A Hypochlorite-Activated Theranostic Prodrug for Selective Imaging of High Myeloperoxidase Expression Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Drug Release

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal hematologic disease. Diagnosis and proper treatment are important for prognosis. High myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression AML cells are characterized with high levels of hypochlorite (ClO^-). In this study, we report a ClO^--activated theranostic agent, FNC, for AML therapy. FNC responds to ClO^- specifically in high MPO expression AML cells, resulting in bright fluorescence and chlorambucil release. FNC can be used to quickly distinguish high MPO expression AML cells from other cells, including low MPO expression leukemia and activated inflammatory cells. FNC exhibits selective toxicity to highly MPO expression AML cells and can efficiently inhibit tumor growth. Meanwhile, FNC can be used to indicate differentiation through the detection of ClO^-.