What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to enhance the solubility and efficacy of venetoclax by conjugating it with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and modifying the linker.

April 5, 2026

Abstract 7087: Optimizing the linker of venetoclax-artemisinin conjugates to improve water solubility and antileukemia effects

Key Points

This research aims to enhance the solubility and efficacy of venetoclax by conjugating it with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and modifying the linker.
Linked dihydroartemisinin to venetoclax using a two-carbon methylene spacer to form conjugate A1.
Incorporated various polyethylene glycol (PEG) units between venetoclax and DHA to create derivatives A18-A20.
Evaluated solubility and antileukemia effects in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Conjugates A18-A20 exhibited approximately two-fold greater solubility compared to the initial conjugate A1.
A19 and A20 showed significant tumor growth inhibition rates of 75.6% and 65.8%, respectively, compared to 33.9% for venetoclax alone.
Further modifications with polar groups in A20 led to additional improvements in solubility and colony-forming inhibitory activity.

Abstract

Abstract Venetoclax based combination therapy is utilized as the first-line treatment for elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with short remission time due to resistance and relapse. Previously, we reported that artesunate enhanced venetoclax-induced apoptosis by promoting NOXA-mediated degradation of Mcl-1. By employing a chemical conjugation approach, we linked dihydroartemisinin (DHA) to venetoclax using a two-carbon methylene spacer, yielding the conjugate A1. A1 maintains Bcl-2 inhibitory activity and overcomes Mcl-1/Bcl-xL-mediated resistance. However, due to its large molecular size, A1 has limited bioavailability and solubility. To address these limitations, we incorporated various polyethylene glycol (PEG) units between venetoclax and DHA, generating conjugates A18-A20. These derivatives exhibited approximately two-fold greater solubility than A1, and more potent activity to inhibit colony formation of U937 cells in soft agar assays. Moreover, A19 and A20 significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo. The tumor growth inhibition rates for A19 and A20 (75.6% and 65.8%, respectively) were significantly higher than that of venetoclax alone (33.9%). We further modified the PEG backbone of A20 by incorporating nitrogen-containing polar groups, resulting in compounds A21-A23. These modifications led to further increased aqueous solubility and colony-forming inhibitory activity. These novel conjugates represent promising next-generation venetoclax derivatives capable of overcoming resistance. Citation Format: Jingyi Zhang, Linghui Hou, Zhenwei Zhang, Samuel Waxman, Linxiang Zhao, Yongkui Jing. Optimizing the linker of venetoclax-artemisinin conjugates to improve water solubility and antileukemia effects abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 7087.

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Abstract 7087: Optimizing the linker of venetoclax-artemisinin conjugates to improve water solubility and antileukemia effects

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