Balancing Passive and Active Targeting to Different Tumor Compartments Using Riboflavin-Functionalized Polymeric Nanocarriers.

Riboflavin transporters (RFTs) and the riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) are highly upregulated in many tumor cells, tumor stem cells, and tumor neovasculature, which makes them attractive targets for nanomedicines. Addressing cells in different tumor compartments requires drug carriers, which are not only able to accumulate via the EPR effect but also to extravasate, target specific cell populations, and get internalized by cells. Reasoning that antibodies are among the most efficient targeting systems developed by nature, we consider their size (∼10-15 nm) to be ideal for balancing passive and active tumor targeting. Therefore, small, short-circulating (10 kDa, ∼7 nm, t1/2 ∼ 1 h) and larger, longer-circulating (40 kDa, ∼13 nm, t1/2 ∼ 13 h) riboflavin-targeted branched PEG polymers were synthesized, and their biodistribution and target site accumulation were evaluated in mice bearing angiogenic squamous cell carcinoma (A431) and desmoplastic prostate cancer (PC3) xenografts. The tumor accumulation of the 10 kDa PEG was characterized by rapid intercompartmental exchange and significantly improved upon active targeting with riboflavin (RF). The 40 kDa PEG accumulated in tumors four times more efficiently than the small polymer, but its accumulation did not profit from active RF-targeting. However, RF-targeting enhanced the cellular internalization in both tumor models and for both polymer sizes. Interestingly, the nanocarriers' cell-uptake in tumors was not directly correlated with the extent of accumulation. For example, in both tumor models the small RF-PEG accumulated much less strongly than the large passively targeted PEG but showed significantly higher intracellular amounts 24 h after iv administration. Additionally, the size of the polymer determined its preferential uptake by different tumor cell compartments: the 10 kDa RF-PEGs most efficiently targeted cancer cells, whereas the highest uptake of the 40 kDa RF-PEGs was observed in tumor-associated macrophages. These findings imply that drug carriers with sizes in the range of therapeutic antibodies show balanced properties with respect to passive accumulation, tissue penetration, and active targeting. Besides highlighting the potential of RF-mediated (cancer) cell targeting, we show that strong tumor accumulation does not automatically mean high cellular uptake and that the nanocarriers' size plays a critical role in cell- and compartment-specific drug targeting.

Amphiphilic Phospholipid-Based Riboflavin Derivatives for Tumor Targeting Nanomedicines.

Riboflavin (RF) is an essential vitamin for cellular metabolism. Recent studies have shown that RF is internalized through RF transporters, which are highly overexpressed by prostate and breast cancer cells, as well as by angiogenic endothelium. Here, we present an optimized synthesis protocol for preparing tailor-made amphiphilic phospholipid-based RF derivatives using phosphoramidite chemistry. The prepared RF amphiphile-RfdiC14-can be inserted into liposome formulations for targeted drug delivery. The obtained liposomes had a hydrodynamic size of 115 ± 5 nm with narrow size distribution (PDI 0.06) and a zeta potential of -52 ± 3 mV. In vitro uptake studies showed that RfdiC14-containing liposomes were strongly internalized in HUVEC, PC3, and A431 cells, in a specific and transporter-mediated manner. To assess the RF targeting potential in vivo, an amphiphile containing PEG spacer between RF and a lipid was prepared-DSPE-PEG-RF. The latter was successfully incorporated into long-circulating near-infrared-labeled liposomes (141 ± 1 nm in diameter, PDI 0.07, zeta potential of -33 ± 1 mV). The longitudinal µCT/FMT biodistribution studies in PC3 xenograft bearing mice demonstrated similar pharmacokinetics profile of DSPE-PEG-RF-functionalized liposomes compared to control. The subsequent histological evaluation of resected tumors revealed higher degree of tumor retention as well as colocalization of targeted liposomes with endothelial cells emphasizing the targeting potential of RF amphiphiles and their utility for the lipid-containing drug delivery systems.

Synthesis, characterization, and relaxation studies of Gd-DO3A conjugate of chlorambucil as a potential theranostic agent.

DO3A-based macrocycles serve as attractive templates from which clinically useful theranostic agents can be obtained after coupling with molecular targeted therapeutic drugs. In this study, we describe the chemical synthesis, relaxation, and cytotoxicity studies of a new DO3A conjugate of chlorambucil (CHL) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) theranostic agent. A convenient route of synthesis is reported, which allowed conjugation of the macrocyclic ligand (DO3A) to the chemotherapeutic drug (CHL) via tyrosine for the preparation of an attractive chelate-drug ensemble (DO3A-TR-CHL). The structures of all intermediates and final compound have been determined by 1 H, 13 C NMR, and MS. The efficacy of DO3A-TR-CHL as a non-ionic magnetic contrast agent was tested by performing relaxometric studies on its gadolinium complex. The complex exhibited relaxivities (7.11 mm-1 /s) higher than that of currently used MR contrast agents and showed enhanced contrast in T1 -weighted images. MTT assays revealed that both DO3A-TR-CHL and Gd(III)-DO3A-TR-CHL conjugates exhibited dose-dependent toxicity and an enhanced antiproliferative activity against tumor (A549 and HeLa) cell lines compared to that of parent drug (CHL), thereby demonstrating their potential to be used as a magnetic resonance imaging theranostic for improved molecular imaging and therapy of human cancers.

Noninvasive Assessment of Elimination and Retention using CT-FMT and Kinetic Whole-body Modeling.

Fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) is a quantitative three-dimensional imaging technique for preclinical research applications. The combination with micro-computed tomography (µCT) enables improved reconstruction and analysis. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of µCT-FMT and kinetic modeling to determine elimination and retention of typical model drugs and drug delivery systems. We selected four fluorescent probes with different but well-known biodistribution and elimination routes: Indocyanine green (ICG), hydroxyapatite-binding OsteoSense (OS), biodegradable nanogels (NG) and microbubbles (MB). µCT-FMT scans were performed in twenty BALB/c nude mice (5 per group) at 0.25, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 h after intravenous injection. Longitudinal organ curves were determined using interactive organ segmentation software and a pharmacokinetic whole-body model was implemented and applied to compute physiological parameters describing elimination and retention. ICG demonstrated high initial hepatic uptake which decreased rapidly while intestinal accumulation appeared for around 8 hours which is in line with the known direct uptake by hepatocytes followed by hepatobiliary elimination. Complete clearance from the body was observed at 48 h. NG showed similar but slower hepatobiliary elimination because these nanoparticles require degradation before elimination can take place. OS was strongly located in the bones in addition to high signal in the bladder at 0.25 h indicating fast renal excretion. MB showed longest retention in liver and spleen and low signal in the kidneys likely caused by renal elimination or retention of fragments. Furthermore, probe retention was found in liver (MB, NG and OS), spleen (MB) and kidneys (MB and NG) at 72 h which was confirmed by ex vivo data. The kinetic model enabled robust extraction of physiological parameters from the organ curves. In summary, µCT-FMT and kinetic modeling enable differentiation of hepatobiliary and renal elimination routes and allow for the noninvasive assessment of retention sites in relevant organs including liver, kidney, bone and spleen.

Photoacoustic imaging of tumor targeting with riboflavin-functionalized theranostic nanocarriers.

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging method in the molecular imaging field, providing high spatiotemporal resolution and sufficient imaging depths for many clinical applications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use photoacoustic imaging as a tool to evaluate a riboflavin (RF)-based targeted nanoplatform. RF is internalized by the cells through a specific pathway, and its derivatives were recently shown as promising tumor-targeting vectors for the drug delivery systems. Here, the RF amphiphile synthesized from a PEGylated phospholipid was successfully inserted into a long-circulating liposome formulation labeled with the clinically approved photoacoustic contrast agent - indocyanine green (ICG). The obtained liposomes had a diameter of 124 nm (polydispersity index =0.17) and had a negative zeta potential of -26 mV. Studies in biological phantoms indicated a stable and concentration-dependent photoacoustic signal (Vevo® LAZR) of the ICG-containing RF-functionalized liposomes. In A431 cells, a high uptake of RF-functionalized liposomes was found and could be blocked competitively. First, studies in mice revealed ~3 times higher photoacoustic signal in subcutaneous A431 tumor xenografts (P<0.05) after injection of RF-functionalized liposomes compared to control particles. In this context, the application of a spectral unmixing protocol confirmed the initial quantitative data and improved the localization of liposomes in the tumor. In conclusion, the synthesized RF amphiphile leads to efficient liposomal tumor targeting and can be favorably detected by photoacoustic imaging with a perspective of theranostic applications.

Refinement of adsorptive coatings for fluorescent riboflavin-receptor-targeted iron oxide nanoparticles.

Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) is a riboflavin derivative that can be exploited to target the riboflavin transporters (RFTs) and the riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) in cells with high metabolic activity. In this study we present the synthesis of different FMN-coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIOs) and their efficiency as targeting contrast agents. Since FMN alone cannot stabilize the nanoparticles, we used adenosine phosphates--AMP, ADP and ATP--as spacers to obtain colloidally stable nanoparticles. Nucleotides with di- and triphosphate groups were intended to increase the USPIO charge and thus improve zeta potential and stability. However, all nanoparticles formed negatively charged clusters with similar properties in terms of zeta potential (-28 ± 2 mV), relaxivity (228-259 mM(-1) s(-1) at 3 T) and hydrodynamic radius (53-85 nm). Molecules with a higher number of phosphate groups, such as ADP and ATP, have a higher adsorption affinity towards iron oxide, which, instead of providing more charge, led to partial desorption and replacement of FMN. Hence, we obtained USPIOs carrying different amounts of targeting agent, which significantly influenced the nanoparticles' uptake. The nanoparticles' uptake by different cancer cells and HUVECs was evaluated photometrically and with MR relaxometry, showing that the cellular uptake of the USPIOs increases with the FMN amount on their surface. Thus, for USPIOs targeted with riboflavin derivatives the use of spacers with increasing numbers of phosphate groups does not improve either zeta potential or the particles' stability, but rather detaches the targeting moieties from their surface, leading to lower cellular uptake.