[Monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis and therapy in oncological patients].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Biomedical subjects
E Boven
Publications and source records attributed to E Boven.
Correlation between functional and molecular analysis of mdr1 P-glycoprotein in human solid-tumor xenografts.
The contribution of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) to multidrug resistance in human solid tumors is generally estimated from bulk mRNA measurements or immunohistochemistry, while direct measurement of the effect of Pgp on intracellular drug concentrations has not been pursued. We investigated the feasibility and sensitivity of a method for probing Pgp-mediated drug transport in cells isolated from solid tumors, using xenograft models. Human tumor xenografts (XG) were grown by s.c. injection of Pgp-expressing cell lines 2780AD, BRO/mdr1 and KB8-5. Tumor uptake of doxorubicin (DOX) after administration of DOX to the mice was determined. XG from untreated mice were enzymatically dissociated. The effect of the Pgp modulator bepridil on steady-state cellular daunorubicin (DNR) and vincristine (VCR) accumulation and chemosensitivity of these XG cells was compared with its effects in the cell lines (CL). mdr1 mRNA and Pgp (by flow cytometry) were measured. Also, the dependence on intracellular ATP concentration, [ATP]i, of the modulator effect was determined in intact KB8-5 cells. The results showed that i.v. administration of DOX to the mice led to lower DOX levels in the Pgp-expressing XG than in the "sensitive" XG, suggesting the presence of an in vivo functional Pgp in these XG tumor models. Dissociated, viable XG cells appeared to have ATP levels sufficient to sustain Pgp-ATPase-coupled drug transport. This was inferred from experiments using KB8-5 CL, which showed half-maximal inhibition of DNR transport at an [ATP]i of 1 to 2 mM. The effect of bepridil on DNR and VCR accumulation and chemosensitivity in the XG cells was in accordance with the XG expression of mdr1/Pgp. In KB8-5 XG cells, Pgp function was hardly detectable, in accordance with decreased mdr1/Pgp expression in vivo. In conclusion, Pgp activity can be determined in freshly dissociated XG human tumor cells. The results obtained with the more necrotic KB8-5 XG may represent some of the interpretation problems arising when low levels of Pgp expression occur within a heterogeneous cell population, such as may be expected in clinical human tumors. Also our results indicate that Pgp activity may be impaired in vivo at [ATP]i below 2 mM, which are realistic values for human solid tumors.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
Analytical procedure for the determination of the new antitumour drug N-benzoylstaurosporine and three potential metabolites in human plasma by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
The staurosporine derivative, N-benzoylstaurosporine (CGP 41 251; I), is a protein kinase C inhibitor that has been selected for phase I clinical evaluation in cancer patients. We have developed a selective and sensitive assay of the drug and three potential metabolites in human plasma. The method is based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The sample pretreatment involves liquid-liquid extraction with diisopropyl ether with recoveries over 88%. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation of the parent compound and two metabolites were 0.5 and 1.0 ng/ml, respectively. For the third metabolite the limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 1.0 and 2.0 ng/ml, respectively. Linear calibration lines were obtained over the range of 1-1000 ng/ml. The between-day and within-day precisions were < 7.1% for all the analytes. In plasma the compounds were stable for at least one month if stored at -30 degrees C or below. The applicability of the method for in vivo studies has been demonstrated in a pharmacokinetic study in rat receiving 0.5 mg/kg of the drug as an intravenous bolus injection. Compound I and two metabolites were detected.
Alkaloids↗
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the new antitumour drug N-benzoylstaurosporine (CGP 41 251) and four potential metabolites in micro-volumes of plasma.
A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay is described for the determination of the new antitumour drug N-benzoylstaurosporine (CGP 41 251; I) and four of its potential metabolites in micro-volumes (100 microliters) of plasma. After addition of an internal standard, the compounds were isolated from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction with diisopropyl ether. Chromatography was carried out using a 5 microns LiChrospher C-18 end-capped column (125 x 4.0 mm i.d.) and binary gradient elution with acetonitrile and a triethylamine-containing phosphate buffer (pH 3.6) as solvents. Fluorimetric detection was performed with excitation and emission wavelengths set at 286 and 386 nm, respectively. The absolute recovery was more than 98% for all of the investigated compounds. The limit of detection (LOD) for I and three metabolites was 0.1 ng ml-1 and the lower limit of quantitation (LLQ) was 0.2 ng ml-1 in 100 microliters of plasma. The LOD and LLQ for the fourth metabolite was 0.25 and 0.5 ng ml-1, respectively. The between-day and within-day precisions were always < 15% for all the analytes. A limited pharmacokinetic study in mice treated and with I demonstrated that the method is appropriate for this purpose.
Animals↗
The influence of BIBW22BS, a dipyridamole derivative, on the antiproliferative effects of 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate and gemcitabine in vitro and in human tumour xenografts.
Dipyridamole is known as a potent inhibitor of facilitated diffusion-mediated nucleoside transport as well as a modulator of 'classical' multidrug resistance. BIBW22BS, a derivative of dipyridamole, has been found to be 20- to 100-fold more potent in the reversal of multidrug resistance when compared to the parent compound. In parallel, we studied the efficacy of BIBW22BS in the modulation of the antiproliferative effects of 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate and gemcitabine in human cancer cell lines. BIBW22BS, at non-toxic concentrations up to 1.0 microM, increased the antiproliferative effects of 5-fluorouracil 2- to 6-fold in seven of the eight colon cancer cell lines tested in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of 1.0 microM BIBW22BS to methotrexate resulted in a slight increase in the antiproliferative effects, but inhibited the activity of gemcitabine 30- to 100-fold in various cancer cell lines. In vitro, no notable difference was found between BIBW22BS and dipyridamole in their capacity to modulate the activity of the antimetabolites studied. BIBW22BS did not affect the growth inhibition induced by 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine in human tumour xenografts grown subcutaneously in nude mice. We confirmed the higher potency of BIBW22BS when compared to dipyridamole in the reversal of drug resistance in the Pgp-positive COLO 320 cell line.
Animals↗
A monoclonal antibody against human beta-glucuronidase for application in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy.
The selectivity of anticancer agents may be improved by antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT). The immunogenicity of antibody-enzyme conjugates and the low tumor to normal tissue ratio calls for the use of a human enzyme and the development of a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against that enzyme for rapid clearance of the conjugate from the circulation. We isolated beta-glucuronidase from human liver. BALB/c mice were immunized with the roughly purified human liver beta-glucuronidase and we obtained an MAb designated 105. Immunoblotting showed reactivity with native tetrameric human beta-glucuronidase. MAb 105 neither bound to enzyme from bovine liver, rat liver, or mouse liver nor reacted with other human lysosomal enzymes. The antibody appeared to be useful to further purify human beta-glucuronidase from human liver or human placenta to homogeneity by affinity chromatography. MAb 105 did not inhibit the activity of human beta-glucuronidase. When human beta-glucuronidase was injected i.v. into BALB/c mice, the newly generated MAb 105 could indeed accelerate the clearance of the enzyme with a 50% drop in its activity within 5 min.
Animals↗
Schedule-dependent antitumor effect of gemcitabine in in vivo model system.
Gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine, dFdC, LY188011) is a new deoxycytidine analog with preclinical antitumor activity in solid tumors from murine and human origin. Of particular importance is the fact that the therapeutic effects of gemcitabine at the maximum tolerated dose level are dependent on the administration schedule. This paper describes the sensitivity pattern of gemcitabine in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma, all growing as xenografts in athymic nude mice. The drug was injected intraperitoneally in various schedules at equitoxic, maximum tolerated dose levels, resulting in a reversible weight loss that varied between 5% and 15%. Generally, it was found that treatment with 120 mg/kg gemcitabine, injected four times at 3-day intervals, was more effective than the schedules of daily (five times 2.5 to 3.5 mg/kg) or weekly (two times 240 mg/kg) injections. Other workers have shown that this 3-day interval schedule also was active in human pancreas and lung carcinoma xenografts. Additional experiments were performed on normal mice bearing the colon 26-10 murine colon carcinoma. The effect of a continuous intravenous infusion system was investigated by giving two injections of 15 mg/kg gemcitabine for 24 hours at a 7-day interval. Interestingly, the efficacy of treatment increased dramatically with this infusion schedule, producing complete remissions in most tumors. In conclusion, our data on the effect of gemcitabine in animal tumor models indicate that (1) the time interval between push injections is important when intermittent schedules are used and (2) continuous infusions over a 24-hour period can be very effective in in vivo models.
Animals↗
Schedule dependence of sensitivity to 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (Gemcitabine) in relation to accumulation and retention of its triphosphate in solid tumour cell lines and solid tumours.
2',2'-Difluorodeoxycytidine (Gemcitabine, dFdC) is a relatively new deoxycytidine antimetabolite, with established activity against ovarian cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. dFdC is assumed to exert its antitumour effect mainly by incorporation of the triphosphate dFdCTP into DNA. We determined the sensitivity to dFdC of six cell lines derived from solid tumours; two ovarian carcinoma (A2780 and OVCAR-3), two colon carcinoma (WiDr and C26-10) and two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (UM-SCC-14C and UM-SCC-22B). In vitro sensitivity to dFdC was strongly time dependent. Under all conditions A2780 was the most sensitive cell line with an IC50 (the concentration of dFdC causing 50% growth inhibition) of 31 and 0.6 nM at 1 and 48 hr exposure, respectively. WiDr and C26-10 cells were relatively insensitive, with IC50s of 468 and 1133 nM, respectively, at 1 hr exposure, but of 11 and 6 nM at 48 hr exposure. Accumulation of the triphosphate dFdCTP was also time dependent. After 4 hr exposure to 10 microM dFdC, A2780, WiDr and C26-10 cells accumulated 223, 136 and 267 pmol/10(6) cells, respectively; after 24 hr exposure they accumulated 1045, 619 and 617 pmol/10(6) cells, respectively. A2780 cells retained the high dFdCTP concentration longer than 24 hr. For comparison purposes we also studied dFdCTP kinetics in the corresponding solid tumours, showing the same sensitivity pattern as the cell lines. In general, sensitivity to dFdC in vitro related with dFdCTP accumulation and retention, but in vivo this relation was less clear. Unexpectedly, remarkable in vitro and in vivo changes were observed in the ribonucleotide pools. The most predominant in vitro cell line dependent changes were a decrease in CTP concentrations, accompanied by an increase in UTP and GTP concentrations. In vivo CTP, UTP and GTP pools increased in all tumours. In conclusion, in this study we demonstrate that dFdCTP is accumulated and retained in solid tumours and cell lines. dFdCTP is not only important as a DNA precursor, but also appears to interfere with normal ribonucleotide metabolism.
Animals↗
Development and molecular characterization of a 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine-resistant variant of the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780.
2',2'-Difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine, dFdCyd) is a deoxycytidine analogue with promising antitumor activity. In order to be active it must be phosphorylated by deoxycytidine kinase (dCK). We induced resistance to dFCyd in the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 by exposure to increasing concentrations of dFdCyd. The IC50, defined as the concentration of dFdCyd causing 50% growth inhibition, at 72 h exposure increased from 0.6 nM dFdCyd in A2780 to 92 microM in the resistant variant, named AG6000. Although the resistant cell line is routinely cultured in 6 microM dFdCyd, the resistant phenotype can be maintained for at least 10 passages without dFdCyd. AG6000 is cross-resistant to other drug which require activation by dCK, such as 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine. There was no specific dCK activity in extracts from AG600 cells. Western blot analysis using a polyclonal anti-dCK antibody did not reveal any dCK protein in AG6000 cell extracts. Reverse-transcribed and PCR-amplified mRNA, using specific dCK primers, demonstrated that AG6000 expressed a normal length amplicon of 701 base pairs, besides an aberrant amplicon of 500 base pairs. Chromosome spreads from the cell lines showed no major differences between A2780 and AG6000. The latter cell line was also cross-resistant to 2',2'-difluorodeoxyurdine, the deamination product of dFdCyd. Additionally, cross-resistance to the multidrug resistant drugs doxorubicin and vincristine was observed. This was not associated with the induction of P-glycoprotein, as determined by the RNase protection assay. Injection of AG6000 cells s.c. into nude mice demonstrated that the cell line had retained its tumorigenicity; AG6000 xenografts were not sensitive to dFdCyd treatment, in contrast to the parental A2780 tumors. No dFdCyd triphosphate accumulation was found in the resistant tumors, in contrast to the parental A2780 tumors. These results indicate that the dFdCyd resistance phenotype is stable, and mainly due to dCK deficiency.
Animals↗
Comparison of two anthracycline-based prodrugs for activation by a monoclonal antibody-beta-glucuronidase conjugate in the specific treatment of cancer.
Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) may improve the therapeutic index of cytostatic agents. We compared two prodrugs, epirubicin-glucuronide (Epi-glu) and doxorubicin-spacer-glucuronide (Dox-sp-glu), for their cytotoxicity on activation by a monoclonal antibody-enzyme conjugate bound to tumor cells. The results showed that the prodrugs were 10 (Dox-sp-glu) and 100 (Epi-glu) times less toxic than the parent drugs against OVCAR-3 cells. This difference was a result of the hydrophilic property of the prodrugs resulting in a reduced cellular uptake. The enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of Dox-sp-glu by E. coli-derived beta-glucuronidase (GUS) (Km 500 microM, Vmax 21,000 mumol/min/g) was much more efficient than that of Epi-glu (Km 10 microM, Vmax 40 mumol/min/g). Incubation of OVCAR-3 cells with an enzyme-immunoconjugate prepared from monoclonal antibody 323/A3 and E. coli-derived GUS before treatment with prodrugs completely restored the cytotoxicity of the prodrugs to the level of the parent drugs.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Effects of the modulating agent WR2721 on myelotoxicity and antitumour activity in carboplatin-treated mice.
The selective modulation of carboplatin [diammine(1,1-cyclo-butanedicarboxylato)platinum(II)]-induced myelotoxicity was investigated in mice, using the protective agent WR2721 [S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl-phosphorothioic acid, ethiofos]. In female BALB/c mice, WR2721 (200 mg/kg intraperitoneally, i.p.) partly prevented the reduction of in vitro proliferation of whole bone marrow cells and non-adherent cells when administered at different time points relative to 90 mg/kg carboplatin (i.p.). Protection was highest when WR2721 was administered 5 min prior to carboplatin. In vitro proliferation of whole bone marrow cells and non-adherent cells in liquid culture increased from 15% of control for carboplatin alone to 45% when WR2721 was administered 5 min prior to carboplatin. However, WR2721 did not significantly prevent the loss in clonogenic capacity of early hematopoietic progenitors in the bone marrow, as determined by a bilayered soft agar colony forming units assay. In nude mice, bearing well-established subcutaneous human ovarian carcinoma xenografts OVCAR-3, WR2721 (200 mg/kg i.p.) 5 min prior to intravenous carboplatin allowed a 1.5-fold increase in the maximum tolerated dose of carboplatin as determined by overall weight loss. WR2721 alone did not affect tumour growth. However, WR2721 had a potentiating effect on the tumour growth inhibition of a standard dose of carboplatin in this model. Minimal tumour volume compared to control (T/C) decreased from 9.4% with carboplatin alone to 2.2% with WR2721 5 min prior to the same dose of carboplatin. Specific growth delay (SGD) increased from 7.4 to 10.3. With the 1.5-fold increased, equitoxic dose of carboplatin in combination with WR2721, the antitumour activity was only slightly further increased (T/C = 1.4%, SGD = 10.5).
Amifostine↗
Preclinical phase II studies in human tumor xenografts: a European multicenter follow-up study.
BACKGROUND: The EORTC New Drug Development Office has initiated a multicenter collaborative program to evaluate the use of human tumor xenografts to predict phase II clinical activity. A first study confirmed the efficacy of doxorubicin and inactivity of amsacrine against human tumor xenografts (Boven et al., Cancer Res: 52, 5940, 1992). In the follow-up study reported here, the activities of cisplatin, AZQ (diaziquone), pazelliptine and retelliptine have been evaluated against a panel of 40 established tumor lines grown subcutaneously in nude mice. DESIGN: The xenografts used represent carcinomas of the breast, colon, head+neck, ovary, small cell lung cancer (SCLC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. Drugs were administered intravenously on days 0 and 7. Doses were for cisplatin 5 mg/kg, AZQ 3-7 mg/kg, pazelliptine 20-80 mg/kg and retelliptine 6-12.5 mg/kg and were selected to give a median loss of about 10%-15% body weight. RESULTS: When activity was defined as a specific growth delay > 1 and a tumor growth inhibition > 50%, then cisplatin demonstrated activity in 15 of 40 xenografts tested (3 of 5 breast, 1 of 6 colon, 0 of 5 head+neck, 2 of 6 NSCLC, 4 of 7 SCLC, 1 of 5 melanoma and 4 of 6 ovarian cancers); AZQ was active in 23 of 38 xenografts (2 of 3 breast, 2 of 7 colon, 4 of 5 head+neck, 3 of 6 NSCLC, 6 of 6 SCLC, 2 of 5 melanoma, 4 of 6 ovarian cancers); pazelliptine was active in 2 of 38 xenografts (1 of 5 breast cancers, 1 of 5 melanoma) while retelliptine was active in 1 of 39 xenografts (a breast cancer xenograft) tested. CONCLUSIONS: These results are reasonably consistent with the clinical activity of cisplatin, but overpredict the clinical efficacy of AZQ. Since pazelliptine and retelliptine are investigational compounds, the clinical phase II studies will provide a prospective test for this model. The results of the present study and the previous one indicate that the human tumor xenograft model could be suitable for predicting the activity of novel compounds to be developed for treatment of cancer patients.
Animals↗
Biochemical modulation of 'classical' multidrug resistance by BIBW22BS, a potent derivative of dipyridamole.
BACKGROUND: Modulators of the 'classical' multidrug resistance (mdr) phenotype have low efficacy in patients with solid tumors. We analyzed BIBW22BS, 4-[N-(2-hydroxy-2-met- hyl-propyl)-ethanolamino]-2,7-bis(cis-2,6-dimethyl-morpho- lino)-6-phenylpteridine, a derivative of dipyridamole, for its higher potential to modulate mdr. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four human malignant cell lines: BRO, A2780, GLC4, SW1573, the Pgp-positive sublines: BRO/mdr1.1, 2780AD and the non-Pgp sublines: GLC4/ADR, SW1573/2R120 were used in vitro to investigate BIBW22BS as a modulator of the antiproliferative effects of vincristine and doxorubicin and to compare the potency of BIBW22BS with that of dipyridamole, verapamil, bepridil and flunarizine. BRO/mdr1.1 s.c. well-established xenografts in nude mice were used to study the modulating properties of BIBW22BS 50 mg/kg i.v. followed after one h by vincristine 1 mg/kg i.p. or doxorubicin 8 mg/kg i.p. weekly x 2. RESULTS: BIBW22BS was 20- to 100-fold more potent than dipyridamole in the reversal of resistance in the Pgp-positive sublines. Reversal of resistance was obtained in a dose-dependent manner and was complete at concentrations of 0.5-2.5 microM. At non-toxic, equimolar concentrations of 1.0 microM BIBW22BS showed higher modulating potency than the calcium-channel blockers. BIBW22BS did not affect resistance in the non-Pgp sublines. BRO/mdr1.1 s.c. xenografts have stable multidrug-resistance characteristics upon serial transplantation. BIBW22BS, vincristine, or doxorubicin as single agents were not effective in vivo, while the addition of BIBW22BS could significantly reduce the tumor growth expressed as the T/C% of vincristine from 109% to 48% and that of doxorubicin from 55% to 32%. However, reversal of vincristine resistance in BRO/mdr1.1 xenografts was not complete when compared to the efficacy of vincristine in BRO xenografts. CONCLUSION: The results encourage the further preclinical development of BIBW22BS as a modulator of 'classical' multidrug resistance in cancer patients.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
Deoxycytidine kinase and deoxycytidine deaminase activities in human tumour xenografts.
Deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and deaminase (dCDA) are both key enzymes in the activation and inactivation, respectively, of several deoxycytidine antimetabolites. We determined the total dCK and dCDA activities using standard assays, in 28 human solid tumours grown as xenografts in nude mice, and four corresponding cell lines. dCK activities in colon tumours varied from 11 to 12 nmol/h/mg protein, in ovarian tumours from 3 to 10 nmol/h/mg protein, in soft tissue sarcomas from 2 to 7 nmol/h/mg protein and in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck about 45-fold, between 0.4 and 18 nmol/h/mg protein. The dCDA activities showed a larger variation, from 243 to 483, 14 to 1231, 3 to 7 and 1 to 222 nmol/h/mg protein, respectively. The ratios of dCK vs. dCDA activities in these tumours varied from 0.025 to 0.046, 0.004 to 0.240, 0.581 to 1.123 and from 0.012 to 4.227, respectively. In four cell lines (A2780, OVCAR-3, WiDr and UM-SCC-14C), sources for some of the above mentioned tumours, a different pattern in dCK and dCDA was observed than in the corresponding tumours. The variation in dCDA activities was in a smaller range (20-fold) than in the tumours (40-fold). In all cell lines dCK activity was higher than dCDA activity, in contrast to the corresponding tumours, in which the reverse pattern was observed. Previously, some of the tumours were tested for sensitivity to the deoxycytidine analogues 5-aza-deoxycytidine and 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine. In the sensitive tumours, both the highest and lowest dCK activity was observed, indicating that dCK activity in solid tumours is high enough to activate deoxycytidine analogues.
Animals↗
EO9: a novel bioreductive alkylating indoloquinone with preferential solid tumour activity and lack of bone marrow toxicity in preclinical models.
EO9 is a novel and fully synthetic bioreductive alkylating indoloquinone. Although structurally-related to mitomycin C, EO9 exhibits a distinct preclinical antitumour profile and there are also differences in its biochemical activation. In this study, EO9 was found to demonstrate preferential cytotoxicity against solid tumours in vitro as compared to leukaemia cell lines both in the Corbett two-tumour assay and in the disease-oriented human tumour cell line panel of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. In the latter system activity was particularly apparent in colon, melanoma and central nervous system lines, together with some renal and non-small cell lung lines. Preferential cytotoxicity towards hypoxic versus aerobic EMT6 mouse mammary tumour cells was observed. In vivo, EO9 was inactive against the P388 murine leukaemia, while exerting significant antiproliferative effects against several murine and human solid tumours, including the generally resistant MAC mouse colon tumours and gastric, ovarian and breast xenografts. These results confirmed in vitro observations of preferential solid tumour activity. In animal toxicology studies, EO9 induced vascular congestion in the gastrointestinal tract, but no significant bone marrow toxicity. The LD10 value of EO9 after a single intravenous injection into mice was 9 mg/kg (27 mg/m2). A dose of one-tenth of the mouse equivalent LD10 (2.7 mg/m2), the recommended starting dose for clinical phase I studies, was found to be safe in rats. Considering its distinct mechanism of bioactivation as compared to mitomycin C, its preferential solid tumour activity, its excellent activity against hypoxic cells, and lack of significant bone marrow toxicity in animals studies, EO9 has been selected for clinical evaluation within the framework of the EORTC.
Adenocarcinoma↗
The influence of the schedule and the dose of gemcitabine on the anti-tumour efficacy in experimental human cancer.
The therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine, a new nucleoside analogue, was assessed in a variety of well-established human soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer xenografts grown s.c. in nude mice. Tumour lines selected had different histological subtypes, growth rates and sensitivities to conventional cytostatic agents. The three different doses and schedules designed on the basis of a mean weight loss between 5% and 15% were i.p. injections of daily 3.5 mg kg-1 x 4, every 3 days 120 mg kg-1 x 4, and weekly 240 mg kg-1 x 2, which ultimately resulted in 19%, 10% and 4% toxic deaths, respectively. The weekly schedule induced > or = 50% growth inhibition in 2/4 soft tissue sarcoma and 4/6 ovarian cancer lines, while in three ovarian cancer lines > or = 75% growth inhibition was obtained. The anti-tumour effects of gemcitabine appeared to be similar or even better than previous data with conventional drugs tested in the same tumour lines. In comparison with the every 3 days schedule, the weekly and the daily schedule were less effective in 5/7 and 3/3 tumour lines (P < 0.001), respectively. In another experiment in three human tumour lines selected for their differential sensitivity to gemcitabine, weekly injections of 240 mg kg-1 x 6 did not result in a significant increase in the percentages of growth inhibition when compared to lower doses of 120 mg kg-1 or 60 mg kg-1 in the same schedule. However, the 240 mg kg-1 weekly x 6 schedule showed superior effects in 2/3 tumour lines in comparison with the same dose given every 2 weeks x 3 (P < 0.05). The preclinical activity of gemcitabine suggests that the drug can induce responses in soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer patients. Our results further indicate that clinical trials of gemcitabine in solid tumour types should be designed on the basis of a schedule rather than a dose dependence.
Animals↗
Antitumor activity of taxotere (RP 56976, NSC 628503), a new taxol analog, in experimental ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND: The new cytostatic agent taxol has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness in ovarian cancer patients. The synthesis of drugs related to taxol could overcome its limited natural supply and may have additional benefits, such as greater efficacy or better solubility. Taxotere (RP 56976, NSC 628503) is such a compound. We investigated the drug for its antitumor activity in human ovarian cancer xenografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five human ovarian cancer lines were selected with respect to differences in histological sub-types, growth rates and chemosensitivity to conventional cytostatic agents. Tumors were implanted as fragments s.c. into both flanks of female nude mice (Hsd: athymic nude-nu). Treatment was started in groups of 5-8 mice at the time mean tumor volume measured 50-150 mm3. Taxotere was injected i.v. weekly x 2. Drug efficacy was expressed as the maximum percentage of growth inhibition of treated tumors as compared to control tumors. RESULTS: At the maximum tolerated dose of 15-20 mg/kg for weekly i.v. x 2 injections, taxotere induced a mean weight loss of 10%-15% of the initial weight within 2 weeks after the first injection. The maximum percentage of growth inhibition obtained was > or = 50% in 4/5 lines and > or = 90% in 3/5 lines. In 2 lines, taxotere appeared more effective than cisplatin, cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin, drugs studied previously at maximum tolerated doses in the same tumor lines. CONCLUSION: Our findings in human ovarian cancer xenografts hold promise for the efficacy of taxotere in this type of disease in the clinic.
Animals↗
Phase II preclinical drug screening in human tumor xenografts: a first European multicenter collaborative study.
In a European joint project carried out in 6 laboratories a disease-oriented program was set up consisting of a panel of 7 tumor types, each represented by 4 to 8 different human tumor lines, for secondary screening of promising anticancer drugs. Human tumor lines were selected on the basis of differences in histology, growth rate, and sensitivity to conventional cytostatic agents. Xenografts were grown s.c. in nude mice, and treatment was started when tumors reached a mean diameter of 6 mm in groups of mice where at least 6 tumors were evaluable. Drugs were given at the maximum tolerated dose. For evaluation of drug efficacy, median tumor growth curves were drawn, and specific growth delay and treated/control x 100% were calculated. Doxorubicin (8 mg/kg i.v. days 1 and 8) was effective (treated/control < 50%, and specific growth delay > 1.0) in 0 of 2 breast cancers, 1 of 3 colorectal cancers, 2 of 5 head and neck cancers, 3 of 6 non-small cell lung cancers, 4 of 6 small cell lung cancers, 0 of 3 melanomas, and 3 of 6 ovarian cancer lines. Amsacrine (8 mg/kg i.v. days 1 and 8) was not effective, while datelliptium (35 mg/kg i.p. days 1 and 8) was active against 2 of 6 small cell lung cancer lines. Brequinar sodium (50 mg/kg i.p. days 1-5) showed efficacy in 4 of 5 head and neck cancers, 5 of 8 non-small cell lung cancers, and 4 of 5 small cell lung cancer lines. The project has been shown to be a feasible approach. Clinical activity for doxorubicin and inactivity for amsacrine against solid tumor types was confirmed in the human tumor xenograft panel. Additional anticancer drugs will be studied in the European joint project to further define the reliability of this novel, promising screening approach.
Amsacrine↗