Rational Design of Cancer-Targeted Selenadiazole Derivative as Efficient Radiosensitizer for Precise Cancer Therapy

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Jun 20;29(6):2039-2049. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00247. Epub 2018 May 29.

Abstract

Chemical drug design based on the biochemical characteristics of cancer cells has become an important strategy for discovery of targeted therapies for personalized cancer medicine. Herein, cancer targeting RGD peptide has been covalently conjugated to selenadiazole derivative (RGD-SeD) to improve its cancer selectivity. The RGD decoration significantly enhances the anticancer efficacy of RGD-SeD in αVβ3 integrin-overexpressing HepG2 liver cancer cells but not in normal liver cells. Cellular uptake assay and fluorescent imaging confirmed the selectivity of RGD-SeD to integrin-overexpressing cancer cells. RGD-SeD strongly sensitizes HepG2 cells to clinically used X-ray radiotherapy through ROS overproduction, which triggers DNA damage-mediated apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. This X-ray-responsive DNA damage activates p53 signaling pathways by phosphorylation of ATM/ATR and γ-H2A.X. Furthermore, in a HepG2 nude mice xenograft model, the combined treatment of RGD-SeD and X-ray demonstrates potent in vivo antitumor efficacy via induction of apoptotic cell death but shows no toxicity on the functions of major organs. In summary, this study provides a strategy to design a selenium-based cancer targeting radiosensitizer for precise cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • DNA Damage / radiation effects
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Design
  • Female
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use*
  • Organoselenium Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Organoselenium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Organoselenium Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / administration & dosage
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / chemistry*
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • Oligopeptides
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid