Antagonizing NOD2 Signaling with Conjugates of Paclitaxel and Muramyl Dipeptide Derivatives Sensitizes Paclitaxel Therapy and Significantly Prevents Tumor Metastasis

A noncleavable paclitaxel (PTX) and N-acetylmuramyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine (MDP) derivative conjugate, 22 (DY-16-43), and its analogues were prepared and characterized as antagonists of NOD2 signaling. This conjugate enhanced the antitumor and antimetastatic efficacy of PTX in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor-bearing mice. This work first describes a molecular strategy that enables the sensitization of a chemotherapeutic response via antagonizing NOD2 inflammatory signaling and suggests NOD2 antagonist as potential adjunct in treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).