An antibody-supermolecule conjugate for tumor-specific targeting of tumoricidal methylated β-cyclodextrin-threaded polyrotaxanes

J Mater Chem B. 2020 Aug 21;8(31):6975-6987. doi: 10.1039/d0tb00575d. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Abstract

We previously found that acid-labile polyrotaxane containing methylated β-cyclodextrin (Me-PRX) induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related autophagy and autophagic cell death. Me-PRX-induced autophagic cell death occurs even in apoptosis-resistant cells; tumor-targeted Me-PRX delivery could thus be an effective cancer treatment approach. In this study, antibody-supermolecule conjugates, consisting of a tumor-specific antibody and Me-PRX, were designed to achieve a tumor-specific delivery of Me-PRX. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against HER2 expressed in various malignant tumors, was selected as a tumor-targeting antibody, and phenyl maleimide group-modified Me-PRX (Mal-Me-PRX) was conjugated to the cysteine residue of the reduced Trastuzumab to obtain a Trastuzumab-Me-PRX conjugate (Tras-Me-PRX). The cellular association of Tras-Me-PRX to HER2-expressing tumor cells was remarkably greater than that of unmodified Me-PRX. Moreover, Tras-Me-PRX effectively reduced the viability of HER2-expressing tumor cells at a lower concentration compared to the unmodified Me-PRX. In conclusion, antibody-Me-PRX conjugates are regarded as a new class of antibody-drug conjugates that would contribute to the chemotherapy of cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclodextrins / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates / chemistry*
  • Immunoconjugates / metabolism
  • Immunoconjugates / therapeutic use*
  • Methylation
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Poloxamer / chemistry*
  • Rotaxanes / chemistry*
  • Trastuzumab / chemistry*
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cyclodextrins
  • Drug Carriers
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Rotaxanes
  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • polyrotaxane
  • Poloxamer
  • Trastuzumab