Gemcitabine-Ibandronate Conjugate Enables the Bone-Targeted Combination Therapy in Bone Cancer: Synthesis and Efficacy in Combination with Docetaxel

Bioconjug Chem. 2021 Dec 15;32(12):2530-2539. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00507. Epub 2021 Nov 15.

Abstract

Patients with cancer-induced bone disease, including primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma (OS) and metastases from other tissues of origin, present a high unmet medical need. We present a potential therapeutic approach built upon a proven bone-targeting bisphosphonate conjugate platform with the known synergies of gemcitabine (GEM) and docetaxel (DTX). The synthesis of rationally designed GEM-IB, the conjugate of GEM-5'-phosphate with ibandronate (IB), is presented. GEM-IB as a single agent or in combination with DTX demonstrated reduced tumor burden, preservation of the bone architecture, and improved the survival in a murine model of OS. This is the first demonstration of a bone-targeting conjugate in combination with a second drug to create effective drug ratios in the bone compartment.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Deoxycytidine* / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine* / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxycytidine* / chemistry
  • Deoxycytidine* / pharmacology
  • Deoxycytidine* / therapeutic use
  • Diphosphonates* / chemistry
  • Diphosphonates* / pharmacology
  • Diphosphonates* / therapeutic use
  • Docetaxel* / chemistry
  • Docetaxel* / pharmacology
  • Docetaxel* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gemcitabine*
  • Humans
  • Ibandronic Acid* / pharmacology
  • Ibandronic Acid* / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology
  • Taxoids* / administration & dosage
  • Taxoids* / chemistry
  • Taxoids* / pharmacology
  • Taxoids* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Gemcitabine
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Docetaxel
  • Taxoids
  • Ibandronic Acid
  • Diphosphonates