ATRA-BA hybrid is a mutual prodrug form of all-trans retinoic acid and butyric acid .1 ATRA-BA hybrid is cleaved to release ATRA and BA in isolated mouse plasma. It inhibits the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast and PC3 prostate cancer cells with GI50 values of 0.01 and 1.02 µM, respectively. ATRA-BA (20 µM) has 15-fold greater antiproliferative activity in PC3 cells compared to an equimolar concentration of ATRA and BA.
1.Gediya, L.K., Khandelwal, A., Patel, J., et al.Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel mutual prodrugs (hybrid drugs) of all-trans-retinoic acid and histone deacetylase inhibitors with enhanced anticancer activities in breast and prostate cancer cells in vitroJ. Med. Chem.51(13)3895-3904(2008)