Targeted Delivery of Cabazitaxel Using Cyclic Cell-Penetrating Peptide and Biomarkers of Extracellular Matrix for Prostate and Breast Cancer Therapy

Bioconjug Chem. 2021 Aug 18;32(8):1898-1914. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00319. Epub 2021 Jul 26.

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy is an emerging area of research. Cancer cells overexpress certain biomarkers that can be exploited for their targeted therapy. Cyclic cell-penetrating peptides (cCPP) are increasingly assessed for intracellular cargo delivery in cancer cells. In this study, we have conjugated cabazitaxel (CBT) to the cCPP via an ester bond to assist CBT release in the tumor's acidic environment. Integrin targeting (RGDC, TP1) and extra domain B of fibronectin (EDB-Fn) targeting (CTVRTSAD, TP2) peptides were linked to the peptide-drug conjugate (cCPP-CBT) via a disulfide bond to provide targeting ability to the conjugates until they reach the tumor site. Conjugate 11 (TP1-cCPP-CBT) and conjugate 16 (TP2-cCPP-CBT) showed approximately 3-4-fold less antiproliferative activity on integrin and EDB-FN overexpressing cancer cell lines as compared to the CBT analogue used for comparison (CBT-GA, 5). Conjugates (11 and 16) were less toxic (31-34-fold less antiproliferative activity) to the normal human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells as compared to CBT. The flow cytometry and quantitative confocal microscopy data further confirm the selective efficacy of conjugates (TP1-cCPP-FAM (10) and TP1-cCPP-FAM (15)) toward biomarker overexpressing cancer cells. Furthermore, the stability and release studies of conjugate 11 revealed its therapeutic potential under different conditions, such as human plasma, different pHs, and redox conditions. This conjugation strategy was proven to enhance chemotherapeutics agents' efficacy and targeting and can be applied to other chemotherapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Structure
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage*
  • Taxoids / chemistry
  • Taxoids / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Taxoids
  • cabazitaxel