Hydrogen peroxide inducible DNA cross-linking agents: Targeted anticancer prodrugs

Yunyan Kuang, Kumudha Balakrishnan, Varsha Gandhi, Xiaohua Peng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

265 Scopus citations

Abstract

The major concern for anticancer chemotherapeutic agents is the host toxicity. The development of anticancer prodrugs targeting the unique biochemical alterations in cancer cells is an attractive approach to achieve therapeutic activity and selectivity. We designed and synthesized a new type of nitrogen mustard prodrug that can be activated by high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in cancer cells to release the active chemotherapy agent. The activation mechanism was determined by NMR analysis. The activity and selectivity of these prodrugs toward ROS was determined by measuring DNA interstrand cross-links and/or DNA alkylations. These compounds showed 60-90% inhibition toward various cancer cells, while normal lymphocytes were not affected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of H 2O 2-activated anticancer prodrugs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19278-19281
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume133
Issue number48
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 7 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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