Cancer-selective death of human breast cancer cells by leelamine is mediated by bax and bak activation.

The present study is the first to report inhibition of breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo and suppression of self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells (bCSC) by a pine bark component (leelamine). Except for a few recent publications in melanoma, anticancer pharmacology of this interesting phytochemical is largely elusive. Leelamine (LLM) dose-dependently inhibited viability of MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative), MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive), and SUM159 (triple-negative) human breast cancer cells in association with apoptotic cell death induction. To the contrary, a normal mammary epithelial cell line derived from fibrocystic breast disease and spontaneously immortalized (MCF-10A) was fully resistant to LLM-mediated cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. LLM also inhibited self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells. Apoptosis induction by LLM in breast cancer cells was accompanied by a modest increase in reactive oxygen species production, which was not due to inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes. Nevertheless, ectopic expression of manganese superoxide dismutase conferred partial protection against LLM-induced cell death but only at a lower yet pharmacologically relevant concentration. Exposure of breast cancer cells to LLM resulted in (a) induction and/or activation of multidomain proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, (b) caspase-9 activation, and (c) cytosolic release of cytochrome c. Bax and Bak deficiency in immortalized fibroblasts conferred significant protection against cell death by LLM. Intraperitoneal administration of LLM (7.5 mg/kg; 5 times/wk) suppressed the growth of orthotopic SUM159 xenografts in mice without any toxicity. In conclusion, the present study provides critical preclinical data to warrant further investigation of LLM. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Systemic administration of a cyclic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) decoy oligonucleotide inhibits tumor growth without inducing toxicological effects.

Hyperactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been linked to tumorigenesis in most malignancies, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Intravenous delivery of a chemically modified cyclic STAT3 decoy oligonucleotide with improved serum and thermal stability demonstrated antitumor efficacy in conjunction with downmodulation of STAT3 target gene expression such as cyclin D1 and Bcl-X(L) in a mouse model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to determine the toxicity and dose-dependent antitumor efficacy of the cyclic STAT3 decoy after multiple intravenous doses in Foxn1 nu mice in anticipation of clinical translation. The two doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) of cyclic STAT3 decoy demonstrated a significant decrease in tumor volume compared with the control groups (mutant cyclic STAT3 decoy or saline) in conjunction with downmodulation of STAT3 target gene expression. There was no dose-dependent effect of cyclic STAT3 decoy on tumor volume or STAT3 target gene expression. There were no significant changes in body weights between the groups during the dosing period, after the dosing interval or on the day of euthanasia. No hematology or clinical chemistry parameters suggested toxicity of the cyclic STAT3 decoy compared with saline control. No gross or histological pathological abnormalities were noted at necropsy in any of the animals. These findings suggest a lack of toxicity of intravenous administration of a cyclic STAT3 decoy oligonucleotide. In addition, comparable antitumor effects indicate a lack of dose response at the two dose levels investigated.

Mitigation of Fetal Irradiation Injury from Mid-Gestation Total Body Radiation with Mitochondrial-Targeted GS-Nitroxide JP4-039.

Victims of a radiation terrorist event will include pregnant women and unborn fetuses. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are key pathogenic factors of fetal irradiation injury. The goal of this preclinical study is to investigate the efficacy of mitigating fetal irradiation injury by maternal administration of the mitochondrial-targeted gramicidin S (GS)- nitroxide radiation mitigator, JP4-039. Pregnant female C57BL/6NTac mice received 3 Gy total body ionizing irradiation (TBI) at mid-gestation embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5). Using novel time- and-motion-resolved 4D in utero magnetic resonance imaging (4D-uMRI), we found TBI caused extensive injury to the fetal brain that included cerebral hemorrhage, loss of cerebral tissue, and hydrocephalus with excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Histopathology of the fetal mouse brain showed broken cerebral vessels and elevated apoptosis. Further use of novel 4D Oxy-wavelet MRI capable of probing in vivo mitochondrial function in intact brain revealed significant reduction of mitochondrial function in the fetal brain after 3Gy TBI. This was validated by ex vivo Oroboros mitochondrial respirometry. Maternal administration JP4-039 one day after TBI (E14.5), which can pass through the placental barrier, significantly reduced fetal brain radiation injury and improved fetal brain mitochondrial respiration. This also preserved cerebral brain tissue integrity and reduced cerebral hemorrhage and cell death. As JP4-039 administration did not change litter sizes or fetus viability, together these findings indicate JP4-039 can be deployed as a safe and effective mitigator of fetal radiation injury from mid-gestational in utero ionizing radiation exposure. One Sentence Summary: Mitochondrial-targeted gramicidin S (GS)-nitroxide JP4-039 is safe and effective radiation mitigator for mid-gestational fetal irradiation injury.

A cell-targeted photodynamic nanomedicine strategy for head and neck cancers.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds great promise for the treatment of head and neck (H&N) carcinomas where repeated loco-regional therapy often becomes necessary due to the highly aggressive and recurrent nature of the cancers. While interstitial light delivery technologies are being refined for PDT of H&N and other cancers, a parallel clinically relevant research area is the formulation of photosensitizers in nanovehicles that allow systemic administration yet preferential enhanced uptake in the tumor. This approach can render dual-selectivity of PDT, by harnessing both the drug and the light delivery within the tumor. To this end, we report on a cell-targeted nanomedicine approach for the photosensitizer silicon phthalocyanine-4 (Pc 4), by packaging it within polymeric micelles that are surface-decorated with GE11-peptides to promote enhanced cell-selective binding and receptor-mediated internalization in EGFR-overexpressing H&N cancer cells. Using fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy, we demonstrate in vitro that the EGFR-targeted Pc 4-nanoformulation undergoes faster and higher uptake in EGFR-overexpressing H&N SCC-15 cells. We further demonstrate that this enhanced Pc 4 uptake results in significant cell-killing and drastically reduced post-PDT clonogenicity. Building on this in vitro data, we demonstrate that the EGFR-targeted Pc 4-nanoformulation results in significant intratumoral drug uptake and subsequent enhanced PDT response, in vivo, in SCC-15 xenografts in mice. Altogether our results show significant promise toward a cell-targeted photodynamic nanomedicine for effective treatment of H&N carcinomas.

Tumor disposition of pegylated liposomal CKD-602 and the reticuloendothelial system in preclinical tumor models.

Liposomes, such as pegylated-liposomal CKD-602 (S-CKD602), undergo catabolism by macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The relationship between plasma and tumor disposition of S-CKD602 and RES was evaluated in mice bearing A375 melanoma or SKOV-3 ovarian xenografts. Area under the concentration-time curves (AUCs) of liposomal encapsulated, released, and sum total (encapsulated + released) CKD-602 in plasma, tumor, and tumor extracellular fluid (ECF) were estimated. A375 and SKOV-3 tumors were stained with cd11b and cd11c antibodies as measures of macrophages and DC. The plasma disposition of S-CKD602 was similar in both xenograft models. The ratio of tumor sum total AUC to plasma sum total AUC was 1.7-fold higher in mice bearing human SKOV-3 xenografts, compared with A375. The ratio of tumor ECF AUC to tumor sum total AUC was 2-fold higher in mice bearing human SKOV-3 xenografts, compared with A375. The staining of cd11c was 4.5-fold higher in SKOV-3, compared with A375 (P < 0.0001). The increased tumor delivery and release of CKD-602 from S-CKD602 in the ovarian xenografts, compared with the melanoma xenografts, was consistent with increased cd11c staining, suggesting that variability in the RES may affect the tumor disposition of liposomal agents.

Mass Balance Study of the Engineered Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide, WLBU2, Following a Single Intravenous Dose of 14C-WLBU2 in Mice.

BACKGROUND: To address multidrug resistance, we developed engineered Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides (eCAPs). Lead eCAP WLBU2 displays potent activity against drug-resistant bacteria and effectively treats lethal bacterial infections in mice, reducing bacterial loads to undetectable levels in diverse organs. OBJECTIVE: To support the development of WLBU2, we conducted a mass balance study. METHODS: CD1 mice were administered 10, 15, 20 and 30 mg/kg of QDx5 WLBU2 or a single dose of [14C]-WLBU2 at 15 mg/kg IV. Tolerability, tissue distribution and excretion were evaluated with liquid scintillation and HPLC-radiochromatography. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose of WLBU2 is 20 mg/kg IV. We could account for greater than >96% of the radioactivity distributed within mouse tissues at 5 and 15 min. By 24h, only ~40-50% of radioactivity remained in the mice. The greatest % of the dose was present in liver, accounting for ~35% of radioactivity at 5 and 15 min, and ~ 8% of radioactivity remained at 24h. High radioactivity was also present in kidneys, plasma, red blood cells and lungs, while less than 0.2% of radioactivity was present in brain, fat, or skeletal muscle. Urinary and fecal excretion accounted for 12.5 and 2.2% of radioactivity at 24h. CONCLUSION: WLBU2 distributes widely to mouse tissues and is rapidly cleared with a terminal radioactivity half-life of 22 h, a clearance of 27.4 mL/h/kg, and a distribution volume of 0.94 L/kg. At 2-100 µg-eq/g, the concentrations of 14C-WLBU2 appear high enough in the tissues to account for the inhibition of microbial growth.

In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of 10074-G5, a novel small-molecule inhibitor of c-Myc/Max dimerization.

The c-Myc oncoprotein is overexpressed in many tumors and is essential for maintaining the proliferation of transformed cells. To function as a transcription factor, c-Myc must dimerize with Max via the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper protein (bHLH-ZIP) domains in each protein. The small molecule 7-nitro-N-(2-phenylphenyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-amine (10074-G5) binds to and distorts the bHLH-ZIP domain of c-Myc, thereby inhibiting c-Myc/Max heterodimer formation and inhibiting its transcriptional activity. We report in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of 10074-G5 in human xenograft-bearing mice. In vitro, 10074-G5 inhibited the growth of Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells and disrupted c-Myc/Max dimerization. 10074-G5 had no effect on the growth of Daudi xenografts in C.B-17 SCID mice that were treated with 20 mg/kg 10074-G5 intravenously for 5 consecutive days. Inhibition of c-Myc/Max dimerization in Daudi xenografts was not seen 2 or 24 h after treatment. Concentrations of 10074-G5 in various matrices were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV, and metabolites of 10074-G5 were identified by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The plasma half-life of 10074-G5 in mice treated with 20 mg/kg i.v. was 37 min, and peak plasma concentration was 58 µM, which was 10-fold higher than peak tumor concentration. The lack of antitumor activity probably was caused by the rapid metabolism of 10074-G5 to inactive metabolites, resulting in tumor concentrations of 10074-G5 insufficient to inhibit c-Myc/Max dimerization. Our identification of 10074-G5 metabolites in mice will help design new, more metabolically stable small-molecule inhibitors of c-Myc.

The relationship of phthalocyanine 4 (pc 4) concentrations measured noninvasively to outcome of pc 4 photodynamic therapy in mice.

The ability to noninvasively measure photosensitizer concentration at target tissues will allow optimization of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and could improve outcome. In this study, we evaluated whether preirradiation tumor phthalocyanine 4 (Pc 4) concentrations, measured noninvasively by the optical pharmacokinetic system (OPS), correlated with tumor response to PDT. Mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts were treated with 2 mg kg(-1) Pc 4 iv only, laser irradiation (150 J cm(-2)) only, Pc 4 followed by fractionated irradiation or Pc 4 followed by continuous irradiation. Laser irradiation treatment was initiated when the tumor to skin ratio of Pc 4 concentration reached a maximum of 2.1 at 48 h after administration. Pc 4 concentrations in tumor, as well as in Intralipid in vitro, decreased monoexponentially with laser fluence. Pc 4-PDT resulted in significant tumor regression, and tumor response was similar in the groups receiving either fractionated or continuous irradiation treatment after Pc 4. Tumor growth delay following Pc 4-PDT correlated with OPS-measured tumor Pc 4 concentrations at 24 h prior to PDT (R2=0.86). In excised tumors, OPS-measured Pc 4 concentrations were similar to the HPLC-measured concentrations. Thus, OPS measurements of photosensitizer concentrations can be used to assist in the scheduling of Pc 4-PDT.

Modulation of gemcitabine (2',2'-difluoro-2'-deoxycytidine) pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and bioavailability in mice by 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine.

PURPOSE: In vivo, 2',2'-difluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (dFdC) is rapidly inactivated by gut and liver cytidine deaminase (CD) to 2',2'-difluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (dFdU). Consequently, dFdC has poor oral bioavailability and is administered i.v., with associated costs and limitations in administration schedules. 3,4,5,6-Tetrahydrouridine (THU) is a potent CD inhibitor with a 20% oral bioavailability. We investigated the ability of THU to decrease elimination and first-pass effect by CD, thereby enabling oral dosing of dFdC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed for plasma dFdC and dFdU. Mice were dosed with 100 mg/kg dFdC i.v. or orally with or without 100 mg/kg THU i.v. or orally. At specified times between 5 and 1,440 min, mice (n = 3) were euthanized. dFdC, dFdU, and THU concentrations were quantitated in plasma and urine. RESULTS: THU i.v. and orally produced concentrations >4 microg/mL for 3 and 2 h, respectively, whereas concentrations of >1 microg/mL have been associated with near-complete inhibition of CD in vitro. THU i.v. decreased plasma dFdU concentrations but had no effect on dFdC plasma area under the plasma concentration versus time curve after i.v. dFdC dosing. Both THU i.v. and orally substantially increased oral bioavailability of dFdC. Absorption of dFdC orally was 59%, but only 10% passed liver and gut CD and eventually reached the systemic circulation. Coadministration of THU orally increased dFdC oral bioavailability from 10% to 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of THU enables oral dosing of dFdC and warrants clinical testing. Oral dFdC treatment would be easier and cheaper, potentially prolong dFdC exposure, and enable exploration of administration schedules considered impractical by the i.v. route.

Implementation of the NCI-60 Human Tumor Cell Line Panel to Screen 2260 Cancer Drug Combinations to Generate >3 Million Data Points Used to Populate a Large Matrix of Anti-Neoplastic Agent Combinations (ALMANAC) Database.

Animal and clinical studies demonstrate that cancer drug combinations (DCs) are more effective than single agents. However, it is difficult to predict which DCs will be more efficacious than individual drugs. Systematic DC high-throughput screening (HTS) of 100 approved drugs in the National Cancer Institute's panel of 60 cancer cell lines (NCI-60) produced data to help select DCs for further consideration. We miniaturized growth inhibition assays into 384-well format, increased the fetal bovine serum amount to 10%, lengthened compound exposure to 72 h, and used a homogeneous detection reagent. We determined the growth inhibition 50% values of individual drugs across 60 cell lines, selected drug concentrations for 4 × 4 DC matrices (DCMs), created DCM master and replica daughter plate sets, implemented the HTS, quality control reviewed the data, and analyzed the results. A total of 2620 DCMs were screened in 60 cancer cell lines to generate 3.04 million data points for the NCI ALMANAC (A Large Matrix of Anti-Neoplastic Agent Combinations) database. We confirmed in vitro a synergistic drug interaction flagged in the DC HTS between the vinca-alkaloid microtubule assembly inhibitor vinorelbine (Navelbine) tartrate and the epidermal growth factor-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa) in the SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line. Seventy-five percent of the DCs examined in the screen are not currently in the clinical trials database. Selected synergistic drug interactions flagged in the DC HTS described herein were subsequently confirmed by the NCI in vitro, evaluated mechanistically, and were shown to have greater than single-agent efficacy in mouse xenograft human cancer models. Enrollment is open for two clinical trials for DCs that were identified in the DC HTS. The NCI ALMANAC database therefore constitutes a valuable resource for selecting promising DCs for confirmation, mechanistic studies, and clinical translation.

Confirmation of Selected Synergistic Cancer Drug Combinations Identified in an HTS Campaign and Exploration of Drug Efflux Transporter Contributions to the Mode of Synergy.

Systematic unbiased high-throughput screening (HTS) of drug combinations (DCs) in well-characterized tumor cell lines is a data-driven strategy to identify novel DCs with potential to be developed into effective therapies. Four DCs from a DC HTS campaign were selected for confirmation; only one appears in clinicaltrials.gov and limited preclinical in vitro data indicates that the drug pairs interact synergistically. Nineteen DC-tumor cell line sets were confirmed to interact synergistically in three pharmacological interaction models. We developed an imaging assay to quantify accumulation of the ABCG2 efflux transporter substrate Hoechst. Gefitinib and raloxifene enhanced Hoechst accumulation in ABCG2 (BCRP)-expressing cells, consistent with inhibition of ABCG2 efflux. Both drugs also inhibit ABCB1 efflux. Mitoxantrone, daunorubicin, and vinorelbine are substrates of one or more of the ABCG2, ABCB1, or ABCC1 efflux transporters expressed to varying extents in the selected cell lines. Interactions between ABC drug efflux transporter inhibitors and substrates may have contributed to the observed synergy; however, other mechanisms may be involved. Novel synergistic DCs identified by HTS were confirmed in vitro, and plausible mechanisms of action studied. Similar approaches may justify the testing of novel HTS-derived DCs in mouse xenograft human cancer models and support the clinical evaluation of effective in vivo DCs in patients.

Tumor, tissue, and plasma pharmacokinetic studies and antitumor response studies of docetaxel in combination with 9-nitrocamptothecin in mice bearing SKOV-3 human ovarian xenografts.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the antitumor activity of two different schedules of docetaxel and 9-nitrocamptothecin (9NC) in mice bearing human SKOV-3 ovarian carcinoma xenografts and evaluated the plasma, tissue, and tumor disposition of each agent alone and in combination. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The following treatment groups were evaluated: (1) docetaxel 10 mg/kg IV on days 0 and 7; (2) 9NC 0.67 mg/kg PO qdx5dx2wk; (3) 9NC 0.67 mg/kg PO qdx5dx2wk in combination with docetaxel 10 mg/kg IV on days 0 and 7; and (4) 9NC 0.67 mg/kg PO qdx5dx2wk in combination with docetaxel 10 mg/kg IV on days 4 and 11; (5) vehicle controls for each agent; and (6) no treatment controls. RESULTS: All treatment regimens produced significant antitumor activity as compared with control groups (P < 0.05). Docetaxel administered on days 0 and 7 or on days 4 and 11 in combination with 9NC resulted in similar antitumor activity (P > 0.05). High docetaxel concentrations in tumor were maintained at late time points as compared with plasma and tissues with the retention of docetaxel at 24 h being 132-fold and 15-fold higher in tumor than in plasma and liver, respectively. After administration of 9NC alone, the ratio of the 9-aminocamptothecin (9AC) area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) to 9NC AUC in plasma and tumor was 0.15 and 1.34, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of docetaxel and 9NC was effective against SKOV-3 xenografts. The lack of a difference in sequence-dependent antitumor activity may reflect the sensitivity of the SKOV-3 xenograft to 9NC. The factors associated with tumor-specific retention of docetaxel and the ratio of 9NC to 9AC in tumors is unknown.

Plasma pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine, a cytidine deaminase inhibitor, in mice.

Cytidine analogues such as cytosine arabinoside, gemcitabine, decitabine, 5-azacytidine, 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine and 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine undergo rapid catabolism by cytidine deaminase (CD). 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine (THU) is a potent CD inhibitor that has been applied preclinically and clinically as a modulator of cytidine analogue metabolism. However, THU pharmacokinetics has not been fully characterized, which has impaired the optimal preclinical evaluation and clinical use of THU. Therefore, we characterized the THU pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in mice. Mice were dosed with THU iv (100 mg/kg) or po (30, 100, or 300 mg/kg). Plasma and urine THU concentrations were quantitated with a validated LC-MS/MS assay. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated compartmentally and non-compartmentally. THU, at 100 mg/kg iv had a 73 min terminal half-life and produced plasma THU concentrations >1 microg/ml, the concentration shown to effectively block deamination, for 4 h. Clearance was 9.1 ml/min/kg, and the distribution volume was 0.95 l/kg. Renal excretion accounted for 36-55% of the THU dose. A three-compartment model fit the iv THU data best. THU, at 100 mg/kg po, produced a concentration versus time profile with a plateau of approximately 10 mug/ml from 0.5-3 h, followed by a decline with an 85 min half-life. The oral bioavailability of THU was approximately 20%. The 20% oral bioavailability of THU is sufficient to produce and sustain, for several hours, plasma concentrations that inhibit CD. This suggests the feasibility of using THU to decrease elimination and first-pass metabolism of cytidine analogues by CD. THU pharmacokinetics are now being evaluated in humans.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric assay for quantitation of the short-chain fatty acid, 2,2-dimethylbutyrate (NSC 741804), in rat plasma.

2,2-Dimethylbutyrate (DMB) is a potential treatment for thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies. To facilitate pharmacokinetic evaluation of DMB, we developed an LC-MS assay and quantitated DMB in plasma of rats after an oral dose of 500mg/kg. After acetonitrile protein precipitation, DMB and dimethylvaleric acid (DMV) internal standard were derivatized to benzylamides, chromatographed on a Hydro-RP column with acetonitrile, water, and 0.1% formic acid, and detected by electrospray positive-mode ionization mass spectrometry. The assay was accurate (97-107%) and precise (3.4-6.2%) between 100 and 10,000ng/mL. Recovery from plasma was >62%. Plasma freeze-thaw and room temperature stability were acceptable.

Evaluation of plasma insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 and Her-2 extracellular domain as biomarkers for 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin treatment of adult patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Interaction of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) with heat shock protein 90 results in proteasomal degradation of many proteins, including Her-2-neu, with subsequent decreased expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2). Concentrations of both IGFBP-2 and Her-2 extracellular domain (Her-2 ECD) in sera of mice bearing BT474 human breast cancer xenografts decrease after 17-AAG treatment. We investigated whether this phenomenon occurred in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight to 15 plasma samples were obtained between 0 and 72 h from 27 patients treated with single-agent 17-AAG at doses between 10 and 307 mg/m(2) and 18 patients treated with 17-AAG at doses between 220 and 450 mg/m(2) combined with 70 to 75 mg/m(2) of docetaxel. Pretreatment plasma samples were also obtained from 12 healthy volunteers. Plasma IGFBP-2 and Her-2 ECD concentrations were quantitated by ELISA. RESULTS: Pretreatment plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations in patients (171 +/- 116 ng/mL) were 2-fold higher than those in healthy volunteers (85 +/- 44 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Following 17-AAG treatment, there were no consistent dose-dependent or time-dependent changes in plasma IGFBP-2 and Her-2 ECD concentrations. IGFBP-2 concentrations decreased by >or=40% in 8 patients, increased 2- to 5-fold in 8 patients, and remained essentially unchanged in 29 patients. Her-2 ECD concentrations decreased by >or=40% in 10 patients, increased 1.5- to 5-fold in 2 patients, and remained essentially unchanged in 25 patients. CONCLUSIONS: As previously reported, IGFBP-2 concentrations in plasma of cancer patients are significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers. In contrast to a mouse model, 17-AAG treatment was not consistently associated with decreases in IGFBP-2 or Her-2 ECD concentrations in patient plasma.

Plasma, tumor, and tissue disposition of STEALTH liposomal CKD-602 (S-CKD602) and nonliposomal CKD-602 in mice bearing A375 human melanoma xenografts.

PURPOSE: S-CKD602 is a STEALTH liposomal formulation of CKD-602, a camptothecin analogue. The cytotoxicity of camptothecin analogues is related to the duration of exposure in the tumor. STEALTH liposomal formulations contain lipid conjugated to methoxypolyethylene glycol and have been designed to prolong drug circulation time, increase tumor delivery, and improve the therapeutic index. For STEALTH liposomal formulations of anticancer agents to achieve antitumor effects, the active drug must be released into the tumor extracellular fluid (ECF). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: S-CKD602 at 1 mg/kg or nonliposomal CKD-602 at 30 mg/kg was administered once via tail vein to mice bearing A375 human melanoma xenografts. Mice (n = 3 per time point) were euthanized at 0.083 to 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after S-CKD02 and from 0.083 to 24 h after nonliposomal CKD-602. Plasma samples were processed to measure encapsulated, released, and sum total (encapsulated plus released) CKD-602, and tumor and tissue samples were processed to measure sum total CKD-602. Microdialysis samples of tumor ECF were obtained from 0 to 2 h, 4 to 7 h, and 20 to 24 h after nonliposomal CKD-602 and from 0 to 2 h, 24 to 27 h, 48 to 51 h, and 72 to 75 h after S-CKD602. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay was used to measure the total (sum of lactone and hydroxyl acid) CKD-602. The area under the concentration-versus-time curves (AUC) from 0 to infinity and time >1 ng/mL in tumor were estimated. RESULTS: For S-CKD602, the CKD-602 sum total AUC in plasma and tumor and the CKD-602 AUC in tumor ECF were 201,929, 13,194, and 187 ng/mL h, respectively. For S-CKD602, 82% of CKD-602 remains encapsulated in plasma. For nonliposomal CKD-602, the CKD-602 AUC in plasma and tumor and the CKD-602 AUC in tumor ECF were 9,117, 11,661, and 639 ng/mL.h, respectively. The duration of time the CKD-602 concentration was >1 ng/mL in tumor ECF after S-CKD602 and nonliposomal CKD-602 was >72 and approximately 20 h, respectively. For S-CKD602, the CKD-602 sum total exposure was 1.3-fold higher in fat as compared with muscle. The ratio of CKD-602 sum total exposure in fat to muscle was 3.8-fold higher after administration of S-CKD602 compared with nonliposomal CKD-602. CONCLUSION: S-CKD602 provides pharmacokinetic advantages in plasma, tumor, and tumor ECF compared with nonliposomal CKD-602 at 1/30th of the dose, which is consistent with the improved antitumor efficacy of S-CKD602 in preclinical studies. The distribution of S-CKD602 is greater in fat compared with muscle whereas the distribution of nonliposomal CKD-602 is greater in muscle compared with fat. These results suggest that the body composition of a patient may affect the disposition of S-CKD602 and released CKD-602.

Phase I and pharmacodynamic study of 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin in adult patients with refractory advanced cancers.

PURPOSE: The primary objective was to establish the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and recommended phase II dose of 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG) given twice a week. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Escalating doses of 17AAG were given i.v. to cohorts of three to six patients. Dose levels for schedule A (twice weekly x 3 weeks, every 4 weeks) were 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 mg/m(2) and for schedule B (twice weekly x 2 weeks, every 3 weeks) were 150, 200, and 250 mg/m(2). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected for assessment of heat shock protein (HSP) 90 and HSP90 client proteins. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were enrolled, 32 on schedule A and 12 on schedule B. On schedule A at 200 mg/m(2), DLTs were seen in two of six patients (one grade 3 thrombocytopenia and one grade 3 abdominal pain). On schedule B, both patients treated at 250 mg/m(2) developed DLT (grade 3 headache with nausea/vomiting). Grade 3/4 toxicities seen in >5% of patients were reversible elevations of liver enzymes (47%), nausea (9%), vomiting (9%), and headache (5%). No objective tumor responses were observed. The only consistent change in PBMC proteins monitored was a 0.8- to 30-fold increase in HSP70 concentrations, but these were not dose dependent. The increase in PBMC HSP70 persisted throughout the entire cycle of treatment but returned to baseline between last 17AAG dose of cycle 1 and first 17AAG dose of cycle 2. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended phase II doses of 17AAG are 175 to 200 mg/m(2) when given twice a week and consistently cause elevations in PBMC HSP70.

Nonlinear model predictive control for dosing daily anticancer agents using a novel saturating-rate cell-cycle model.

A nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) algorithm was developed to dose the chemotherapeutic agent tamoxifen based on a novel saturating-rate, cell-cycle model (SCM). Using daily tumor measurements, the algorithm decreased tumor volume along a specified reference trajectory in simulated animals over 4 months. In mismatch case studies, controllers based on the Gompertz model (GM) yielded equivalent total drug delivered and elapsed time to t(99%) reference step convergence to those obtained using the SCM, though this performance was dependent on the cell-cycle phase of drug effect. Overall, the NMPC algorithm is suitable for dosing chemotherapeutics with regular administration schedules and may be adapted for regularly administered chemotherapeutics other than tamoxifen.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assay for the quantitation of the novel radiation protective agent and radiation mitigator JP4-039 in murine plasma.

JP4-039 radio-protects prior to, and radio-mitigates after ionizing radiation by neutralizing reactive oxygen species. We developed and validated an LC-MS/MS assay for the quantitation of JP4-039 in murine plasma. Methanol protein precipitation of 50µL plasma was followed by isocratic reverse phase chromatography for a 6min run time, and electrospray positive mode ionization mass spectrometric detection. The plasma assay was linear from 1 to 1000ng/mL with appropriate accuracy (97.1-107.6%) and precision (3.7-12.5%CV), and fulfilled FDA guidance criteria. Recovery was 77.2-136.1% with moderate ionization enhancement (10.9-39.5%). Plasma freeze-thaw stability (98.8-104.2%), stability for 13.5 months at -80°C (93.1-105.6%), and stability for 4h at room temperature (94.2-97.6%) were all acceptable. Limited cross-validation to tissue homogenates suggested that these could also be analyzed for JP4-039 accurately. This assay has been directly applied to determine the pharmacokinetics of JP4-039 in C57BL/6 male mice after IV administration of 20mg/kg JP4-039 and will be extended to other studies of this agent.

Targeting p53-dependent stem cell loss for intestinal chemoprotection.

The gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium is the fastest renewing adult tissue and is maintained by tissue-specific stem cells. Treatment-induced GI side effects are a major dose-limiting factor for chemotherapy and abdominal radiotherapy and can decrease the quality of life in cancer patients and survivors. p53 is a key regulator of the DNA damage response, and its activation results in stimulus- and cell type-specific outcomes via distinct effectors. We demonstrate that p53-dependent PUMA induction mediates chemotherapy-induced intestinal injury in mice. Genetic ablation of Puma, but not of p53, protects against chemotherapy-induced lethal GI injury. Blocking chemotherapy-induced loss of LGR5+ stem cells by Puma KO or a small-molecule PUMA inhibitor (PUMAi) prevents perturbation of the stem cell niche, rapid activation of WNT and NOTCH signaling, and stem cell exhaustion during repeated exposures. PUMAi also protects human and mouse colonic organoids against chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and damage but does not protect cancer cells in vitro or in vivo. Therefore, targeting PUMA is a promising strategy for normal intestinal chemoprotection because it selectively blocks p53-dependent stem cell loss but leaves p53-dependent protective effects intact.