembly of amphiphilic peptide-derived PROTAC (CLQKTPKQC-FF-ALAPYIP), comprising a PD-L1-targeting 'CLQKTPKQC', self-assembling linker 'FF' and E3 ligase recruiting 'ALAPYIP'. Particularly, PT-NPs strongly bind to tumor cell surface PD-L1 to form PD-L1/PT-NPs complex, then internalized through receptor-mediated endocytosis and degraded in lysosomes. Second, free PROTACs released from PT-NPs to the cytoplasm further induce the durable proteolysis of cytoplasmic PD-L1 via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In colon tumor models, intravenously injected PT-NPs accumulate significantly at targeted tumor tissues through nanoparticle-derived passive and active targeting. At the targeted tumor tissues, PT-NPs promote durable PD-L1 degradation and ultimately trigger a substantial antitumor immune response. Collectively, this study provides valuable insights into the rational design of self-assembled peptide-derived PROTAC nanoparticles to ensure noticeable accuracy and enhanced efficacy in cancer treatment.

Keywords: Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC); cancer immunotherapy; immune checkpoint inhibitor; nanoparticles; programmed death-ligand 1 (PD−L1).