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Published on: November 9, 2020
Hypoxia-sensitive macrocycle inclusion complexes for targeted protein degradation
Jiachan Lin1, Wenyan Wang1, An-Kang Ying2
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
Hypoxia-responsive NaC4A-PROTACs enhance cancer therapy by improving PROTAC bioavailability and tumor delivery. This novel host-guest system enables targeted protein degradation, boosting anti-tumor efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) offer targeted protein degradation for cancer therapy.
- Clinical PROTAC application is hindered by poor bioavailability, tumor distribution, and off-target effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a hypoxia-responsive host-guest delivery system for PROTACs.
- To enhance PROTAC bioavailability, tumor targeting, and anti-cancer efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Design of NaC4A-PROTACs using azo-modified calixarene (Naph-SAC4A) as host and PROTACs as guest.
- Formation of stable supramolecular complexes under normoxic conditions.
- Hypoxia-induced azo bond cleavage and PROTAC release in tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- NaC4A-PROTACs demonstrated stability in normoxia and efficient PROTAC release in hypoxia.
- Enhanced PROTAC bioavailability and improved tumor-specific delivery observed in vitro and in vivo.
- Significant anti-tumor effects demonstrated, targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4).
Conclusions:
- NaC4A-PROTACs represent a novel supramolecular platform for hypoxia-targeted cancer therapy.
- The system effectively overcomes PROTAC delivery limitations, enhancing precision and efficacy.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for advanced PROTAC-based cancer treatments.
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