Enzymatically Activated Glyco-Prodrugs of Doxorubicin Synthesized by a Catalysis-Free Diels-Alder Reaction

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Jul 18;29(7):2370-2381. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00314. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Abstract

The severe side effects associated with the use of anthracycline anticancer agents continues to limit their use. Herein we describe the synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of three enzymatically activatable doxorubicin-oligosaccharide prodrugs. The synthetic protocol allows late stage variation of the carbohydrate and is compatible with the use of disaccharides such as lactose as well as more complex oligosaccharides such as xyloglucan oligomers. The enzymatic release of doxorubicin from the prodrugs by both protease (plasmin) and human carboxylesterases (hCE1 and 2) was demonstrated in vitro and the cytotoxic effect of the prodrugs was assayed on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Fibrinolysin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry*
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis*
  • Prodrugs / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Prodrugs
  • Doxorubicin
  • Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases
  • Fibrinolysin