Efficacy of DMP 840: a novel bis-naphthalimide cytotoxic agent with human solid tumor xenograft selectivity.

DMP 840, a novel bis-naphthalimide, was evaluated for antitumor efficacy in several tumor models in mice. As measured by a tumor growth inhibition assay, i.v. administration of DMP 840 to athymic nude mice at doses at or below the maximum tolerated dose resulted in curative activity against four human solid tumor xenografts, MX-1 mammary carcinoma, CX-1 and DLD-2 colon adenocarcinomas, and LX-1 lung carcinoma, producing full or incomplete regressions and/or percent tumor growth inhibition of > or = 96%. The efficacy of DMP 840 in the models was dose dependent. The activity of DMP 840 against the human tumors surpassed that demonstrated by several clinically used and investigational anticancer agents. In long-term growth delay studies, DMP 840 induced full regressions in 20 of 20 mice bearing MX-1 tumors, and tumors in one-half of these mice remained regressed for over 5 months. In addition, DMP 840 was curative against exponentially growing DLD-2 tumors staged at 500 mg and MX-1 tumors staged at 1000 mg. The bis-naphthalimide was equally efficacious when administered i.v. or i.p. but was slightly less active after oral dosing. Against both the MX-1 mammary carcinoma and the DLD-2 colon adenocarcinoma, some measure of schedule dependence was observed; the optimum schedule was daily for 9 days. Against L1210 and P388 murine leukemias, DMP 840 demonstrated little or no activity and was inactive against B16 murine melanoma. Overall, these results suggest that DMP 840 may be a human solid tumor selective cytotoxic agent.

Antibacterials. synthesis and structure-activity studies of 3-aryl-2-oxooxazolidines. 4. Multiply-substituted aryl derivatives.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of the effect of different polysubstitution patterns in the aromatic ring of 5-(acetamidomethyl)oxazolidinone antibacterials (I) on antibacterial activity are presented. Compounds I were prepared by the six-step synthesis described previously (Gregory, W. A.; et al. J. Med. Chem. [formula: see text] 1989, 32, 1673), electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions of 3-substituted compounds, and functional-group interchange reactions of 3,4-disubstituted compounds. Antibacterial evaluation of compounds I against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis gave the following results. The 2,4- and 2,5-disubstituted derivatives have weak or no antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activities of 3,4-disubstituted compounds are comparable to those of the 4-monosubstituted analogues for small 3-substituents (smaller than Br), but decline rapidly for larger 3-substituents. 3,4-Annulated derivatives are comparable in activity to their open-chain analogues. 3,5-Disubstituted and 3,4,5- and 2,4,6-trisubstituted derivatives are devoid of antibacterial activity.

Antibacterials. Synthesis and structure-activity studies of 3-aryl-2-oxooxazolidines. 1. The "B" group.

The synthesis and structure/activity studies of the effect of varying the "B" group in a series of oxazolidinone antibacterials (I) are described. Two synthetic routes were used: (1) alkylation of aniline with glycidol followed by dialkyl carbonate heterocyclization to afford I (A = H, B = OH), whose arene ring was further elaborated by using electrophilic aromatic substitution methodology; (2) cycloaddition of substituted aryl isocyanates with epoxides to give A and B with a variety of values. I with B = OH or Br were converted to other "B" functionalities by using SN2 methodology. Antibacterial evaluation of compounds I with A = acetyl, isopropyl, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methylsulfonyl, and sulfonamido and a variety of different "B" groups against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis concluded that the compounds with B = aminoacyl, and particularly acetamido, were the most active of those examined in each A series, possessing MICs in the range of 0.5-4 micrograms/mL for the most active compounds described.

Evaluation of a novel bis-naphthalimide anticancer agent, DMP 840, against human xenografts derived from adult, juvenile, and pediatric cancers.

The new bis-naphthalimide antitumor agent (R,R)2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis[imino(1-methyl-2.1-ethanediyl)]-bis(5 -nitro 1H-benz[de]-isoquinoline-1,3-2H) dione] dimethanesulfonate (DMP 840) was evaluated against parental and multidrug-resistant human KB cell lines in vitro and against these lines growing as xenografts in immune-deprived mice. In vitro, KB8-5 cells were 50-fold resistant to vincristine but only 16-fold resistant to DMP 840 as measured by clonogenic survival. For in vivo evaluation, DMP 840 was given by i.v. injection daily for 9 days or for 5 days/week for 2 consecutive weeks [(dx5)2]. In contrast to the cross-resistance of KB cell lines in vitro, both KB3-1 and KB8-5 tumors were highly and equally sensitive to DMP 840; only KB3-1 xenografts demonstrated sensitivity to vincristine, which was consistent with the in vitro results. DMP 840 was also evaluated against a panel of human tumors comprising colon adenocarcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts. Against eight lines of colon adenocarcinoma, DMP 840 caused a high frequency of partial and complete regressions in two lines and significant inhibition of growth in two lines. DMP 840 caused complete regressions in five of six lines of advanced rhabdomyosarcomas, demonstrating a broad range of effective dose levels. The pattern of activity against this tumor panel was similar but not identical to that of two inhibitors of topoisomerase I. There was no cross-resistance to DMP 840 in xenografts selected for resistance to vincristine or in a rhabdomyosarcoma selected for resistance to the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan. In contrast, a colon tumor selected for topotecan resistance was completely resistant to DMP 840. Slight cross-resistance to DMP 840 was demonstrated in a rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft that was selected for primary resistance to melphalan and was cross-resistant to topoisomerase I inhibitors. The pattern of activity and cross-resistance in these tumors was compared with that shown by two agents that inhibit topoisomerase I: topotecan and CPT-11.

Cephamycin derivatives: comparison of the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of SQ 14,359, CS-1170, and cefoxitin.

SQ 14,359 is a new cephamycin-type (7alpha-OCH3) antibiotic belonging to a series containing a 7alpha-ureidoacetyl substituent. The compound is the most potent extended spectrum derivative of this type yet reported, surpassing CS-1170 and cefoxitin by a wide margin. This activity in vitro which extends throughout the Enterobacteriaceae is particularly prominent against Gram-negative organisms that are producers of "cephalosporinase-type" beta-lactamases such as Enterobacter, Serratia, Citrobacter and indole-positive Proteus species. Superior activity also is demonstrated in vitro against streptococci, beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and many Gram-negative pathogens resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Experimental chemotherapeutic studies have confirmed these observations in wound and selected systemic infections in mice as well as acute pyelonephritis and meningitis in rats. The pharmacokinetics for each drug including antibiotic bound to serum was similar in both mice and rats. The pharmacokinetic profile in blood and cerebrospinal fluid favored SQ 14,359.

Role of the phagocyte in host-parasite interactions. XI. Relationship between stimulated oxidative metabolism and hydrogen peroxide formation, and intracellular killing.

The increased respiratory and hexose monophosphate activities noted in phagocytizing cells results in the formation of hydrogen peroxide. This is brought about by the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate by its oxidase. Evidence is presented which indicates that this H(2)O(2) is involved in the intracellular killing of bacteria. When molecular oxygen was excluded from phagocytizing leukocytes by anaerobiosis, thus inhibiting H(2)O(2) formation, reduced intracellular killing was observed. In some cases the impairment of leukocytic bactericidal activity by anaerobiosis could be partially reversed by the addition of H(2)O(2). Exogenous catalase also could reduce intracellular killing. In addition, when leukocytic isolates were dialyzed so as to reduce endogenous H(2)O(2), the bactericidal activity of the leukocytes was significantly decreased under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These results occurred with both guinea pig and human leukocytes and with several test microorganisms.

Characterization and quantitation of experimental surgical-wound infections used to evaluate topical antibacterial agents.

Reproducible experimental surgical-wound infections in mice for use in the evaluation of topical antibacterial agents are described. The experimental would was created on the backs of mice by means of a midline incision and was infected by means of cotton sutures monocontaminated with Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The course of these wound infections was followed by quantitation of surface bacteria through use of a surface rinse technique. Surface wound counts of the infecting organisms thus obtained appeared to reflect the dynamics of the total wound count, as determined by homogenization of biopsied tissue. Treatment of infected wounds with a placebo cream had only a slight effect on surface wound counts and on mortality in the case of the S. aureus infection but enhanced markedly the lethality of the P. aeruginosa infection.

Responsiveness of experimental surgical-wound infections to topical chemotherapy.

Topical agents freshly formulated in a cream base vehicle as well as commercial topical preparations were used to evaluate in mice the responsiveness of experimental surgical wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa to chemotherapy. The responsiveness of the infections to therapy or the efficacy of a topical agent was assessed primarily by means of wound counts of the infecting organism before and after the employment of an immediate (prophylactic) or delayed (therapeutic) treatment regimen. From tests of several concentrations of an agent formulated in the vehicle, a median effective dose could be determined. In the case of the lethal P. aeruginosa infection, a median protective dose could be determined. Both infections were found to be quite susceptible to treatment with those topical agents that demonstrated good activity in vitro against the test organisms. The results of the investigation indicated that the model infections were suitable for the screening of potential topical agents in vivo.

Role of the phagocyte in host-parasite interactions. XII. Hydrogen peroxide-myeloperoxidase bactericidal system in the phagocyte.

An antimicrobial system in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) consisting of myeloperoxidase and hydrogen peroxide has been proposed. This system appears to be activated during phagocytosis as a result of the stimulated metabolic activities. A lysed-granules (LG) fraction was prepared from guinea pig exudative PMN. LG alone possessed bactericidal activity which was related to the pH of the reaction; the lower the pH, the more marked the activity. When low concentrations of both H(2)O(2) and LG were combined under conditions where neither factor alone exhibited significant killing power, there was a striking increase in bactericidal activity. This enhanced activity was much greater than an additive effect. The LG-peroxide antibacterial system was most active over a pH range of 4.0 to 6.0. The activity of the LG-peroxide system was essentially abolished by peroxidase inhibitors, NaN(3), KCN, and aminotriazole. The antibacterial activity of this system was nonspecific in nature, being equally effective against gram-negative and gram-positive organisms.

Evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents in experimental Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia and meningitis in infant rats.

Procedures for evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in an infant rat model of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis were developed. The results of efficacy studies with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cefamandole, cefoxitin, and SQ 13,426 were compared to activity in vitro. While most of the drugs tested were very active against the two strains of H. influenzae used in vitro, this activity was not in all cases translated into efficacy in vivo. Pharmacokinetic studies using ampicillin or chloramphenicol demonstrated the presence of each antibiotic at the foci of infection in concentrations found to be bactericidal in vitro.

New antimicrobial nitrofuran, trans-5-amino-3-[2-(5-nitro-2-furyl)vinyl]-delta2-1,2,4-oxadiazole: antimicrobial efficacy in mice, rats, and guinea pigs.

A new antimicrobial nitrofuran designated SQ 18,506 showed some therapeutic activity when administered orally to mice infected with Escherichia coli, Salmonella schottmuelleri, Shigella flexneri, or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Animals infected parenterally with Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Candida albicans, or topically with Trichophyton mentagrophytes, did not respond to therapy with the drug at the dosage levels used. The compound was as effective as metronidazole in the topical treatment of experimental trichomonal infections in mice and in guinea pigs and as effective as nystatin, candicidin, or a sulfanilamide-aminacrine hydrochloride cream in the treatment of a candidal vaginal infection in rats. The chemotherapeutic efficacy of SQ 18,506 in experimental vaginitis caused by Escherichia coli in the rat surpassed that shown by four commercial products available for the treatment of bacterial vaginitis.

Evaluation of vaginal antifungal formulations in vivo.

Relatively simple and rapid procedures have been developed for evaluating the local efficacy of vaginal antifungal agents in vivo in a vaginal candidiasis model in ovariectomized rats. The results of this investigation indicate that the model and methods described are quite suitable for screening potential antifungal substances and for assessing the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of new antifungal agents and formulations before carrying out clinical studies.

Oxazolidinones, a new class of synthetic antibacterial agents: in vitro and in vivo activities of DuP 105 and DuP 721.

DuP 721 (p-acetylphenyloxooxazolidinylmethylacetamide) and DuP 105 (a methylsulfinyl derivative) are orally active representatives of the oxazolidinones, a new class of synthetic antibacterial agents. Their antibacterial spectrum includes staphylococci, streptococci, and Bacteroides fragilis strains. The compounds have equal activity against staphylococcal strains susceptible or resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, including methicillin-resistant strains. The MICs for 90% of the strains (MIC90s) against staphylococcal isolates were 1 to 4 micrograms/ml for DuP 721 and 4 to 16 micrograms/ml for DuP 105, compared with 1 to 2 micrograms/ml for vancomycin, 0.5 microgram/ml for ciprofloxacin, and 2 to greater than 16 micrograms/ml for imipenem. The MIC90s against group D streptococci were 4 micrograms/ml for DuP 721, 16 micrograms/ml for DuP 105, and 2 micrograms/ml for vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem. MIC90s against B. fragilis isolates were 4 micrograms/ml for DuP 721, 16 micrograms/ml for DuP 105, and 8 micrograms/ml for cefoxitin. DuP 721 and DuP 105 administered by either the oral or the parenteral route were protective against staphylococcal and streptococcal infections in mice. The 50% effective doses were 2 to 10 mg/kg for DuP 721, 9 to 23 mg/kg for DuP 105, and 2 to 12 mg/kg for vancomycin. These results indicate that further studies of compounds of the oxazolidinone series are warranted.

Preclinical antitumor efficacy of analogs of XK469: sodium-(2-[4-(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyloxy)phenoxy]propionate.

A series of quinoxaline analogs of the herbicide Assure was found to have selective cytotoxicity for solid tumors of mice in a disk-diffusion-soft-agar-colony-formation-assay compared to L1210 leukemia. Four agents without selective cytotoxicity and 14 agents with selective cytotoxicity were evaluated in vivo for activity against a solid tumor. The four agents without selective cytotoxicity in the disk-assay were inactive in vivo (T/C > 42%). Thirteen of the fourteen agents with selectivity in the disk-assay were active in vivo (T/C < 42%). Five of the agents had curative activity. These five agents had a halogen (F, Cl, Br) in the 7-position (whereas Assure had a CI in the 6 position). All agents with curative activity were either a carboxylic acid, or a derivative thereof, whereas Assure is the ethyl ester of the carboxylic acid. All other structural features were identical between Assure and the curative agents. Assure had no selective cytotoxicity for solid tumors in the disk-assay, and was devoid of antitumor activity. The analog XK469 is in clinical development.