Human Lipocalin-Type Prostaglandin D Synthase-Based Drug Delivery System for Poorly Water-Soluble Anti-Cancer Drug SN-38

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 3;10(11):e0142206. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142206. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is a member of the lipocalin superfamily, which is composed of secretory transporter proteins, and binds a wide variety of small hydrophobic molecules. Using this function, we have reported the feasibility of using L-PGDS as a novel drug delivery vehicle for poorly water-soluble drugs. In this study, we show the development of a drug delivery system using L-PGDS, one that enables the direct clinical use of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38), a poorly water-soluble anti-cancer drug. In the presence of 2 mM L-PGDS, the concentration of SN-38 in PBS increased 1,130-fold as compared with that in PBS. Calorimetric experiments revealed that L-PGDS bound SN-38 at a molecular ratio of 1:3 with a dissociation constant value of 60 μM. The results of an in vitro growth inhibition assay revealed that the SN-38/L-PGDS complexes showed high anti-tumor activity against 3 human cancer cell lines, i.e., Colo201, MDA-MB-231, and PC-3 with a potency similar to that of SN-38 used alone. The intravenous administration of SN-38/L-PGDS complexes to mice bearing Colo201 tumors showed a pronounced anti-tumor effect. Intestinal mucositis, which is one of the side effects of this drug, was not observed in mice administered SN-38/L-PGDS complexes. Taken together, L-PGDS enables the direct usage of SN-38 with reduced side effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Camptothecin / pharmacokinetics
  • Camptothecin / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Carriers* / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Carriers* / pharmacology
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases* / pharmacokinetics
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases* / pharmacology
  • Irinotecan
  • Lipocalins* / pharmacokinetics
  • Lipocalins* / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Lipocalins
  • Irinotecan
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase
  • Camptothecin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Grants 25242046 (to TI), and 21200076 (to TI) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/).