Drug Conjugates of Antagonistic R-Spondin 4 Mutant for Simultaneous Targeting of Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptors 4/5/6 for Cancer Treatment

J Med Chem. 2021 Sep 9;64(17):12572-12581. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00395. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Abstract

LGR4-6 (leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptors 4, 5, and 6) are three related receptors with an upregulated expression in gastrointestinal cancers to various extents, and LGR5 is enriched in cancer stem cells. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting LGR5 showed a robust antitumor effect in vivo but could not eradicate tumors due to plasticity of LGR5-positive cancer cells. As LGR5-negative cancer cells often express LGR4 or LGR6 or both, we reasoned that simultaneous targeting of all three LGRs may provide a more effective approach. R-spondins (RSPOs) bind to LGR4-6 with high affinity and potentiate Wnt signaling. We identified an RSPO4 furin domain mutant (Q65R) that retains potent LGR binding but no longer potentiates Wnt signaling. Drug conjugates of a peptibody comprising the RSPO4 mutant and IgG1-Fc showed potent cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines expressing any LGR in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in vivo without inducing intestinal enlargement or other adverse effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Heterografts
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Thrombospondins
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • RSPO4 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Thrombospondins