Lactandrate: a D-homo-aza-androsterone alkylator in the treatment of breast cancer.

The sensitivity of breast neoplasms to hormonal control provides the basis of novel investigational treatments with steroidal alkylators. An androsterone D-lactam steroidal ester, the 3beta-hydroxy-13alpha-amino-13,17-seco- 5alpha-androstan-17-oic-13,17-lactam, p-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino phenyl acetate (lactandrate) was synthesized and tested for antitumor activity against six human breast cancer cell lines in vitro and against two murine and one xenograft mammary tumors in vivo. A docking study on the binding interactions of lactandrate with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) was inquired. In vitro testing of lactandrate cytostatic and cytotoxic activity was performed on T47D, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, BT-549, Hs578T, MDA-MB-435 breast adenocarcinoma human cell lines. In vivo testing was performed on two murine mammary tumors, the MXT tumor and CD8F1 adenocarcinoma, as well as on human mammary carcinoma MX-1 xenograft. Molecular modeling techniques were adopted to predict a possible location and interaction mode of the molecule into LBD. Lactandrate induced significantly high antitumor effect against all tested in vitro and in vivo models. The cell lines with positive ER expression found to be significantly more sensitive to lactandrate. Moreover, lactandrate found to be positioned inside the binding cavity with its steroidal moiety, whilst the alkylating moiety protrudes out of receptor's pocket. Lactandrate produced important anticancer activity on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. Some correlation between ER and lactandrate effect was demonstrated. Docking studies provide the basis for the structure-based design of improved steroidal alkylating esters for the treatment of estrogen-related cancers.

Potential antitumor agent: steroidal bilactam ester of p-N, N-bis (2-chloroethyl) aminophenylacetic acid.

7 alpha-, 17 alpha-Diaza-7, 17-dioxo-B, D-dihomo-5-androsten 3 beta-p-N, N-bis (2- chloroethyl)aminophenylacetate, a modified steroidal alkylating agent, is active in the treatment of P388 and L1210 leukemias in vivo. The compound was also tested in vitro against L1210 and P388 leukemias, on DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and showed high inhibition effect. Also increases the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchanges and reduces the replication index of human lymphocytes.

Conjugated system of homo-aza-steroidal esters in cancer chemotherapy.

The homo-aza-steroidal esters of conjugated carboxylic derivatives of nitrogen mustards are reviewed. Particularly we discuss the antitumor activity of cinnamic acid and benzoic acid mustard isomers, esters of homo-aza-steroids in which the mustard acid is linked to the C-3 or C17 position, while the lactam nucleus is in the D or A ring of the steroid respectively. The current literature indicates that the potential is due to the synergistic activity of both the steroidal lactam and the mustard of the acids. Steroidal lactams, namely 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5 alpha-androstan-17-oic-13,17-lactam, the isomer 3 alpha-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5 alpha-androstan-17-oic- 13,17-lactam, 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino 13,17-seco-5-androsten-17-oic-13,17-lactam and the 17 beta-hydroxy-3-aza-A-homo- 4 alpha-androsten-4-one, have been used as biological platforms of the cinnamic acid, of the benzoic acid mustard isomers and the 4-methyl-benzoic acid mustard. The twelve esters of cinnamic acid mustard isomers were tested against P388, L1210 leukemias Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and melanoma B16 in vivo. The effect of homo-aza-steroidal esters of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl) amino cinnamic acid isomers on the incorporation of the radioactive precursors into DNA, RNA and proteins of L1210, P388 leukemias, Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells, was investigated. The effect of the homo-aza-steroidal esters of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl) aminobenzoic acid isomers on the incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA, RNA and proteins was studied in L1210, P388 leukemias, Ehrlich ascites tumor and Baby hamster kidney cells.

Antitumor activity of homo-aza-steroidal esters of p-N, N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxyacetic acid.

The homo-aza-steroidal esters of carboxylic derivatives of N, N-bis (2-chloroethyl) aniline are reviewed. In particular, we discuss the antitumor activity of the esters of homo-aza steroids in which the p-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxyacetic acid is linked to the C-3 or C-17 position, while the lactam nucleus is linked to the D or A ring of the modified steroid respectively. The current literature indicates clearly that the potential of these esters is due to the synergistic activity of both the lactam and the p-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxyacetic acid.