Corrole Nanoparticles for Chemotherapy of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and as Sonodynamic Agents for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

J Med Chem. 2023 Jan 12;66(1):766-776. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01662. Epub 2022 Dec 14.

Abstract

A nanoparticle-based system, composed of the gallium(III) complex of a minimally substituted corrole that is coated by transferrin as a targeting vehicle (3-Ga NPs), has been used for pre-clinical evaluation of its efficacy against human metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) tumor xenografts. All mice (N = 9) responded to a dose of 10 mg/kg, with a remarkable tumor growth inhibition of 400% following 2 weeks of treatment; Ames and hERG tests excluded potential concerns regarding mutagenicity and cardiotoxicity, respectively. Also demonstrated is the potential application of these 3-Ga NPs as sonodynamic agents for the preclinical treatment of pancreatic cancer. 10 mg/kg 3-Ga NPs combined with exposure to ultrasound waves (2 min of 1 MHz 0.1 w/cm2 twice a week) induced up to 77% tumor shrinkage. Consistently, tumor/tissue distribution and serum levels of 3-Ga NPs in mice revealed high tumor specificity, favorable pharmacokinetics, fast absorption, slower redistribution, and very slow drug clearance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Porphyrins* / therapeutic use
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant* / drug therapy

Substances

  • corrole
  • Porphyrins