Aclarubicin: contemporary insights into its mechanism of action, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and clinical standing.

Aclarubicin (aclacinomycin A) is one of the anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotics with a multifaceted mechanism of antitumor activity. As a second-generation drug, it offers several advantages compared to standard anthracycline drugs such as doxorubicin or daunorubicin, which could position it as a potential blockbuster drug in antitumor therapy. Key mechanisms of action for aclarubicin include the inhibition of both types of topoisomerases, suppression of tumor invasion processes, generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of chymotrypsin-like activity, influence on cisplatin degradation, and inhibition of angiogenesis. Therefore, aclarubicin appears to be an ideal candidate for antitumor therapy. However, despite initial interest in its clinical applications, only a limited number of high-quality trials have been conducted thus far. Aclarubicin has primarily been evaluated as an induction therapy in acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia. Studies have indicated that aclarubicin may hold significant promise for combination therapies with other anticancer drugs, although further research is needed to confirm its potential. This paper provides an in-depth exploration of aclarubicin's diverse mechanisms of action, its pharmacokinetics, potential toxicity, and the clinical trials in which it has been investigated.

Formulation, characterization, and in vitro/vivo studies of aclacinomycin A-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prepare aclacinomycin A (ACM)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and to evaluate their in vitro and in vivo characteristics. METHODS: SLNs were prepared using an emulsion evaporation-solidification method, and characterized in accordance with the morphological examination, particle size distribution, entrapment efficiency, drug-loading, and in vitro release. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies were employed to evaluate the in vivo of SLNs. RESULTS: The SLNs were spherical in shape, uniform in size, and appropriate for administration via intravenous injection. The drug content, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading of prepared SLNs were 96.4% ± 4.6%, 86.7% ± 2.3%, and 4.8% ± 0.7% (n = 3), respectively, and the mean diameter was 68.2 ± 5.6 nm from three batches. The SLNs were produced with stable physical properties and demonstrated significantly sustained release. The pharmacokinetic behavior of ACM was greatly improved by lyophilized injection of SLN with sustained drug release and high bioavailability. In addition, the results obtained from tissue distribution showed that ACM-SLNs were hepatic targeting in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The present work demonstrated the feasibility of liver-targeted delivery of ACM utilizing SLNs.

RGD-modified liposomes enhance efficiency of aclacinomycin A delivery: evaluation of their effect in lung cancer.

In this study, long-circulating Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-modified aclacinomycin A (ACM) liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration method. Their morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release were investigated. The RGD-ACM liposomes was about 160 nm in size and had the visual appearance of a yellowish suspension. The zeta potential was -22.2 mV and the encapsulation efficiency was more than 93%. The drug-release behavior of the RGD-ACM liposomes showed a biphasic pattern, with an initial burst release and followed by sustained release at a constant rate. After being dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) and kept at 4°C for one month, the liposomes did not aggregate and still had the appearance of a milky white colloidal solution. In a pharmacokinetic study, rats treated with RGD-ACM liposomes showed slightly higher plasma concentrations than those treated with ACM liposomes. Maximum plasma concentrations of RGD-ACM liposomes and ACM liposomes were 4,532 and 3,425 ng/mL, respectively. RGD-ACM liposomes had a higher AUC0-∞ (1.54-fold), mean residence time (2.09-fold), and elimination half-life (1.2-fold) when compared with ACM liposomes. In an in vivo study in mice, both types of liposomes inhibited growth of human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells and markedly decreased tumor size when compared with the control group. There were no obvious pathological tissue changes in any of the treatment groups. Our results indicate that RGD-modified ACM liposomes have a better antitumor effect in vivo than their unmodified counterparts.

Aclarubicin-loaded cationic albumin-conjugated pegylated nanoparticle for glioma chemotherapy in rats.

Traditional glioma chemotherapy with those second-line drugs such as anthracyclines usually failed because they are inaccessible to blood-brain barrier (BBB) in tumor. In our study, we incorporated aclarubicin (ACL) into cationic albumin-conjugated pegylated nanoparticle (CBSA-NP-ACL) to determine its therapeutic potential of rats with intracranially implanted C6 glioma cells. When labeled with fluorescent probe, 6-coumarin, CBSA-NP was shown to accumulate much more in tumor mass than nanoparticle without conjugated CBSA (NP) 1 hr post intravenous injection, as well as better retention after 24 hr. Tumor drug concentration of CBSA-NP-ACL displayed 2.6- and 3.3-fold higher than that of NP-ACL and ACL solution 1 hr post injection, while 2.7 and 6.6-fold higher after 24 hr, respectively. Moreover, using tumor microdialysis sampling, AUC(0-24 hr) of free drug amount in tumor interstitium delivered by CBSA-NP-ACL was about 2.0- and 2.7-fold higher than that of NP-ACL and ACL solutions, respectively. When the tumor rat model was subjected to 4 cycles of 2 mg/kg of ACL in different formulations, a significant increase of median survival time was found in the group of CBSA-NP-ACL compared with that of saline control animals, animals treated with NP-ACL and ACL solution. By terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling, CBSA-NP-ACL can extensively make the tumor cell apoptosis. Histochemical evaluation by periodic acid Shiff staining and biochemical analysis depicted that the incorporation of ACL into CBSA-NP reduced its toxicity to liver, kidney and heart. Besides, CBSA-NP-ACL was not shown to open tight junction evaluated by BBB coculture. It was concluded that CBSA-NP-ACL could have a therapeutic potential for treatment of glioma.

Pharmacokinetics of 11-hydroxyaclacinomycin X (ID-6105), a novel anthracycline, after i.v. bolus multiple administration in rats.

We investigated the pharmacokinetics of 11-hydroxyaclacinomycin X (ID-6105), a novel anthracycline, after intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration at a multiple dose every 24 h for 5 days in rats. To analyze ID-6105 levels in biological samples, we used an HPLC-based method which was validated in a pharmacokinetic study by suitable criteria. The concentrations of ID-6105 after the multiple administration for 5 days were not significantly different from the results after the single administration. The t1/2alpha, t1/2beta, Vdss, and CLt after the multiple administration were not significantly different from the values after the single administration. Moreover, the concentrations of ID-6105 1 min at day 1-5 after i.v. bolus multiple administration did not show the significant difference. Of the various tissues, ID-6105 mainly distributed to the kidney, lung, spleen, adrenal gland, and liver after i.v. bolus multiple administration. ID-6105 concentrations in the kidney or lung 2 h after i.v. bolus administration were comparable to the plasma concentration shortly after i.v. bolus administration. However, the ID-6105 concentrations in various tissues 48 h after i.v. bolus administration decreased to low levels. ID-6105 was excreted largely in the bile after i.v. bolus multiple administration at the dose of 3 mg/kg. The amounts of ID-6105 found in the bile by 12 h or in the urine by 48 h after the administration were calculated to be 14.1% or 4.55% of the initial dose, respectively, indicating that ID-6105 is mostly excreted in the bile. In conclusion, ID-6105 was rapidly cleared from the blood and transferred to tissues, suggesting that ID-6105 might not be accumulated in the blood following i.v. bolus multiple dosages of 3 mg/kg every 24 h for 5 days. By 48 h after i.v. bolus administration, ID-6105 concentrations in various tissues had decreased to very low levels. The majority of ID-6105 appears to be excreted in the bile.

HPLC analysis and pharmacokinetic characteristics of 11-hydroxyaclacinomycin X (ID-6105), a novel anthracycline, in rats and beagle dogs.

We investigated the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 11-hydroxyaclacinomycin X (ID-6105), a novel anthracycline, after intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration in rats and beagle dogs. We developed an HPLC-based method to analyze ID-6105 levels in plasma, bile, urine, feces, and tissue homogenates and validated the method in a pharmacokinetic study. The plasma concentration of ID-6105 decreased to below the quantifiable limit (0.02 microg/ml) at 4 and 8 h after i.v. administration in rats at doses of 2 and 10 mg/kg, respectively (t(1/2,alpha) and t(1/2,beta) of 0.78 and 17.8 min at a dose of 2 mg/kg, 0.91 and 176 min at a dose of 10 mg/kg, respectively). The AUC increased with nonlinear pharmacokinetics following the dosage increase from 2 to 10 mg/kg in rats, while the pharmacokinetics were not significantly altered in beagle dogs following a dosage increase from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg. Of the various tissues tested, ID-6105 was mainly distributed in the lung, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, and liver after i.v. bolus administration. ID-6105 levels in the lung or kidney 2 h after i.v. bolus administration were comparable to the initial plasma concentration. However, the ID-6105 concentrations in various tissues 48 h after i.v. bolus administration became too small to measure. The cumulative amounts of ID-6105 found in the bile 48 h after the administration of 2 and 10 mg/kg were calculated to be 26.7 and 18.5% of the initial dose, respectively. The corresponding values in the urine 72 h after i.v. administration were 4.33 and 3.07% of the initial dose, suggesting that ID-6105 is mostly excreted in the bile. In conclusion, our observations indicate that ID-6105 was rapidly cleared from the blood and transferred to tissues such as the lung, spleen, kidney, and liver 2 h after i.v. bolus administration. Moreover, the majority of ID-6105 appears to be excreted in the bile by 24 h after i.v. bolus administration.

High-density lipoprotein as a potential carrier for delivery of a lipophilic antitumoral drug into hepatoma cells.

AIM: To investigate the possibility of recombinant high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) being a carrier for delivering antitumoral drug to hepatoma cells. METHODS: Recombinant complex of HDL and aclacinomycin (rHDL-ACM) was prepared by cosonication of apoproteins from HDL (Apo HDL) and ACM as well as phosphatidylcholine. Characteristics of the rHDL-ACM were elucidated by electrophoretic mobility, including the size of particles, morphology and entrapment efficiency. Binding activity of rHDL-ACM to human hepatoma cells was determined by competition assay in the presence of excess native HDL. The cytotoxicity of rHDL-ACM was assessed by MTT method. RESULTS: The density range of rHDL-ACM was 1.063-1.210 g/mL, and the same as that of native HDL. The purity of all rHDL-ACM preparations was more than 92%. Encapsulated efficiencies of rHDL-ACM were more than 90%. rHDL-ACM particles were typical sphere model of lipoproteins and heterogeneous in particle size. The average diameter was 31.26+/-5.62 nm by measure of 110 rHDL-ACM particles in the range of diameter of lipoproteins. rHDL-ACM could bind on SMMC-7721 cells, and such binding could be competed against in the presence of excess native HDL. rHDL-ACM had same binding capacity as native HDL. The cellular uptake of rHDL-ACM by SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells was significantly higher than that of free ACM at the concentration range of 0.5-10 microg/mL (P<0.01). Cytotoxicity of rHDL-ACM to SMMC-7721 cells was significantly higher than that of free ACM at concentration range of less than 5 microg/mL (P<0.01) and IC50 of rHDL-ACM was lower than IC50 of free ACM (1.68 nmol/L vs 3 nmol/L). Compared to L02 hepatocytes, a normal liver cell line, the cellular uptake of rHDL-ACM by SMMC-7721 cells was significantly higher (P<0.01) and in a dose-dependent manner at the concentration range of 0.5-10 microg/mL. Cytotoxicity of the rHDL-ACM to SMMC-7721 cells was significantly higher than that to L02 cells at concentration range of 1-7.5 microg/mL (P<0.01). IC50 for SMMC-7721 cells (1.68 nmol/L) was lower than that for L02 cells (5.68 nmol/L), showing a preferential cytotoxicity of rHDL-ACM for SMMC-7721 cells. CONCLUSION: rHDL-ACM complex keeps the basic physical and biological binding properties of native HDL and shows a preferential cytotoxicity for SMMC-7721 hepatoma to normal L02 hepatocytes. HDL is a potential carrier for delivering lipophilic antitumoral drug to hepatoma cells.

Effect of polyethylene glycol linker chain length of folate-linked microemulsions loading aclacinomycin A on targeting ability and antitumor effect in vitro and in vivo.

PURPOSE: To establish a novel formulation tumor-targeted drug carrier of lipophilic antitumor antibiotics, aclacinomycin A (ACM), folate-linked microemulsions were prepared and investigated both in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Three kinds of folate-linked microemulsions with different polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain lengths loading ACM were formulated with 0.24 mol% folate-PEG(2000)-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE), folate-PEG(5000)-DSPE, and folate-lipid (without PEG linker) in microemulsions. In vitro studies were done in a human nasopharyngeal cell line, KB, which overexpresses the folate receptor (FR), and a human hepatoblastoma cell line, [FR(-)] HepG2. In vivo experiments were done in a KB xenograft by systemic administration of folate-linked microemulsions loading ACM. RESULTS: The association of folate-linked microemulsions to KB cells could be blocked by 2 mmol/L free folic acid. Selective FR-mediated cytotoxicity of folate-linked microemulsions loading ACM was obtained in KB but not in HepG2 cells. The association of the folate-PEG(5000)-linked microemulsion and folate-PEG(2000)-linked microemulsion with the cells was 200- and 4-fold higher, whereas their cytotoxicity was 90- and 3.5-fold higher than those of nonfolate microemulsion, respectively. The folate-PEG(5000)-linked microemulsions showed 2.6-fold higher accumulation in solid tumors 24 hours after i.v. injection and greater tumor growth inhibition than free ACM. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a folate-linked microemulsion is feasible for tumor-targeted ACM delivery. This study shows that folate modification with a sufficiently long PEG chain on emulsions is an effective way of targeting emulsion to tumor cells.

Antitumor effects and pharmacokinetics of aclacinomycin A carried by injectable emulsions composed of vitamin E, cholesterol, and PEG-lipid.

The aim of this study was to prepare injectable emulsions of aclacinomycin A (E-ACM) and evaluate its acute toxicity, antitumor effects, and pharmacokinetics. In E-ACM, the surfactants were polyethylene glycol-lipid and cholesterol, and the oil phase was a vitamin E solution of ACM. The particle size distribution and the zeta potential of E-ACM were measured by the laser light dynamic scattering method. The ACM-loading efficiency was measured by using Sephadex G50 column chromatography. The acute toxicity, antitumor effects, and pharmacokinetics of E-ACM were studied in C57BL/6 mice bearing mouse murine histiocytoma M5076 tumors. The average diameter, zeta potential, and ACM-loading efficiency of E-ACM were 123.0 +/- 1.2 nm, - 12.67 +/- 1.35 mv, and 96.3 +/- 0.3% (n = 3), respectively. When stored at 7 degrees C in the dark for 1 year, the average diameter and ACM-loading efficiency of E-ACM changed into 126.3 +/- 2.3 nm and 97.4 +/- 0.8%, respectively, whereas 6.5 +/- 0.2% ACM decomposition was observed (n = 3). The plasma areas under the biodistribution curves (AUC)(0.03-48h) of E-ACM was significantly greater than that of free ACM (F-ACM). The heart, lung, and kidney AUC(0.03-48h) of E-ACM were significantly smaller than those of F-ACM whereas the liver and spleen AUC(0.03-48h) of E-ACM were not significantly different from those of F-ACM. The tumor AUC(0.03-48h) of E-ACM was significantly greater than that of F-ACM. E-ACM had lower acute toxicity and greater potential antitumor effects than F-ACM in M5076 tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice. E-ACM is a useful tumor-targeting drug delivery system.

[Visualising lymph nodes by aclarubicin bound to activated carbon particles in breast cancer surgery].

A new dosage formulation (ACR-CH), composed of aclarubicin (ACR) bound to fine activated carbon particles, has been developed for the treatment of lymph node metastases in breast cancer. ACR-CH is designed to (a) adsorb a great amount of aclarubicin and desorb in a free state; (b) distribute a greater amount of ACR for a longer period of time selectively to the regional lymph nodes; (c) be decreased in the systemic toxicity; and (d) enhance its therapeutic effect on lymph node metastases. In this clinical trial in 20 patients with breast cancer, ACR-CH was injected intra- and peritumorally just before operation for breast cancer, and we examined the extent of blackened nodes produced by ACR-CH. ACR-CH blackened about 70% of the axillary lymph nodes with cancer metastasis as well as the nodes without metastasis. In conclusion, ACR-CH will be useful for dissection of lymph nodes by visualizing the nodes during operation for breast cancer.

Selective drug delivery to peri-tumoral region and regional lymphatics by local injection of aclarubicin adsorbed on activated carbon particles in patients with breast cancer--a pilot study.

ACR-CH, which consists of aclarubicin (ACR) adsorbed onto activated carbon particles, was developed for locoregional chemotherapy for breast cancer. Thirty patients with breast cancer received an ACR (10 mg) injection intra- and peri-tumorally, either as ACR-CH or as ACR aqueous solution (ACR-AQ) 5 min before the operation for breast cancer. The ACR concentrations were significantly higher in the peritumoral regions and regional lymph nodes, and were also significantly lower in the blood plasma in patients given ACR-CH versus patients given ACR-AQ.

Human hepatoma cells rich in P-glycoprotein are sensitive to aclarubicin and resistant to three other anthracyclines.

Drug resistance is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy of primary liver cancer, which is associated with high expression of the multidrug resistance (MDR) gene product P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a multidrug efflux transporter. The most effective single agents in treatment of primary liver carcinoma belong to the anthracycline family, yet several anthracyclines are known to be substrates for Pgp. In the present study, we compared four anthracyclines with respect to cell growth inhibition, intracellular accumulation and cellular efflux using the HB8065/R human hepatoma cell line which is rich in Pgp, and the Pgp-poor parental line HB8065/S. The anthracyclines were also administered in conjunction with the Pgp-modifying agents verapamil and SDZ PSC 833 to assess modulation of resistance. The HB8065/R cells were sensitive to aclarubicin (ACL) and highly resistant to epirubicin (EPI), doxorubicin (DOX) and daunorubicin (DNR). SDZ PSC 833 enhanced accumulation, decreased efflux and increased cytotoxicity of EPI, DOX and DNR in the HB8065/R cells, but none of these effects was seen with ACL. In conclusion, ACL is apparently not transported by Pgp and retains its activity in a multidrug-resistant human hepatoma cell line; such properties can be exploited for clinical purposes.

Difference between the resistance mechanisms of aclacinomycin- and adriamycin-resistant P388 cell lines.

Aclacinomycin (ACR) is an anthracycline anticancer drug that shows marked effects in Adriamycin (ADM)-resistant tumors. ADM, however, is not effective against ACR-resistant tumor cells. When tumor cells acquire resistance to ACR, though the resistance is not easily acquired, they show strong cross-resistance to ADM. To study the mechanism underlying these phenomena, we studied the resistance mechanism of ACR- and ADM-resistant P388 leukemia cells. The P388/ACR cells showed 4.9- and 100-fold resistance to ACR and ADM, respectively, whereas the P388/ADM cells showed respectively 2.0- and 270-fold resistance. Both P388/ACR and P388/ADM cells expressed large amounts of P-glycoprotein, and the amount was 3-fold higher in the P388/ACR than in the P388/ADM cells. As a result, the accumulation of vincristine and ADM were greatly reduced in P388/ACR and P388/ADM cells, as compared with the parental P388 cells. The accumulation of ACR, however, was moderately reduced in both the resistant cell lines. ACR accumulation in P388/ACR and P388/ADM cells was reduced to respectively 37 and 64% of the level in P388 cells. The amount and the activity of topoisomerase II were comparable in P388 and P388/ACR cells, but they were reduced in P388/ADM cells. Consequently, the formation of protein (topoisomerase II)-DNA cross-links induced by a topoisomerase II inhibitor was more prominent in the P388 and P388/ACR nuclei than in the P388/ADM nuclei. Notably, ACR could reduce the protein-DNA cross-links equally in the nuclei of P388, P388/ACR, and P388/ADM cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Culture conditions modulate the effects of aclacinomycin A on growth, differentiation and apoptosis of HL60 cells.

The continuous incubation for several days of HL60 cells, in exponential growth, with aclacinomycin A (ACM) induces growth inhibition, necrosis, differentiation and apoptosis. Differentiation and apoptosis were assessed by optical microscopy (OM) and flow cytometry (FCM). ACM displayed dose-dependent effects, except for the differentiation induction, which was biphasic. Differentiation and apoptosis could also be induced after a 1 h ACM exposure only. The poor reproducibility of apoptosis induction led us to study the culture conditions described in the literature (without renewing the medium) where control cells are not growing exponentially during the 5 day incubation period. During kinetic studies with different ACM concentrations, the differentiation was detected earlier by FCM than by OM, while it was not the case for apoptosis. This induction appeared more reproducible when non optimal conditions of culture were used.

Evaluation of oral aclarubicin treatment for tumors of the gastrointestinal track.

Aclarubicin (ACR), a drug useful for the treatment not only of tumors of the hematopoietic system but also of those of the gastrointestinal tract, has been administered invariably by the intravenous route. We attempted oral administration of ACR to increase its specificity in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. Oral administration resulted in a much higher intratumor concentration but lower peripheral blood cell or bone marrow cell concentration of the drug as compared with intravenous administration. The reduced peripheral cell inhibition and bone marrow suppression permits the administration of the drug in higher doses, and the absence of the drug in the plasma suggests a reduced likelihood of myocardial cell injury and hepatocyte impairment. These favorable findings are considered to warrant early clinical trial of the treatment.

Portal vein infusion of cancer chemotherapeutic agent emulsified with Lipiodol in regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy in rats.

Portal vein infusion of aclarubicin (ACR) emulsified with Lipiodol (LP) in regenerating liver after 70% partial hepatectomy in rats was evaluated for its safety and usefulness. DNA synthesis in regenerating liver was transiently suppressed by LP, ACR or LP+ACR, but no obvious inhibition was seen in aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and liver weights. LP significantly enhanced hepatic tissue levels of ACR and its active metabolites by long-term retention in the sinusoidal space. This study demonstrates that in rats LP has a powerful effect on the long-term retention of anticancer agents in the sinusoidal space after infusion into the portal vein, without aggravating hepatic damage by anticancer agents.

[Intracellular measurement of anthracyclines with flow cytometry]. / Intrazelluläre Messung von Anthrazyklinen mittels Durchflusszytometrie.

The intracellular drug uptake of anthracycline antibiotics, including the anthrachinone analogue mitoxantrone, was investigated. Measurement of drug uptake for each of the white cell subpopulations is possible by Flow cytometry (FCM). Cell separation was carried out by two different methods, using Lysing solution and Ficoll. Ficoll was found to be the best for further investigations in cell kinetics. Stock solutions of each drug, ranging from 0.5-3 micrograms/ml, were incubated with cell suspensions of healthy donors. In the case of doxorubicin, daunorubicin and epirubicin a linear correlation between drug concentration in the incubation medium and intracellular drug level was found. In further studies drug concentration was constant (1 microgram/ml or 3 micrograms/ml) and the intracellular drug uptake was measured at various incubation times. Examinations were carried out with the two different cell separation methods, mentioned above. In healthy donors the reproducibility of FCM measurement was examined. In conclusions of the results observed in experiments, FCM seems to be a suitable, reproducible technique for determination of cellular anthracycline concentrations with the exclusion of aclacinomycin A and mitoxantrone because of their physical properties.

Enhancement of therapeutic efficacy of aclarubicin against lymph node metastases using a new dosage form: aclarubicin adsorbed on activated carbon particles.

Seven days after a subcutaneous inoculation of 5 x 10(5) P388 leukemia cells into the foot pad of the left hind paw of donor mouse, aclarubicin (0.2 mg/kg body weight) was injected subcutaneously into the hind paw of the opposite foot pad in the form of ACR-CH or aclarubicin aqueous solution. On day 10, the left popliteal and the lower para-aortic lymph nodes taken from each donor were transferred intraperitoneally to a normal recipient mouse. The combined survival time of recipients and the viable P388 leukemia cell number in popliteal and para-aortic lymph nodes were estimated with a calibration formula. Our results showed that the survival curve of recipients given ACR-CH was statistically improved compared with that of other treatment groups.

[Pharmacokinetics and action mechanism of anthracyclines].

For the purpose of establishing a method for reasonable clinical use of anthracyclines in leukemia chemotherapy, we examined the pharmacokinetics and the mode of action with five anthracyclines such as daunorubicin (DNR), doxorubicin (DOX), aclarubicin (ACR), THP adriamycin (THP), idarubicin (IDA). In the patients with AML, blood ACR or IDA level increased and then disappeared very rapidly after iv bolus injection. In contrast, their metabolites (M1 or IDAol) increased for up to 2 or 4 hrs and remained much longer than ACR or IDA. The concentration of ACR, IDA or their metabolites were found to be much higher in the leukocyte fraction than in erythrocyte fraction or plasma. In HL60 cell suspension, anthracyclines were rapidly accumulated into the cells, and the uptake of IDA or THP were higher than the other agents. In HL60 cells, anthracyclines accumulated in the nuclear fraction but ACR was accumulated markedly in the cytosol fraction. From the result of DNA binding assay, binding at excess to calf thymus DNA of ACR was suggested to be approximately 2 times higher than that of other agents. DNA strand brakes in HL60 cells treated with anthracyclines were shown by pulse field gel electrophoresis, and IDA was found to have stronger activity to cause the DNA strand breaks. In conclusion, it seemed that anthracyclines showed similar action mechanisms, but in some respects quantitative differences were existed among them. Anthracyclines should be given to patients based on their pharmacological characteristics to obtain higher remission rate and suppress resistant cells.

Selective distribution of aclarubicin to regional lymph nodes with a new dosage form: aclarubicin adsorbed on activated carbon particles.

A new dosage form (ACR-CH) comprising aclarubicin adsorbed on activated carbon particles was designed to sustain release of aclarubicin. ACR-CH or aclarubicin aqueous solution (ACR-sol) was injected subcutaneously into the fore foot-pads of rats. ACR-CH distributed a statistically significantly higher level of aclarubicin to the axillary lymph nodes (detectable up to 7 days after injection) than aclarubicin distributed in an ACR-sol (not detectable after 48 h). To other tissues, ACR-CH distributed statistically significantly low levels of aclarubicin, as compared with ACR-sol.