Specific Inhibitor of Placental Alkaline Phosphatase Isolated from a DNA-Encoded Chemical Library Targets Tumor of the Female Reproductive Tract

J Med Chem. 2021 Nov 11;64(21):15799-15809. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01103. Epub 2021 Oct 28.

Abstract

Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) is an abundant surface antigen in the malignancies of the female reproductive tract. Nevertheless, the discovery of PLAP-specific small organic ligands for targeting applications has been hindered by ligand cross-reactivity with the ubiquitous tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). In this study, we used DNA-encoded chemical libraries to discover a potent (IC50 = 32 nM) and selective PLAP inhibitor, with no detectable inhibition of TNAP activity. Subsequently, the PLAP ligand was conjugated to fluorescein; it specifically bound to PLAP-positive tumors in vitro and targeted cervical cancer in vivo in a mouse model of the disease. Ultimately, the fluorescent derivative of the PLAP inhibitor functioned as a bispecific engager redirecting the killing of chimeric antigen receptor-T cells specific to fluorescein on PLAP-positive tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Isoenzymes
  • Ligands
  • DNA
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • alkaline phosphatase, placental