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The use of dipeptide derivatives of 5-aminolaevulinic acid promotes their entry to tumor cells and improves tumor selectivity of photodynamic therapy

Di Venosa, G; Vallecorsa, P; Giuntini, F; Mamone, L; Batlle, A; Vanzuli, S; Juarranz, A; ... Casas, A; + view all (2015) The use of dipeptide derivatives of 5-aminolaevulinic acid promotes their entry to tumor cells and improves tumor selectivity of photodynamic therapy. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics , 14 (2) 440 - 451. 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-13-1084. Green open access

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Abstract

The use of endogenous protoporphyrin IX generated after administration of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) has led to many applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the bioavailability of ALA is limited by its hydrophilic properties and limited cell uptake. A promising approach to optimize the efficacy of ALA-PDT is to deliver ALA in the form of prodrugs to mask its hydrophilic nature. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of two ALA dipeptide derivatives, N-acetyl terminated leucinyl-ALA methyl ester (Ac-Leu-ALA-Me) and phenylalanyl-ALA methyl ester (Ac-Phe-ALA-Me), for their use in PDT of cancer, by investigating the generation of protoporphyrin IX in an oncogenic cell line (PAM212-Ras), and in a subcutaneous tumor model. In our in vitro studies, both derivatives were more effective than ALA in PDT treatment, at inducing the same protoporphyrin IX levels but at 50- to 100-fold lower concentrations, with the phenylalanyl derivative being the most effective. The efficient release of ALA from Ac-Phe-ALA-Me appears to be consistent with the reported substrate and inhibitor preferences of acylpeptide hydrolase. In vivo studies revealed that topical application of the peptide prodrug Ac-Phe-ALA-Me gave greater selectivity than with ALA itself, and induced tumor photodamage, whereas systemic administration improved ALA-induced porphyrin generation in terms of equivalent doses administered, without induction of toxic effects. Our data support the possibility of using particularly Ac-Phe-ALA-Me both for topical treatment of basal cell carcinomas and for systemic administration. Further chemical fine-tuning of this prodrug template should yield additional compounds for enhanced ALA-PDT with potential for translation to the clinic.

Type: Article
Title: The use of dipeptide derivatives of 5-aminolaevulinic acid promotes their entry to tumor cells and improves tumor selectivity of photodynamic therapy
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-13-1084
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-13-1084
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2014 American Association for Cancer Research.
Keywords: Photodynamic Therapy, aminolaevulinic acid, ALA, dipeptides, ALA derivatives, ACPH, APEH, acylpeptide hydrolase.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci > Department of Surgical Biotechnology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1459829
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