In vivo radiosensitization efficacy of KU-2285 and etanidazole at clinically relevant low radiation doses.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The in vivo radiosensitization efficacy of KU-2285 at clinically relevant low radiation doses (2-4 Gy) was compared with that of etanidazole using four types of assays with EMT6, SCCVII, and C3H mammary tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS The in vivo-in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and the chromosomal aberration assay were used to assess the sensitizing effect at single doses of 2-4 Gy. After in vivo treatment for tumors, tumor cells were cultured in the presence of cytochalasin B for the former assay or demecolcine for the latter assay, and the micronucleus frequency in binucleate cells and the chromosomal frequency in metaphase cells were evaluated after 42 hr and 3 hr of culture. In addition, an in vivo-in vitro colony assay and a growth delay assay were performed using fractionated irradiation regimens (4 Gy x 5). RESULTS: The sensitizer enhancement ratio for 100-400 mg/kg of KU-2285 was between 1.12 and 1.42. KU-2285 was a more efficient sensitizer than etanidazole in 3 of 9 experiments and as efficient as etanidazole in the remaining six experiments. CONCLUSION: Both the micronucleus assay and the chromosomal aberration assay appeared to be very useful in evaluating the in vivo sensitizing effect at low radiation doses. KU-2285 had a definite radiosensitizing effect even at low radiation doses, and clinical trials of KU-2285 may be warranted.