Dual-Stimuli-Activatable Hybrid Prodrug for the Self-Immolative Delivery of an Anticancer Agent and Hydrogen Sulfide with Turn-On Fluorescence

Stimuli-responsive fluorogenic prodrugs are advantageous for the targeted drug delivery enabling real-time non-invasive monitoring with turn-on fluorescence. We report herein the dual-stimuli (ROS and CA)-responsive thiocarbamate-based prodrug (AM-TCB) for the turn-on fluorogenic delivery of the naphthalimide-based anticancer agent amonafide along with the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S). A carbamate-based prodrug AM-CB was also designed, capable of releasing the anticancer agent amonafide without any H2S. The prodrugs were synthesized using multi-step organic synthesis. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies revealed selective reactivity of the boronate ester group of prodrugs towards ROS (primarily H2O2) with the release of amonafide and COS/CO2 via self-immolative processes. Hydrolysis of the generated COS by carbonic anhydrase (CA) produces H2S. While the prodrug AM-TCB retained the anticancer activity of free amonafide in cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and HeLa), unlike amonafide, it enhanced the cellular viability of the non-malignant cells (HEK-293). Fluorescence imaging in HeLa cells revealed the simultaneous delivery of the anticancer agent and H2S from AM-TCB with turn-on fluorescence. Western blot studies further revealed the cytoprotective effects of the released H2S from AM-TCB. The present adjuvant strategy therefore would be helpful in future for ameliorating the anticancer drug-induced side-effects. Adjuvant drug delivery: Dual-stimuli-responsive thiocarbamate-based turn-on fluorogenic prodrug AM-TCB was developed for the adjuvant delivery of the naphthalimide amine-based anticancer agent amonafide and the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The adjuvant release of H2S helps in ameliorating the anticancer drug-induced side-effects.+image