A cell surface tethered enzyme improves efficiency in gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy

Nat Biotechnol. 1997 Dec;15(13):1373-7. doi: 10.1038/nbt1297-1373.

Abstract

The potential for expressing the bacterial enzyme carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) tethered to the outer surface of mammalian cells was examined for use in gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. The affinity of CPG2 for the substrate methotrexate was unaffected by three mutations required to prevent N-linked glycosylation. Breast carcinoma MDA MB 361 cells expressing CPG2 internally showed only a very modest increase in sensitivity to the prodrug CMDA because the prodrug did not enter the cells. Cells expressing surface-tethered CPG2, however, became 16-24-fold more sensitive to CMDA and could mount a good bystander effect. Systemic administration of CMDA to mice bearing established xenografts of the transfected cells led to sustained tumor regressions or cures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / chemistry
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / genetics
  • Glutamates / chemistry
  • Glutamates / pharmacology*
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Methotrexate / chemistry
  • Methotrexate / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / chemistry
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase / biosynthesis*
  • gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase / chemistry
  • gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Glutamates
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
  • Prodrugs
  • 4-((2-chloroethyl)(2-mesyloxyethyl)amino)benzoylglutamic acid
  • gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase
  • Methotrexate