A novel AKR1C3 specific prodrug TH3424 with potent anti‐tumor activity in liver cancer

Overexpression of AKR1C3, an aldo-keto reductase, was recently discovered in liver cancers. In this study, an inverse correlation between AKR1C3 expression and liver cancer patient survival was observed. AKR1C3 inhibitors, however, failed to suppress liver cancer cell growth. The prodrug TH3424, which releases a DNA alkylating reagent upon reduction by AKR1C3, was developed to target tumors with overexpression of AKR1C3. TH3424 showed specific killing of liver cancer cells with AKR1C3 overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. In patient-derived mouse xenograft models, TH3424 at doses as low as 1.5 mg/kg eliminated liver tumors with no apparent toxicity. Conclusion: TH3424 is a promising drug candidate for liver cancer and other types of cancers overexpressing AKR1C3.