Biological Assessment of Triazine Dendrimers as Candidate Platforms for Nanomedicine: Toxicological Profiles, Solution Behavior, Biodistribution, and Drug Release and Efficacy in a PEGylated, Paclitaxel Construct

Abstract

The physicochemical characteristics, in vitro properties, and in vivo toxicity and efficacy of a third generation triazine dendrimer bearing approximately nine 2 kDa polyethylene glycol chains and twelve ester linked paclitaxel groups are reported. The hydrodynamic diameter of the neutral construct varies slightly with aqueous solvent ranging from 15.6–19.4 nm. Mass spectrometry and light scattering suggest radically different molecular weights with the former ~40 kDa mass consistent with expectation, and the latter 400 kDa mass consistent with a decameric structure and the observed hydrodynamic radii. HPLC can be used to assess purity as well as paclitaxel release, which is insignificant in organic solvents or aqueous solutions at neutral and low pH. Paclitaxel release occurs in vitro in human, rat, and mouse plasma and is non-linear, ranging from 7–20% cumulative release over a 48 hour incubation period. The construct is 2–3 orders of magnitude less toxic than Taxol^® by weight in human hepatocarcinoma (Hep G2), porcine renal proximal tubule (LLC-PK1), and human colon carcinoma (LS174T) cells, but shows similar cytotoxicity to Abraxane^® in LS174T cells. Both Taxol® and the construct appear to induce caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. The construct shows a low level of endotoxin, is not hemolytic and does not induce platelet aggregation in vitro, but does appear to reduce collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. Furthermore, the dendrimer formulation slightly activates the complement system in vitro due most likely to the presence of trace amounts (<1%) of free paclitaxel. An animal study provided insight into the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) wherein 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg paclitaxel/kg of construct or Abraxane were administered once per week for three consecutive weeks to non-tumor bearing athymic nude mice. The construct showed in vivo toxicity comparable to Abraxane. Both formulations were found to be non-toxic at the administered doses, and the dendrimer had an acute MTD greater than the highest dose administered. In a prostate tumor model (PC-3-luc), efficacy was observed over 70 days with an arrest of tumor growth and lack of luciferase activity observed in the twice treated cohort.

Introduction

Paclitaxel (PTX) is an anti-mitotic agent widely used to treat ovarian, breast, lung, head and neck cancers, and AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma.^1,2 However, due to its poor water solubility, the hydrophobic drug is commonly formulated as Taxol^® with Cremophor EL^® (polyoxyethylated castor oil) or other co-solvents before administered, resulting in dose-limiting toxicity and hypersensitivity in some patients.³ To overcome this toxicity other formulations have been explored; most notably, Abraxane^®, a nanoparticle comprising paclitaxel and serum albumin. Alternatively, incorporation of paclitaxel into polymeric therapeutics is of great interest because the strategy promises to improve the solubility and lower the toxicity of the drug while providing opportunities for targeted-delivery, enhanced bio-permeability, and desirable pharmacokinetics.^4–8 Of the variety of classes of polymers including linear, graft, star polymers, recent interest has focused on the use of dendrimers to carry and deliver drugs in either noncovalent or covalent manners.^9–11 Notable amongst these examples, are those with reported in vivo efficacy from Baker, Frechet and Szoka, and the StarPharma group.^12–15 In most cases, controlled and timely release of the active agent in diseased cells is critical for the drug maximizing efficacy. The study of physicochemical properties of the conjugates will be essential to understand and predict their in vivo pharmacokinetic behaviors.

Our interest in triazine dendrimers for use in drug delivery has guided our choice of synthetic targets and methods over the last eight years.¹⁶ Many of the synthetic challenges surrounding this class of molecules have been surmounted as punctuated both by the scale at which these materials can now be produced (up to kilogram)¹⁷ and the sophistication in target structures in terms of orthogonal group¹⁸ or the drugs conjugated including paclitaxel^19,20 and camptothecin.²¹ With increased understanding of synthetic methods and scope, preliminary inquiries into biological parameters of interest were made. Cell toxicity sets in for polycation dendrimers (24 amines) at 0.1–1 mg/mL in Clone 9,^22,23 and >1 mg/mL in MCF-7 and A-549 lines.²⁴ Toxicity is reduced by changing the cationic surface to one that is zwitterionic or neutral as a result of PEGylation.²³ In vivo, polycationic (24 amines) triazine dendrimers show no adverse effects as judged by alanine transferase (ALT), an enzyme marker of liver injury, or blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a marker of kidney injury, analysis upon i.p. injection up to 10 mg/kg.²⁵ Higher doses in chronic studies showed onset of liver toxicity (ALT and histology) and mortality.²² PEGylated constructs show markedly lower toxicity with no adverse effects observed at i.p doses up to 2.6 g/kg or 1.3 g/kg under iv administration. In addition, we observed that low generation dendrimers show low antigenicity even when charged with antigenic peptides.²⁴ More recently, a clearer picture of the biodistribution and elimination pathways for these materials has emerged.^20,26 Accordingly, our candidates—second and third generation triazine dendrimers—appear to be promising platforms for nanomedicine. As such, a more complete assessment of biological parameters was warranted. Here, we describe the results of a collaborative effort wherein many biological characteristics of a candidate macromolecular drug, dendrimer 1, are assessed.

Dendrimer 1 is shown schematically and atomically in Chart 1. Three arms radiate from the central core (blue) of dendrimer 1. The periphery is decorated with 12 paclitaxel groups (green) appended through a 2′-ester linkage (red). Complete drug loading derives from the synthetic methods and purification strategy employed: Twelve paclitaxel-appended dichlorotriazines (pink) are installed on the generation two triazine dendrimer (light blue). Capping with 4-aminomethylpiperidine and PEGylation (brown) installs, on average, 9 PEG chains of 2 kDa each to afford the desired construct, 1.²⁰ Accordingly, 1 is 25% weight paclitaxel, 25% weight triazine dendrimer, and 50% weight PEG. Physicochemical and biological assessment of 1 follows.

Chart 1.

Dendrimer 1.

Experimental

Dynamic light scattering

Hydrodynamic diameter was measured on a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS instrument (Southborough, MA) with back scattering detector (173°, 633 nm laser wavelength) in batch mode at 25° C using a low volume quartz cuvette (pathlength 10 mm). Samples were prepared at a concentration of 2 mg/mL in water, 10 mM NaCl, PBS, or saline (154 mM NaCl), and filtered through a 0.2 μm filter (Anotop 10 Plus, Whatman) before a minimum of twelve measurements per sample were made. Hydrodynamic size is reported as the intensity-weighted average over all size populations (Z-avg), and as the intensity weighted and volume-weighted average over a particular range of size populations corresponding to the most prominent peak in the % intensity and % volume distributions (Int-Peak and Vol-Peak), respectively.

Zeta potential

A Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS instrument was used to measure zeta potential at 25° C. Samples were prepared at a concentration of 2 mg/mL in 10 mM NaCl and loaded into pre-rinsed folded capillary cells for the zeta potential measurements. Sample pH was measured before and after the zeta potential measurements. An applied voltage of 120 V was used. The trace shown in the Supporting Information represents the average of at least three measurements.

HPLC-based assessments of purity

The chromatographic system used to measure sample purity consisted of a degasser (Agilent G1379A, Palo Alto, CA), capillary pump (Agilent G1378A), micro well-plate autosampler (Agilent G1377A), Zorbax 300SB-C8 column (1.0 mm ID × 150 mm, 3.5 μm, Agilent), and a diode array detector (Agilent G1315B). The mobile phase consisted of water/acetonitrile (A/B, HPLC Grade, 0.14% (w/v) trifluoroacetic acid) at a flow rate of 50 μL/min. The elution gradient was 40% MeCN for 5 minutes, ramp to 80% MeCN in 80 minutes, hold at 80% MeCN for 5 minutes, and ramp down to 40% MeCN in 10 minutes. The sample volume injected was 5 μL at a concentration of 2 mg/mL in HPLC-grade water, and the eluted sample was detected at 227 nm, the absorbance maximum. Samples were run in triplicate.

HPLC-based assessment of paclitaxel release

Samples of 1 were prepared at 1 mg/mL in water, water at pH 2, acetonitrile, and acetonitrile at pH 2. Over the course of the 3 day experiment, samples were mixed on a rotary shaker placed in an incubator set at 37° C. An additional sample of 1 (prepared in water) was spiked with 100 μg/mL paclitaxel. The amount of free paclitaxel was determined by RP-HPLC after 3 days. The chromatographic system consisted of a degasser (Agilent G1379A, Palo Alto, CA), capillary pump (Agilent G1378A), micro well-plate autosampler (Agilent G1377A), Zorbax 300SB-C8 column (1.0 mm ID × 150 mm, 3.5 μm, Agilent), and a diode array detector (Agilent G1315B). The mobile phase consisted of water/acetonitrile (A/B, HPLC Grade, 0.14% (w/v) trifluoroacetic acid) at a flow rate of 50 μL/min. The elution gradient was 40% MeCN for 5 minutes, ramp to 80% MeCN in 40 minutes, hold at 80% MeCN for 5 minutes, and ramp down to 40% MeCN in 10 minutes. The sample volume injected was 5μL and the eluted sample was detected at 210 nm. Samples were run in triplicate.

Molecular weight determination by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AFFF) with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) and refractive index (RI) detection

To calculate the value of dn/dc (the change in the refractive index with a change in concentration) needed for the determination of the molecular weight, samples were prepared in PBS at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg/mL. Briefly, dry sample (typically 30 mg) was added to a pre-weighed 1.8 mL cryo-vial, and 1.5 mL Milli-Q water was added to give a concentration of 20 mg/mL. The solution was then frozen using dry ice and lyophilized overnight. The lyophilized sample was then weighed and the actual sample weight determined. A control (1.8 mL cryo-vial with 1.5 mL water) was run in parallel with the sample to correct for any water present in the cryo-vial. To the known lyophilized sample, an appropriate volume of Milli-Q water was added to give a concentration of 20 mg/mL. Three hundred (300) μL aliquots (corresponding to 6 mg of sample) were prepared from this stock sample solution, frozen and lyophilized overnight. To the 6 mg sample, 1 mL PBS was added to give a stock concentration of 6 mg/mL. Samples were prepared at the desired concentrations by diluting the stock solution with PBS. The determination of dn/dc was first performed manually by injecting 1-mL pure solvent (PBS) into the RI detector (Optilab rEX, Wyatt Technology, Santa Barbara, CA) using a 1 mL disposable syringe. This produces the pure solvent baseline. Next, each sample, starting with the lowest concentration, was manually injected (700 μL) with a new 1 mL disposable syringe. After all the samples were injected, pure PBS was injected again for baseline determination. ASTRA (v5.3.1.5, Wyatt Technology) was used to calculate dn/dc.

The SEC-MALLS apparatus comprised an isocratic pump (Agilent G1310A, Palo Alto, CA), well-plate autosampler (Agilent G1329A), and TosoHaas TSK gel Guard PW 06762 (7.5 mm ID × 7.5 cm, 12 μm) and TSKgel G4000PW 05763 (7.5 mm ID × 30 cm, 17 μm, 500 Å) columns (TosoHaas, Montgomeryville, PA). The size exclusion column was connected in-line to a light scattering (MALLS) detector (DAWN EOS, 690 nm laser, Wyatt Technology, Santa Barbara, CA) and a Refractive Index (RI) detector (Optilab rEX, Wyatt Technology, Santa Barbara, CA). The isocratic mobile phase was PBS (1x, pH 7.5, Sigma D1408, St. Louis, MO) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Sample concentration was 3 mg/mL in PBS and filtered through a 0.2 μm filter before 100 μL was injected into the chromatographic system. Dendrimer 1 was analyzed via asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AFFF) with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) and refractive index (RI) for molecular weight determination.

The AFFF-MALLS measurements were performed using instrumentation from Wyatt Technology Corp. (Santa Barbara, CA, USA), which consists of Eclipse2 AFFF controller and DAWN EOS scattering detector and Optilab rEX refractive index detector.. The thickness of the AFFF separation channel was defined by a 490 μm PEEK spacer, and a nominal 10 kDa regenerated cellulose membrane served as the flow partition membrane. One hundred (100) μL of sample was injected into the separation channel and focused against the partitioning membrane for 5 min at a focusing flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The samples were then separated by a constant cross flow of 1.0 mL/min during a period of 40 min. The same dn/dc value was used to determine the molecular weight. Two un-filtered samples with concentrations of 3.0 mg/mL and one 0.2 μm-filtered sample with a concentration of 3.0 mg/mL were injected.

Paclitaxel release in plasma

In order to determine the concentration of free PTX in 1, stock solutions of 1 (with concentration of 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 μg/mL) were prepared in PBS. Aliquots of these stock solutions were analyzed for free PTX using an HPLC assay. In order to determine the rate of release of bound PTX from 1 in plasma, 1 was incubated in plasma (human, rat and mouse) at 37° C for 48 hours. At selected time intervals (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 hours), 100 μL aliquots of the plasma samples were collected and prepared for analysis by acetonitrile precipitation. Standard calibration samples were prepared by spiking 100 μL of blank plasma with known paclitaxel concentrations ranging from 0.125 to 25 μg/mL. Plasma samples, 100 μL, were mixed with 0.5 mL ice-cold acetonitrile that contained 5 μL of 2.5 μg/mL docetaxel as an internal standard. The samples were then centrifuged at 14000 rpm for 20 minutes to remove precipitated protein. The organic layer was transferred to a clean borosilicate glass tube and evaporated to dryness under a pressured nitrogen gas blowing concentrator (TurboVap^® LV) at 40° C. The extraction residue was reconstituted in 1 mL of 20% acetonitrile in water, and 50 μL aliquots were injected into an HPLC system. PTX extraction efficiency in plasma was determined to be between 85–90%. HPLC analysis was performed using a Shimadzu system (LC-20AT pump, SPD-20A UV, a SIL-20AC auto injector, a C-R3A integrator), and C-18 Zorbax column (5 μm, 4.6 × 150 mm). Note: this is a different HPLC system than was employed earlier.

Chromatographic separations were achieved using a water and acetonitrile gradient elution method (25% acetonitrile from 0 to 5 min, increased linearly to 80% acetonitrile from 5 to 15 min, decreased linearly to 25% acetonitrile from 15 to 17 min), injection volume of 50 μL, UV detection at λ_max 227 nm, and a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 25° C, and the column regeneration time between injections was 8 min. The internal standard, docetaxel, and analyte, paclitaxel, elution times were 14.73 and 15.03 min, respectively. Peak area ratio was used to calculate paclitaxel concentrations from the standard calibration curves obtained using tissue matrix standards. A separate calibration in matrix was conducted for each set of tissues analyzed. Data was acquired and processed with LC solution^® chromatography software from Shimadzu.

Cytotoxicity: Cell lines HepG2, LLC-PK-1, and LS174T

Briefly, 1 and paclitaxel were diluted to 0.000003–300 μM paclitaxel equivalents of 1, Taxol and Abraxane (for LS174T). Cells were plated in 96-well, microtiter plate format at a density of 50,000 cells per well for HepG2, 25,000 cells per well for LLC-PK1, and 20,000 cells per well for LS174T. Cells were pre-incubated for 24 hours prior to test material addition, reaching an approximate confluence of 80%. Cells were then exposed to test material or media control for 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours in the dark, and cytotoxicity was determined using the MTT cell viability and LDH membrane integrity assays. IC₅₀ values were approximated from the 48 and 72 hour MTT dose-response curves.

LS174T MTT cytotoxicity assay-short exposure

Using a cell plating density of 20,000 cells per well, cells were plated in 96-well, microtiter plate format. Cells were preincubated for 24 h prior to test material addition, reaching an approximate confluence of 80%. Both 1 and Abraxane were diluted to 0.000005–500 μM paclitaxel equivalent in cell culture media. Cells were then exposed to test material or control media for 1 h, washed with media, and fresh media added. Cytotoxicity was evaluated 6 days later by the MTT cell viability. IC₅₀ values were approximated from the MTT dose-response curves.

Caspase assay

Caspase 3 activity was measured by the Apo-One Homogenous Caspase-3/7 Assay kit (Promega Cat. #TB293, Promega Corp., Madison, WI). Briefly, the test materials were diluted in cell culture media to 0.000003–300 μM paclitaxel equivalents. LS174T cells were plated in 96-well microtiter plate format at 20,000 cells per well in RPMI 1640 cell culture media (2 mM L-glutamine, 10% FBS). The negative control was cell culture media. The positive control was 10 mM acetaminophen. Cells were preincubated for 24 hours prior to addition of test sample, reaching an approximate confluence of 80%. Cells were treated with test samples in the dark for 24 and 48 hours. Following the treatment period, the test materials were removed. Cells were washed with media, and then incubated for 1 hour with kit reagents. Caspase 3 activity was measured using a microtiter plate spectrophotometer at excitation 485 nm and emission 530 nm.

In vitro immunological characterization of sterility

NCL protocols STE-1.3 (turbidity Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL)) and STE-2 were followed; complete experimental details can be found on the NCL website (http://ncl.cancer.gov/assay_cascade.asp). Compound 1 was tested at 1 mg/mL concentration.

Hemolysis and platelet aggregation

NCL protocols ITA-1 and ITA-2 were followed for this assay; complete experimental details can be found on the NCL website (http://ncl.cancer.gov/assay_cascade.asp). Hemolysis was assessed at four concentrations of 1 (1.0, 0.2., 0.04 and 0.008 mg/mL) using Triton-X as the positive control and PBS as the negative control. Three independent samples were prepared for each concentration and analyzed in duplicate (%CV<25).

Complement activation

NCL protocol ITA-5 was followed for this assay; complete experimental details can be found on the NCL website (http://ncl.cancer.gov/assay_cascade.asp). Dendrimer 1 was tested at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Two independent samples were prepared and each sample was analyzed in duplicate. PBS and cobra venom factor were used as the negative and positive control, respectively.

In vivo toxicity

Immediately prior to dosing, both 1 and Abraxane were suspended in PBS. The animal model utilized was 7-week-old female athymic nu/nu mice, three animals per treatment group. The study included four treatment groups (10, 25, 50 and 100 mg paclitaxel/kg) for both 1 and Abraxane, with PBS vehicle control. Treatments were administered by tail vein at 5 mL/kg body weight, once per week for three consecutive weeks. Animals were monitored daily for mortality, and signs of pharmacologic or toxicologic effects. Body weights were measured twice weekly and at study termination. Moribund animals (>20% loss in body weight) and animals surviving to planned study termination on day 21 were euthanized by CO₂ asphyxiation, and blood was collected by cardiac puncture for hematological and clinical chemistry analysis. Animals were acclimated to the study environment for two weeks prior to study initiation. Animal rooms were kept at 50% relative humidity, 68–72º F with 12 h light/dark cycles. Mice were housed by treatment group, with 3 animals/cage (Thoren), with ¼″ corncob bedding. Animals were allowed ad libitum access to Purina 5L79 rodent chow and RO water. Statistical analyses were conducted using the software program Statistica version 7.1 (StatSoft, Inc., Tulsa, OK). Statistical differences for parametric data were determined by ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons by Dunnet’s T test or Neuman-Keuls test. Nonparametric data was analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA with multiple comparisons test.

NCI-Frederick is accredited by AAALAC International and follows the Public Health Service Policy for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Animal care was provided in accordance with the procedures outlined in the “Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (National Research Council; 1996; National Academy Press; Washington, D.C.)

Tissue Culture and Animal Model

The PC-3 cell line was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA). PC-3 cells or PC-3-h-luc (permanently transfected with luciferase gene) were cultured in T-media at 37º C in an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ and were passaged at 75% confluence in P150 plates. T-media was supplemented with 5% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and 1 × Penicillin/Streptomycin. Cultured cells were harvested from monolayer using PBS and trypsin/EDTA, and suspended in T-media with 5% FBS. The cell suspension was then mixed 1:1 with Matrigel^™ and injected subcutaneously (2.5 × 10⁶ cells per injection, injection volume 100 μL) into the front flanks (for biodistribution) or the nape of the neck (for treatment) of male SCID (Severe combined immunodeficiency) mice with 6 – 8 weeks of age. After the cell injection, the animals were monitored three times a week by general observations. The tumor was noticed to grow in the first week and allowed to grow three weeks to reach a palpable size for biodistribution or therapeutic efficacy evaluation studies.

Biodistribution studies in SCID mice bearing PC-3 xenografts

For biodistribution study, 12 mice bearing two tumors (50 – 500 mg) in the front flanks were randomized into 3 groups (n = 4; 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h). Each mouse was intravenously injected with 100 μL of ¹²⁵I-radiolabeled 1 (~5 μCi/mouse). Mice were sacrificed at 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-injection (i.p.). Organs of interest (blood, heart, lung, fat, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, intestines, muscle, femur, thyroid, brain, and tumors) were harvested and weighed, and radioactivity was quantified by γ-counter. Standards were prepared, weighed, and counted along with the samples for %ID/g and %ID/organ calculation.

Therapeutic Efficacy Evaluation

PC-3-h-luc tumors were allowed to grow in the nape of the neck for three weeks prior to the first administration of 1, which was dissolved in Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS) at a concentration of 50 mg PTX/mL. The tumor-bearing mice were randomized into 5 groups for treatment (n = 6): 100 mg/kg PTX equivalents (single dose; 100s); 100 mg/kg PTX equivalents (double doses administered with a 7-day interval; 100d); 200 mg/kg PTX equivalents (single dose; 200s); 200 mg/kg PTX equivalents (double doses administered with a 7-day interval; 200d); and a PBS control. The administration was through the tail vein. Tumor size in mm³ was estimated using the formula (π/6)W² × L, where “L” is the longest diameter of the tumor and “W” is the width perpendicular to the longest diameter. The tumor size was measured every other day and the tumor cell viability was monitored by a Bioluminescence Imaging system (BLI) weekly. To minimize the individual animal difference, the tumor volume ratio (tumor size change in a mouse) at a given day was referenced to the tumor size of the same mouse at day 4, which was normalized to 1 for all animals. Statistical analysis was performed by using Prism statistic program (GraphPad, San Diego, CA). Body weights were monitored throughout.

Bioluminescent imaging (BLI)

In vivo BLI was used to noninvasively monitor the tumor cell viability in mice bearing PC-3-h-luc tumor. Prior to imaging, mice were anesthetized by inhaling an isoflurane-oxygen mixture (3% isoflurane, 3% oxygen) and then injected intradermally with 80 μL of 40 mg/mL of D-Luciferin (Gold Biotechnology Inc., St. Louis, MO) in PBS. An IVIS Cooled Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera apparatus (Xenogen Corp., Alameda, CA) was used for capturing photon emissions from the tumors with an acquisition time between 5 sec to 2 min depending on the photon intensity. Living Image software package from Xenogen was used for imaging data analysis in the regions of interest (ROI) and the maximum values was obtained in photon/second/cm²/steradian. Prism statistic program (GraphPad, San Diego, CA) was used for statistic data analysis.

Results and discussion

Solution phase behavior: Monomeric species or micellar aggregate?

Our mental image of what 1 looks like in solution is dependent on solvent. In the extreme, two solvents are of importance, simple aqueous solutions and the physiologic milieu. In simple aqueous solvents, we hypothesize that 1 exists primarily as an aggregate, perhaps a decamer. Using dynamic light scattering, no significant difference in diameter was observed for 1 dispersed in 10 mM NaCl (18.5 nm), PBS (19.4 nm), or saline (18.9 nm). In water, the size was notably reduced by 4 nm to 15.6 nm. Larger aggregates approaching micron scale were also recorded.

Corroborating the formation of aggregates is data derived from size exclusion chromatography using multiple angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS). By MALDI-TOF, the expected mass of approximately 40 kDa is observed for 1. The light scattering signal from SEC-MALLS shows two peaks, the main peak eluting at ~8.5 min and a smaller peak at ~6.5 min. Based on the refractive index signal, the first peak is present in very low amounts and elutes with the solvent peak. This behavior implies that it is larger than the size limit of the column (1500 kDa) and may therefore represent aggregates of 1 with the previously suggested sub-micron-scale size. The main peak has a molecular weight of 400 kDa, leading to the hypothesis that in solution 1 assembles into a structure with approximately 10 units. Additional corroboration for this aggregation tendency exists: These values agree with the molecular weight estimate obtained through AFFF-MALLS.

Asymmetric field flow fractionation (AFFF) provides separation of a sample in an AFFF channel by applying a cross flow to press the sample against the partition membrane. In such a set-up, small molecules elute first, followed by larger molecules. The molecular weights of two duplicate samples of unfiltered 1 were determined to be 420.2 kDa and 425.1 kDa, respectively. A lower molecular weight estimate of 373.5 kDa is obtained by filtering the sample. This behavior is consistent with the hypothesis that filtration removes some of the higher molecular weight aggregates.

The existence of aggregates is not inconsistent with previous observations. The hydrogen bond donor-acceptor capabilities of these triazines has led to the observation of gelation of organic solvents at low concentrations.²⁷ Similar sized triazine dendrimers bearing approximately 10 PEG chains showed anomalously high elimination half-lives compared with other dendrimers.²⁶ Surprisingly, however, is that 1 does not behave similarly in vivo. It appears that the installation of paclitaxel groups (or, other much lesser perturbations in structure) leads to biodistribution profiles that match other hypothetically monomeric species in clearance rate, but the accumulation apparent in the liver is consistent with either aggregates or active uptake.²⁰

The molecular basis for aggregation likely derives in part from the Janus-nature of these molecules. Computation in the gas phase reinforces a picture wherein the hydrophobic core of the triazine dendrimer and paclitaxel groups collapse and orient PEG chains in a common direction (Figure 1). This provides for the exposure of a hydrophobic patch that could cause aggregation. The zeta potential for 1 was measured in 10 mM NaCl and was −1.8 ± 0.7 mV (n=3) at pH 8.4. Zeta potential provides a measure of the electrostatic potential at the surface of the interaction of the electrical double layer surrounding a particle and the bulk medium, which is related to the particle’s surface charge. The zeta potential distribution recorded is consistent with a PEGylated nanoparticle of unspecified dimensions.

Figure 1.

Gas phase simulations of 1 with nine PEG chains reveal opportunities for hydrophobic patch formation on one face derived largely from paclitaxel groups. Each PEG chain is colored violet with purple used to indicate the site of attachment to the dendrimer. Dendrimer and paclitaxel are indicated using conventional colors (C=grey, H=white, N=blue, O=red). Little of the triazine dendrimer is apparent.

Assessing purity and paclitaxel release

The purity of 1 was determined by RP-HPLC and the resulting chromatogram shows two distinct features (Figure 2). The first feature is identified as paclitaxel based on comparison in retention times to free paclitaxel injected alone. This peak integrates for approximately 0.8% of the area leading to the claim that 1 contains less than 1% free paclitaxel. The second feature has an elution profile that allows for the main dendrimer peak to be resolved (though not baseline) into at least 6 peaks. These peaks may represent dendrimers with different loadings of paclitaxel or different loadings of PEG. We favor the latter explanation based on our evaluation of the chemistry and the belief that an average of 9 PEG chains of the possible 12 is present on the dendrimer. Unfortunately to date, we have been unable to obtain MALDI-TOF for the fractionated peak: such efforts may ultimately be required should we arrive at competitive efficacy at the clinically relevant doses. It might be that these peaks represent different aggregation states of 1, but both the clear resolution of species and the high organic content of the solvent leads us to favor incomplete PEGylation. Similar resolution of mixtures has been reported by Banasek Holl and coworkers who investigate the substoichiometric derivatization of PAMAM dendrimers with methotrexate and folate.²⁸

Figure 2.

Chromatogram of 1 showing free paclitaxel (~9 min) and a series of peaks (attributed to differing degrees of PEGylation) corresponding to dendrimer 1.

The resolution of free paclitaxel and dendrimer offers a facile mechanism to assess paclitaxel release under a variety of conditions including the presence of plasma derived from humans, rats, and mice. Solvolysis of the 2′ester was probed by incubating 1 at 37° C in water and acetonitrile at both neutral pH and pH 2. These samples were compared with an aqueous solution of 1 stored at 4° C. The traces show no release of paclitaxel under the conditions probed. To establish that solubility limitations of paclitaxel did not lead to this conclusion as a result of artifact, a sample of 1 spiked with a known amount of paclitaxel was run. The data suggest that aqueous formulations of 1 may have reasonable stability. These observations lessen significantly our concerns about the effect that dialysis has on premature drug release.

However, very different results were observed in the presence of plasma. Such studies are the result of careful calibration and control, because unlike the plasma-free studies, sample aliquots are not directly injected into the HPLC. Instead, an extraction protocol is followed with validity documented by establishing extraction efficiency of paclitaxel from plasma. Docetaxel was used as an internal standard as both compounds are very similar in structure and gave sharp peaks with baseline resolution. No endogenous or extraneous peaks were observed interfering with the separation and quantitation. Paclitaxel was stable during the time of analysis, and no degradation products were found using the acetonitrile/water mobile phase system. The calibration curves for paclitaxel in plasma matrix were linear in the range of 0.5–2.5 μg/mL. Correlation coefficients, r = > 0.99 were found for paclitaxel/docetaxel peak areas versus theoretical paclitaxel concentrations in plasma standards. The limit of detection (LOD) was established to be 0.125 μg/mL using a 100 μL plasma sample. At higher concentrations, 90% extraction efficiency is obtained.

While our long term interest focuses on human chemotherapy, our reliance on mouse and other models of disease led us to examine release of paclitaxel from 1 in the serums derived from mice, rats, and humans. Table 1 shows the cumulative release of paclitaxel from these three serums over a 48 hour period. Clearly, release appears species dependent and slow. Indeed, half-lives estimated from the data were calculated to be 64 h, 192 h, and 886 h for rat serum, human serum, and mouse serum, respectively. The data of Table 1 are plotted in Figure 3. These parameters open up a wide space for dosing options in future efficacy studies.

Table 1.

Cumulative Release of Paclitaxel from Serums Derived from Human, Rat, and Mouse Sources

Time (h)	Human Plasma % Cumulative Release ± SD	Rat Plasma % Cumulative Release ± SD	Mouse Plasma % Cumulative Release ± SD
0.5	0.07 ± 0	0.07 ± 0	0.07 ± 0
1.0	0.94 ± 0.57	0.76 ± 0.33	0.27 ± 0.35
2.0	1.6 ± 0.73	4.38 ± 1.10	1.04 ± 0.34
4.0	2.63 ±1.19	7.90 ± 0.61	1.64 ± 0.33
6.0	4.19 ± 1.11	10.65 ± 1.41	2.40 ± 0.45
8.0	6.41 ± 1.24	13.61 ± 0.76	3.14 ± 0.48
24	8.84 ± 1.49	17.56 ± 2.24	5.50 ± 0.53
48	11.08 ± 1.50	20.06 ± 2.66	7.43 ± 0.48

Figure 3.

Cumulative release (in %) of paclitaxel from 1 in human, rat, and mouse plasma.

Biological activity in vitro

In route to determining a therapeutically useful dosing strategy for 1, cytotoxicity against a panel of cell line, caspase 3 activation, hemolytic potential were probed in vitro. Taxol^® and Abraxane^® formulations serve as a useful comparison.

Cytotoxicity

Cytotoxicity was probed in human hepatocarcinoma (Hep G2) cells, LLC-PK1, and human colon carcinoma (LS174T) cells (subsequently used in xenografts). The maximum concentrations tested in these studies were 300 μM paclitaxel equivalents of 1, Taxol, and Abraxane. Treatment of cells with both materials resulted in a dose- and time-responsive loss of cell viability as measured by the MTT assay and loss of membrane integrity as measured by the LDH leakage assay. The LDH values did not correlate with the MTT data at high concentrations and later time points, at which point LDH inhibition/degradation appeared to occur. The data for these experiments are shown in Table 2. Across all cell lines, 1 showed markedly lower toxicity than Taxol. Abraxane was used in addition for LS174T, as this line was chosen for the xenograft model.

Table 2.

Cytotoxicity Data

Cmpd/Cell line	Hep G2:48 h	Hep G2: 72 h	LLC-PK1:48 h	LLC-PK1:72 h	LS174T:48 h	LS174T:72 h
Dendrimer 1	>300 μM	3 μM	5 μM	1 μM	0.1 μM	0.1 μM
Taxol	10 μM	0.03 μM	0.005 μM	0.001	0.0003 μM	0.0001 μM
Abraxane	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	0.1 μM	0.1 μM

Both 1 and Taxol treated cells demonstrated similar morphology at the 24 h time point and high concentration with changes characteristic of apoptosis, including rounding of cells and loss of cell adhesion (See Supporting Information for micrographs). As earlier, the LDH values did not correlate with the MTT data at high concentration and later time points, at which point LDH inhibition/degradation appeared to occur. The dose-response curve for Taxol displayed two horizontal asymptotes, with an intervening plateau, and at the highest concentrations complete loss of cell viability. By contrast, both 1 and Abraxane formulations only displayed one asymptote, with an extended plateau at high concentrations that did not reach 0% of control viability.

A short exposure analysis was performed wherein the MTT assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells under the assumption that a short exposure/long incubation regimen may be more relevant to in vivo exposures. The approximated IC₅₀ values were 10 μM for 1, and 1 μM for Abraxane. The dose-response curve for both 1 and Abraxane displayed near complete loss of cell viability at the highest concentrations.

Caspase 3/7 activation

The observed apoptotic phenotype prompted us to confirm this observation using a caspase 3 apoptosis assay in LS174T cells. Treatment of the LS174T cells with 1 and Taxol resulted in a significant dose responsive increase in caspase 3/7 activity over control at 24 and 48 h as indicated by the caspase 3/7-dependent cleavage assay (Supporting Information). The increase in caspase 3 activity mimicked the cytotoxicity profile of each agent, and was greater for Taxol than for 1, leading us to conclude that the cytotoxicity in LS174T cells involves caspase 3/7 dependent apoptosis, as has been described in the literature for paclitaxel cytotoxicity.²⁹

Sterility

Samples of 1 derive ultimately from ultrafiltration and/or dialysis. To probe for potential contamination with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and cell forms of bacteria, yeast and mold, NCL protocols STE-1.3 (turbidity Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL)) and STE-2 were followed (see http://ncl.cancer.gov/assay_cascade.asp for complete experimental details) using 1 at 1 mg/mL. No bacterial, yeast or mold contamination was detected. Endotoxin levels, as estimated by kinetic turbidity LAL assay, were 1.13 endotoxin units (EU)/mg. Clinically, this level of endotoxin is acceptable for a maximum dose of 1 that does not exceed 4.4 mg/kg/hour.

Platelet and red blood cell effects and complement

In addition to cytotoxicity and contamination, dosing could be limited by both hemolysis and platelet interactions. In short, 1 does not affect the integrity of red blood cells, showing no hemolytic potential over four concentrations: 1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.04 mg/mL and 0.008 mg/mL. To evaluate nanoparticle effects on human platelets in vitro, 1 was tested over an identical concentration range. While no platelet aggregation was observed (percent aggregation was always below the 20% assay threshold), interestingly, 1 did inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro (percent aggregation below 20%). These effects appeared to be independent of particle concentration over the range tested.

Separately, complement activation was examined at 1 mg/mL of 1. Paclitaxel is known to be immunoreactive with literature reports of hypersensitivity reactions and complement activation by paclitaxel in chremophor formulations. Given the trace amounts (<1% free paclitaxel), we expected that it was likely that the complement activation would occur. Activation did occur. While previous studies with PAMAM dendrimers have shown no complement activation irrespective of dendrimer size (generation) or surface charge, we cannot extrapolate this result to the triazine architectures at the present time. The very slight induction observed does not give us cause for concern at this time.

Biological activity in vivo

Since their inception, triazine dendrimers have evoked concerns about biocompatibility. To this end, a thorough analysis of blood chemistries was performed over a hypothetical dosing regime based on the Abraxane dosing schedule. Briefly, the repeat-dose regimen in the athymic nude (nu/nu) mouse model were performed at doses of 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg paclitaxel/kg of 1 (or Abraxane) administered once per week for three consecutive weeks to non-tumor bearing athymic nude mice. Study endpoints included daily clinical observation, biweekly body weight measurement, hematology and clinical chemistry. Over the course of these studies, there were no deaths nor any abnormal clinical observations, noted for any of the animals treated with either 1 or Abraxane. The weights of animals in receiving 1, Abraxane or PBS were observed to decrease slightly following dosing, and recover several days later. There were no significant differences in body weight between the treatment and control groups. Decreases in body weight gain did not follow a dose-dependent trend for either the 1 or Abraxane groups. The hematology parameters for 1 are summarized in Table 3. There was a sporadic finding of statistically significant decreases in mean platelet count for 1 (and Abraxane groups) that was not dose dependent—an observation which is currently attributed to sample preparation. No statistically significant differences in the remaining hematology parameters were identified. A similar panel of clinical chemistries executed is also shown with no significant differences noted. No maximum tolerated dose was defined.

Table 3.

Hematology and Clinical Chemistry of 1^a

	vehicle control (PBS)	prodrug 1 dose (mg PTX/kg body weight)
		10	25	50	100
white blood cells (103/μL)	number of animals
	3	2	2	2	3
total leukocytes	8.86 ± 3.82	9.13 ± 1.09	9.34 ± 2.74	7.35 ± 4.79	8.75 ± 3.00
neutrophils	2.01 ± 0.67	2.30 ± 0.21	2.95 ± 0.72	2.09 ± 0.98	2.20 ± 0.91
lymphocytes	6.41 ± 2.98	6.29 ± 0.83	5.94 ± 1.92	4.57 ± 3.75	6.14 ± 2.02
macrophage/monocytes	0.41 ± 0.15	0.52 ± 0.04	0.40 ± 0.08	0.50 ± 0.22	0.28 ± 0.15
eosinophils	0.020 ± 0.026	0.025 ± 0.007	0.040 ± 0.014	0.13 ± 0.11	0.09 ± 0.06
basonphils	0.007 ± 0.006	0.010 ± 0.00	0.0100 ± 0.0001	0.06 ± 0.07	0.037 ± 0.012
clotting potential
platelet count (103/mL)	811 ± 66	750 ± 43	664 ± 90	564 ± 73a	578 ± 54a
mean platelet volume (fL)	5.1 ± 0.2	5.1 ± 0.2	5.2 ± 0.1	5.3 ± 0.2	4.9 ± 0.2
red blood cells	number of animals
	3	2	2	2	2
total erythrocyte count (M/μL)	9.35 ± 0.41	9.53 ± 0.14	8.63 ± 0.37	8.78 ± 0.74	8.63 ± 1.62
hemoglobin (hb) conc. (g/dL)	14.8 ± 0.5	15.1 ± 0.1	13.9 ± 0.1	13.8 ± 1.8	14.3 ± 1.7
hematocrit (%)	51.6 ± 0.7	51.8 ± 1.4	46.9 ± 0.1	49.8 ± 6.0	48.9 ± 8.9
mean corp. volume (fL)	54.9 ± 3.6	54.8 ± 0.1	54.3 ± 2.3	56.6 ± 2.1	56.7 ± 0.4
mean corp. hb. (Pg)	15.8 ± 0.9	15.8 ± 0.1	16.1 ± 0.8	15.7 ± 0.8	16.7 ± 1.4
mean corp. hb. conc. (g/dL)	28.6 ± 0.8	29.1 ± 0.6	29. 6 ± 0.2	27.8 ± 0.4	29.5 ± 2.2
red cell distr. width (%)	17.2 ± 1.2	16.5 ± 1.1	16.4 ± 0.4	15.6 ± 0.2	16.0 ± 0.4
electrolyte balance (mmol/L)	number of animals
	3	3	3	3	3
calcium	10.1 ± 0.1	9.9 ± 0.1	9.8 ± 0.2	9.8 ± 0.3	9.7 ± 0.1
phosphate	8.2 ± 0.9	7.3 ± 1.0	8.0 ± 0.6	8.3 ± 1.0	9.1 ± 0.2
potassium	7.6 ± 0.5	7.3 ± 0.2	7.3 ± 0.2	17.6 ± 17.2	7.4 ± 0.2
sodium	155 ± 24	154 ± 3	155 ± 3	157 ± 1	154 ± 2
carbohydrate metabolism
glucose (mmol/L)	172 ± 24	177 ± 15	166 ± 16	150 ± 14	159 ± 10
pancreatic function
amylase (U/L)	963 ± 81	182 ± 108	928 ± 63	807 ±171	893 ± 110
liver function: hepatobiliary
total bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.4 ± 0.1	0.4 ± 0.0	0.3 ± 0.1	0.3 ± 0.0	0.4 ± 0.1
liver function: hepatocellular
alanine aminotransferase (U/L)	79 ± 16	86 ± 5	74 ± 20	82 ± 10	81 ± 5
kidney function
creatinine (mmol/L)	0.2 ± 0.0	0.2 ± 0.0	0.2 ± 0.0	0.2 ± 0.0	0.2 ± 0.0
urea nitrogen (mg/dL)	19 ± 1	19 ± 4	20 ± 4	24 ± 6	21 ± 3
others
albumin (g/L)	4.1 ± 0.1	3.7 ± 0.3	3.9 ± 0.3	4.1 ± 0.1	3.0 ± 0.1
alkaline phosphatase (U/L)	79 ± 16	86 ± 5	74 ± 20	82 ± 10	81 ± 5
globulin (calculated, g/L)	1.4 ± 0.1	1.4 ± 0.3	1.4 ± 0.4	1.2 ± 0.3	1.1 ± 0.3
A/G ratio	3.0 ± 0.2	2.8 ± 0.8	2.9 ± 0.8	3.7 ± 0.9	3.6 ± 0.8
total protein (g/L)	5.5 ± 0.2	5.1 ± 0.2	5.3 ± 0.3	5.3 ± 0.2	5.1 ± 0.3

^aDeviation of platelet count is currently attributed to sample preparation.

Biodistribution

A biodistribution study of 1 was recently concluded (Figure 4) and is included here for completeness, as this data and the synthesis—uniquely—were previously reported.²⁰ The distribution half-life (t_½α) and elimination half-life (t_½β) were 0.4 h and 15.3 h, respectively. Tumor uptake was observed, but was modest. While the tumor:blood ratio was significantly lower than desirable (0.8 at 48 h), the tumor:muscle ratio was found to be 14.6 at 48 h. Biodistribution of dendrimers is impacted by size with small dendrimers excreted through the kidneys and larger dendrimers accumulating in the liver.³⁰ The accumulation of dendrimer 1 in the liver and spleen presumably due to the sequestration by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) is consistent with the hypothesis of aggregation in vivo. Satisfyingly, the majority of 1 was excreted through urine (~30%ID), while less than 3%ID was found in the feces (Table 4).

Figure 4.

Biodistribution and tumor localization of 1 in SCID mice bearing PC-3 xenografts showing tumor/muscle ratios at different time points, respectively.

Table 4.

Cumulative Excretion Data of 1 Found in the Urine and Feces

Time	24 h	48 h	72 h
%ID in urine	26.6	31.5	34.8
%ID in feces	1.6	2.1	2.5

The antitumor activity of 1 (at 15 and 30 mg PTX/kg) and Abraxane (at 5 and 10 mg/kg) was initially assessed in an LS174T colon cancer xenograft in direct comparison to Abraxane. Doses were administered by tail vein injection once daily for five consecutive days (qd × 5) based on an earlier report.³¹ Unfortunately, no dose responsive inhibition of tumor growth was observed for 1, and no statistically significant difference in tumor volume was obtained for all treatment groups (P = 0.8) on day 20. There were no significant clinical abnormalities (body weight or organ weight on necropsy) nor treatment-related mortality observed in any of the treatment groups (data not shown).

However, in a prostate cancer model (PC-3-h-luc) at higher doses, therapeutic efficacy of 1 was observed (Figure 5). Mice were inoculated with 2 × 10⁶ PC-3-h-luc cells in the nape of the neck. When the tumors reached the size range of 0.4 – 250 mm³ (3 weeks after inoculation), the animals were randomized into five groups for the treatment with 1. To minimize the bias on results, the drug injection and tumor size measurement were conducted by two different persons, the latter was blinded to the identities of the animals. Because paclitaxel comprises 25% weight of 1, the actual dose of construct is 4 times higher than the indicated value. The 200 mg/kg dose was viscous and represents what is likely an upper limit of concentration. All materials were administered by a bolus injection to the tail vein. Mice were monitored for body weight and behavioral changes. The results are shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5.

Therapeutic efficacy of 1 in SCID mice bearing PC-3-h-luc xenografts. (A): Tumor volume changes measured by caliper during the 10-week treatment period (tumor volume ratio = tumor size at a given time/tumor size at day 4 post treatment). (B) Statistical comparison between the treatment groups (pooled data from 100s, 100d, 200s, and 200d shown as black columns) and the PBS control. Significant therapeutic efficacy (p < 0.0001) was seen starting from day 50 post treatment. (C) Expanded portion of the treatment group data in (A). The abbreviations reflect the amount of paclitaxel in mg PTX/kg (100 or 200) and whether a single (s) or double (d) administration was used.

In comparison with the PBS group, all treatment groups (100s, 100d, 200s, and 200d) showed significantly suppressed tumor growth starting from day 50 (p < 0.0001; Figure 5B). The value 100 and 200 reflect the mg paclitaxel/kg. The “s” and “d” reflect single or double dosings. Among them, the groups treated with double doses of 100 and 200 mg PTX/kg dose levels (100d and 200d) demonstrated better efficacy than the single dose treated groups (100s and 200s) albeit lack of statistic significance due to the small sample size (Figure 5C). Encouragingly, the tumor growth was completely arrested in the group treated with double doses of 200 mg PTX/kg (200d). Over the 70 day experiment period, three mice perished: one in the group of 200s; and two in the group of 200d (no animal deaths, abnormal weight loss or behavioral changes were observed over an extended period when the doses were administered into normal Balb/c mice), suggesting multidose treatment with 1 at < 200 mg/kg for future comprehensive evaluations using the same tumor xenograft model.

Given the established role of BLI in the longitudinal monitoring of tumor burden in therapy intervention studies in small animal models,³² we employed BLI to noninvasively monitor the tumor cell viability during the 10-week treatment experiment period. The results are shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6.

BLI evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of 1 in SCID mice bearing PC-3-h-luc xenografts. (A): Representative BLI images of four treatment groups and PBS control. The photon intensity of the BLI images was shown on the same scale. (B) Comparative presentation of BLI signals of the four treatment groups. The relative BLI signals at the given week were normalized to the data at week 3 (set at 100%) for all individual mice. (C) Absolute BLI photon intensity quantification of the five tumor-bearing mice shown in (A).

Consistent with the caliper measurement (Figure 5), the BLI results shown in Figure 6 clearly demonstrate the tumor growth suppressing effect of 1 in all treatment groups as compared to the control group, while virtually no tumor BLI signal increase was observed in the group of 200d. As shown in Figure 6B, the therapeutic efficacy exhibited by the four dosing plans clearly follows the order of 100s < 100d < 200s < 200d. However owing to the small sample size, the order was not of statistical significance. Compared to the results in Figure 5, the groups of 100d and 200s switched the order of therapeutic efficacy (Figure 6B&C). This is likely because the caliper reading just provides the physical size of tumor, whereas the BLI photon signal is a direct measure of the tumor cell viability, namely the luciferase expression in live tumor cells.

By performing Pearson’s correlation tests, we found out that the correlation between the tumor size (caliper measures) and tumor cell viability (BLI intensity) was dependent on the treatment dosing plan. As shown in Figure 7, the 100s and 100d groups showed statistically significant correlations where the Pearson r values are 0.775 and 0.754 (p < 0.0001), respectively. In the 200d group, the tumor volumes were arrested under 51 mm³ and the tumor cell viability remained low throughout the study period. The 200s group showed no significant correlation (Pearson r = 0.130; p = 0.4777) because few tumors in the group reached the size of > 200 mm³. Interestingly, the slopes of linear regressions of 100s, 100d, and 200s are 0.292 ± 0.035, 0.099 ± 0.013, and 0.006 ± 0.009, respectively, indicating that the tumor cell viability was abated by the corresponding treatment plan, which is consistent with the trend of the therapeutic efficacy shown in Figure 6B&C: 100s < 100d < 200s < 200d.

Figure 7.

Correlations between the tumor size (caliper measures) and tumor cell viability (BLI photon intensity).

Conclusions

This study suggests that PEGylated triazine dendrimers are biocompatible architectures in acute dosing strategies. The materials reasonably are well-defined, yet heterogeneous, due in large part to the distribution of PEGylated dendrimers that are observed. Dendrimer 1 joins a handful of dendrimer architectures that have shown in vivo efficacy in cancer models including PAMAM constructs from Baker’s laboratory and the polyesters and polylysine dendrimers from Fréchet and Szoka.^13–15 Baker’s construct utilizes methotrexate.¹² Fréchet and Szoka have explored camptothecin¹³ and doxorubicin.¹⁵ We now add paclitaxel to the list of drugs which have been successfully incorporated into dendrimers that are efficacious in vivo. There is clearly room for improvement. In the clinic, Taxol doses at 13.4 mg/kg/d; and Abraxane doses at 30 mg/kg/d or 40 mg/kg every 7 days for three doses.³³ The system could be further improved by increasing tumor uptake by increasing the circulation time in blood and decreasing liver uptake, a process that is probably a result of dendrimer aggregation. Future systems could explore strategies to ameliorate aggregation such as the use of longer PEG chains. However, success is far from guaranteed in this case. As these constructs rely on passive accumulation in the tumor which is likely influenced by size, reducing the propensity for aggregation, and concomitantly the size, could lead to materials that do not passively accumulate and as a result, are devoid of biological activity. Compared with clinically relevant materials, the actual dose of paclitaxel for 1 in mice models exceeds that of Abraxane and Taxol formulations by 3–5x.³¹ Still, there is reason to be optimistic given both the power of physical organic chemistry and the wealth of related paclitaxel-containing macromolecular constructs that are advancing the field.^34–44.