Encapsulation of Gold-Based Anticancer Agents in Protease-Degradable Peptide Nanofilaments Enhances Their Potency.

We investigated the use of amphiphilic, protease-cleavable peptides as encapsulation moieties for hydrophobic metallodrugs, in order to enhance their bioavailability and consequent activity. Two hydrophobic, gold-containing anticancer agents varying in aromatic ligand distribution (Au(I)-N-heterocyclic carbene compounds 1 and 2) were investigated. These were encapsulated into amphiphilic decapeptides that form soluble filamentous structures with hydrophobic cores, varying supramolecular packing arrangements and surface charge. Peptide sequence strongly dictates the supramolecular packing within the aromatic core, which in turn dictates drug loading. Anionic peptide filaments can effectively load 1, and to a lesser extent 2, while their cationic counterparts could not, collectively demonstrating that loading efficiency is dictated by both aromatic and electrostatic (mis)matching between drug and peptide. Peptide nanofilaments were nontoxic to cancerous and noncancerous cells. By contrast, those loaded with 1 and 2 displayed enhanced cytotoxicity in comparison to 1 and 2 alone, when exposed to Caki-1 and MDA-MB-231 cancerous cell lines, while no cytotoxicity was observed in noncancerous lung fibroblasts, IMR-90. We propose that the enhanced in vitro activity results from the enhanced proteolytic activity in the vicinity of the cancer cells, thereby breaking the filaments into drug-bound peptide fragments that are taken up by these cells, resulting in enhanced cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.

Intracellular Localization Studies of the Luminescent Analogue of an Anticancer Ruthenium Iminophosphorane with High Efficacy in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mouse Model.

The potential of ruthenium(II) compounds as an alternative to platinum-based clinical anticancer agents has been unveiled after extensive research for over 2 decades. As opposed to cisplatin, ruthenium(II) compounds have distinct mechanisms of action that do not rely solely on interactions with DNA. In a previous report from our group, we described the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of a cationic, water-soluble, organometallic ruthenium(II) iminophosphorane (IM) complex of p-cymene, ([(η6-p-cymene)Ru{(Ph3P═N-CO-2N-C5H4)-κ-N,O}Cl]Cl (1 or Ru-IM), that was found to be highly cytotoxic against a panel of cell lines resistant to cisplatin, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231, through canonical or caspase-dependent apoptosis. Studies on a MDA-MB-231 xenograft mice model (after 28 days of treatment) afforded an excellent tumor reduction of 56%, with almost negligible systemic toxicity, and a favored ruthenium tumor accumulation compared to other organs. 1 is known to only interact weakly with DNA, but its intracellular distribution and ultimate targets remain unknown. To gain insight on potential mechanisms for this highly efficacious ruthenium compound, we have developed two luminescent analogues containing the BOPIPY fluorophore (or a modification) in the IM scaffold with the general structure of [(η6-p-cymene)Ru{(BODIPY-Ph2P═N-CO-2-NC5H4)-κ-N,O}Cl]Cl {BODIPY-Ph2P = 8-[(4-diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,6-diethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (3a) and 4,4-difluoro-8-[4-[[2-[4-(diphenylphosphino)benzamido]ethyl]carbamoyl]phenyl]-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl,2,6-diethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (3b)}. We report on the synthesis, characterization, lipophilicity, stability, luminescence properties, and cell viability studies in the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, nonmalignant breast cells (MCF10a), and lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) of the new compounds. The ruthenium derivative 3b was studied by fluorescence confocal microscopy. These studies point to a preferential accumulation of the compound in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lysosomes. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis also confirms a greater ruthenium accumulation in the cytoplasmic fraction, including endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes, and a smaller percentage of accumulation in mitochondria and the nucleus. ICP-OES analysis of the parent compound 1 indicates that it accumulates preferentially in the mitochondria and cytoplasm. Subsequent experiments in 1-treated MDA-MB-231 cells demonstrate significant reactive oxygen species generation.

CBR1 rs9024 genotype status impacts the bioactivation of loxoprofen in human liver.

Loxoprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that requires bioactivation into the trans-OH metabolite to exert pharmacological activity. Evidence suggests that carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) is important during the bioactivation of loxoprofen. This study examined the impact of the functional single nucleotide polymorphism CBR1 rs9024 on the bioactivation of loxoprofen in a collection of human liver samples. The synthesis ratios of trans-OH loxoprofen/cis-OH loxoprofen were 33% higher in liver cytosols from donors homozygous for the CBR1 rs9024 G allele in comparison with the ratios in samples from donors with heterozygous GA genotypes. Complementary studies examined the impact of CBR1 rs9024 on the bioactivation of loxoprofen in lymphoblastoid cell lines. CBR1 rs9024 genotype status impacts the synthesis of the bioactive trans-OH metabolite of loxoprofen in human liver.

Correction to "Shifting the Antibody-Drug Conjugate Paradigm: A Trastuzumab-Gold-Based Conjugate Demonstrates High Efficacy against Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer Mouse Model".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00270.].

Shifting the Antibody-Drug Conjugate Paradigm: A Trastuzumab-Gold-Based Conjugate Demonstrates High Efficacy against Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer Mouse Model.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the selectivity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the efficacy of chemotherapeutics to target cancers without toxicity to normal tissue. Clinically, most chemotherapeutic ADCs are based on complex organic molecules, while the conjugation of metallodrugs to mAbs has been overlooked, despite the resurgent interest in metal-based drugs as cancer chemotherapeutics. In 2019, we described the first gold ADCs containing gold-triphenylphosphane fragments as a proof of concept. The ADCs (based on the antibody trastuzumab) were selective and highly active against HER2-positive breast cancer cells. In this study, we developed site-specific ADCs (Thio-1b and Thio-2b) using the cysteine-engineered trastuzumab derivative THIOMAB antibody technology with gold(I)-containing phosphanes and a maleimide-based linker amenable to bioconjugation (1b and 2b). In addition, we developed lysine-directed ADCs with gold payloads based on phosphanes and N-heterocyclic carbenes featuring an activated ester moiety (2c and 5c) with trastuzumab (Tras-2c and Tras-5c) and another anti-HER2 antibody, pertuzumab (Per-2c and Per-5c). Both sets of ADCs demonstrated significant anticancer potency in vitro assays. Based on these results, one ADC (Tras-2c), containing the [Au(PEt3)] fragment present in FDA-approved auranofin, was selected for an in vivo antitumor efficacy study. Immunocompromised mice xenografted with the HER2-positive human cancer cell line SKBR-3 exhibited almost complete tumor reduction and low toxicity with intravenous administration of Tras-2c. With this highly selective targeting system, we demonstrated that a subnanomolar cytotoxicity profile in cells is not required for an impressive antitumor effect in a mouse xenograft model.

Tandem cyclization-Michael reaction by combination of metal- and organocatalysis.

The use of a catalytic amount of platinum complexes (1 mol %) was found to be compatible with different organocatalysts (DABCO or the Jørgensen-Hayashi catalyst) that were used in the functionalization of various activated methylenes. By this method, a series of lactones with C-3 quaternary centers and substitution at C-5 were prepared.

Robustness in glycosylation systems: effect of modified monosaccharides, acceptor decoys and azido sugars on cellular nucleotide-sugar levels and pattern of N-linked glycosylation.

Small molecule monosaccharide analogs (e.g. 4F-GlcNAc, 4F-GalNAc) and acceptor decoys (e.g. ONAP, SNAP) are commonly used as metabolic glycoengineering tools to perturb molecular and cellular recognition processes. Azido-derivatized sugars (e.g. ManNAz, GlcNAz, GalNAz) are also used as bioorthogonal probes to assay the glycosylation status of cells and tissue. With the goal of obtaining a systems-level understanding of how these compounds work, we cultured cells with these molecules and systematically evaluated their impact on: (i) cellular nucleotide-sugar levels, and (ii) N-linked glycosylation. To this end, we developed a streamlined, simple workflow to quantify nucleotide-sugar levels using amide-based hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) separation followed by negative-mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) using an Orbitrap detector. N-Glycans released from cells were also procainamide functionalized and quantified using positive-mode ESI-MS/MS. Results show that all tested compounds changed the baseline nucleotide-sugar levels, with the effect being most pronounced for the fluoro-HexNAc compounds. These molecules depressed UDP-HexNAc levels in cells by up to 80%, while concomitantly elevating UDP-4F-GalNAc and UDP-4F-GlcNAc. While the measured changes in nucleotide-sugar concentration were substantial in many cases, their impact on N-linked glycosylation was relatively small. This may be due to the high nucleotide-sugar concentrations in the Golgi, which far exceed the KM values of the glycosylating enzymes. Thus, the glycosylation system output exhibits 'robustness' even in the face of significant changes in cellular nucleotide-sugar concentrations.

Metal-based antibody drug conjugates. Potential and challenges in their application as targeted therapies in cancer.

Antibody drug conjugates have emerged as a very attractive type of targeted therapy in cancer. They combine the antigen-targeting specificity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the cytotoxic potency of chemotherapeutics. This review focuses on antibody drug conjugates based on metal-containing cytotoxic payloads. We will also describe antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in which a metal-based component (mostly metallic nanoparticles) exerts a relevant function in the ADC (for photodynamic or photothermal therapy, as air-plasma-enhancer or chemo-sensitizer, as carrier of other cytotoxic payloads or as an integral part of the linker structure). Challenges and opportunities to increase the translational potential of these ADCs will be discussed.

Synthesis of enantiopure allylamines by reductive alkylation of amino epoxides with organolithium reagents.

[reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure (2R,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 into the corresponding allylamines 2 is described. The opening of the epoxide ring with different organolithium compounds takes place with total selectivity and in high yields.

Differential Regulation of Specific Sphingolipids in Colon Cancer Cells during Staurosporine-Induced Apoptosis.

Apoptosis is accompanied by distinct morphological changes at the plasma and organelle membrane level. Involvement of certain lipids in apoptosis has been established; however, we have limited understanding of the specific lipid structures that participate in this process. We used untargeted comparative lipidomics to study the changes in lipid composition during staurosporine-induced apoptosis in HCT-116. Our results revealed that ceramides, dihydroceramides, and sphingomyelins, with defined acyl chains, constitute the majority of changes in the lipidome. Expression levels and activities of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of lipids that change suggest that de novo synthesis causes these specific changes. Further analysis of the lipidome during apoptosis in other cancer and non-cancer cell lines suggested that accumulation of ceramides and dihydroceramides is specific to cancer cells. Taken together, our data propose that these molecules are regulated at the lipid-specific level during apoptosis and that this regulation differs between cancer and non-cancer cells.

Evaluation of novel trans-sulfonamide platinum complexes against tumor cell lines.

Platinum-based drugs, mainly cisplatin, are employed for the treatment of solid malignancies. However, cisplatin treatment often results in the development of chemoresistance, leading to therapeutic failure. Here, the antitumor activity of different trans-sulfonamide platinum complexes in a panel of human cell lines is presented. The cytotoxicity profiles and cell cycle analyses of these platinum sulfonamide complexes were different from those of cisplatin. These studies showed that complex 2b with cyclohexyldiamine and dansyl moieties had the best antitumoral activities.

Expanding the synthesis of new trans-sulfonamide platinum complexes: cytotoxicity, SAR, fluorescent cell assays and stability studies.

In this manuscript, we describe the synthesis of new trans-N-sulfonamide platinum complexes and their antiproliferative activity (GI50, µM) in human solid tumors cells. The structure activity relationships (SAR), with different new synthesized complexes by variation in ligand, halogen and also in the stereochemistry of the ligand, has been studied. Solubility and stability studies have also been carried out as well as fluorescent cell assays in order to clarify the final target in the tumor cells.

Anticancer platinum complexes as non-innocent compounds for catalysis in aqueous media.

An efficient cyclization of alkyne-acids to enol-lactones catalyzed by anticancer platinum(II) and platinum(IV) compounds is described. These compounds are not only DNA-binding complexes; they can also catalyze reactions in solvents such as acetone, methanol, water or blood plasma.

New reactions of anticancer-platinum complexes and their intriguing behaviour under various experimental conditions.

The anticancer platinum complexes here described react with organic substrates (such as acids, alkenes, alkynes) and catalyze transformations that can occur in biomolecules which contain unsaturated functions. We have analyzed the role of the platinum complexes in the observed reactions and studied the progress of the detected transformations upon variation of the reaction conditions.

Efficient and highly selective synthesis of enantiopure cis- or trans-3,4-disubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines.

An efficient synthesis of enantiopure 3,4-disubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines, by treatment of readily available (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides with H(3)PO(4).BF(3) complex, under mild reaction conditions, is reported. Both enantiopure diastereoisomers (3S,4S)- and (3S,4R)-3-alkyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were available starting from the suitable syn- or anti-aminoepoxide, respectively. A mechanism based on an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-type reaction has been proposed to explain these results.

Totally selective reaction of CO2 with enantiopure amino epoxides under mild reaction conditions. synthesis and synthetic applications of enantiopure (4R,1'S)- or (4S,1'S)-4-(1-Aminoalkyl)-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolanes.

The reaction of chiral (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2 with CO2, generated from acidic treatment of an aqueous solution of NaHCO3 at room temperature, efficiently afforded enantiopure cyclic carbonates 3 or 4, respectively, with total selectivity. Compounds 3 and 4 were readily transformed into the corresponding diols 7 and 8 by reaction with LiAlH4 or by basic hydrolysis. When compounds 3 or 4 were allowed to react with methyllithium at -78 degrees C, O1-acetylalkane-1,2-diols 9 and 10 were obtained with total or high selectivity.

Synthesis of enantiopure (alphaS,betaS)- or (alphaR,betaS)-beta-amino alcohols by complete regioselective opening of aminoepoxides by organolithium reagents LiAlH4 or LiAlD4.

The reaction of chiral (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides, 1 or 2 with a variety of organolithium compounds to obtain the corresponding (alphaS,betaS)- or (alphaR,betaS)- beta-amino alcohols in enantiopure form is reported. In both cases, the opening of the oxirane ring at C-3 proceeded with total regioselectivity. Moreover, the ring opening of aminoepoxides 1 or 2 by hydride (utilizing LiAlH4) to obtain the corresponding (2S,3S)- or (2R,3S)-3-aminoalkan-2-ols is also described. The reaction of 1 or 2 with LiAlD4 in place of LiAlH4 gave the corresponding (2S,3S)- or (2R,3S)-3-amino-1-deuterioalkan-2-ols.

Regioselective ring opening of amino epoxides with nitriles: an easy synthesis of (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-1,3-diaminoalkan-2-ols with differently protected amine functions.

[reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2 into the corresponding (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-1,3-diaminoalkan-2-ols 3 or 4 is described. The opening of the epoxide ring with different nitriles (Ritter reaction) takes place with total selectivity and in high yields in the presence of BF3.Et2O. Interestingly, the two amine groups are differently protected. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed.

Total selective synthesis of enantiopure O1-acyl-3-aminoalkane-1,2-diols by ring opening of aminoepoxides with carboxylic acids.

[reaction: see text] Synthesis of (2R,3S)- or (2S,3S)-O1-acyl-3-aminoalkane-1,2-diols by ring opening of enantiopure (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2, with carboxylic acids in the presence of BF3 x Et2O and chlorotrimethylsilane, is described. The conversion takes place with total selectivity and in good yield. In addition, (2R,3S)-O,O-diacyl-3-aminoalkane-1,2-diols 3 were also prepared from reaction of (2R,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 with carboxylic acids under the same reaction conditions and without chlorotrimethylsilane. Mechanisms to explain both transformations are proposed.