Collateral sensitivity between methylene dimethane sulfonate and halogenated methotrexate derivatives in the Yoshida sarcoma in vivo and in vitro.

A Yoshida lymphosarcoma line (YMDR8) resistant to methylene dimethane sulfonate (MDMS) showed collateral sensitivity against three halogenated methotrexates: 3'-bromomethotrexate (NSC-98580), 3'-bromo-5'-chloromethotrexate (NSC-98579), and 3',5'-dichloromethotrexate (NSC-29630); however, it was cross-resistant to methotrexate itself. Two other independently derived MDMS-resistant cell lines, YMDR7 and YMDR9, also demonstrated collateral sensitivity against 3'-bromomethotrexate, but with the latter, the origin of the "induced" sensitivity probably was not due to interference with antigenic or oncogenic properties of the cell line. When these agents were used in vivo (in Wistar rats) and in vitro, subpopulation changes within the tumor lines could be observed. The possible importance of this parameter in the development of such sensitivity is discussed.

Enhancement of the nuclear reactivity of alkylating agents by prednisolone.

We have compared the nuclear reactions of the alkylating agents chlorambucil, melphalan, and cyclophosphamide used alone, with those produced when the same drugs were used in combination with the corticosteroid prednisolone. Studies were performed in vivo in Wistar rats bearing ascites forms of either the Yoshida sarcoma or the Walker carcinosarcoma. Strains of both tumor lines, which were sensitive to alkylating agents, showed loss of condensed chromatin, increased phosphorylation of nuclear proteins, and increased DNA cross-linking after exposure to the alkylating agents alone; these changes were generally enhanced in the presence of prednisolone. When paired tumor lines which exhibited acquired resistance to alkylating agents were studied, no nuclear changes were detected when individual alkylating agents were given alone. However, in combination with prednisolone, each of the three alkylating agents produced loss of condensed chromatin, increased nuclear protein phosphorylation, and DNA cross-linking. These chromatin changes were associated with tumor cell death and may determine drug sensitivity in the tumors studied.

CHS 828, a novel pyridyl cyanoguanidine with potent antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.

A new class of recently discovered antineoplastic agents, the pyridyl cyanoguanidines, exert a potent antitumor activity in rodents after oral administration. Optimization in vitro and in vivo has resulted in the selection of the lead candidate CHS 828 (N-(6-chlorophenoxyhexyl)-N'cyano-N"-4-pyridylguanidine). CHS 828 was found to exert potent cytotoxic effects in human breast and lung cancer cell lines, with lesser effects on normal fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In a study using a panel of cell lines with different resistance patterns, the effects of CHS 828 showed a low correlation with the activity patterns of known anticancer agents, and no sensitivity to known mechanisms of multidrug resistance was observed. In nude mice bearing human tumor xenografts, CHS 828, at doses from 20 to 50 mg/kg/day p.o., inhibited the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer tumors and caused regression of NYH small cell lung cancer tumors. Oral administration of CHS 828 once weekly improved efficacy without increasing toxicity. CHS 828 was found to compare favorably with established chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide, etoposide, methotrexate, and paclitaxel. In mice with NYH tumors, long-term survival (>6 months) was observed after treatment with CHS 828 was stopped. In conclusion, CHS 828 is an effective new antitumor agent, with a potentially new mechanism of action. CHS 828 is presently being tested in Phase I clinical trials in collaboration with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

Inhibition of induced chemoresistance by cotreatment with (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (RP101).

Induced chemoresistance leads to the reduction of apoptotic responses. Although several drugs are in development that circumvent or decrease existing chemoresistance, none has the potential to prevent or reduce its induction. Here, we present data from a drug that could perhaps fill this gap. Cotreatment of chemotherapy with (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU, RP101) prevented the decrease of apoptotic effects during the course of chemotherapy and reduced nonspecific toxicity. Amplification of chemoresistance genes (Mdr1 and Dhfr) and overexpression of gene products involved in proliferation (DDX1) or DNA repair (UBE2N and APEX) were inhibited, whereas activity of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) was enhanced. During recovery, when treatment was with BVDU only, microfilamental proteins were up-regulated, and proteins involved in ATP generation or cell survival (STAT3 and JUN-D) were down-regulated. That way, in three different rat tumor models, the antitumor efficiency of chemotherapy was optimized, and toxic side effects were reduced. Because of these beneficial properties of BVDU, a clinical pilot Phase I/II study with five human tumor entities has been started at the University of Dresden (Dresden, Germany). So far, no unwanted side effects have been observed.

Inhibition by oxonic acid of gastrointestinal toxicity of 5-fluorouracil without loss of its antitumor activity in rats.

The possibility of decreasing the gastrointestinal (GI) toxic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the digestive tract such as its injury of cells and induction of diarrhea, without reducing its antitumor activity, was investigated in rats. Oxonic acid was found to inhibit the phosphorylation of 5-FU to 5-fluorouridine-5'-monophosphate catalyzed by pyrimidine phosphoribosyl-transferase in a different manner from allopurinol in cell-free extracts and intact cells in vitro. On p.o. administration of 5-FU (2 mg/kg) and a potent inhibitor of 5-FU degradation to Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats, oxonic acid (10 mg/kg) was found to inhibit the formation of 5-fluorouridine-5'-monophosphate from 5-FU and its subsequent incorporation into the RNA fractions of small and large intestine but not of tumor and bone marrow tissues. This selective inhibition of 5-FU phosphorylation in the GI tract was due to the much higher concentrations of oxonic acid in GI tissues than in other tissues and the blood. On p.o. administration with the 5-FU derivative, UFT, which is a combined form of 1 M tegafur and 4 M uracil and usually administered p.o. to cancer patients in Japan, oxonic acid (10-50 mg/kg) markedly reduced injury of GI tissues and/or severe diarrhea without influencing the antitumor effect of UFT. These findings suggest that coadministration of oxonic acid suppresses the GI toxicity of 5-FU and its derivatives without affecting their antitumor activity and thus prolongs the life span of cancer-bearing rats.

D-24851, a novel synthetic microtubule inhibitor, exerts curative antitumoral activity in vivo, shows efficacy toward multidrug-resistant tumor cells, and lacks neurotoxicity.

N-(pyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-chlorbenzyl)-indol-3-yl]-glyoxyl-amid (D-24851) is a novel synthetic compound that was identified in a cell-based screening assay to discover cytotoxic drugs. D-24851 destabilizes microtubules and blocks cell cycle transition specifically at G2-M phase. The binding site of D-24851 does not overlap with the tubulin binding sites of known microtubule-destabilizing agents like vincristine or colchicine. In vitro, D-24851 has potent cytotoxic activity toward a panel of established human tumor cell lines including SKOV3 ovarian cancer, U87 glioblastoma, and ASPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo, oral D-24851 treatment induced complete tumor regressions (cures) in rats bearing Yoshida AH13 sarcomas. Of importance is that the administration of curative doses of D-24851 to the animals revealed no systemic toxicity in terms of body weight loss and neurotoxicity in contrast to the administration of paclitaxel or vincristine. Interestingly, multidrug-resistant cell lines generated by vincristine-driven selection or transfection with the Mr 170,000 P-glycoprotein encoding cDNA were rendered resistant toward paclitaxel, vincristine, or doxorubicin but not towards D-24851 when compared with the parental cells. Because of its synthetic nature, its oral applicability, its potent in vitro and in vivo antitumoral activity, its efficacy against multidrug-resistant tumors, and the lack of neurotoxicity, D-24851 may have significant potential for the treatment of various malignancies.

[Antitumor activity and function of S-1, a new oral tegafur-based formulation].

TS-1 (S-1), developed by the scientific theory of both potentiating antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and reducing gastrointestinal toxicity induced by 5-FU, is a new oral formulation consisting of 1 M tegafur, 0.4 M gimeracil and 1 M oteracil potassium. We investigated the antitumor efficacy of S-1 alone and in combination with other cytotoxic anticancer drugs using subcutaneously or orthotopically implanted murine and human tumors in rodents. As a single agent, S-1 showed higher antitumor activity with its low intestinal toxicity compared to continuous venous infusion 5-FU, the most effective dosing method of 5-FU, and/or to clinically available oral fluoropyrimidines such as UFT, doxyfluridine and capecitabine on various murine tumors and human tumor xenografts. Especially, it was noteworthy that S-1 as a DPD-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine markedly affected human tumor xenografts with high expression levels of DPD on which other fluoropyrimidines showed a low antitumor activity. In combination with other anticancer drugs such as CPT-11 and taxanes, S-1 exercised synergistic antitumor efficacy not only on 5-FU-sensitive tumors with low expression levels of thymidylate synthase (TS) but also on 5-FU-resistant tumors with originally higher and/or elevated levels of TS expression. As one of the reasonable mechanism of antitumor synergism by the combination, CPT-11 and taxanes were found to reduce the expression of TS in human tumor resistant to 5-FU with high expression TS levels. Throughout our preclinical antitumor studies of S-1, alone and/or in combination with other anticancer drugs, it would be expected to contribute greatly to the treatment of cancer patients.

Metabolic response of AH13r rat tumours to cyclophosphamide as monitored by pO2 and pH semi-microelectrodes.

The composition of the microenvironment has an important influence on the cellular response to cytotoxic agents. Using pH and pO2 semi-microelectrodes, we have monitored metabolic changes in AH13r rat tumours as a function of time after subcurative chemotherapy. Prior to therapy, tumours contained large areas considered hypoxic (mean pO2 approximately 4 mmHg) and are characterised by a marked accumulation of acidic metabolites (mean pH 6.65). Administration of cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg body weight) resulted in tumour regression to 15% of pretreatment volumes and a growth delay of 12 days. Concomitant with volume reduction, tumours became reoxygenated (mean pO2 approximately 7 mmHg), with maximum values being reached within 2-4 days, paralleled by a shift of pH to more alkaline values (0.17 U on average). These changes coincided with the development of subtotal necrosis. During early tumour regrowth, the pH and pO2 histograms returned to control values. These data corroborate and extend the results of previous studies in which noninvasive techniques had been applied for the monitoring of treatment-induced metabolic changes in malignant tumours in vivo. In addition, these results support the notion that the effectiveness of anticancer therapy might be improved by selecting and scheduling therapeutic agents in consideration of physiological changes caused by preceding courses of treatment.

Studies on cyclophosphamide metabolites and their related compounds. 2. Preparation of an active species of cyclophosphamide and related compounds.

A synthetic study was made on the active metabolite of cyclophosphamide. Ozonolysis of O-(3 butenyl)-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)phosphorodiamidate, prepared by reaction of POC13 with 3-buten-1-ol followed by treatment with N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amine (nor mustard) and NH3, afforded 2-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-4-hydroperoxytetrahydro-2H-1, 3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-oxide (4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide). Deoxygenation of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide by triphenylphosphine yielded 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide in a pure crystalline state. These products exhibited high cytostatic activity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results give confirmatory evidence for the hypothesis that C4-hydroxylation on the 1,3,2-oxazaphosphorinane ring of cyclophosphamide is necessary for its activation.

Studies on antitumor agents, 2. Syntheses and antitumor activities of 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil and 1,3-bis(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil.

Convenient and efficient methods were developed for preparing 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (Thf-FU, 3) [trade name, Futraful (Ftorafur) or FT-207], which is used clinically as an antitumor agent, and 1,3-bis(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (Thf2-FU, 4). For the syntheses, 2,4-bis(trimethylsily)-5-fluorouracil (Me3Si-FU, 1) and 2-acetoxytetrahydrofuran (Thf-OAc, 2) were condensed in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalysts, such as SnCl4 and BF3-Et2O in dichloromethane, or in the presence of NaI in acetonitrile to give Thf-Fu or Thf2-FU depending on the reaction conditions and workup procedure. A trace of 3-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (3-Thf-FU, 5) was formed in these reactions. Thf2-FU was easily hydrolyzed to Thf-FU. 2-Methoxytetrahydrofuran can be used instead of Thf-OAc for preparation of Thf-FU under similar conditions. The optimal ratios of Me3Si-FU, Thf-OAc, and SnCl4 or NaI for preparation of Thf-FU and Thf2-FU were determined. In all cases, 2-2.5 equiv of Thf-OAc with respect to Me3Si-FU gave the best results. The yields of Thf-FU and more especially of Thf2-FU were greatly dependent on the relative amount of SnCl4, and 0.01-0.1 equiv of the catalyst with respect to Me3Si-FU gave the best results. Thf2-FU was found to be effective against murine solid tumors and it was less toxic than Thf-FU when given orally. The antitumor activity of 3-Thf-FU is also reported.

The curative action of hexamethylmelamine on intramuscularly or intracerebrally implanted Yoshida sarcoma.

Curative effects of hexamethylmelamine (HMM, NSC 13875) against intramuscularly or intracerebrally implanted Yoshida sarcoma depend on the schedules. A twice daily oral administration over a 2-week period showed a significant chemotherapeutic advantage over a single daily administration. The observed curative effect depends on the tumour site and on its mass. The Yoshida sarcoma seems to be one of the most suitable test models for HMM or related derivatives.

Effect of the pretreatment with disulfiram on the toxicity and antitumor activity of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea in Sprague--Dawley rats.

Pretreatment with disulfiram (DSF, 1000 mg/kg p.o.) 2 h prior to intraperitoneal injection of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea (HECNU, NSC 29485) reduced the acute toxicity of HECNU by 50% in Sprague--Dawley rats. Thereafter the effect of this additional treatment on the chemotherapeutic activity of HECNU was investigated. After intraperitoneal transplantation of Yoshida sarcoma ascites cells untreated rats had a median survival time of 8 days. The therapeutic response to a single application of HECNU alone or of DSF followed by HECNU was compared. HECNU was injected intravenously at logarithmically increasing doses from 15 to 61.8 mg/kg. The maximum survival time was increased to about 14 days in rats treated with HECNU. Pretreatment with DSF (1000 mg/kg) resulted in identical or slightly higher life expectancies; it thus reduced the toxic side effects of HECNU without inhibiting its antitumor potency.

A novel class of antitumour agents. I. Chemistry and animal experiments.

Newly synthesized tertiary amino steroids, among them 2 beta,16 beta-dipiperidino-5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol dipivalate (DAP), were tested in three animal species as to their antitumour activity against transplantable tumours. The acute toxicity of DAP was similar to that of cyclophosphamide and considerably lower than vinblastine. Rats with Walker ascites, treated intraperitoneally with DAP, survived up to one year without ascites; untreated animals died within 10 days of transplantation. Intragastric and intraperitoneal application of DAP caused side effects suggesting a local toxicity.

Effect of consecutive lower-dose cisplatin in enhancement of 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity in experimental tumor cells in vivo.

It is known that cisplatin (CDDP) potentiates the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and that the biochemical mechanism is an increase in the intracellular reduced folate levels in the tumor cells. We investigated the effect of consecutive administration with lower-dose CDDP on intracellular accumulation of reduced folate and the activity of methionine synthase, a key enzyme in intracellular methionine synthesis. When CDDP (1 mg/kg) was administered i.p. to ascitic Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats for 4 consecutive days, both the reduced folate levels and methionine synthase activity in the cells significantly increased, as the same as a single 5 mg/kg dose of CDDP. Furthermore, when Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats were pre-treated with 1 mg/kg CDDP for 5 consecutive days, [14C]L-methionine incorporation into the isolated ascitic cells was significantly inhibited as compared to that in non-treated cells, suggesting that consecutive administration of lower-dose CDDP is capable of inducing the intracellular modulation of reduced folate levels and methionine synthase activity via inhibition of cellular uptake of methionine. In addition, 5-day administration of lower-dose (1 mg/kg) CDDP potentiated the antitumor effect of 5 mg/kg S-1, a new oral preparation of tegafur, given for 7 consecutive days, and this combined effect was almost similar to the antitumor effect of a combination of S-1 and a single conventional dose (5 mg/kg) of CDDP. Consecutive lower-dose CDDP also may be concluded to act as an important modulator of the enhancement of 5-FU cytotoxicity in experimental tumors.

Effects of the phosphodiesterase-IV inhibitor EMD 95832/3 on tumour growth and cachexia in rats bearing the Yoshida AH-130 ascites hepatoma.

Administration of the phosphodiesterase-IV inhibitor EMD 95832/3 (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) to rats bearing the ascites hepatoma Yoshida AH-130, a highly cachectic tumour, could not prevent either the anorexia nor the massive weight loss (affecting both adipose and skeletal muscle tissues) present in the tumour-bearing animals. This compound did not have any effects on the fractional rates of protein turnover in skeletal muscle, and did not affect circulating triacylglycerols or lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue. Although the administration of EMD 95832/3 did not influence tumour growth either, it did increase the number of tumour cells undergoing apoptosis. It is concluded that the drug is unable to reverse the cachectic state in this particular experimental tumour model.

Lack of effect of the cytokine suppressive agent FR167653 on tumour growth and cachexia in rats bearing the Yoshida AH-130 ascites hepatoma.

Daily s.c. administration of 6 mg/kg of FR167653 (an inhibitor of the synthesis of interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha) to rats bearing the ascites hepatoma Yoshida AH-130 (a highly cachectic tumour) did not prevent either the anorexia or the massive weight loss - affecting both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle - present in the cachectic animals. The compound did not affect the circulating levels of triacylglycerols or other metabolites such as glucose or lactate. Nor did the administration of FR167653 influence tumour growth. It is concluded that the drug is unable to reverse the cachectic state in this particular experimental tumour model.

Antitumor activity of new nitrosoureas on Yoshida sarcoma ascites cells implanted into the colon wall of rats.

The chemotherapeutic activity of 12 newly synthesized nitrosoureas was compared in tests using Yoshida sarcoma ascites cells implanted into the wall of the descending colon in Sprague-Dawley rats. Cyclophosphamide and the nitrosoureas BCNU, MeCCNU, and chlorozotocin served as positive controls. Among the nitrosoureas tested, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea (hydroxyethyl-CNU), chlorozotocin, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-(4-morpholino) urea, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-(1-piperidino) urea, 4-[1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-[4-(2,6-dimethylmorpholino)] urea, and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl) urea were found to be the most active compounds in this tumor model. Based on the present results, morpholino-CNU is considered the most promising compound among these newly synthesized BCNU analogues.

Cyclophosphamide-resistant Yoshida ascites tumor cells and their cross resistance to some alkylating agents.

A cyclophosphamide-resistant subline of a Yoshida ascites tumor was developed by giving increasing doses of the drug after transplantation. The effect of several alkylating agents on the cell proliferation of both the sensitive and resistance cell line was compared establishind dose response curves and D50 values. The developed subline revealed a 260 fold resistance to cyclophosphamide. It was completely cross-resistant to hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, whereas for triaziquone, N-oxide-mustard, and N-methyl-mustard only a partial cross resistance existed. These results give further evidence that cyclophosphamide and hydropeoxycyclophosphamide have the same mechanism of action. Regarding the other alkylating agents the results demonstrate differences concerning either the molecular mode of action or protecting effects. A decreased activation or uptake of substance is probably not the base for resistance.

Antitumor activity of 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methyl-cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MeCCNU) on Yoshida sarcoma ascites cells implanted into the colon wall of rats.

Three thousand Yoshida sarcoma cells were inoculated into the wall of the descending colon of each of 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats. On day 8 after the tumor implantation, the animals were at random divided into four groups of 30 rats each. The effect of cyclophosphamide (70 mg/kg), BCNU (25 mg/kg), and methyl-CCNU (45 mg/kg) after single i.p. application was investigated. The Yoshida sarcoma transplanted into the colon is sensitive to all three chemotherapeutic drugs. At the doses given cyclophosphamide showed the best results. The two nitrosoureas had a comparable antitumor activity but methyl-CCNU showed a more distinct toxic effect. The introduction of this model for testing new cytostatics in animal experiments is discussed.

Chemotherapeutic study on Yoshida sarcoma ascites cells implanted into the glandular stomach of rats. Monotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU, mitomycin C, adriamycin, and cytosine arabinoside, and combination therapy with respective two-drug combinations.

The chemotherapeutic activity of five cytostatic drugs was investigated experimentally in monotherapy and in two-drug combinations, using Yoshida sarcoma cells implanted into the wall of the glandular stomach of Sprague-Dawley rats. In monotherapy, the antibiotic agent mitomycin C and the nitrosourea methyl-CCNU exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity in this tumor model. In combination therapy, the combination of these two drugs was superior to all the other therapeutic schemes tested. In general, the results demonstrate a marked superiority of combination therapy in comparison with monotherapy.