H2O2/Peroxynitrite-Activated Hydroxamic Acid HDAC Inhibitor Prodrugs Show Antileukemic Activities against AML Cells

Occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) results in abundant endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in AML cells and in disease-relevant microenvironments. Histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) prodrug approach was designed accordingly by masking the hydroxamic acid zinc binding group with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/peroxynitrite (PNT)-sensitive, self-immolative aryl boronic acid moiety. Model prodrugs 5-82 and 5-23 were activated in AML cells to release cytotoxic HDACis, evidenced by inducing acetylation markers and reducing viability of AML cells. Intracellular activation and antileukemic activities of prodrug were increased or decreased by ROS/PNT inducers and scavengers, respectively. Prodrugs 5-82 and 5-23 also enhanced the potency of chemotherapy drug cytarabine, supporting the potentials of this prodrug class in combinatorial treatment.