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  • Pseudomonas Exotoxin A Base...
    Fischer, Alexandra; Wolf, Isis; Fuchs, Hendrik; Masilamani, Anie Priscilla; Wolf, Philipp

    Toxins, 11/2020, Volume: 12, Issue: 12
    Journal Article

    The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was found to be a valuable target on prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, EGFR inhibitors mostly failed in clinical studies with patients suffering from PCa. We therefore tested the targeted toxins EGF-PE40 and EGF-PE24mut consisting of the natural ligand EGF as binding domain and PE40, the natural toxin domain of Exotoxin A, or PE24mut, the de-immunized variant thereof, as toxin domains. Both targeted toxins were expressed in the periplasm of and evoked an inhibition of protein biosynthesis in EGFR-expressing PCa cells. Concentration- and time-dependent killing of PCa cells was found with IC values after 48 and 72 h in the low nanomolar or picomolar range based on the induction of apoptosis. EGF-PE24mut was found to be about 11- to 120-fold less toxic than EGF-PE40. Both targeted toxins were more than 600 to 140,000-fold more cytotoxic than the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib. Due to their high and specific cytotoxicity, the EGF-based targeted toxins EGF-PE40 and EGF-PE24mut represent promising candidates for the future treatment of PCa.