Folate-Guided Protein Degradation by Immunomodulatory Imide Drug-Based Molecular Glues and Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras

J Med Chem. 2021 Aug 26;64(16):12273-12285. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00901. Epub 2021 Aug 11.

Abstract

Molecular glues and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are promising new therapeutic modalities. However, the lack of specificity for molecular glue- or PROTAC-mediated proteolysis in cancer cells versus normal cells raises potential toxicity concerns that will likely limit their clinical applications. Here, we developed a general strategy to deliver immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD)-based molecular glues and PROTACs to folate receptor α (FOLR1)-positive cancer cells. Specifically, we designed a folate-caged pomalidomide prodrug, FA-S2-POMA, by incorporating a folate group as a caging and guiding element and validated its degradation effect on its neo-substrates in FOLR1-positive cancer cells in a FOLR1-dependent manner. We also developed a folate-caged pomalidomide-based anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) PROTAC, FA-S2-MS4048, which effectively degraded ALK fusion proteins in cancer cells, again in a FOLR1-dependent manner. This novel approach provides a generalizable platform for the targeted delivery of IMiD-based molecular glues and PROTACs to FOLR1-expressing cancer cells with the potential to ameliorate toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Folate Receptor 1 / metabolism
  • Folic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Folic Acid / pharmacology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ikaros Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Immunologic Factors / chemical synthesis
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteolysis / drug effects*
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / chemical synthesis
  • Thalidomide / pharmacology
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CRBN protein, human
  • FOLR1 protein, human
  • Folate Receptor 1
  • IKZF3 protein, human
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Prodrugs
  • Ikaros Transcription Factor
  • Thalidomide
  • Folic Acid
  • pomalidomide
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • p80(NPM-ALK) protein
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases