Comparative activity and distribution studies of five platinum analogues in nude mice bearing human ovarian carcinoma xenografts.

The antitumor activity of four new platinum analogues was compared at equitoxic doses to that of cisplatin in B10 LP/cpb nude mice bearing xenografts of human ovarian carcinomas. The two tumor lines used, MRI-H-207 and Pe, differ in histology, tumor doubling time, and sensitivity to cisplatin. Complete remission of MRI-H-207 was observed with cisplatin, carboplatin, iproplatin, and JM-40, while spiroplatin only gave growth delay. Cisplatin and carboplatin caused some growth delay of Pe, while JM-40, spiroplatin, and iproplatin failed to affect tumor growth. Platinum tissue distribution was also measured for each compound in groups of five to seven tumor-bearing mice. Platinum concentrations in the two tumors at 24 hr were similar for cisplatin and carboplatin, but differed for iproplatin, spiroplatin, and JM-40. Organ distribution was similar for each analogue, and concentrations were significantly higher in kidneys than in liver, except for iproplatin with comparable concentrations in these organs. Our findings show a good correlation between analogue activity in ovarian cancer in the clinic and that in MRI-H-207. Platinum concentrations in tumor tissue did not predict antitumor activity.

Doxorubicin compared with related compounds in a nude mouse model for human ovarian cancer.

Eight human ovarian cancer lines grown in nude mice were used to compare the activity of doxorubicin, epirubicin, mitoxantrone and menogaril. The tumour lines were different in histological subtype, tumour doubling time and sensitivity to doxorubicin. The compounds were administered intravenously at the maximum tolerated dose twice with one week in between when tumours measured 50-150 mm3. Growth inhibition greater than 50% was obtained for doxorubicin in 8/8, for epirubicin in 4/8, for mitoxantrone in 5/8 and for menogaril in 2/8 tumour lines. In MRI-H-207, doxorubicin was the only drug able to induce complete remission. Compared with doxorubicin, mitoxantrone and menogaril were given in proportionally higher doses than those administered to patients, but did not result in superior antitumour activity.

Addition of cisplatin improves efficacy of 131I-labeled monoclonal antibody 323/A3 in experimental human ovarian cancer.

UNLABELLED: This study was conducted to determine whether the cytotoxic agent cisplatin (CDDP), also known as a radiosensitizer, can improve the efficacy of the 131I-labeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) 323/A3 in the treatment of experimental human ovarian cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Nude mice bearing well-established subcutaneous FMa, OVCAR-3, or Ov.Pe xenografts were injected twice with a 2-week interval either with a bolus of CDDP, 131I-323/A3, or with a combination of both modalities. CDDP was injected at various timepoints when combined with 131I-323/A3. The efficacy of the treatment was expressed as the specific growth delay (SGD). The growth inhibitory effect of the combination was characterized to detect additivity or synergism, using the mean relative tumor volumes at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the last injection as endpoints. RESULTS: The efficacy of 131I-323/A3 was superior to that of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of CDDP (6 mg/kg) in all three xenografts. The addition of CDDP to 131I-323/A3 could increase the growth inhibition in the CDDP-responsive FMa and OVCAR-3 xenografts, but not in Ov.Pe xenografts. Although this improved antitumor effect was additive rather than synergistic, the combination was more effective when compared with that of the MTD of each of the modalities alone. The time interval between the administration of a bolus injection of CDDP and 131I-323/A3 had no effect on the extent of growth inhibition in OVCAR-3 xenografts. CONCLUSION: The addition of CDDP to 131I-323/A3 resulted in an additive inhibitory effect on the growth of CDDP-responsive xenografts. As the combination of radioimmunotherapy and CDDP was more effective in the inhibition of the tumor growth when compared with that of the MTD of each of the modalities alone, this treatment may therefore be considered of use in patients with ovarian cancer responsive to CDDP.

Comparison of the biodistribution and the efficacy of monoclonal antibody 323/A3 labeled with either 131I or 186Re in human ovarian cancer xenografts.

PURPOSE: The radionuclide 186Re has favorable physical characteristics for use in radioimmunotherapy, including the emission of beta-particles of a high-energy and a low-abundance of gamma-emission. The gamma-emission, in particular, is ideal for tumor imaging and poses less hazards to the patient and the medical personnel when compared with the gamma-emission of the widely used radionuclide 131I. In the present study, we determined whether 186Re-labeled monoclonal antibody 323/A3 may be better suited for the treatment of ovarian cancer than 131I-323/A3. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We compared the biodistribution and the efficacy of 186Re- and 131I-labeled 323/A3 in nude mice bearing s.c. the human ovarian cancer xenografts FMa, OVCAR-3 and Ov.Pe. 186Re was conjugated to 323/A3 with the use of the S-benzoylmercaptoacetyltriglycine (S-benzoyl-MAG3) chelate. RESULTS: A molar ratio of Re-MAG3:323/A3 of 3:1 did not affect the integrity and the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the MAb. The tumor uptake and the retention of 186Re- and 131I-labeled 323/A3 were comparable, but the cumulative absorbed radiation dose in the tumor delivered by 186Re-323/A3 was 1.3-fold higher than that of 131I-323/A3. When mice were treated with equivalent radionuclide doses, the tumor growth inhibition induced by 186Re-323/A3 was similar or slightly better when compared with the efficacy of 131I-323/A3. When mice were treated with radionuclide doses that were adjusted to obtain equal cumulative absorbed radiation doses in the tumor for both conjugates, 131I-323/A3 was slightly more effective in the inhibition of the growth of FMa and OVCAR-3 xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable physical characteristics of 186Re as well as its efficacy when conjugated to a MAb indicate 186Re as an attractive radionuclide in radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer patients.

Superior efficacy of trimelamol to hexamethylmelamine in human ovarian cancer xenografts.

A series of eight human ovarian cancer lines grown in nude mice were used to compare the activity of hexamethylmelamine (HMM) and N2,N4,N6-trihydroxy methyl-N2,N4,N6-trimethylmelamine (trimelamol). The tumor lines differed in histological subtype and growth rate. The drugs were administered i.p. at the maximum tolerated dose at alternate days. Differences in volume of treated and control tumors were endpoints of the study. The tumor lines varied widely in sensitivity to HMM and in four lines a T/C% below 25% was achieved. Trimelamol appeared to be more active than HMM and achieved a T/C below 25% in seven tumor lines. Thus far, the drug has demonstrated significant activity in a phase I trial in ovarian cancer patients. Comparative clinical studies of HMM vs trimelamol have not yet been performed.

[186Re]-labeled mouse and chimeric monoclonal antibody 323/A3: a comparison of the efficacy in experimental human ovarian cancer.

We have investigated whether [186Re]-labeled chimeric monoclonal antibody 323/A3 (MAb c-323/A3) is as effective as [186Re]-labeled mouse 323/A3 (m-323/A3) in the growth inhibition of human ovarian cancer xenografts OVCAR-3 and FMa. [186Re] was conjugated to MAbs with the use of the chelate S-benzoylmercaptoacetyltriglycine (S-benzoyl-MAG3). The maximum number of metal-MAG3 groups that could be conjugated to one MAb molecule accepting a minimal initial increase of the blood clearance (15%) was 8.5 and 2.9 for c-323/A3 and m-323/A3, respectively. With these molar ratios the immunoreactivity of both MAbs was maintained. An inverse relationship was observed between the protein dose of c-323/A3 and its blood clearance. Both [186Re]-c-323/A3 and [186Re]-m-323/A3 were comparable in the inhibition of the tumor growth when higher protein doses were used. Together with the expected lower immunogenicity, our results imply that c-323/A3 is preferable for use in [186Re]-radioimmunotherapy in ovarian cancer patients.

Morphometric study of myocardial changes during puromycin aminonucleoside induced nephropathy in rats.

Puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-treated rats developed a severe nephrotic syndrome. Morphometric analysis of the hearts revealed significant differences between treated and control rats regarding nuclear index, reticulin index, nuclear and myocellular transsectional area, capillary number and transsectional area of capillaries. These differences were comparable with those induced by adriamycin. It is suggested that PAN can induce morphometrically measurable abnormalities in hearts of rats comparable to the morphometric changes seen after adriamycin treatment. The question of whether nephropathy, a result of both DOX and PAN treatment of rats, adds to or perhaps even causes doxorubicin - induced cardiomyopathy remains unclear.

The effects of gamma-interferon combined with 5-fluorouracil or 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine on proliferation and antigen expression in a panel of human colorectal cancer cell lines.

Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) and the antimetabolites 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR) were investigated as individual agents and in combination for their in vitro antiproliferative capacity and for their effect on the expression of HLA class-I antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the intracellular tumor-associated antigen CTA-I in 7 human colorectal cancer cell lines: WiDr, HT29, Colo 205, SW116, LS174T, SW1398, and LoVo. Growth inhibition by IFN-gamma at clinically relevant concentrations (50-100 U/ml) was found in 4/7 cell lines. The cell lines were equally sensitive to 5-FU (IC50 in a range of 2-10 microM), while sensitivity to FUdR varied considerably (IC50 in a range of 0.01-90 microM). When 50 U/ml IFN-gamma were combined with 5-FU or FUdR, the antiproliferative effects were synergistic in those cell lines with sensitivity to IFN-gamma as a single agent, but not in the IFN-gamma-insensitive cell lines. IFN-gamma was able to enhance the expression of HLA Class I and CEA in 4/7 and 3/7 cell lines, respectively, as measured by flow cytometry. CTA-I expression could not be enhanced with IFN-gamma. The expression of the 3 antigens tested was also increased by 5-FU and FUdR. This effect was concentration-dependent in most instances and varied between the individual cell lines. The combination of 50 U/ml IFN-gamma with 25% growth-inhibitory concentration of 5-FU or FUdR for each cell line resulted in an additional increase in antigen expression in 4/7 cell lines. No relation was found between the enhancement of antigen expression and the sensitivity to IFN-gamma or the anti-metabolites. The enhancement in antigen expression also did not show a relationship with changes in cell-cycle distribution upon exposure to IFN-gamma or the anti-metabolites. These results suggest independent mechanisms for the antiproliferative and antigen-enhancing effects of IFN-gamma, 5-FU and FUdR.

Comparison of 131I-labelled anti-episialin 139H2 with cisplatin, cyclophosphamide or external-beam radiation for anti-tumor efficacy in human ovarian cancer xenografts.

Three human ovarian cancer xenografts of different origin and grown s.c. in nude mice as well-established tumors were studied for their sensitivity to cisplatin (CDDP), cyclophosphamide (CTX), 131I-labelled anti-episialin monoclonal antibody (MAb) 139H2, or external-beam radiotherapy. The maximum tolerated dose of CDDP given weekly i.v. x 2 induced a tumor growth inhibition (GI) of 77.5% and 85.1% of the serous xenografts Ov.Ri(C) and OVCAR-3, respectively. The mucinous xenograft Ov.Pe was relatively resistant to CDDP. The maximum tolerated dose of CTX, given i.p. x 2 with a 2-week interval, induced a GI between 52.9% and 59.7% for each of the 3 xenografts. Radioimmunotherapy with 500-750 microCi 131I-specific MAb 139H2, administered i.v. x 2 with a 2-week interval, was more effective than CDDP or CTX. The 500 microCi 131I-MAb 139H2 schedule induced 100% GI in Ov.Ri(C) xenografts and all tumors were cured. The same schedule was slightly less effective in OVCAR-3 xenografts, but complete tumor regressions could still be obtained. Ov.Pe xenografts were least sensitive to radioimmunotherapy. The 2 injections of 500 microCi 131I-control MAb gave only transient growth inhibition of OVCAR-3 and Ov.Pe tumors, but gave complete regressions of Ov.Ri(C) xenografts. Biodistribution using tracer doses of 131I-MAb 139H2 and 125I-control MAb showed different degrees of specificity for MAb 139H2 in the 3 xenografts. Radiation doses absorbed in OV.Ri(C), OVCAR-3 and Ov.Pe xenografts per 10 microCi injected dose were 30, 41 and 29 cGy respectively. Treatment with 10 Gy external-beam radiation suggested that the effects of radioimmunotherapy in each tumor line were related to the intrinsic radiosensitivity of the xenografts.

Influence of dose and schedule on the therapeutic efficacy of 131I-labelled monoclonal antibody 139H2 in a human ovarian cancer xenograft model.

The therapeutic efficacy of various doses and schedules of 131I-labelled anti-episialin monoclonal antibody (MAb) 139H2 was assessed in the NIH:OVCAR-3 human ovarian cancer xenograft model. Radioimmunotherapy was started at the time s.c. tumors were well established (100 to 300 mm3). The anti-tumor effects induced by i.v. injections of 131I-MAb 139H2 were dose- and schedule-dependent. Optimal growth inhibition and long-lasting complete tumor regressions were obtained with 2 injections of 500, 700 or 750 muCi 131I-MAb 139H2 per mouse given with a 2-week interval. The percentage of tumors with more than 50% reduction of their initial volume after treatment with a total dose of 1,000 muCi 131I-MAb 139H2 per mouse, given as 10 injections of 100 muCi (3 x/week), 4 injections of 250 muCi (2 x/week), 10 injections of 100 muCi (5 x/week) within a period of 3 weeks, or 2 injections of 500 muCi with a 2-week interval, was 9%, 40%, 64% and 75% respectively. Unlabelled MAb 139H2 did not affect tumor growth, while the effects of 131I-control MAb were minor and transient. 131I-MAb 139H2 treatment did not select for outgrowth of episialin-negative cells in the OVCAR-3 xenografts. Highest absorbed doses of whole-body-radiation were calculated for 2 injections (500 to 750 muCi 131I-MAb 139H2) given with the 2-week interval. The radiation dose to the tumor after a single injection of 500 muCi 131I-MAb 139H2 was 1,300 cGy over 7 days, which appeared slightly lower than the dose calculated after administration of a tracer dose of iodinated MAb 139H2.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and dosimetry of monoclonal antibodies OC125, OV-TL 3, and 139H2 as IgG and F(ab')2 fragments in experimental ovarian cancer.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 139H2 was previously shown to localise specifically into ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice. MAb 139H2 was compared with MAbs OC125 and OV-TL 3, all reactive with ovarian carcinomas, for the binding characteristics as IgG and F(ab')2 fragments with the use of the OVCAR-3 cell line grown in vitro and as s.c. xenografts. Immunoperoxidase staining of OVCAR-3 tissue sections with MAbs OC125 and 139H2 was heterogeneous, whereas MAb OV-TL 3 showed homogeneity. No differences in binding were observed between IgG and F(ab')2. The avidity expressed as apparent affinity constants of MAbs OC125, OV-TL 3 and 139H2 for OVAR-3 cells were 1 x 10(9) M-1, 1 x 10(9) M-1, and 1 x 10(8) M-1, while the number of antigenic determinants were 5 x 10(6), 1 x 10(6) and 7 x 10(6), respectively. In OVCAR-3 bearing nude mice the blood half-lives of the MAbs as IgG and F(ab')2 were approximately 50 h and 6 h, respectively. Maximum tumour uptake for the whole MAbs OC125, OV-TL 3, 139H2 and a control MAb 2C7 was 8.5%, 17.7%, 11.1% and 2.5% of the injected dose g-1, reached at 72 h after injection. For the respective F(ab')2 fragments, the maximum values were 5.2%, 10.0%, 5.5% and 1.9% of the injected dose g-1, reached between 6 h and 15 h. Tumour to non-tumour ratios were more favourable for the F(ab')2 fragments as compared to those for MAbs as IgG. Biodistribution in mice bearing a control tumour confirmed the specificity of tumour localisation of MAbs OC125, OV-TL 3 and 139H2. After injection of a tracer dose of 10 microCi of radiolabelled MAbs OC125, OV-TL 3 and 139H2 as IgG, tumours received 38 cGy, and 9 cGy. In our OVCAR-3 model, a ranking in efficiency in tumour localisation would indicate MAb OV-TL 3 as most favourable MAb, but cross-reactivity with subpopulations of human white blood cells might hamper its clinical use. Dosimetric data indicate a 4-fold higher radiation absorbed dose to tumours for IgG compared with F(ab')2 fragments.

Comparison of monoclonal antibodies 17-1A and 323/A3: the influence of the affinity on tumour uptake and efficacy of radioimmunotherapy in human ovarian cancer xenografts.

The low-affinity monoclonal antibody (MAb) chimeric 17-1A(c-17-1A) and the high-affinity MAb mouse 323/A3 (m-323/A3) were used to study the effect of the MAb affinity on the tumour uptake and efficacy of radioimmunotherapy in nude mice bearing subcutaneously the human ovarian cancer xenografts FMa, OVCAR-3 and Ov.Pe. Both MAbs are directed against the same pancarcinoma glycoprotein. In vitro, the number of binding sites on tumour cells at 4 degrees C was similar for both MAbs, but m-323/A3 had an approximately 5-fold higher affinity (1.3-3.0x10(9) M-1) than c-17-1A (3.0-5.4x10(8) M-1). This difference in affinity was more extreme at 37 degrees C, when no binding of c-17-1A could be observed. MAb m-323/A3 completely blocked binding of c-17-1A to tumour cells, whereas the reverse was not observed. Immunohistochemistry showed a similar but more intense staining pattern of m-323/A3 in human ovarian cancer xenografts than of c-17-1A. In vivo, the blood clearance in non-tumour-bearing nude mice was similar for both MAbs with terminal half-lives of 71.4 h for m-323/A3 and 62.7 h for c-17-1A. MAb m-323/A3 targeted better to tumour tissue, but was more heterogeneously distributed than c-17-1A. The cumulative absorbed radiation dose delivered by m-323/A3 to tumour tissue was 2.5- to 4.7-fold higher than that delivered by c-17-1A. When mice were treated with equivalent radiation doses of 131(I)m-323/A3 and 131(I)c-17-1A, based on a correction for the immunoreactivity of the radiolabelled MAbs, m-323/A3 induced a better growth inhibition in two of the three xenografts. When the radiation doses were adjusted to obtain a similar amount of radiation in the tumour c-17-1A was more effective in tumour growth inhibition in all three xenografts.

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a new anti-episialin monoclonal antibody 139H2 in ovarian-cancer-bearing nude mice.

The new murine anti-episialin monoclonal antibody (mAb) 139H2 has been selected for its strong reactivity with a series of human ovarian cancer xenografts. In the present report we describe the characteristics of mAb 139H2 investigated in vitro as well as in vivo. Scatchard plot analysis using the human ovarian cancer cell line NIH:OVCAR-3 showed an affinity constant of 1 x 10(8) M-1 and the expression of 7 x 10(6) antigenic sites/cell. Reactivity with OVCAR-3 xenograft tissue was intense, localized at the cell membrane, heterogeneously distributed, and mainly detectable at the apical site of the cell. Administration of radiolabelled mAb 139H2 to nude mice bearing s.c. OVCAR-3 xenografts showed specific uptake in the tumour up to 9% of the injected dose/g. The maximum uptake in the tumour was retained for 3.5 days and mAb 139H2 cleared from the tumour with a half-life of 5.5 days. The half-life in blood was 50 h and no antibody-antigen complex formation could be detected. Poor uptake and no retention in episialin-negative WiDr colon cancer xenografts demonstrated specificity. Administration of an excess of an unlabelled irrelevant mAb did not influence the uptake in the OVCAR-3 xenografts or in other tissues. In contrast, tumour uptake decreased after addition of 300 micrograms or more unlabelled mAb 139H2 to a tracer dose of radiolabelled mAb 139H2. The uptake of mAb 139H2 in OVCAR-3 xenografts appeared inversely related to the tumour size.

Determination of tumor-related factors of influence on the uptake of the monoclonal antibody 323/A3 in experimental human ovarian cancer.

The epithelial glycoprotein 40 (EGP40) is an important target in the clinic for radioimmunolocalization and monoclonal antibody (MAb)-mediated therapy of cancer. We determined which tumor-related factors (including antigen distribution and density, vascularization and perfusion) were involved in the uptake of the anti-EGP40 MAb 323/A3 in 4 different human ovarian cancer xenografts grown s.c. in nude mice. The reactivity pattern of 323/A3 in all xenografts in vitro was similar and showed a strong and homogeneous distribution of the EGP40 antigen. FMa xenografts, however, showed the highest uptake of 323/A3 in vivo, which was 5.5-, 6.2- and 10.0-fold higher than that in OVCAR-3, Ov.Pe and Ov.Sh xenografts, respectively. FMa xenografts contained 2.1- to 3.5-fold more antigen per gram protein when compared with the antigen content of the other xenografts. FMa and Ov.Sh xenografts demonstrated a better vascularization pattern, whereas Ov.Pe and OVCAR-3 xenografts were moderately to poorly vascularized. FMa xenografts were also better perfused, as was shown by a 1.6- to 1.8-fold higher uptake of the (99m)Tc-labeled blood flow marker hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO). The tumor uptake of the non-specific MAb E48 was 2.2- to 11.2-fold lower when compared with that of 323/A3, but the sequence of uptake was similar (FMa > OVCAR-3 = Ov.Pe > Ov.Sh), indicating the lowest extravasation of MAbs in Ov.Sh xenograft tissue. Since both the antigen content and the perfusion appeared to be important factors of influence on the tumor uptake of 323/A3, attempts were made to manipulate these determinants to improve the tumor uptake. Neither gamma-interferon nor 5-fluorouracil were able to increase EGP40 expression in human ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with the calcium-antagonist flunarizine did not result in an improved perfusion, although a slight increase in the initial tumor uptake of 323/A3 was observed in Ov.Sh-bearing mice. Our results illustrate the relative contribution of various tumor-related factors that determine the usefulness of a MAb for imaging and therapy of cancer.

New highly lipophilic camptothecin BNP1350 is an effective drug in experimental human cancer.

BNP1350, 7-[(2-trimethylsilyl)ethyl]-20(S)-camptothecin, is a novel semi-synthetic, highly lipophilic, silicon-containing camptothecin and an inhibitor of topoisomerase I. It has been supercomputer engineered for superior oral bioavailability, superior lactone stability, broad anti-tumor activity, increased potency and insensitivity to Pgp/MRP/LRP drug resistance. We determined the efficacy of BNP1350 in experimental human colon cancer and compared its anti-tumor effects with those of CPT-11/SN-38. We also determined a possible influence of Pgp, MRP and LRP on the efficacy of BNP1350. The in vitro anti-proliferative capacity of the compounds using various exposure times was assessed in five colon cancer cell lines and indicated that BNP1350 was similarly effective or slightly more potent than SN-38. Four cell lines of other origin with sublines expressing Pgp, MRP and/or LRP showed that BNP1350 was significantly more effective than SN-38 (p < 0.05) and that the activity of BNP1350 was not reduced in multidrug-resistant cells. For in vivo experiments, BNP1350 was given 1.0 mg/kg i.p. or 1.5 mg/kg p.o. daily x 5 and CPT-11 20 mg/kg i.p. daily x 5 being equitoxic schedules in nude mice bearing s.c. human tumor xenografts. The schedules were studied in colon cancer xenografts COLO320, COLO205 or WiDr as well as in two Pgp-positive xenografts 2780AD and BRO/mdr1.1 and the parental Pgp-negative A2780 ovarian cancer xenografts and BRO melanoma xenografts. Growth inhibition of >50% was obtained for BNP1350 given i.p. in six out of the seven xenografts studied. BNP1350 was similarly effective when given i.p. or p.o. CPT-11 was as effective as BNP1350, except in BRO and BRO/mdr1.1 xenografts. Pgp expression in xenografts in vivo confirmed that there was no negative influence on the efficacy of BNP1350. In conclusion, BNP1350 shows a broad spectrum of activity in experimental human tumors and is a suitable candidate for oral treatment of cancer.

Development of a panel of 15 human ovarian cancer xenografts for drug screening and determination of the role of the glutathione detoxification system.

OBJECTIVES: We have established a panel of 15 human ovarian cancer xenografts grown subcutaneously in the flank of the nude mouse. Similar to the clinic, the xenografts show differences in histological subtype and volume doubling time. We determined whether the panel is useful for drug screening by testing the sensitivity to six conventional anticancer agents. In addition, we investigated whether the glutathione detoxification system affects sensitivity to cisplatin and cyclophosphamide, major drugs in the treatment of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Mice bearing well-established tumors were treated at maximum tolerated doses as defined by a reversible weight loss up to 15% of their initial weight: cisplatin 5 mg/kg iv weekly x2, cyclophosphamide 150 mg/kg ip 2-weekly x2, doxorubicin 8 mg/kg iv weekly x2, hexamethylmelamine ip 150 mg/kg every other day x4, methotrexate ip 150 mg/kg weekly x2, and 5-fluorouracil 60 mg/kg ip weekly x4. Glutathione levels and the activities of three different glutathione-dependent enzymes were measured in untreated xenograft tissues. RESULTS: Growth inhibition >75% was reached for cisplatin in 40%, for cyclophosphamide in 27%, and for doxorubicin in 20% of the xenografts. Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil did not induce growth inhibition of importance. Hexamethylmelamine showed >75% growth inhibition in 53% of the xenografts, which may have been caused by the favorable metabolism of the drug in mice when compared with that in patients. Glutathione levels varied 3.6-fold in the xenografts and did not show a relation with sensitivity to cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, or doxorubicin. No relation was found between the activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase and the sensitivities to the three anticancer agents. Glutathione reductase activity, however, showed a weak, inverse relation with the efficacy of cisplatin and cyclophosphamide (r values of -0.55 and -0.58, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity to the six anticancer agents of our panel of 15 human ovarian cancer xenografts reflects the response rates known for similar drugs in ovarian cancer patients. In that respect, the panel may be useful for drug screening as well as studies on the relevance of drug resistance features in vivo. The various components of the glutathione detoxification system did not predict for primary drug resistance which confirms clinical data in ovarian cancer.

Secondary screening of platinum compounds in human ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice.

Five TNO platinum compounds were evaluated for antitumor activities in two human ovarian carcinoma tumor lines grown in nude mice. The most active drug, TNO-38, was investigated in five additional lines with a known range of sensitivity to cisplatin. None of the new compounds showed superior activity to cisplatin. The slightly lower activity of TNO-38 as compared to the parent compound was reproducible in all tumor lines. Besides the similarity in the antitumor activity, a remarkable correspondence in platinum distribution and retention at 24 hr of TNO-38 and cisplatin could be observed. Chromatographic analysis of the compounds in their injection fluids showed single peaks for TNO-26 and TNO-38. The degradation products of the latter drugs may have affected their activity and toxicity. These human ovarian cancer xenografts may offer a reliable screening model for selection of a cisplatin analog with a higher therapeutic index or without cross-resistance for treatment in ovarian cancer.

Morphometric study of myocardial changes during doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in mice.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective anti-cancer drugs in oncology, but may cause a cumulative dose-dependent cardiomyopathy in a number of cancer patients. The effect of DOX on the heart was studied in mice treated with i.v. injections of 2 mg/kg by measuring morphometric parameters, including nuclear index (number of non-myocytes/number of myocyte nuclei), reticulin index (reticulin area/number of myocyte transsections), nuclear transsectional area, myocyte transsectional area, capillary index (number of capillaries/number of myocyte transsections) and capillary transsectional area. The highest significant difference between control mice and DOX-treated mice was observed immediately after the 12th dose of DOX except for the two capillary parameters. The highest level of significance for these two parameters was obtained 12 weeks after the end of DOX treatment. In contrast to the observations in rats, mice did not develop a nephrotic syndrome during treatment with DOX. The morphometric analysis of myocardial changes in mice, as a quantitative and objective method, seems to be a good model for comparative studies on cardiomyopathy induced by anthracycline analogues.

Characterization of human soft-tissue sarcoma xenografts for use in secondary drug screening.

We have established ten transplantable human soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) xenografts grown as subcutaneous tumours in the nude mouse. Nine xenografts originated from patients that needed chemotherapy in the course of their disease. The xenografts were tested for their sensitivity to maximum tolerated doses of five anti-cancer agents. Growth of treated tumours was expressed as a percentage of control tumour growth and a growth inhibition > 75% was measured for doxorubicin in 20% of the STS xenografts, for cyclophosphamide in 30%, for ifosfamide in 20%, for vincristine in 20%, whereas etoposide was not effective in the STS xenografts. In three out of ten STS xenografts MDR1 mRNA was detectable, but this was not related to the resistance against doxorubicin, vincristine or etoposide. Topoisomerase IIalpha mRNA expression levels did not reflect sensitivity to doxorubicin or etoposide. In all STS tissues, however, these levels were lower than topoisomerase IIalpha mRNA in a drug-sensitive human ovarian cancer xenograft. Glutathione concentrations and the activities of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were not related to resistance against the alkylating agents or doxorubicin. Of interest, in all STS tissues, glutathione S-transferase pi was the predominant isoenzyme present. In conclusion, chemosensitivity of the STS xenografts reflects clinical response rates in phase II trials on the same compounds in adult STS patients. Relatively low levels of topoisomerase IIalpha mRNA may partly account for intrinsic resistance against, for example, doxorubicin. Additional factors must contribute to moderate responsiveness to alkylating agents.