Galacto‐conjugation of Navitoclax as an efficient strategy to increase senolytic specificity and reduce platelet toxicity |
| |
Authors: | Estela Gonzlez‐Gualda Marta Pez‐Ribes Beatriz Lozano‐Torres David Macias Joseph R Wilson Cristina Gonzlez‐Lpez Hui‐Ling Ou Sofía Mirn‐Barroso Zhenguang Zhang Araceli Lrida‐Viso Juan F Blandez Andrea Bernardos Flix Sancenn Miguel Rovira Ljiljana Fruk Carla P Martins Manuel Serrano Gary J Doherty Ramn Martínez‐Mez Daniel Muoz‐Espín |
| |
Institution: | Estela González‐Gualda,Marta Pàez‐Ribes,Beatriz Lozano‐Torres,David Macias,Joseph R. Wilson,Cristina González‐López,Hui‐Ling Ou,Sofía Mirón‐Barroso,Zhenguang Zhang,Araceli Lérida‐Viso,Juan F. Blandez,Andrea Bernardos,Félix Sancenón,Miguel Rovira,Ljiljana Fruk,Carla P. Martins,Manuel Serrano,Gary J. Doherty,Ramón Martínez‐Máñez,Daniel Muñoz‐Espín |
| |
Abstract: | Pharmacologically active compounds with preferential cytotoxic activity for senescent cells, known as senolytics, can ameliorate or even revert pathological manifestations of senescence in numerous preclinical mouse disease models, including cancer models. However, translation of senolytic therapies to human disease is hampered by their suboptimal specificity for senescent cells and important toxicities that narrow their therapeutic windows. We have previously shown that the high levels of senescence‐associated lysosomal β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) found within senescent cells can be exploited to specifically release tracers and cytotoxic cargoes from galactose‐encapsulated nanoparticles within these cells. Here, we show that galacto‐conjugation of the BCL‐2 family inhibitor Navitoclax results in a potent senolytic prodrug (Nav‐Gal), that can be preferentially activated by SA‐β‐gal activity in a wide range of cell types. Nav‐Gal selectively induces senescent cell apoptosis and has a higher senolytic index than Navitoclax (through reduced activation in nonsenescent cells). Nav‐Gal enhances the cytotoxicity of standard senescence‐inducing chemotherapy (cisplatin) in human A549 lung cancer cells. Concomitant treatment with cisplatin and Nav‐Gal in vivo results in the eradication of senescent lung cancer cells and significantly reduces tumour growth. Importantly, galacto‐conjugation reduces Navitoclax‐induced platelet apoptosis in human and murine blood samples treated ex vivo, and thrombocytopenia at therapeutically effective concentrations in murine lung cancer models. Taken together, we provide a potentially versatile strategy for generating effective senolytic prodrugs with reduced toxicities. |
| |
Keywords: | cellular senescence chemotherapy‐induced senescence lung cancer Navitoclax (ABT-263) prodrug senolytics thrombocytopenia |
|
|