Tetraamine‐modified octreotide and octreotate: labeling with 99mTc and preclinical comparison in AR4‐2J cells and AR4‐2J tumor‐bearing mice

Two somatostatin analogues, [^99mTc]Demotide and [^99mTc]Demotate 4, were compared with [^99mTc]Demotate 1, a previously reported somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst₂) targeting tracer. Conjugates were prepared by coupling an open‐chain tetraamine chelator to D ‐Phe¹ of [Tyr³]‐octreotide or [Tyr³]‐octreotate, respectively, via a p‐benzylaminodiglycolic acid spacer adopting solid‐phase peptide synthesis techniques. Peptide conjugates were collected in a highly pure form after chromatographic purification. Eventually, [^99mTc]Demotide and [^99mTc]Demotate 4 were obtained in ～1 Ci/µmol specific activity and >96% purity after labeling under alkaline conditions. Demotide and Demotate 4 exhibited similar high binding affinities for the sst₂ expressed in AR4‐2J cells with IC₅₀ values 0.16 and 0.10 nM, respectively. The (radio)metallated analogues [^99mTc]Demotide and [^99mTc]Demotate 4 showed equally high affinities to the sst₂ during saturation binding assays in AR4‐2J cell membranes (K_ds 0.08 and 0.07 nM, respectively). During incubation at 37 °C with AR4‐2J cells, the radiopeptides internalized effectively via a receptor‐mediated process, with [^99mTc]Demotate 4 exhibiting a faster internalization rate than [^99mTc]Demotide. After injection in athymic mice bearing sst₂‐expressing AR4‐2J tumors, the radiotracers showed high and specific uptake in the tumor (>25%ID/g at 1 h) and in the sst₂–positive organs. However, both [^99mTc]Demotide and [^99mTc]Demotate 4 showed unfavorably higher background activity, especially in the abdomen, in comparison to [^99mTc]Demotate 1 and are, therefore, less suited than [^99mTc]Demotate 1 for sst₂‐targeted tumor imaging in man. Copyright © 2005 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self-assembled chlorin e6 conjugated chondroitin sulfate nanodrug for photodynamic therapy

Acetylated-chondroitin sulfate/chlorin e6 conjugates (Ac-CS/Ce6 1, 2, 3) were synthesized via the formation of an ester linkage between CS and Ce6 and evaluated as nanoscale drugs for photodynamic therapy. Ac-CS/Ce6 2 and 3 with higher Ce6 contents of 11.7 and 17.6%, respectively, had average diameters of <150 nm and were very stable in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 1 month. The critical self-quenching concentration (CQC) of Ac-CS/Ce6 decreased as the conjugated-amount of Ce6 increased. All samples displayed autophotoquenching properties in aqueous solution, whereas their fluorescence intensity strongly correlated with the amount of Ce6 in the organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Compared with free Ce6, Ac-CS/Ce6 nanodrug photoactivity was maintained in terms of fluorescence properties and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) generation. In a HeLa cell culture system, we observed rapid cellular uptake of the Ac-CS/Ce6 nanodrug without any other ligands using confocal imaging and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Upon light irradiation following cellular uptake, phototoxicity was detected via 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The self-quenching effect and fluorescence recovery of Ac-CS/Ce6 were also determined both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results indicate that Ac-CS/Ce6 has potential as an effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) prodrug for clinical application.     

The Elusive Nature of Cerebellar Somatostatin Receptors: Studies in Rat,Monkey and Human Cerebellum

Abstract

The pharmacological profile and localization of somatostatin (SRIF) receptors were determined in rat, monkey and human cerebellum. In rat cerebellar cortex, low ss₁/sst₄, intermediate sst₂ and very high sst₃ receptor mRNA levels were found, sst₁ mRNA was also expressed in the deep cerebellar nuclei. [¹²⁵I]Tyr³-octreotide binding sites in cerebellar membranes correlated with recombinant sst₂, but not with sst₅ or sst₃ receptors and were found in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. [¹²⁵I]CGP 23996 (in Na⁺-buffer) binding in rat cerebellum correlated with sst₁ or sst₄, but not with sst₂, sst₃ or sst₅ receptor binding. Similar data were obtained in rhesus monkey cerebellum. mRNAs for all five receptors were found in the granule cell layer of the human cerebellum and/or in the dentate nucleus. [¹²⁵I]Tyr³-octreotide binding was strong in the molecular layer and correlated with that of recombinant sst₂ receptors, but not with sst₃ or sst₅ receptors. [¹²⁵I]CGP 23996 (in Mg⁺⁺-buffer) binding was heterogeneous (about 75%. to sst₂ and 25% to sst₁ and/or sst₄ receptors). The molecular and granular layers were equally and the dentate nucleus strongly labeled. Thus. SRIF receptors of the sst₂, sst₁ and/or sst₄ subtype are present in the rat, monkey and human cerebellum. In the latter two species, the sst₂ type appears to be predominant. Surprisingly, the high expression of sst₃ receptor mRNA is not supported by radioligand binding data in any of the species studied. The reason for this discrepancy remains to be elucidated.     

Synthesis,in vitro stability,and antiproliferative effect of d‐cysteine modified GnRH‐doxorubicin conjugates

Overexpression of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor in many tumors but not in normal tissues makes it possible to use GnRH analogs as targeting peptides for selective delivery of cytotoxic agents, which may help to enhance the uptake of anticancer drugs by cancer cells and reduce toxicity to normal cells. The GnRH analogs [d ‐Cys⁶, desGly¹⁰, Pro⁹‐NH₂]‐GnRH, [d ‐Cys⁶, desGly¹⁰, Pro⁹‐NHEt]‐GnRH, and [d ‐Cys⁶, α‐aza‐Gly¹⁰‐NH₂]‐GnRH were conjugated with doxorubicin (Dox), respectively, through N‐succinimidyl‐3‐maleimidopropionate as a linker to afford three new GnRH‐Dox conjugates. The metabolic stability of these conjugates in human serum was determined by RP‐HPLC. The antiproliferative activity of the conjugates was examined in GnRH receptor‐positive MCF‐7 human breast cancer cell line by MTT assay. The three GnRH‐Dox conjugates showed improved metabolic stability in human serum in comparison with AN‐152. The antiproliferative effect of conjugate II ([d ‐Cys⁶, desGly¹⁰, Pro⁹‐NHEt]‐GnRH‐Dox) on MCF‐7 cells was higher than that of conjugate I ([d ‐Cys⁶, desGly¹⁰, Pro⁹‐NH₂]‐GnRH‐Dox) and conjugate III ([d ‐Cys⁶, α‐aza‐Gly¹⁰‐NH₂]‐GnRH‐Dox), and the cytotoxicity of conjugate II against GnRH receptor‐negative 3T3 mouse embryo fibroblast cells was decreased in comparison with free Dox. GnRH receptor inhibition test suggested that the antiproliferative activity of conjugate II might be due to the cellular uptake mediated by the targeting binding of [d ‐Cys⁶‐des‐Gly¹⁰‐Pro⁹‐NHEt]‐GnRH to GnRH receptors. Our study indicates that targeting delivery of conjugate II mediated by [d ‐Cys⁶‐des‐Gly¹⁰‐Pro⁹‐NHEt]‐GnRH is a promising strategy for chemotherapy of tumors that overexpress GnRH receptors.     

Receptor-targeting phthalocyanine photosensitizer for improving antitumor photocytotoxicity

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality which uses a photosensitizer to capture visible light resulting in phototoxicity in the irradiated region. PDT has been used in a number of pathological indications, including tumor. A key desirable feature of the photosensitizer is the high phototoxicity on tumor cells but not on normal cells. In this study, we conjugate a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to a photosensitizer, Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), in order to enhance its specificity to breast cancer, which over-expresses GnRH receptor. ZnPc has unique advantages over other photosensitizers, but is difficult to derivatize and purify as a single isomer. We previously developed a straight-forward way to synthesize mono-substituted β-carboxy-phthalocyanine zinc (ZnPc-COOH). Photophysical and photochemical parameters of this ZnPc-GnRH conjugate including fluorescence quantum yield (Ф(f)), fluorescence decay time (τ(s)) and singlet oxygen quantum yield (Ф(Δ)) were evaluated and found comparable with that of ZnPc, indicating that addition of a GnRH peptide does not significantly alter the generation of singlet oxygen from ZnPc. Cellular uptakes and phototoxicities of this conjugate were tested and found significantly enhanced on human breast cancer cell lines overexpressing GnRH receptors (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells) compared to cells with low levels of GnRH receptors, such as human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF) and human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells. In addition, the cellular uptake of this conjugate toward MCF-7 cells were found clearly alleviated by a GnRH receptor blocker Cetrorelix, suggesting that the cellular uptake of this conjugate was GnRH receptor-mediated. Put together, these findings revealed that coupling ZnPc with GnRH analogue was an effective way to improve the selectivity of ZnPc towards tumors with over-expressed GnRH receptors.     

Fluorescence characterisation of multiply-loaded anti-HER2 single chain Fv-photosensitizer conjugates suitable for photodynamic therapy.

We report the synthesis, spectroscopic properties and intracellular imaging of recombinant antibody single chain fragment (scFv) conjugates with photosensitizers used for photodynamic therapy of cancer (PDT). Two widely-studied photosensitizers have been selected: preclinical pyropheophorbide-a (PPa) and verteporfin (VP), which has been clinically approved for the treatment of acute macular degeneration (Visudyne). Pyropheophorbide-a and verteporfin have been conjugated to an anti-HER2 scFv containing on average ten photosensitizer molecules per scFv with a small contribution (相似文献   

Expression of Somatostatin and Somatostatin Receptor Subtypes 1�C5 in Human Normal and Diseased Kidney

Somatostatin mediates inhibitory functions through five G protein–coupled somatostatin receptors (sst_1–5). We used immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR to determine the presence of somatostatin receptors sst₁, sst_2A, sst_2B, sst₃, sst₄, and sst₅ in normal and IgA nephropathy human kidney. All somatostatin receptors were detected in the thin tubules (distal convoluted tubules and loops of Henle) and thick tubules (proximal convoluted tubules) in the tissue sections from nephrectomy and biopsy samples. Immunopositive sst₁ and sst₄ staining was more condensed in the cytoplasm of tubular epithelial cells. In normal kidney tissue sections, podocytes and mesangial cells in the glomeruli stained for sst₁, sst_2B, sst₄ and sst₅, and stained weakly for sst₃. In IgA kidney tissue, the expression of somatostatin receptors was significantly increased with particular immmunopositive staining for sst₁, sst_2B, sst₄, and sst₅ within glomeruli. In the epithelial cells, the staining for sst_2B and sst₄ in proximal tubules and sst₁, sst_2B, and sst₅ in distal tubules was increased. The mRNA expression of sst_1–5 was also detected by RT-PCR. Somatostatin and all five receptor subtypes were ubiquitously distributed in normal kidney and IgA nephropathy. The increased expression of somatostatin receptors in IgA nephropathy kidney might be the potential pathogenesis of inflammatory renal disease. (J Histochem Cytochem 56:733–743, 2008)     

A non-aggregated silicon(IV) phthalocyanine-lactose conjugate for photodynamic therapy

To develop a highly efficient photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT), we have designed and synthesized a phthalocyanine-lactose conjugate (Pc-Lac) through axial modification of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine with lactose moieties. With the lactose substituents, Pc-Lac is highly hydrophilic and non-aggregated with efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in aqueous media. With these desirable properties, Pc-Lac shows high photocytotoxicity and cellular uptake toward HepG2 cells. In addition, in vivo fluorescence imaging shows that Pc-Lac could selectively remain at tumor site, leading to its enhanced photodynamic efficacy against H22 tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, Pc-Lac shows a great potential as a highly efficient molecular photosensitizer for PDT.     

Polycation liposome enhances the endocytic uptake of photosensitizer into cells in the presence of serum

To construct a novel drug delivery carrier that possesses high therapeutic efficacy with low dosage, we designed polyethylenimine-modified liposome (polycation liposome, PCL) and examined the entrapment of photosensitizer, benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA), for antiangiogenic photodynamic therapy (PDT). Photosensitizer entrapped in PCLs showed enhanced phototoxicity for a human vascular endothelial cell line, ECV304, in comparison with that for nonmodified control liposome. Interestingly, phototoxicity of control liposomal BPD-MA was suppressed in the presence of serum, but PCL maintained the phototoxicity in the presence of serum following PCL-mediated PDT treatment due to the stability of PCL and the reduced detachment of encapsulated photosensitizer from liposome to serum. In fact, PCL enhanced the uptake level of BPD-MA to ECV304 cells despite the presence or absence of serum. Since polycation modification enhances bioavailability of the liposomal photosensitizer and this property is maintained in the presence of serum, PCL would be useful for antiangiogenic PDT.     

Synthesis and evaluation of glycosylated octreotate analogues labeled with radioiodine and 211At via a tin precursor

Carbohydration of N-terminus and substitution of a threonine for the threoninol residue at the C-terminus of Tyr3-octreotide (TOC) has resulted in improved pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting of its radioiodinated derivatives. Yet, these peptides are very susceptible to in vivo deiodination due to the similarity of monoiodotyrosine (MIT) to thyroid hormone. The goal of this work was to develop octreotate analogues containing both a sugar moiety and a nontyrosine prosthetic group on which a radioiodine or 211At can be introduced. Solid-phase synthesis and subsequent modifications delivered an iodo standard of the target peptide N(alpha)-(1-deoxy-D-fructosyl)-N(epsilon)-(3-iodobenzoyl)-Lys0-octreotate (GIBLO) and the corresponding tin precursor N(alpha)-(1-deoxy-D-fructosyl)-N(epsilon)-[(3-tri-n-butylstannyl)benzoyl]-Lys0-octreotate (GTBLO). GIBLO displaced [125I]TOC from somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2)-positive AR42J rat pancreatic tumor cell membranes with an IC50 of 0.46 +/- 0.05 nM suggesting that GIBLO retained affinity to SSTR2. GTBLO was radiohalogenated to [131I]GIBLO and N(alpha)-(1-deoxy-D-fructosyl)-N(epsilon)-(3-[211At]astatobenzoyl)-Lys0-octreotate ([211At]GABLO) in 21.2 +/- 4.9% and 46.8 +/- 9.5% radiochemical yields, respectively. From a paired-label internalization assay using D341 Med medulloblastoma cells, the maximum specific internalized radioactivity from [131I]GIBLO was 1.78 +/- 0.8% of input dose compared to 9.67 +/- 0.43% for N(alpha)-(1-deoxy-D-fructosyl)-[125I]iodo-Tyr3-octreotate ([125I]I-Gluc-TOCA). Over a 4 h period, the extent of internalization of [131I]GIBLO and [211At]GABLO was similar in this cell line. In D341 Med murine subcutaneous xenografts, the uptake of [125I]I-Gluc-TOCA at 0.5, 1 and 4 h was 21.5 +/- 4.0% ID/g, 18.8 +/- 7.7% ID/g, and 0.9 +/- 0.4% ID/g, respectively. In comparison, these values for [131I]GIBLO were 6.9 +/- 1.2% ID/g, 4.7 +/- 1.4% ID/g, and 0.8 +/- 0.5% ID/g. Both in vitro and in vivo catabolism studies did not suggest the severance of the lys0 along with its appendages from the peptide. Taken together, although GIBLO maintained affinity to SSTR2, its tumor uptake both in vitro and in vivo was substantially lower than that of I-Gluc-TOCA suggesting other factors such as net charge and overall geometry of the peptide may be important.     

Synthesis and evaluation of Re/99mTc(I) complexes bearing a somatostatin receptor-targeting antagonist and labeled via a novel [N,S,O] clickable bifunctional chelating agent

The somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) is often highly expressed on neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), making it a popular in vivo target for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches aimed toward management of NETs. In this work, an antagonist peptide (sst₂-ANT) with high affinity for SSTR2 was modified at the N-terminus with a novel [N,S,O] bifunctional chelator (2) designed for tridentate chelation of rhenium(I) and technetium(I) tricarbonyl cores, [Re(CO)₃]⁺ and [^99mTc][Tc(CO)₃]⁺. The chelator-peptide conjugation was performed via a Cu(I)-assisted click reaction of the alkyne-bearing chelator (2) with an azide-functionalized sst₂-ANT peptide (3), to yield NSO-sst₂-ANT (4). Two synthetic methods were used to prepare Re-4 at the macroscopic scale, which differed based on the relative timing of the click conjugation to the [Re(CO)₃]⁺ complexation by 2. The resulting products demonstrated the expected molecular mass and nanomolar in vitro SSTR2 affinity (IC₅₀ values under 30?nM, AR42J cells, [¹²⁵I]iodo-Tyr¹¹-somatostatin-14 radioligand standard). However, a difference in their HPLC retention times suggested a difference in metal coordination modes, which was attributed to a competing N-triazole donor ligand formed during click conjugation. Surprisingly, the radiotracer scale reaction of [^99mTc][Tc(OH₂)₃(CO)₃]⁺ (^99mTc; t_½?=?6?h, 141?keV γ) with 4 formed a third product, distinct from the Re analogues, making this one of the unusual cases in which Re and Tc chemistries are not well matched. Nevertheless, the [^99mTc]Tc-4 product demonstrated excellent in vitro stability to challenges by cysteine and histidine (≥98% intact through 24?h), along with 75% stability in mouse serum through 4?h. In vivo biodistribution and microSPECT/CT imaging studies performed in AR42J tumor-bearing mice revealed improved clearance of this radiotracer in comparison to a similar [^99mTc][Tc(CO)₃]-labeled sst₂-ANT derivative previously studied. Yet despite having adequate tumor uptake at 1?h (4.9% ID/g), tumor uptake was not blocked by co-administration of a receptor-saturating dose of SS-14. Aimed toward realignment of the Re and Tc product structures, future efforts should include distancing the alkyne group from the intended donor atoms of the chelator, to reduce the coordination options available to the [M(CO)₃]⁺ core (M?=?Re, ^99mTc) by disfavoring involvement of the N-triazole.     

Sustained EKR inhibition by EGFR targeting therapies is a predictive factor for synergistic cytotoxicity with PDT as neoadjuvant therapy

Background

Tyrosin kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and monoclonal antibodies aimed to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have shown limited effect as monotherapies and drug resistance is a major limitation for therapeutic success. Adjuvant therapies to EGFR targeting therapeutics are therefore of high clinical relevance.

Methods

Three EGFR targeting drugs, Cetuximab, Erlotinib and Tyrphostin AG1478 were used in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in two EGFR positive cell lines, A-431 epidermoid skin carcinoma and WiDr colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. The amphiphilic meso-tetraphenylporphine with 2 sulphonate groups on adjacent phenyl rings (TPPS_2a) was utilized as a photosensitizer for PDT. The cytotoxic outcome of the combined treatments was evaluated by cell counting and MTT. Cellular signalling was explored by Western blotting.

Results

PDT as neoadjuvant to Tyrphostin in A-431 cells as well as to Tyrphostin or Erlotinib in WiDr cells revealed synergistic cytotoxicity. In contrast, Erlotinib or Cetuximab combined with neoadjuvant PDT induced an antagonistic effect on cell survival of A-431 cells. Neoadjuvant PDT and EGFR targeting therapies induced a synergistic inhibition of ERK as well as synergistic cytotoxicity only when the EGFR targeting monotherapies caused a prolonged ERK inhibition. There were no correlation between EGFR inhibition by the EGFR targeting monotherapies or the combined therapies and the cytotoxic outcome combination-therapies.

Conclusions

The results suggest that sustained ERK inhibition by EGFR targeting monotherapies is a predictive factor for synergistic cytotoxicity when combined with neoadjuvant PDT.

General significance

The present study provides a rationale for selecting anticancer drugs which may benefit from PDT as adjuvant therapy.     

Insights into photodynamic therapy dosimetry: simultaneous singlet oxygen luminescence and photosensitizer photobleaching measurements

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is generally based on the generation of highly reactive singlet oxygen (¹O₂) through interactions of photosensitizer, light, and oxygen (³O₂). These three components are highly interdependent and dynamic, resulting in variable temporal and spatial ¹O₂ dose deposition. Robust dosimetry that accounts for this complexity could improve treatment outcomes. Although the 1270 nm luminescence emission from ¹O₂ provides a direct and predictive PDT dose metric, it may not be clinically practical. We used ¹O₂ luminescence (or singlet oxygen luminescence (SOL)) as a gold-standard metric to evaluate potentially more clinically feasible dosimetry based on photosensitizer bleaching. We performed in vitro dose-response studies with simultaneous SOL and photosensitizer fluorescence measurements under various conditions, including variable ³O₂, using the photosensitizer meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC). The results show that SOL was always predictive of cytotoxicity and immune to PDT's complex dynamics, whereas photobleaching-based dosimetry failed under hypoxic conditions. However, we identified a previously unreported 613 nm emission from mTHPC that indicates critically low ³O₂ levels and can be used to salvage photobleaching-based dosimetry. These studies improve our understanding of PDT processes, demonstrate that SOL is a valuable gold-standard dose metric, and show that when used judiciously, photobleaching can serve as a surrogate for ¹O₂ dose.     

Dissociation of cAMP accumulation and phosphate uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells with parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP)

Bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34 [bPTH(1-34)] and human PTH related protein [hPTHrP(1-34)] stimulated cAMP accumulation in opossum kidney (OK) cells with Km of 5 x 10(-9) M, but inhibition of phosphate uptake was obtained with 17-fold lower Km of 3 x 10(-10) M. Phosphate uptake was partially inhibited with [Nle8.18Tyr34]bPTH(3-34)NH2 without concomitant cAMP stimulation. With hPTHrP(7-34)NH2, cAMP accumulation was increased in parallel to inhibition of phosphate uptake. [D-Trp12Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2 and [Tyr34]hPTH(7-34)NH2 had no agonist activity on cellular cAMP and inhibition of phosphate uptake. bPTH(1-34)-stimulated cAMP accumulation was antagonized by [Nle8.18Tyr34]bPTH(3-34)NH2, [D-Trp12Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, hPTHrP(7-34)NH2 and [Tyr34]hPTH(7-34)NH2 with Ki of 1.4 x 10(-7), 2 x 10(-7), 4.7 x 10(-7) and 3.7 x 10(-6) M, respectively. But [Nle8.18Tyr34]bPTH(3-34)NH2 and [D-Trp12Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2 reversed the inhibition of phosphate uptake only marginally, and hPTHrP(7-34)NH2 and [Tyr34]hPTH(7-34)NH2 were inactive. With hPTHrP(1-34) the Ki for cAMP accumulation of [Nle8,18Tyr34]bPTH(3-34)NH2 and hPTHrP(7-34)NH2 were 1.9 x 10(-7) and 7.2 x 10(-7) M, and inhibition of phosphate uptake was partially reversed with [Nle8,18Tyr34]bPTH(3-34)NH2, but not with hPTHrP(7-34)NH2. The present results indicate that truncated hPTHrP(7-34)NH2, unlike [Tyr34]hPTH(7-34)NH2 and [D-Trp12Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, elevates cellular cAMP and inhibits phosphate uptake. bPTH(1-34)- and hPTHrP(1-34)-evoked cAMP accumulation is suppressed by PTH and PTHrP fragments while inhibition of phosphate uptake remains largely unaltered.     

Studies on preparation and photodynamic mechanism of chlorin P6-13,15-N-(cyclohexyl)cycloimide (Chlorin-H) and its antitumor effect for photodynamic therapy in vitro and in vivo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a promising method for treatment of cancerous tumors. The chemical and physical properties of used photosensitizer play key roles in the treatment efficacy. In this study, a novel photosensitizer, Chlorin-H [-13,15-N-(cyclohexyl)cycloimide] which displayed a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 698 nm was synthesized. Following flash photolysis with 355 nm laser, Chlorin-H is potent to react with O₂ and then produce ¹O₂. This finding indicates that Chlorin-H takes its effects through type II mechanism in PDT. Generally, Chlorin-H is localized in mitochondria and nucleus of cell. After light irradiation with 698 nm laser, it can kill many types of cell, inhibit cell proliferation and colony formation, suppress cancer cell invasiveness and trigger apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway in A549 cells in vitro. In addition, Chlorin-H–PDT can destroy A549 tumor in nude mice and a necrotic scab was formed eventually. The expression levels of many genes which regulated cell growth and apoptosis were determined by RT-PCR following Chlorin-H–PDT. The results showed that it either increased or decrease. Among which, the expression level of TNFSF13, a member of tumor necrosis factor superfamily, increased significantly. Silencing of TNFSF13 caused by RNA interference decreased the susceptibility of A549 cells to Chlorin-H–PDT. In general, Chlorin-H is an effective antitumor photosensitizer in vitro and in vivo and is worthy of further study as a new drug candidate. TNFSF13 will be an important molecular target for the discovery of new photosensitizers.     

Core-modified porphyrins. Part 6: Effects of lipophilicity and core structures on physicochemical and biological properties in vitro

Thiaporphyrins 2-8 were prepared as analogues of 5,20-diphenyl-10,15-bis[4-(carboxymethyleneoxy)-phenyl]-21,23- dithiaporphyrin (1) to examine the effect of structural modifications: substituent changes in meso aryl groups of dithiaporphyrins with one water-solubilizing group (2-5), dihydroxylation of a pyrrole double bond and reduction to dihydroxychlorins (6 and 7), and the removal of two meso aryl groups to give unsubstituted meso positions (8). The impact of these structural modifications was measured in both physicochemical (UV spectra, generation of singlet oxygen, lipophilicity, and aggregate formation) and biological properties (dark toxicity and phototoxicity, cellular uptake, and subcellular localization). Mono-functionalized porphyrins had much higher lipophilicity than di-functionalized porphyrin 1 and, consequently, formed more aggregates in aqueous media. The formation of aggregates might lower the efficiency of lipophilic porphyrins as photosensitizers. Interestingly, dihydroxylation of a core pyrrole group in the dithiaporphyrin core did not affect either the absorption spectrum or the efficiency for generating singlet oxygen. The phototoxicity of dihydroxydithiachlorins mainly depended on their intracellular uptake. The potent phototoxicity of 6, IC(50)=0.18muM, was attributed to the extraordinarily high uptake. The intracellular uptake of 6 was about 7.6 times higher than 1. In contrast, thiaporphyrin 8 with only two meso aryl groups was less effective as a photosensitizer, perhaps due to poorer uptake and a lower quantum yield for the generation of singlet oxygen.     

Galactodendritic Phthalocyanine Targets Carbohydrate-Binding Proteins Enhancing Photodynamic Therapy

Photosensitizers (PSs) are of crucial importance in the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. Due to their high reactive oxygen species production and strong absorption in the wavelength range between 650 and 850 nm, where tissue light penetration is rather high, phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been studied as PSs of excellence. In this work, we report the evaluation of a phthalocyanine surrounded by a carbohydrate shell of sixteen galactose units distributed in a dendritic manner (PcGal₁₆) as a new and efficient third generation PSs for PDT against two bladder cancer cell lines, HT-1376 and UM-UC-3. Here, we define the role of galacto-dendritic units in promoting the uptake of a Pc through interaction with GLUT1 and galectin-1. The photoactivation of PcGal₁₆ induces cell death by generating oxidative stress. Although PDT with PcGal₁₆ induces an increase on the activity of antioxidant enzymes immediately after PDT, bladder cancer cells are unable to recover from the PDT-induced damage effects for at least 72 h after treatment. PcGal₁₆ co-localization with galectin-1 and GLUT1 and/or generation of oxidative stress after PcGal₁₆ photoactivation induces changes in the levels of these proteins. Knockdown of galectin-1 and GLUT1, via small interfering RNA (siRNA), in bladder cancer cells decreases intracellular uptake and phototoxicity of PcGal₁₆. The results reported herein show PcGal₁₆ as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of bladder cancer, which is the fifth most common type of cancer with the highest rate of recurrence of any cancer.     

Quantitative Multi-Parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumor Response to Photodynamic Therapy

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to characterize response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a mouse cancer model using a multi-parametric quantitative MRI protocol and to identify MR parameters as potential biomarkers for early assessment of treatment outcome.MethodsCT26.WT colon carcinoma tumors were grown subcutaneously in the hind limb of BALB/c mice. Therapy consisted of intravenous injection of the photosensitizer Bremachlorin, followed by 10 min laser illumination (200 mW/cm²) of the tumor 6 h post injection. MRI at 7 T was performed at baseline, directly after PDT, as well as at 24 h, and 72 h. Tumor relaxation time constants (T₁ and T₂) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were quantified at each time point. Additionally, Gd-DOTA dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI was performed to estimate transfer constants (K^trans) and volume fractions of the extravascular extracellular space (v_e) using standard Tofts-Kermode tracer kinetic modeling. At the end of the experiment, tumor viability was characterized by histology using NADH-diaphorase staining.ResultsThe therapy induced extensive cell death in the tumor and resulted in significant reduction in tumor growth, as compared to untreated controls. Tumor T₁ and T₂ relaxation times remained unchanged up to 24 h, but decreased at 72 h after treatment. Tumor ADC values significantly increased at 24 h and 72 h. DCE-MRI derived tracer kinetic parameters displayed an early response to the treatment. Directly after PDT complete vascular shutdown was observed in large parts of the tumors and reduced uptake (decreased K^trans) in remaining tumor tissue. At 24 h, contrast uptake in most tumors was essentially absent. Out of 5 animals that were monitored for 2 weeks after treatment, 3 had tumor recurrence, in locations that showed strong contrast uptake at 72 h.ConclusionDCE-MRI is an effective tool for visualization of vascular effects directly after PDT. Endogenous contrast parameters T₁, T₂, and ADC, measured at 24 to 72 h after PDT, are also potential biomarkers for evaluation of therapy outcome.     

Structural alterations in cell organelles induced by photodynamic treatment with chlorin p6-histamine conjugate in human oral carcinoma cells probed by 3D fluorescence microscopy

We have explored the intracellular cell organelle's structural alterations after photodynamic treatment with chlorin p₆-histamine conjugate (Cp₆-his) in human oral cancer cells. Herein, the cells were treated with Cp₆-his (10 μm) and counterstained with organelle-specific fluorescence probes to find the site of intracellular localization using confocal microscopy. For photodynamic therapy (PDT), the cells were exposed to ~30 kJ/m² red light (660 ± 20 nm) to induce ~90% cytotoxicity. We used the three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction approach to analyze the photodynamic damage to cell organelles. The result showed that Cp₆-his localized mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lysosomes but not in mitochondria and Golgi apparatus (GA). The 3D model revealed that in necrotic cells, PDT led to extensive fragmentation of ER and fragmentation and swelling of GA as well. Results suggest that the indirect damage to GA occurred due to loss of connection between ER and GA. Moreover, in damaged cells with no sign of necrosis, the perinuclear ER appeared condensed and surrounded by several small clumps at the peripheral region of the cell, and the GA was observed to form a single condensed structure. Since these structural changes were associated with apoptotic cell death, it is suggested that the necrotic and apoptotic death induced by PDT with Cp₆-his is determined by the severity of damage to ER and indirect damage to GA. The results suggest that the indirect damage to cell organelle apart from the sites of photosensitizer localization and the severity of damage at the organelle level contribute significantly to the mode of cell death in PDT.     

Photodynamic therapy exploiting the anti-tumor activity of mannose-conjugated chlorin e6 reduced M2-like tumor-associated macrophages

M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) in cancer tissues are intimately involved in cancer immunosuppression in addition to growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Hence, considerable attention has been focused on cancer immunotherapies targeting M2-TAMs. However, systemic therapies inhibit TAMs as well as other macrophages important for normal immune responses throughout the body. To stimulate tumor immunity with fewer side effects, we targeted M2-TAMs using photodynamic therapy (PDT), which damages cells via a nontoxic photosensitizer with harmless laser irradiation. We synthesized a light-sensitive compound, mannose-conjugated chlorin e6 (M-chlorin e6), which targets mannose receptors highly expressed on M2-TAMs. M-chlorin e6 accumulated more in tumor tissue than normal skin tissue of syngeneic model mice and was more rapidly excreted than the second-generation photosensitizer talaporfin sodium. Furthermore, M-chlorin e6 PDT significantly reduced the volume and weight of tumor tissue. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that M-chlorin e6 PDT decreased the proportion of M2-TAMs and increased that of anti-tumor macrophages, M1-like TAMs. M-chlorin e6 PDT also directly damaged and killed cancer cells in vitro. Our data indicate that M-chlorin e6 is a promising new therapeutic agent for cancer PDT.