Targefrin: A Potent Agent Targeting the Ligand Binding Domain of EphA2

J Med Chem. 2022 Nov 24;65(22):15443-15456. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01391. Epub 2022 Nov 4.

Abstract

Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 is invariably associated with poor prognosis and development of aggressive metastatic cancers. Guided by our recently solved X-ray structure of the complex between an agonistic peptide and EphA2-LBD, we report on a novel agent, targefrin, that binds to EphA2-LBD with a 21 nM dissociation constant by isothermal titration calorimetry and presents an IC50 value of 10.8 nM in a biochemical assay. In cell-based assays, a dimeric version of the agent is as effective as the natural dimeric ligands (ephrinA1-Fc) in inducing cellular receptor internalization and degradation in several pancreatic cancer cell lines. When conjugated with chemotherapy, the agents can effectively deliver paclitaxel to pancreatic cancers in a mouse xenograft study. Given the pivotal role of EphA2 in tumor progression, we are confident that the agents reported could be further developed into innovative EphA2-targeting therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Peptides* / pharmacology
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, EphA2* / drug effects
  • Receptor, EphA2* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Peptides
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, EphA2
  • Antineoplastic Agents