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Affibody-based HER2 prodrug shows conditional cytotoxic effect on HER2-positive cancer cells
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), Protein Science.ORCID iD: 0009-0005-0274-063X
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), Protein Science, Protein Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5365-9122
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), Protein Science, Protein Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9282-0174
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), Protein Science, Protein Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9423-0541
2025 (English)In: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC, ISSN 0006-291X, E-ISSN 1090-2104, Vol. 758, article id 151660Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Therapeutic affinity proteins offer a targeted mode of action due to their typically high affinity and specificity for disease-associated molecules. In cancer therapy, such target molecules are often overexpressed receptors on tumor cells. However, their presence in healthy tissues can lead to on-target, off-tumor toxicity, necessitating strategies to enhance tumor selectivity. Here, we present an affibody-based prodrug concept that exploits tumor-associated proteases for selective activation. As proof of concept, we designed, produced, and characterized HER2-specific prodrug candidates, each incorporating a distinct protease substrate for selective activation by tumor-associated proteases. Their activation by corresponding proteases and subsequent HER2 binding were assessed. The most promising prodrug candidate was conjugated to the cytotoxic agent DM1 and evaluated for cytotoxicity in HER2-positive cancer cells. The results demonstrated potent, HER2-dependent cell killing, with markedly reduced cytotoxicity in the absence of prodrug activation. These findings support the feasibility of affibody-based prodrugs as a strategy to enhance tumor selectivity and minimize off-tumor toxicity in targeted cancer therapy.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV , 2025. Vol. 758, article id 151660
Keywords [en]
Affibody, Antibody-drug conjugates, Conditional activation, Prodrug, Selective tumor targeting, Tumor protease
National Category
Cancer and Oncology Molecular Biology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-362006DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151660ISI: 001467096900001PubMedID: 40117970Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105000339191OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-362006DiVA, id: diva2:1949679
Note

QC 20250409

Available from: 2025-04-03 Created: 2025-04-03 Last updated: 2025-12-05Bibliographically approved

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Westerberg, CorneliaMestre Borras, AnnaStåhl, StefanLöfblom, John

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