β-Glucuronidase-Responsive Albumin-Binding Prodrug of Colchicine-Site Binders for Selective cancer Therapy

ChemMedChem. 2025 Jan 21:e202400969. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202400969. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The development of novel therapeutic strategies enabling the selective destruction of tumors while sparing healthy tissues is of great interest to improve the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. In this context, we designed a β-glucuronidase-responsive albumin-binding prodrug programmed to release a potent Isocombretastatin A-4 analog within the tumor microenvironment. When injected at a non-toxic dose in mice bearing orthotopic triple-negative mammary tumors, this prodrug produced a significant anticancer activity, therefore offering a valuable alternative to the systemic administration of the parent drug.

Keywords: tumor microenvironment enzyme-responsive drug delivery system beta-glucuronidase albumin colchicine-cite binders.