Evaluation of Antitumoral Activity in a 3D Cell Model of a Src Inhibitor Prodrug for Glioblastoma Treatment.

in Pharmaceutics by Letizia Clementi, Federica Poggialini, Francesca Musumeci, Julia Taglienti, Emanuele Cornacchia, Chiara Vagaggini, Anna Carbone, Giancarlo Grossi, Elena Dreassi, Adriano Angelucci, Silvia Schenone

TLDR

  • The study evaluates the pharmacological profile of a new prodrug synthesized from a Src inhibitor and finds it to be a promising therapeutic agent for GBM, with better tissue penetration and antiproliferative efficacy compared to its precursor.

Abstract

: Three-dimensional (3D) cell models may bridge the gap between two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and animal models. Technical advances have led to the development of 3D-bioprinted cell models, characterized by greater reproducibility and the ability to mimic in vivo conditions. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with poor clinical outcomes due to its heterogeneity, angiogenic activity, and invasiveness. Src family kinases (SFKs) play a crucial role in GBM progression, making them attractive targets for drug development. Here, we show results about the pharmacological profile of a new prodrug synthesized from a Src inhibitor,.: Three-dimensional-bioprinted GBM cell models were used in predicting the antitumor activity of the prodrugwith respect to its precursor,.: Since the prodrug releases the active inhibitor through the cleavage by specific enzymes,was analyzed for stability and release kinetics in various media, including fetal bovine serum (FBS), which is normally used in cell culture. In comparison to,demonstrated higher solubility in water, higher permeability across gastrointestinal and blood-brain barrier membranes, and the ability to release the drug in the presence of FBS progressively. In the 2D GBM cell model, using U87 and U251 cell lines, both compounds similarly reduced tumor cell viability. In 3D-bioprinted cell models, in the presence of an FBS-free medium,exhibited a more effective antitumor activity compared to, reducing the proliferation and diameter of U251 spheroids grown within the bioprinted scaffold in a statistically significant manner. The analysis of proteins extracted from 3D scaffolds confirmed thatinhibited Src activation more efficiently than.: Our study suggests that, when tissue permeability represents a discriminating characteristic, bioprinted cell models can provide a valid alternative for studying the cytotoxicity of new antitumor compounds. This approach has permitted us to ascertain the potential of the prodrugas a therapeutic agent for GBM, demonstrating better tissue penetration and antiproliferative efficacy compared to the precursor compound.

Overview

  • The study investigates the pharmacological profile of a new prodrug synthesized from a Src inhibitor in three-dimensional bioprinted glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell models.
  • The prodrug releases the active inhibitor through enzymatic cleavage, and its stability, release kinetics, and solubility are analyzed in various media.
  • The study aims to evaluate the antitumor activity of the prodrug in comparison to its precursor and assess its potential as a therapeutic agent for GBM.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The prodrug demonstrated higher solubility in water, permeability across gastrointestinal and blood-brain barrier membranes, and ability to release the drug in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) progressively.
  • In 2D GBM cell models, both compounds reduced tumor cell viability similarly, while in 3D bioprinted cell models, the prodrug exhibited more effective antitumor activity in the presence of an FBS-free medium.
  • Analysis of proteins extracted from 3D scaffolds confirmed that the prodrug inhibited Src activation more efficiently than its precursor.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study suggests that bioprinted cell models can provide a valid alternative for studying the cytotoxicity of new antitumor compounds, especially when tissue permeability is a discriminating characteristic.
  • The approach allows for assessment of the potential of the prodrug as a therapeutic agent for GBM, demonstrating better tissue penetration and antiproliferative efficacy compared to the precursor compound.
  • Future studies can focus on further optimizing the prodrug's design and evaluating its efficacy in preclinical models, as well as exploring its potential for combination therapy with other treatments.
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