HTS384 NCI60: The Next Phase of the NCI60 Screen.

The NCI60 human tumor cell line screen has been in operation as a service to the cancer research community for more than 30 years. The screen operated with 96-well plates, a 2-day exposure period to test agents, and following cell fixation, a visible absorbance endpoint by the protein-staining dye sulforhodamine B. In this study, we describe the next phase of this important cancer research tool, the HTS384 NCI60 screen. Although the cell lines remain the same, the updated screen is performed with 384-well plates, a 3-day exposure period to test agents, and a luminescent endpoint to measure cell viability based upon cellular ATP content. In this study, a library of 1,003 FDA-approved and investigational small-molecule anticancer agents was screened by the two NCI60 assays. The datasets were compared with a focus on targeted agents with at least six representatives in the library. For many agents, including inhibitors of EGFR, BRAF, MEK, ERK, and PI3K, the patterns of GI50 values were very similar between the screens with strong correlations between those patterns within the dataset from each screen. However, for some groups of targeted agents, including mTOR, BET bromodomain, and NAMPRTase inhibitors, there were limited or no correlations between the two datasets, although the patterns of GI50 values and correlations between those patterns within each dataset were apparent. Beginning in January 2024, the HTS384 NCI60 screen became the free screening service of the NCI to facilitate drug discovery by the cancer research community. Significance: The new NCI60 cell line screen HTS384 shows robust patterns of response to oncology agents and substantial overlap with the classic screen, providing an updated tool for studying therapeutic agents. See related commentary by Colombo and Corsello, p. 2397.

Targeted Investigational Oncology Agents in the NCI-60: A Phenotypic Systems-based Resource.

The NCI-60 human tumor cell line panel has proved to be a useful tool for the global cancer research community in the search for novel chemotherapeutics. The publicly available cell line characterization and compound screening data from the NCI-60 assay have significantly contributed to the understanding of cellular mechanisms targeted by new oncology agents. Signature sensitivity/resistance patterns generated for a given chemotherapeutic agent against the NCI-60 panel have long served as fingerprint presentations that encompass target information and the mechanism of action associated with the tested agent. We report the establishment of a new public NCI-60 resource based on the cell line screening of a large and growing set of 175 FDA-approved oncology drugs (AOD) plus >825 clinical and investigational oncology agents (IOA), representing a diverse set (>250) of therapeutic targets and mechanisms. This data resource is available to the public (https://ioa.cancer.gov) and includes the raw data from the screening of the IOA and AOD collection along with an extensive set of visualization and analysis tools to allow for comparative study of individual test compounds and multiple compound sets.

F-aza-T-dCyd (NSC801845), a Novel Cytidine Analog, in Comparative Cell Culture and Xenograft Studies with the Clinical Candidates T-dCyd, F-T-dCyd, and Aza-T-dCyd.

In this article, 5-aza-4'-thio-2'-ß-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (F-aza-T-dCyd, NSC801845), a novel cytidine analog, is first disclosed and compared with T-dCyd, F-T-dCyd, and aza-T-dCyd in cell culture and mouse xenograft studies in HCT-116 human colon carcinoma, OVCAR3 human ovarian carcinoma, NCI-H23 human NSCLC carcinoma, HL-60 human leukemia, and the PDX BL0382 bladder carcinoma. In three of five xenograft lines (HCT-116, HL-60, and BL-0382), F-aza-T-dCyd was more efficacious than aza-T-dCyd. Comparable activity was observed for these two agents against the NCI-H23 and OVCAR3 xenografts. In the HCT-116 study, F-aza-T-dCyd [10 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.), QDx5 for four cycles], produced complete regression of the tumors in all mice with a response that proved durable beyond postimplant day 150 (129 days after the last dose). Similarly, complete tumor regression was observed in the HL-60 leukemia xenograft when mice were dosed with F-aza-T-dCyd (10 mg/kg i.p., QDx5 for three cycles). In the PDX BL-0382 bladder study, both oral and i.p. dosing of F-aza-T-dCyd (8 mg/kg QDx5 for three cycles) produced regressions that showed tumor regrowth beginning 13 days after dosing. These findings indicate that further development of F-aza-T-dCyd (NSC801845) is warranted. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanther/20/4/625/F1.large.jpg.

Gene expression profiling of 49 human tumor xenografts from in vitro culture through multiple in vivo passages--strategies for data mining in support of therapeutic studies.

BACKGROUND: Development of cancer therapeutics partially depends upon selection of appropriate animal models. Therefore, improvements to model selection are beneficial. RESULTS: Forty-nine human tumor xenografts at in vivo passages 1, 4 and 10 were subjected to cDNA microarray analysis yielding a dataset of 823 Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. To illustrate mining strategies supporting therapeutic studies, transcript expression was determined: 1) relative to other models, 2) with successive in vivo passage, and 3) during the in vitro to in vivo transition. Ranking models according to relative transcript expression in vivo has the potential to improve initial model selection. For example, combining p53 tumor expression data with mutational status could guide selection of tumors for therapeutic studies of agents where p53 status purportedly affects efficacy (e.g., MK-1775). The utility of monitoring changes in gene expression with extended in vivo tumor passages was illustrated by focused studies of drug resistance mediators and receptor tyrosine kinases. Noteworthy observations included a significant decline in HCT-15 colon xenograft ABCB1 transporter expression and increased expression of the kinase KIT in A549 with serial passage. These trends predict sensitivity to agents such as paclitaxel (ABCB1 substrate) and imatinib (c-KIT inhibitor) would be altered with extended passage. Given that gene expression results indicated some models undergo profound changes with in vivo passage, a general metric of stability was generated so models could be ranked accordingly. Lastly, changes occurring during transition from in vitro to in vivo growth may have important consequences for therapeutic studies since targets identified in vitro could be over- or under-represented when tumor cells adapt to in vivo growth. A comprehensive list of mouse transcripts capable of cross-hybridizing with human probe sets on the HG-U133 Plus 2.0 array was generated. Removal of the murine artifacts followed by pairwise analysis of in vitro cells with respective passage 1 xenografts and GO analysis illustrates the complex interplay that each model has with the host microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides strategies to aid selection of xenograft models for therapeutic studies. These data highlight the dynamic nature of xenograft models and emphasize the importance of maintaining passage consistency throughout experiments.

Antitumor activity of bis-indole derivatives.

This paper reports the synthesis of compounds formed by two indole systems separated by a heterocycle (pyridine or piperazine). As a primary screening, the new compounds were submitted to the National Cancer Institute for evaluation of antitumor activity in the human cell line screen. The pyridine derivatives were far more active than the piperazine derivatives. For the study of the mechanism of action, the most active compounds were subjected to COMPARE analysis and to further biological tests including proteasome inhibition and inhibition of plasma membrane electron transport. The compound bearing the 5-methoxy-2-indolinone moiety was subjected to the first in vivo experiment (hollow fiber assay) and was active. It was therefore selected for the second in vivo experiment (human tumor xenograft in mice). In conclusion we demonstrated that this approach was successful, since some of the compounds described are much more active than the numerous, so far prepared and tested 3-indolylmethylene-2-indolinones.

Antitumor activity of substituted E-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-ones1.

The design and synthesis of anticancer E-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-ones is reported. Strong COMPARE correlations among the cell line responses suggest that these compounds may be acting similarly through a combination of different mechanisms of action. The 5-methoxy derivative (2h) was the most active compound with a mean pGI50 of 6.34, and it is now under review by Biological Evaluation Committee of the National Cancer Institute for possible further studies.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of guanylhydrazones from 6-(2,4-dichloro-5-nitrophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles and 6-pyridylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles(1).

The design and synthesis of antitumor imidazothiazole guanylhydrazones are reported. The compounds were submitted to NCI for testing. All but one were more active than methyl-GAG. A few compounds were selected for further studies in search of a possible mechanism of action. The results from these studies and a final search with the NCI COMPARE algorithm suggest that the guanylhydrazones described in this paper are acting through a novel mechanism of action.

Radiographic values of the adult foot in a standardized population.

Radiographic angular measurements are commonly used in decision making in adult foot and ankle surgery. Unfortunately, there are few controlled studies available to substantiate comprehensive radiographic values in the adult foot. The purpose of this study was to determine the values of a variety of radiographic measurements of the adult foot in a standardized population. A total of 100 participants, 50 men and 50 women (200 feet), were evaluated. Individuals with a history of foot/ankle pain, previous foot/ankle operation or fracture, or a history of systemic disease were excluded from the study. Bilateral weight-bearing digital anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs were taken using a standardized method. In all, 21 measurements were made in the anterior-posterior view and 9 in the lateral view for a total of 6000 measurements. Some traditional measurement techniques of selected angles were found to be not consistently reproducible and alternative consistently reproducible techniques are described. Results are given in table form for maximum, minimum, average, median, and SD. Left and right foot maximum, minimum, and average differences were determined. Differences were also briefly explored for age and sex.