Mitochondria-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy with a Galactodendritic Chlorin to Enhance Cell Death in Resistant Bladder Cancer Cells

Bioconjug Chem. 2016 Nov 16;27(11):2762-2769. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00519. Epub 2016 Oct 27.

Abstract

Here, we report the rational design of a new third-generation photosensitizer (PS), a chlorin conjugated with galactodendritic units, ChlGal8, to improve the effectiveness of bladder cancer treatment. ChlGal8 shows better photochemical and photophysical properties than a recently reported homologous porphyrin, PorGal8. In addition to inheriting excellent photostability, the ability to generate singlet oxygen, and the ability to interact with the proteins galectin-1 and human serum albumin (HSA), ChlGal8 exhibits high absorption in the red region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In vitro studies of anticancer activity of ChlGal8 revealed that once this PS is taken up by UM-UC-3 bladder cancer cells, it induces high cytotoxicity after a single dose of light irradiation. In HT-1376 bladder cancer cells resistant to therapy, a second light irradiation treatment enhanced in vitro and in vivo photodynamic efficacy. The enhanced phototoxicity in HT-1376 cancer cells seems to be due to the ability of ChlGal8 to accumulate in the mitochondria, via facilitative glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), in the period between single and repeated irradiation. A photodynamic therapy (PDT) regimen using an extra dose of light irradiation and ChlGal8 as PS represents a promising strategy in treating resistant cancers in a clinical setting.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / radiation effects
  • Galactose / chemistry*
  • Galectin 1 / metabolism
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / radiation effects
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents / metabolism
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Porphyrins / chemistry*
  • Porphyrins / metabolism
  • Porphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Porphyrins / therapeutic use
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / radiation effects
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Galectin 1
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • Serum Albumin
  • chlorin
  • Galactose