Dendrimer as nanocarrier for drug delivery

Dendrimers are novel three dimensional, hyperbranched globular nanopolymeric architectures. Attractive features like nanoscopic size, narrow polydispersity index, excellent control over molecular structure, availability of multiple functional groups at the periphery and cavities in the interior distinguish them amongst the available polymers. Applications of dendrimers in a large variety of fields have been explored. Drug delivery scientists are especially enthusiastic about possible utility of dendrimers as drug delivery tool. Terminal functionalities provide a platform for conjugation of the drug and targeting moieties. In addition, these peripheral functional groups can be employed to tailor-make the properties of dendrimers, enhancing their versatility. The present review highlights the contribution of dendrimers in the field of nanotechnology with intent to aid the researchers in exploring dendrimers in the field of drug delivery.     

PDMS-modified poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)s as water-borne coatings based on surfactant-free latexes

In this work, two series of PDMS-modified poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)s (PSMA) were prepared by the partial imidization of their anhydride groups with mono-functional, amine-terminated polydimethyl siloxanes (PDMS-NH₂) with two different molecular weights. Subsequently, surfactant-free artificial latexes were prepared and characterized and applied onto cotton fabric. The water contact angle values of the coated cotton fabric indicate the formation of hydrophobic surfaces, with static contact angles varying from 119° to 142° depending on the PDMS loading and PDMS molecular weight. Coatings of the prepared copolymers on cotton fabric are highly durable, as shown by washing studies with a standard soap solution. The properties of these water-based surfactant-free latexes can be tuned easily by changing the composition of the polymers, i.e. mol% of imidization, ammonolysis and cross-linking.     

Functionalized NIR‐II Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles for Single‐cell to Whole‐Organ Imaging of PSMA‐Positive Prostate Cancer

Development of molecular probes holds great promise for early diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. Here, 2‐[3‐(1,3‐dicarboxypropyl) ureido] pentanedioic acid (DUPA)‐conjugated ligand and bis‐isoindigo‐based polymer (BTII) are synthesized to formulate semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (BTII‐DUPA SPN) as a prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐targeted probe for prostate cancer imaging in the NIR‐II window. Insights into the interaction of the imaging probes with the biological targets from single cell to whole organ are obtained by transient absorption (TA) microscopy and photoacoustic (PA) tomography. At single‐cell level, TA microscopy reveals the targeting efficiency, kinetics, and specificity of BTII‐DUPA SPN to PSMA‐positive prostate cancer. At organ level, PA tomographic imaging of BTII‐DUPA SPN in the NIR‐II window demonstrates superior imaging depth and contrast. By intravenous administration, BTII‐DUPA SPN demonstrates selective accumulation and retention in the PSMA‐positive tumor, allowing noninvasive PA detection of PSMA overexpressing prostate tumors in vivo. The distribution of nanoparticles inside the tumor tissue is further analyzed through TA microscopy. These results collectively demonstrate BTII‐DUPA SPN as a promising probe for prostate cancer diagnosis by PA tomography.     

Synthesis,Labeling and Preclinical Evaluation of a Squaric Acid Containing PSMA Inhibitor Labeled with 68Ga: A Comparison with PSMA-11 and PSMA-617

The L-lysine urea-L-glutamate (KuE) represents a key motif in recent diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals targeting the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Using a squaric acid moiety for coupling of KuE with a radioactive label, the squaric acid as a linker in the PSMA ligand seems to mimic the aromatic structure of the naphthylalanine unit on PSMA-617. In this work, we investigate the influence of squaric acid moiety on the biological activity of the compound carrying a KuE motif and three typical chelates. The derivatives TRAM.SA.KuE, DOTAGA.SA.KuE and NODAGA.SA.KuE were all synthesized in straightforward organic reactions and purified by HPLC afterward. Different amounts of tracer were labeled at different temperatures with ⁶⁸Ga. PET examinations were performed on NMRInu/nu nude mice with an LNCaP tumor on the right hind leg including ex vivo investigations of the organs. For comparison, ⁶⁸Ga-derivatives of PSMA-11 and PSMA-617, the derivatives most commonly used in clinics, were investigated in the same animal model.     

Treating Prostate Cancer by Antibody–Drug Conjugates

Prostate cancer is the most frequent malignancy in the worldwide male population; it is also one of the most common among all the leading cancer-related death causes. In the last two decades, the therapeutic scenario of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer has been enriched by the use of chemotherapy and androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) and, more recently, by immunotherapy and poly(ADP–ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. At the same time, several trials have shown the survival benefits related to the administration of novel ARSIs among patients with non-castration-resistant metastatic disease along with nonmetastatic castration-resistant cancer too. Consequently, the therapeutic course of this malignancy has been radically expanded, ensuring survival benefits never seen before. Among the more recently emerging agents, the so-called “antibody–drug conjugates” (ADCs) are noteworthy because of their clinical practice changing outcomes obtained in the management of other malignancies (including breast cancer). The ADCs are novel compounds consisting of cytotoxic agents (also known as the payload) linked to specific antibodies able to recognize antigens expressed over cancer cells’ surfaces. As for prostate cancer, researchers are focusing on STEAP1, TROP2, PSMA, CD46 and B7-H3 as optimal antigens which may be targeted by ADCs. In this paper, we review the pivotal trials that have currently changed the therapeutic approach to prostate cancer, both in the nonmetastatic castration-resistant and metastatic settings. Therefore, we focus on recently published and ongoing trials designed to investigate the clinical activity of ADCs against prostate malignancy, characterizing these agents. Lastly, we briefly discuss some ADCs-related issues with corresponding strategies to overwhelm them, along with future perspectives for these promising novel compounds.     

靶向PSMA放射性小分子药物研究进展

前列腺癌(PCa)是男性死亡的常见诱因,严重危害着人们的生命健康。随着靶向前列腺特异性膜抗原（PSMA）的放射性药物在PET/CT和SPECT/CT中的应用,前列腺癌诊断的灵敏度与精确度得到了有效提高。本文首先对靶向PSMA小分子药物的核心结构单元进行介绍,然后重点介绍基于脲基发展而来的靶向PSMA放射性药物（放射性核素包括：⁶⁸Ga、¹⁸F、¹¹C、^99mTc、⁶⁴Cu、¹²³I、¹²⁵I、¹³¹I、¹⁷⁷Lu、²²⁵Ac、²¹³Bi和²¹²Pb等）,以及在前列腺癌中的诊断与治疗研究进展,最后对该研究领域进行总结与展望。     

68Ga-NOTA-ANCP-PSMA的制备与初步评价

前列腺特异性膜抗原（prostate specific membrane antigen, PSMA）作为理想靶点,⁶⁸Ga标记的PSMA小分子抑制剂可用于前列腺癌诊断、分期和疗效评价。为研发一种新型、具有较好理化性能的⁶⁸Ga标记的PSMA小分子化合物,以1-萘基丙氨酸、4-胺甲基环己甲酸和苯丙氨酸组成的链式氨基酸为侧链,设计了新型的PSMA小分子抑制剂⁶⁸Ga-NOTA-ANCP-PSMA,并对其标记方法和体外理化性质进行了研究。采用固相合成法制备前体化合物,经确证结构后,进行⁶⁸Ga标记。分别对温度、pH、前体化合物投入量等标记条件进行了实验,并测定了放射性标记物的稳定性和脂水分配系数。标记条件为pH=3.0～4.5、90.0～95.0 ℃、前体化合物质量浓度不低于20 mg/L,在优化的标记条件下,标记率可达95%以上。纯化后的标记物在磷酸缓冲液体系下和小牛血清蛋白体系下2 h的体外稳定性较好。脂水分配系数为-1.36±0.01(n=3),与PSMA-617相比,该化合物的亲脂性稍高。标记化合物的体内分布显示：血液清除较快,以肾脏代谢为主,在非靶器官摄取较低。     

A Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Bimodal BODIPY-Labeled PSMA-Targeting Bioconjugates

The aim of this study was to identify a high-affinity BODIPY peptidomimetic that targets the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as a potential bimodal imaging probe for prostate cancer. For the structure-activity study, several BODIPY (difluoroboron dipyrromethene) derivatives with varying spacers between the BODIPY dye and the PSMA Glu-CO-Lys binding motif were prepared. Corresponding affinities were determined by competitive binding assays in PSMA-positive LNCaP cells. One compound was identified with comparable affinity (IC₅₀=21.5±0.1 nM) to Glu-CO-Lys-Ahx-HBED-CC (PSMA-11) (IC₅₀=18.4±0.2 nM). Radiolabeling was achieved by Lewis-acid-mediated ¹⁹F/¹⁸F exchange in moderate molar activities (∼0.7 MBq nmol⁻¹) and high radiochemical purities (>99 %) with mean radiochemical yields of 20–30 %. Cell internalization of the ¹⁸F-labeled high-affinity conjugate was demonstrated in LNCaP cells showing gradual increasing PSMA-mediated internalization over time. By fluorescence microscopy, localization of the high-affinity BODIPY-PSMA conjugate was found in the cell membrane at early time points and also in subcellular compartments at later time points. In summary, a high-affinity BODIPY-PSMA conjugate has been identified as a suitable candidate for the development of PSMA-specific dual-imaging agents.     

Targeted Gold Nanocluster‐Enhanced Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer

For over a hundred years, X‐rays have been a main component of the radiotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Yet, to date, no radiosensitizer has been developed to selectively target prostate cancer. Gold has excellent X‐ray absorptivity and is used as a radiotherapy enhancing material. In this work, ultrasmall Au₂₅ nanoclusters (NCs) are developed for selective prostate cancer targeting, radiotherapy enhancement, and rapid clearance from the body. Targeted‐Au₂₅ NCs are rapidly and selectively taken up by prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo and also have fast renal clearance. When combined with X‐ray irradiation of the targeted cancer tissues, radiotherapy is significantly enhanced. The selective targeting and rapid clearance of the nanoclusters may allow reductions in radiation dose, decreasing exposure to healthy tissue and making them highly attractive for clinical translation.