Design, Synthesis, and Bioevaluation of a Novel Hybrid Molecular Pyrrolobenzodiazepine-Anthracenecarboxyimide as a Payload for Antibody-Drug Conjugate.

Abstract

A novel series of hybrid molecules combining pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) and anthracenecarboxyimide pharmacophores were designed, synthesized, and tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines. The most potent compound from this series, 37b3, exhibited a subnanomolar level of cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 0.17-0.94 nM. 37b3 induced DNA damage and led to tumor cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We employed 37b3 as a payload to conjugate with trastuzumab to obtain the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) T-PBA. T-PBA maintained its mode of target and internalization ability of trastuzumab. We demonstrated that T-PBA could be degraded through the lysosomal pathway to release the payload 37b3 after internalization. T-PBA showed a powerful killing effect on Her2-positive cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, T-PBA significantly inhibited tumor growth in gastric and ovarian cancer xenograft mouse models without overt toxicity. Collectively, these studies suggest that T-PBA represents a promising new ADC that deserves further investigation.

• Authors: Weirong Lai, Shengyan Zhao, Qinhuai Lai, Wei Zhou, Mengdan Wu, Xiaohua Jiang, Xin Wang, Yujia Peng, Xian Wei, Liang Ouyang, Lantu Gou, Hao Chen, Yuxi Wang, Jinliang Yang
• Journal: Journal of medicinal chemistry (J Med Chem) Vol. 65 Issue 17 Pg. 11679-11702 (09 08 2022) ISSN: 1520-4804 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35982539 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Immunoconjugates
• Pyrroles
• pyrrolo(2,1-c)(1,4)benzodiazepine
• Benzodiazepines
• Receptor, ErbB-2
• Trastuzumab

Topics

• Animals
• Benzodiazepines
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Humans
• Immunoconjugates (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Mice
• Pyrroles (pharmacology)
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (genetics)
• Trastuzumab
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays