Targeted cytotoxic somatostatin analogue AN-238 inhibits somatostatin receptor-positive experimental colon cancers independently of their p53 status.

The resistance of advanced colorectal cancers to therapy is often related to mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Because somatostatin (SRIF) receptors (ssts) are present in colorectal carcinomas, the treatment with targeted cytotoxic SRIF analogue AN-238, consisting of 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (AN-201) linked to octapeptide SRIF carrier RC-121, may overcome this resistance by producing a higher concentration of the cytotoxic agent in the tumors. Four colon cancer cell lines, HCT-116 and LoVo expressing wild-type p53, and HCT-15 and HT-29 with mutated p53, were investigated. HCT-116, HCT-15, and HT-29, but not LoVo possess functional ssts. We analyzed changes in p53, p21, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) concentrations in these cells in vitro by immunoblotting after exposure to AN-238, its radical AN-201, or doxorubicin (DOX). Equitoxic doses of AN-238, AN-201, or DOX affected p53, p21, and PCNA differently. Analysis of the p21:p53 ratios revealed that DOX increased p53 levels, but most of p53 was mutated and inactive, whereas AN-238 produced smaller changes in p53 concentrations but enhanced its activity. In HCT-15 cells, PCNA:p21 ratios, which are indicators of proliferation and repair processes, remained unchanged after exposure to AN-238 but were increased by DOX. In vivo studies in nude mice demonstrated that AN-238, AN-201, and DOX were equally effective on HCT-116 tumors that express wild-type p53. However, AN-238 also inhibited the growth of HCT-15 and HT-29 cancers that express mutant p53, whereas AN-201 and DOX showed no effect. None of the compounds could suppress the proliferation of LoVo tumors that lack functional ssts. In conclusion, cytotoxic SRIF analogue AN-238 inhibits the growth of experimental colon cancers that express ssts, regardless of their p53 status.

Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone inhibit the proliferation of experimental non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Recent studies show that antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) inhibit proliferation of various cancers indirectly through blockage of the endocrine GH-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I axis and directly by an action on tumor cells involving the suppression of autocrine/paracrine IGF-I, IGF-II, or GH-RH. The effectiveness of therapy with GH-RH antagonist JV-1-38 and its mechanisms of action were investigated in NCI-H838 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) xenografted s.c. into nude mice and in vitro. Treatment with GH-RH antagonist JV-1-38 significantly (P < 0.05-0.001) inhibited tumor growth as demonstrated by a 58% decrease in final tumor volume, 54% reduction in tumor weight, and the extension of tumor-doubling time from 8.5 +/- 1.38 to 12 +/- 1.07 days as compared with controls. Using ligand competition assays with (125)I-labeled GH-RH antagonist JV-1-42, specific high-affinity binding sites for GH-RH were found on tumor membranes. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed the expression of mRNA for GH-RH and splice variant 1 (SV(1)) of GH-RH receptor in H838 tumors. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis also demonstrated that H838 tumors express IGF-I and IGF-I receptors. Tumoral concentration of IGF-I and its mRNA expression were significantly decreased by 25% (P = 0.05) and 65% (P < 0.001), respectively, in animals receiving JV-1-38, whereas serum IGF-I levels remained unchanged. In vitro studies showed that H838 cells secreted GH-RH and IGF-I into the medium. The growth of tumor cells in vitro was stimulated by IGF-I and inhibited by GH-RH antagonist JV-1-38 and a GH-RH antiserum. Our results extend the findings on the involvement of IGF-I in NSCLC and suggest that GH-RH may be an autocrine growth factor for H838 NSCLC. The antitumorigenic action of GH-RH antagonists could be partly direct and mediated by SV(1) of tumoral GH-RH receptors. The finding of GH-RH and SV(1) of GH-RH receptors in NSCLC provides a new approach to the treatment of this malignancy based on the use of antagonistic analogues of GH-RH.

Effective treatment of H838 human non-small cell lung carcinoma with a targeted cytotoxic somatostatin analog, AN-238.

The accumulation of radioactive somatostatin analog [111In]pentetreotide in non-small cell lung cancer (non-SCLC) during scintigraphy of patients provides a rationale for investigating the efficacy of somatostatin receptor-based chemotherapy in non-SCLC. Consequently, in this study, we evaluated the antitumor effects of cytotoxic somatostatin analog AN-238 on H838 human non-SCLC xenografted into nude mice in comparison with its cytotoxic radical, 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (AN-201). The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for human somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 (hsst2) and 5 (hsst5) in H838 cells, and tumors was also investigated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Somatostatin receptors on H838 tumors were characterized by ligand competition assay using radiolabeled somatostatin analog, RC-160. Three i.v. injections of AN-238 at 150 nmol/kg, given on days 1, 7 and 21, resulted in a significant (p<0.05) tumor growth inhibition, the final tumor volume being 60% smaller than in the controls. The tumor doubling time was also extended significantly (p<0.05) from 9.65+/-0.56 days in the controls to 17.52+/-3.3 days. Only one of 8 mice died due to toxicity. In contrast, cytotoxic radical AN-201 was ineffective and more toxic, killing 2 of 7 animals. mRNA for hsst2 was found in H838 xenografts, but not in H838 cells from which the xenografts originated. Interestingly, H838 cells grown in a special, serum-free medium did express mRNA for hsst2. mRNA for hsst5 was not found in any samples tested. Binding studies demonstrated the presence of high affinity (K(d) = 7.3+/-1.2 nM) binding sites for RC-160 with a mean maximal binding capacity (B(max)) of 953.3+/-45.3 fmol/mg protein. AN-238 at 3.14+/-0.93 nM concentration displaced 50% of radiolabeled RC-160 binding to somatostatin receptors in H838 tumors. Our results indicate that patients with inoperable non-SCLC may benefit from chemotherapy targeted to somatostatin receptors based on AN-238.

Bombesin antagonists inhibit growth of MDA-MB-435 estrogen-independent breast cancers and decrease the expression of the ErbB-2/HER-2 oncoprotein and c-jun and c-fos oncogenes.

Previous studies showed that antagonists of bombesin (BN)/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) inhibit the growth of various cancers by interfering with the growth-stimulatory effects of BN-like peptides and down-regulating epidermal growth factor receptors on tumors. Because the overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (ErbB-2/HER-2/neu) oncogene plays a role in the progression of many breast cancers, we investigated whether BN/GRP antagonists can affect HER-2 in mammary tumors. Female nude mice bearing orthotopic xenografts of MDA-MB-435 human estrogen-independent breast cancers were treated daily with BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 (20 microg) or RC-3940-II (10 microg) for 6 weeks. The expression of BN/GRP receptors on tumors was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. We also evaluated whether the mRNA expression for the c-jun and c-fos oncogenes is affected by the therapy. Both BN/GRP antagonists significantly inhibited growth of MDA-MB-435 cancers; RC-3095 reduced tumor volume by 40% and RC-3940-II by 65%. The GRP receptors (subtype 1) were detected in MDA-MB-435 tumors, showing that they mediate the inhibitory effect of the antagonists. Tumor inhibition was associated with a substantial reduction in the expression of mRNA and protein levels of the ErbB/HER receptor family as well as with a decrease in the expression of c-jun and c-fos oncogenes. BN/GRP antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3095 could be considered for endocrine therapy of estrogen-independent breast cancers that express members of the ErbB/HER receptor family and the c-jun and c-fos oncogenes.

Inhibition of proliferation of PC-3 human prostate cancer by antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone: lack of correlation with the levels of serum IGF-I and expression of tumoral IGF-II and vascular endothelial growth factor.

BACKGROUND: Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) such as JV-1-38 can inhibit androgen-independent prostate cancer directly by several mechanisms and/or indirectly by suppressing growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis. To shed more light on the mechanisms involved, the effects of JV-1-38 on PC-3 human prostate cancer were compared with those of somatostatin analog RC-160 in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Nude mice bearing PC-3 tumors received JV-1-38 (20 microg), RC-160 (50 microg) or a combination of JV-1-38 and RC-160. The concentration of IGF-I in serum and the expression of mRNA for IGF-II and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor tissue were investigated. RESULTS: In vivo, the final volume of PC-3 tumors treated with JV-1-38 was significantly lowered by 49% (P < 0.01), whereas RC-160 exerted only 30% inhibition (NS), compared with controls. Combined use of both compounds augmented tumor inhibition to 63% (P < 0.001). Serum IGF-I levels were decreased only in mice treated with RC-160. JV-1-38 suppressed mRNA for IGF-II in PC-3 tumors by 42%, whereas RC-160 alone or in combination with JV-1-38 caused a 65% reduction. JV-1-38 and RC-160 used as single drugs decreased the expression of VEGF by 50%, and their combination caused a 63% reduction. In vitro, JV-1-38 inhibited the proliferation of PC-3 cells by 39%. This effect could be partially reversed by addition of IGF-I to the serum-free medium. RC-160 alone did not affect the PC-3 cell growth in vitro, but in combination with JV-1-38 it augmented the antiproliferative effect of the GH-RH antagonist to 72%. Exposure to JV-1-38 in vitro reduced the expression of mRNA for IGF-II in PC-3 cells by 55% but did not change VEGF mRNA levels, whereas RC-160 had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: The antiproliferative effect of JV-1-38 was not associated with the suppression of serum IGF-I and was only partially correlated with the expression of IGF-II and VEGF in PC-3 tumors, suggesting that other mechanisms play a role in the antitumor action of GHRH antagonists. Nevertheless, the stronger inhibition of tumor growth after combined treatment with JV-1-38 and RC-160 indicates that the interference with multiple local stimulatory factors leads to an enhanced inhibition of prostate cancer.

Establishment and characterization of a primary androgen-responsive African-American prostate cancer cell line, E006AA.

BACKGROUND: Establishment of human prostate cancer cell lines is essential to advance our understanding of complex processes associated with the initiation and progression of the disease. In the present study, we report the establishment of a primary African-American prostate cancer cell line (E006AA) as well as its associated stromal cells (S006AA). METHODS: E006AA cell line was established as a spontaneously immortalized cells from a patient with a clinically localized prostate cancer. Extensive characterization of the cells was accomplished using androgen-dependent growth and sensitivity assays, Western analyses, RT-PCR/real-time PCR, cytogenetic analyses, and tumorigenicity in nude mice. RESULTS: E006AA cell line shows androgen-dependent growth, expresses PSA and the androgen receptor (AR) with 26 CAG repeats in exon 1 of AR. Cytogenetic analyses revealed a hypertriploid karyotype with additional numerical gains in chromosomes 5, 6, 8, 10, 17, 20, 21 and a marker chromosome of unknown origin as well as structural abnormalities in chromosomes 4, 5, 8, 9, 11-14, 18, and 20. This cell line is not tumorigenic in nude mice. S006AA cell line, isolated from the same tumor specimen, also expresses AR and shows the morphological characteristics of smooth muscle cells of prostatic stroma. CONCLUSIONS: These cell lines are the first available primary epithelial and stromal cells derived from an African-American patient with organ-confined prostate cancer and in conjunction with other established cell lines, could provide an in vitro model system to investigate early transforming events in prostate cancer.