Noncovalently particle-anchored cytokines with prolonged tumor retention safely elicit potent antitumor immunity.

Preclinical studies have shown that immunostimulatory cytokines elicit antitumor immune responses but their clinical use is limited by severe immune-related adverse events upon systemic administration. Here, we report a facile and versatile strategy for noncovalently anchoring potent Fc-fused cytokine molecules to the surface of size-discrete particles decorated with Fc-binding peptide for local administration. Following intratumoral injection, particle-anchored Fc cytokines exhibit size-dependent intratumoral retention. The 1-micrometer particle prolongs intratumoral retention of Fc cytokine for over a week and has minimal systemic exposure, thereby eliciting antitumor immunity while eliminating systemic toxicity caused by circulating cytokines. In addition, the combination of these particle-anchored cytokines with immune checkpoint blockade antibodies safely promotes tumor regression in various syngeneic tumor models and genetically engineered murine tumor models and elicits systemic antitumor immunity against tumor rechallenge. Our formulation strategy renders a safe and tumor-agnostic approach that uncouples cytokines' immunostimulatory properties from their systemic toxicities for potential clinical application.

Resilient Poly(α-hydroxy acids) with Improved Strength and Ductility via Scalable Stereosequence-Controlled Polymerization.

Despite the degradability and biocompatibility of poly(α-hydroxy acids), their utility remains limited because their thermal and mechanical properties are inferior to those of commodity polyolefins, which can be attributed to the lack of side-chain functionality on the polyester backbone. Attempts to synthesize high-molecular-weight functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids) from O-carboxyanhydrides have been hampered by scalability problems arising from the need for an external energy source such as light or electricity. Herein, we report an operationally simple, scalable method for the synthesis of stereoregular, high-molecular-weight (>200 kDa) functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids) by means of controlled ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides mediated by a highly redox reactive manganese complex and a zinc-alkoxide. Mechanistic studies indicated that the ring-opening process likely proceeded via the Mn-mediated decarboxylation with alkoxy radical formation. Gradient copolymers produced directly by this method from mixtures of two O-carboxyanhydrides exhibited better ductility and toughness than their corresponding homopolymers and block copolymers, therefore highlighting the potential feasibility of functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids) as ductile and resilient polymeric materials.

Implantable optical fibers for immunotherapeutics delivery and tumor impedance measurement.

Immune checkpoint blockade antibodies have promising clinical applications but suffer from disadvantages such as severe toxicities and moderate patient-response rates. None of the current delivery strategies, including local administration aiming to avoid systemic toxicities, can sustainably supply drugs over the course of weeks; adjustment of drug dose, either to lower systemic toxicities or to augment therapeutic response, is not possible. Herein, we develop an implantable miniaturized device using electrode-embedded optical fibers with both local delivery and measurement capabilities over the course of a few weeks. The combination of local immune checkpoint blockade antibodies delivery via this device with photodynamic therapy elicits a sustained anti-tumor immunity in multiple tumor models. Our device uses tumor impedance measurement for timely presentation of treatment outcomes, and allows modifications to the delivered drugs and their concentrations, rendering this device potentially useful for on-demand delivery of potent immunotherapeutics without exacerbating toxicities.

Aliphatic Polyester-Based Materials for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its copolymer, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), based aliphatic polyesters have been extensively used for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery system and tissue engineering, thanks to their biodegradability, benign toxicity, renewability, and adjustable mechanical properties. A rapidly growing field of cancer research, the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines or treatment modalities is aimed to deliver immunomodulatory signals that control the quality of immune responses against tumors. Herein, the progress and applications of PLA and PLGA are reviewed in delivering immunotherapeutics to treat cancers.

Novel Small Molecule Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Inhibitors Increase Serum Phosphate and Improve Skeletal Abnormalities in Hyp Mice.

Excess fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 causes hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets, such as X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) and tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO). A small molecule that specifically binds to FGF23 to prevent activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor/α-Klotho complex has potential advantages over the currently approved systemically administered FGF23 blocking antibody. Using structure-based drug design, we previously identified ZINC13407541 (N-[[2-(2-phenylethenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]methylidene]hydroxylamine) as a small molecule antagonist for FGF23. Additional structure-activity studies developed a series of ZINC13407541 analogs with enhanced drug-like properties. In this study, we tested in a preclinical Hyp mouse homolog of XLH a direct connect analog [(E)-2-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)cyclopent-1-ene-1-carbaldehyde oxime] (8n), which exhibited the greatest stability in microsomal assays, and [(E)-2-((E)-4-methylstyryl)benzaldehyde oxime] (13a), which exhibited increased in vitro potency. Using cryo-electron microscopy structure and computational docking, we identified a key binding residue (Q156) of the FGF23 antagonists, ZINC13407541, and its analogs (8n and 13a) in the N-terminal domain of FGF23 protein. Site-directed mutagenesis and bimolecular fluorescence complementation-fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay confirmed the binding site of these three antagonists. We found that pharmacological inhibition of FGF23 with either of these compounds blocked FGF23 signaling and increased serum phosphate and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] concentrations in Hyp mice. Long-term parenteral treatment with 8n or 13a also enhanced linear bone growth, increased mineralization of bone, and narrowed the growth plate in Hyp mice. The more potent 13a compound had greater therapeutic effects in Hyp mice. Further optimization of these FGF23 inhibitors may lead to versatile drugs to treat excess FGF23-mediated disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study used structure-based drug design and medicinal chemistry approaches to identify and optimize small molecules with different stability and potency, which antagonize excessive actions of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets. The findings confirmed that these antagonists bind to the N-terminus of FGF23 to inhibit its binding to and activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptors/α-Klotho signaling complex. Administration of these lead compounds improved phosphate homeostasis and abnormal skeletal phenotypes in a preclinical Hyp mouse model.

Emerging strategies in near-infrared light triggered drug delivery using organic nanomaterials.

Near-infrared light has significant advantages for light-triggered drug delivery systems within deep tissues. The use of inorganic nanomaterials raises concern over their long-term in vivo toxicities. Here we will highlight emerging near-infrared light-triggered drug delivery using organic nanomaterials, as well as new photocleavage reactions mediated by near-infrared light.

Modular Approaches to Diversified Soft Lewis Basic Complexants through Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Bromoheteroarenes with Organotrifluoroborates.

Remediation or transmutation of spent nuclear fuel obtained as a function of energy production and legacy waste remains a significant environmental concern. Substantive efforts over the last three decades have focused on the potential of soft-Lewis basic complexants for the chemoselective separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides in biphasic solvent systems. Recent efforts in this laboratory have focused on the concept of modularity to rapidly prepare complexants and complexant scaffolds not easily accessible via traditional linear methods in a convergent manner to better understand solubility and complexation structure/activity function in process-relevant solvents. The current work describes an efficient method for the construction of diversified complexants through multi-Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of bromoheteroarenes with organotrifluoroborates affording efficient access to 22 novel materials in 43-99% yield over two, three, or four cross-couplings on the same scaffold. Optimization of the catalyst/ligand system, application, and limitations are reported herein.