Manganoporphyrins increase ascorbate-induced cytotoxicity by enhancing H2O2 generation

Cancer Res. 2013 Aug 15;73(16):5232-41. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-0470. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Renewed interest in using pharmacological ascorbate (AscH-) to treat cancer has prompted interest in leveraging its cytotoxic mechanism of action. A central feature of AscH- action in cancer cells is its ability to act as an electron donor to O2 for generating H2O2. We hypothesized that catalytic manganoporphyrins (MnP) would increase AscH- oxidation rates, thereby increasing H2O2 fluxes and cytotoxicity. Three different MnPs were tested (MnTBAP, MnT2EPyP, and MnT4MPyP), exhibiting a range of physicochemical and thermodynamic properties. Of the MnPs tested, MnT4MPyP exerted the greatest effect on increasing the rate of AscH- oxidation as determined by the concentration of ascorbate radical [Asc•-] and the rate of oxygen consumption. At concentrations that had minimal effects alone, combining MnPs and AscH- synergized to decrease clonogenic survival in human pancreatic cancer cells. This cytotoxic effect was reversed by catalase, but not superoxide dismutase, consistent with a mechanism mediated by H2O2. MnPs increased steady-state concentrations of Asc•- upon ex vivo addition to whole blood obtained either from mice infused with AscH- or patients treated with pharmacologic AscH-. Finally, tumor growth in vivo was inhibited more effectively by combining MnT4MPyP with AscH-. We concluded that MnPs increase the rate of oxidation of AscH- to leverage H2O2 flux and ascorbate-induced cytotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Catalysis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism*
  • Manganese / pharmacology
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oxidation-Reduction / drug effects
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Metalloporphyrins
  • Manganese
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Catalase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Ascorbic Acid