Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework with an X-ray Triggerable Prodrug for Synergistic Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Aug 30;145(34):18698-18704. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c04602. Epub 2023 Aug 15.

Abstract

As heavy-metal-based nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOFs) are excellent radiosensitizers for radiotherapy via enhanced energy deposition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, we hypothesize that nMOFs with covalently conjugated and X-ray triggerable prodrugs can harness the ROS for on-demand release of chemotherapeutics for chemoradiotherapy. Herein, we report the design of a novel nMOF, Hf-TP-SN, with an X-ray-triggerable 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) prodrug for synergistic radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Upon X-ray irradiation, electron-dense Hf12 secondary building units serve as radiosensitizers to enhance hydroxyl radical generation for the triggered release of SN38 via hydroxylation of the 3,5-dimethoxylbenzyl carbonate followed by 1,4-elimination, leading to 5-fold higher release of SN38 from Hf-TP-SN than its molecular counterpart. As a result, Hf-TP-SN plus radiation induces significant cytotoxicity to cancer cells and efficiently inhibits tumor growth in colon and breast cancer mouse models.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks* / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Prodrugs* / pharmacology
  • Prodrugs* / therapeutic use
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Metal-Organic Frameworks
  • Prodrugs
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents