A Dual-Function LipoAraN-E5 Coloaded with N4-Myristyloxycarbonyl-1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (AraN) and a CXCR4 Antagonistic Peptide (E5) for Blocking the Dissemination of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy with a high recurrence rate. The interaction of chemokine receptor 4/chemokine ligand 12 (CXCR4/CXCL12) mediates homing and adhesion of AML cells in bone marrow, leading to minimal residual disease in patients, which brings a hidden danger for future AML recurrence. Ara-C is a nonselective chemotherapeutic agent against AML. Due to its short half-life and severe side effects, a lipid-like Ara-C derivative (AraN) was synthesized and a dual-function LipoAraN-E5 (135 nm, encapsulation efficiency 99%) was developed, which coloaded AraN and E5, a peptide of the CXCR4 antagonist. LipoAraN-E5 effectively improved the uptake, enhanced the inhibition of leukemia cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion to stromal cells in bone marrow, and mobilized the leukemia cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood via interfering with the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis. LipoAraN-E5 prolonged the plasma half-life of AraN (8.31 vs 0.56 h) and was highly enriched in peripheral blood (3.67 vs 0.05 μmol/g at 8 h) and bone marrow (379 vs 148 μmol/g at 24 h). LipoAraN-E5 effectively prevented the infiltration of leukemia cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen, and liver, prolonged the mice survival, and showed outstanding antineoplastic efficacy with negligible toxicity, which were attributed to the ingenious design of AraN, the use of a liposomal delivery carrier, and the introduction of E5. Our work revealed that LipoAraN-E5 may be a promising nanocandidate against AML.