A Dual-Targeting Octaguanidine–Doxorubicin Conjugate Transporter for Inducing Caspase-Mediated Apoptosis on Folate-Expressing Cancer Cells

Abstract

An efficient synthetic framework was assembled (G8-FKE-FADox), consisting of a lysosome-targeting octaguanidine molecular transporter with a cathepsin B (cath B)-specific peptide substrate, folic acid, and the potent chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (Dox). Because the folate receptor (FR) and cath B are overexpressed in malignant cells, this transporter conjugate successfully executed lysosome-mediated transport of Dox to FR-positive tumor cells, illustrating this framework as an excellent targeted drug delivery system (TDDS). G8-FKE-FA-Dox was shown to exhibit selective toxicity toward FR-overexpressing cancer cells, with an IC50 value superior to that of the USFDAapproved LipodoxTM and proportional to that of free Dox via selective induction of apoptosis by the activation of caspases 8, 9, and 3. This TDDS was observed to be nontoxic to red blood cells and lymphocytes at neutral pH. Furthermore the tumor-targeting dissemination pattern of this system was revealed by monitoring the in vivo biodistribution of the carrier (G8-FKE-FA-FL) in normal and FR-overexpressing tumor-bearing mice.