{"title":"Synthesis of selective BCL-XL PROTAC and potent antitumor activity in glioblastoma","authors":"Meichen Liu, Biao Sun, Rui Niu, Yue Zhang, Xinyu Li, Jiefei Wang, Xin Wang, Jinlong Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102593","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h2>Summary</h2> Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and treatment-resistant form of brain cancer, is significantly influenced by GBM stem cells (GSCs), which contribute to tumor initiation and recurrence. This study introduces two innovative proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), AN-1 and AN-2, designed to degrade BCL-X<sub>L</sub>, a key anti-apoptotic protein in the BCL-2 family. Optimized from ABT-263, these PROTACs utilize MDM2 as an E3 ligase, a strategy not previously used in GBM therapy. Our approach leverages the high expression of MDM2 in GSCs and low expression in platelets, enhancing therapeutic specificity and reducing the risk of thrombocytopenia—a key side effect of BCL-X<sub>L</sub> inhibition. Both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> studies show that AN-1 and AN-2 effectively inhibit GSC proliferation, promote apoptosis, and significantly improve survival rates without inducing thrombocytopenia. This study highlights the potential of targeting underexplored E3 ligases in cancer therapy and offers a selective approach to treating GBM, overcoming current treatment limitations.","PeriodicalId":9703,"journal":{"name":"Cell Reports Physical Science","volume":"6 5","pages":"102593-102593"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2666386425001924","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Cell Reports Physical Science","FirstCategoryId":"0","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102593","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
Summary
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and treatment-resistant form of brain cancer, is significantly influenced by GBM stem cells (GSCs), which contribute to tumor initiation and recurrence. This study introduces two innovative proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), AN-1 and AN-2, designed to degrade BCL-XL, a key anti-apoptotic protein in the BCL-2 family. Optimized from ABT-263, these PROTACs utilize MDM2 as an E3 ligase, a strategy not previously used in GBM therapy. Our approach leverages the high expression of MDM2 in GSCs and low expression in platelets, enhancing therapeutic specificity and reducing the risk of thrombocytopenia—a key side effect of BCL-XL inhibition. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that AN-1 and AN-2 effectively inhibit GSC proliferation, promote apoptosis, and significantly improve survival rates without inducing thrombocytopenia. This study highlights the potential of targeting underexplored E3 ligases in cancer therapy and offers a selective approach to treating GBM, overcoming current treatment limitations.
期刊介绍:
Cell Reports Physical Science, a premium open-access journal from Cell Press, features high-quality, cutting-edge research spanning the physical sciences. It serves as an open forum fostering collaboration among physical scientists while championing open science principles. Published works must signify significant advancements in fundamental insight or technological applications within fields such as chemistry, physics, materials science, energy science, engineering, and related interdisciplinary studies. In addition to longer articles, the journal considers impactful short-form reports and short reviews covering recent literature in emerging fields. Continually adapting to the evolving open science landscape, the journal reviews its policies to align with community consensus and best practices.