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Species-specific optimization of PEG~SN-38 prodrug pharmacokinetics and antitumor effects in a triple-negative BRCA1-deficient xenograft

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Abstract

Purpose

Optimal efficacy of a macromolecular prodrug requires balancing the rate of drug release with the rate of prodrug elimination. Since circulating macromolecules have different elimination rates in different species, a prodrug optimal for one species will likely not be for another. The objectives of this work were (a) to develop an approach to optimize pharmacokinetics of a PEG~SN-38 prodrug in a particular species, (b) to use the approach to predict the pharmacokinetics of various prodrugs of SN-38 in the mouse and human, and (c) to develop a PEG~SN-38 conjugate that is optimized for mouse tumor models.

Methods

We developed models that describe the pharmacokinetics of a drug released from a prodrug by the relationship between the rates of drug release and elimination of the prodrug. We tested the model by varying the release rate of SN-38 from PEG~SN-38 conjugates in the setting of a constant prodrug elimination rate in the mouse. Finally, we tested the antitumor efficacy of a PEG~SN-38 optimized for the mouse.

Results

Optimization of a PEG~SN-38 prodrug was achieved by adjusting the rate of SN-38 release such that the ratio of t1/2,β of released SN-38 to the t1/2 of prodrug elimination was 0.2–0.8. Using this approach, we could rationalize the efficacy of previous PEGylated SN-38 prodrugs in the mouse and human. Finally, a mouse-optimized PEG~SN-38 showed remarkable antitumor activity in BRCA1-deficient MX-1 xenografts; a single dose gave tumor regression, suppression, and shrinkage of massive tumors.

Conclusions

The efficacy of a macromolecular prodrug can be optimized for a given species by balancing the rate of drug release from the carrier with the rate of prodrug elimination.

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Notes

  1. Doses of PEG~SN-38 refer to the amount of conjugated SN-38 delivered.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Julia Malato, Fernando Salangsang, Paul Phojanakong for performing the xenograft studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ProLynx, 455 Mission Bay Boulevard South, Suite 341, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA

    Shaun D. Fontaine, Ralph Reid, Gary W. Ashley & Daniel. V. Santi

  2. University of California San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA

    Byron Hann

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Correspondence to Daniel. V. Santi.

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Shaun D. Fontaine, Ralph Reid, Gary W. Ashley, and Daniel V. Santi are all employees and shareholders of ProLynx LLC. Byron Hann is an employee of University of California, San Francisco.

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All studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution at which the studies were conducted.

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Fontaine, S.D., Hann, B., Reid, R. et al. Species-specific optimization of PEG~SN-38 prodrug pharmacokinetics and antitumor effects in a triple-negative BRCA1-deficient xenograft. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 84, 729–738 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-019-03903-5

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