Download MendeleyTumour-specific STING agonist synthesis via a two-component prodrug system.
Hsu, N.S., Tang, C., Mendes, R.V., Labao-Almeida, C., Dos Reis, C.V., Coelho, A.R., Marques, M.C., Cabeza Cabrerizo, M., Misteli, R., Rooney, T.P.C., Hyvonen, M., Corzana, F., Fior, R., Bernardes, G.J.L.(2025) Nat Chem 17: 1941-1951
- PubMed: 40957952
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-01930-9
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9QVT - PubMed Abstract:
Pharmacological activation of STING holds promise in cancer treatment. A recent trend is the development of tumour-specific or conditionally activated STING agonists for enhanced safety and efficacy. Here we explore an unconventional prodrug activation strategy for on-tumour synthesis of a potent agonist. Leveraging the unique mechanism of MSA2, a small-molecule agonist that dimerizes non-covalently before binding to STING, we showed that its analogues bearing reactive functional groups readily and selectively form covalent dimers under mild conditions and in complex environments. We identified a reacting pair that led to a thioether-linked dimer with submicromolar potency in cell-based assays. Caging one of the reactants with a self-immolative β-glucuronide moiety resulted in a two-component prodrug system that near-exclusively formed the active compounds in tumours overexpressing β-glucuronidase. These results exemplify the use of small-molecule recognition for on-site generation of active compounds from benign precursors.
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Organizational Affiliation:
