PTT.119, p-F-Phe-m-bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino-L-Phe-Met ethoxy HCl, a new chemotherapeutic agent active against drug-resistant tumor cell lines

PTT.119 [p-F-Phe-m-bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino-L-Phe-Met ethoxy HCl], a new synthetic tripeptide, was highly effective against the L-phenylalanine mustard (L-PAM) resistant (L1210/L-PAM and P388/L-PAM) tumor lines, as well as the sensitive L1210 leukemia. Cytolytic activity of PTT.119 against all three leukemias was significantly greater than equimolar doses of L-PAM. These in vitro results paralleled the significant increases in mean survival times of hosts and, in some cases, abrogations of tumor formation observed in the in vivo bioassays of PTT.119-treated L1210 and L1210/L-PAM cells. Dose-response studies failed to demonstrate cross-resistance to the tripeptide by L-PAM resistant cells. Doses of PTT.119 required to reduce the viable fraction by 50% (tissue culture dose 50, TCD50) or 100% (TCD100) were 1.3- to 3-fold lower for the L-PAM resistant cells than for the L1210 leukemia. In comparison, L-PAM was unable to completely eliminate cell survival; 0.2 to 3% of the cells in all three leukemias remained viable even at doses of 75 and 163 microM. In similar studies, L1210 leukemia cells made resistant to methotrexate (L1210 MTX) and cisplatin (L1210DDP) were also completely susceptible to PTT.119; TCD50 values of the two resistant lines were 1.94 microM for L1210 MTX and 0.525 microM for L1210DDP compared to 2.38 microM for the susceptible parent L1210S leukemia. Continuous low-dose PTT.119 treatment of MJY-alpha mammary tumor cells for 8 months and exposure of L1210 leukemia to escalating levels of tripeptide for over 100 passages failed to select or induce drug-resistant phenotypes in either cell line. PTT.119 appears to be a poor mutagen and is unlikely to readily increase the probability of drug-resistant mutants in the tumor cell populations.     

In vivo characterization of P388 leukemia resistant to mitomycin C

A line of P388 leukemia resistant to mitomycin C (MMC) was successfully developed in vivo by treating mice bearing parental P388 (P388/0) with MMC followed by serial passage of the surviving leukemic cells. From this P388/MMC line, a subline was derived by not treating the passage mice with MMC (P388/MMC-NP); resistance to MMC was stable for as many as 56 weeks of transplantation. The chemosensitivities of each P388 line to assorted anticancer drugs were compared in vivo. Both P388/MMC and P388/MMC-NP had similar patterns of drug cross-resistance and collateral sensitivity. With respect to alkylating agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide, Platinol and chlorambucil), there was generally a partial degree of cross-resistance, sometimes only detectable at suboptimal dose levels. With respect to DNA binders or intercalators (e.g. actinomycin D, luzopeptin A, amsacrine, doxorubicin), the extent of cross-resistance varied from none (dihydoxyanthraquinone) to marked (doxorubicin). Antimitotic inhibitors (vinblastine and vincristine) were completely cross-resistant, as were some miscellaneous natural agents (rebeccamycin, VP-16, sesbanimide, and elsamicin, a chartreusin analog). Antimetabolites (e.g. methotrexate and 6-thioguanine) showed no cross-resistance and even demonstrated some occasional evidence of collateral effectiveness.     

Inability of amphotericin B(Fungizone) or of sodium deoxycholate to alter natural drug resistance or sensitivity of transplanted murine leukemias

The ability of Amphotericin B ('Fungizone') to alter the natural resistance of leukemia L1210 to vincristine was studied in BDF1 mice Neither Fungizone nor the "solubilizing agent" sodium deoxycholate, when used in combination with vincristine potentiated the activity of the drug against L1210. There was no change in the activity pattern of 5-fluorouracil against L1210 or vincristine against P388 lymphocytic leukemia respectively, which are sensitive to these drugs. Thus, both Fungizone and sodium deoxycholate failed to improve the activity of the drugs in either a naturally resistant or sensitive murine leukemia in vivo.     

Synthesis and antitumor properties of activated cyclophosphamide analogues

A series of 5- and 6-substituted cyclophosphamide analogues has been prepared, and their 31P NMR kinetics of phosphoramide mustard (PDA) release and in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity have been evaluated. cis-4-Hydroxy-5-methoxycyclophosphamide equilibrated very slowly and to a minor extent with the ring-opened aldophosphamide analogues in aqueous buffer; release of PDA was observed to a minor extent and only at high (1 M) buffer concentrations. This analogue was essentially inactive in vitro against L1210 and P388 leukemia cells. 6-Phenylcyclophosphamide and its 4-hydroperoxy derivative were potent inhibitors of blood acetylcholinesterase and were lethal at therapeutic doses in mice. In contrast, 4-hydroperoxy-6-(4-pyridyl)cyclophosphamide did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase and showed significant antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo against both wild-type and cyclophosphamide-resistant L1210 leukemia. The 4-hydroperoxy-6-arylcyclophosphamides were generally active in vitro against both wild-type and cyclophosphamide-resistant L1210 and P388 cells, and several analogues showed significant activity in vivo. Surprisingly, there was no correlation between antitumor activity in vitro and the rate of PDA release in aqueous buffer. Several compounds that showed essentially no release of PDA in aqueous buffer over several hours were highly cytotoxic to leukemia cells following a 1-h exposure in vitro. These results show that activated cyclophosphamide analogues substituted at the 6-position are not cross-resistant in these leukemia cell lines, and that a specific intracellular activation mechanism may be catalyzing PDA release in these analogues.     

Antitumor spectrum of deoxyspergualin and its lack of cross-resistance to other antitumor agents

Antitumor activities of 15-deoxyspergualin (NKT-01), an analogue of spergualin (SGL), were examined in cultured tumor cells, transplantable murine tumors, and human tumor xenografts in nude mice. NKT-01 exhibited strong antitumor activity specifically against leukemias both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, it also showed activity against AH66F hepatoma, M5076 fibrosarcoma and MH134 hepatoma. However, antitumor activity of NKT-01 against other non-leukemic tumors was marginal. Effective dose range of NKT-01 in sensitive tumors was so wide that the largest chemotherapeutic indexes were produced by NKT-01 in P388 and L1210 leukemias among 15 antitumor agents examined. The efficacy of NKT-01 against doxorubicin- and cytosine arabinoside-resistant P388 leukemias was comparable to that against parental sensitive P388 leukemia. NKT-01 also retained activity against other p388 leukemia sublines resistant to cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil or nimustine, although the effect was slightly decreased. In addition, in the in vitro and in vivo experiments using NKT-01-resistant P388 and SGL-resistant L1210(IMC) leukemias, no cross-resistance was observed. Moreover, collateral sensitivity was observed especially to alkylating agents in animal study.     

Doxorubicin analogues incorporating chemically reactive substituents

Doxorubicin (1) analogues 2-5, incorporating the following alkylating or latent alkylating substituents, R, on the 3'-position of the daunosamine sugar have been synthesized as potential antitumor agents: 2, R = NHCOC6H4(p)SO2F; 3, R = NHCOCH2Br; 4, R = NHCOCH2Cl; 5, R = NHCON(NO)CH2CH2Cl. These compounds were designed on the premise that alkylating anthracyclines might bind covalently to critical intracellular target macromolecules and overcome resistance to the parent agent attributable to reduced cellular drug accumulation. Growth inhibitory studies of the analogues were conducted in vitro against mouse leukemia cells (L1210 and P388) and human uterine sarcoma cells that are sensitive (MES-SA) and resistant (MES-SA/DOX) to doxorubicin. The analogues were 5-100-fold less potent than doxorubicin against the sensitive cell lines. However, they were only marginally cross-resistant with doxorubicin against MES-SA/DOX. Compounds 3 and 5 were also evaluated against a human myelocytic cell line (KBM-3) and a subline (KBM-3/DOX) resistant to doxorubicin. They were equally potent against both cell lines, indicating a complete lack of cross-resistance with doxorubicin. Alkylating anthracyclines may have potential for the treatment of tumors resistant to the parent agents.     

Methotrexate analogues. 25. Chemical and biological studies on the gamma-tert-butyl esters of methotrexate and aminopterin

gamma-tert-Butylaminopterin (gamma-tBAMT), the first example of an aminopterin (AMT) gamma-monoester, was synthesized, and new routes to the known N10-methyl analogue gamma-tert-butyl methotrexate (gamma-tBMTX) were developed. The inhibitory effects of gamma-tBAMT on the activity of purified dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from L1210 murine leukemia cells, the growth of L1210 cells and CEM human leukemic lymphoblasts in suspension culture, and the growth of several lines of human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in monolayer culture were compared with the effects of gamma-tBMTX and the parent acids AMT and methotrexate (MTX). Patterns of cross-resistance to gamma-tBAMT, gamma-tBMTX, and AMT among several MTX-resistant cell lines were examined. In vivo antitumor activities of gamma-tBAMT and gamma-tBMTX were compared in mice with L1210 leukemia. While the activity of gamma-tBAMT was very close to that of gamma-tBMTX in the DHFR inhibition assay, the AMT ester was more potent than the MTX ester against cells in culture and against L1210 leukemia in vivo. Only partial cross-resistance was shown against gamma-tBMTX and gamma-tBAMT in cultured cells that were resistant to MTX by virtue of a transport defect or a combination of defective transport and elevated DHFR activity.     

Anticancer activity in murine and human tumor cell lines of bis(platinum) complexes incorporating straight-chain aliphatic diamine linker groups.

The biological activity of a series of dinuclear bis(platinum) complexes of formula [(cis-PtX2-(NH3)]2(NH2(CH2)nNH2)] (X = Cl, n = 4-9, compounds 6-11; X2 = malonate, n = 5 or 6, compounds 12 and 13) is described in selected murine leukemia, murine solid tumor, and human tumor cell lines and in murine leukemia cell lines rendered resistant to cisplatin (cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]). The bis(platinum) compounds showed greater activity in vitro against murine tumor cell lines resistant to either cisplatin or DACH ([Pt(DACH)Cl2]). The resistance factor is dependent on chain length of the diamine, and the structural feature of a dinuclear complex is of general use in reducing cross-resistance with cisplatin. In vivo [(cis-PtCl2(NH3)]2(NH2(CH2)5NH2)] (7) showed a % T/C of 204 against murine L1210 leukemia resistant to cisplatin compared to a % T/C of 104 for cisplatin itself at optimal doses. The complex [(Pt(mal)(NH3)]2(NH2(CH2)6NH2)] (13) was highly active in the colon 26 tumor line with 3/10 tumor-free survivors (dose of 186 mg/kg, ip D1,5,9); however, 13 was subject to substantial cross-resistance in the cisplatin resistant L1210 leukemia (% T/C 139 versus % T/C of 223 in the sensitive line). In four selected human tumor lines in vitro, compounds 6-11 were uniformly more potent than cisplatin. In the corresponding xenografts, compound 7 showed greater activity in the HCT-8 (coloadenocarcinoma) and H23 (nonsmall cell lung), but diminished potency in AH125 and H520 (both nonsmall cell lung) lines in comparison to cisplatin. Retention of activity against cisplatin-resistant cell lines and a different spectrum of activity compared to cisplatin in some human tumor cell lines suggest that this class of complexes is mechanistically different from mononuclear complexes and worthy of further development toward clinical trials.     

Nucleoside conjugates. 10. Synthesis and antitumor activity of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5'-diphosphate-1,2-dipalmitins

Three 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5'-diphosphate-1,2-dipalmitins from L-, D-, and DL-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidic acids have been synthesized and their antitumor activity against two ara-C2 resistant L1210 lymphoid leukemia sublines in mice were evaluated. These new prodrugs of ara-C include ara-CDP-L-dipalmitin, ara-CDP-D-dipalmitin, and ara-CDP-DL-dipalmitin. The L and DL isomers produced significant increase in life span (greater than 400%) and four to five long-term survivors (greater than 45 days) out of six animals bearing ip implanted partially ara-C resistant L1210 subline [L1210/ara-C (I)], while the D isomer displayed a marginal activity (ILS 100-121%). In contrast, the L isomer was completely ineffective against deoxycytidine kinase deficient ara-C resistant L1210 subline [L1210/ara-C (II)]. However, the results demonstrate that the L and DL isomers of ara-CDP-dipalmitin are promising new prodrugs of ara-C with improved efficacy.     

Antitumor properties of 2(1H)-pyrimidinone riboside (zebularine) and its fluorinated analogues

2(1H)-Pyrimidinone riboside (zebularine, 1b) and its 5-fluoro (6b) and 2'-ara-fluoro (7b) analogues have been synthesized and evaluated in vivo as antitumor agents. Zebularine provides increase in life span (ILS) values of ca. 70% against intraperitoneal (ip) murine B16 melanoma and 50% against P388 leukemia. This compound is active when administered either ip or orally against ip or subcutaneously implanted L1210 leukemia, producing ILS values of about 100% at an optimum dose of 400 mg/kg. 1b is also active (60% ILS) against ara-C-resistant L1210. The analogous unsubstituted purine riboside nebularine (2) has modest activity against P388 leukemia (60% ILS). While 2'-ara-fluorozebularine (7b) is only marginally active (40% ILS) at high doses against L1210 leukemia, 5-fluoro analogue 6b is more active than zebularine and is ca. 100 times more potent. Although the activity of 6b is about the same as that of 1b against P388 leukemia, greater potency also is realized in this model. Zebularine is a strong inhibitor of cytidine deaminase, but in contrast to tetrahydrouridine, 1b is acid-stable. In an attempt to use this property to advantage in oral administration, 1b and ara-C have been orally coadministered to mice with ip L1210 leukemia. When zebularine is given in divided doses, up to a 2-fold increase in activity is realized, relative to treatment with the same dose of ara-C alone.     

Comparative studies of galactose-6-mustard and L-phenylalanine mustard on cell growth and cell cycle kinetics in vitro.

The effect of galactose-6-mustard (G-6-M) on cell growth and cell cycle kinetics was studied in murine P388 leukemia and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro and compared with the effect of L-phenylalanine mustard (L-PAM). The IC50 values of G-6-M for the P388 and CHO cells were 10 and 100 microM, respectively. No difference of the IC50 value of L-PAM (2 microM) between the two cell lines was found. The effect of G-6-M and L-PAM on cell kinetics was similar for the two cell lines at IC50 doses. The relative cell outflow from the G2 stage was inhibited to a higher extent than the relative cell outflow from the S phase. The relative cell outflow from the G1 stage was only partly inhibited. These results are discussed in relation to growth conditions, differences in DNA repair capacity, and cellular uptake of G-6-M between P388 and CHO cells.     

Cisplatin-resistant derivatives of murine L1210 leukemia cells are not susceptible to growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing actions of transforming growth factor-beta1.

Murine L1210 leukemia cells possessing an increased resistance to cisplatin were found to be refractory to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-induced growth inhibition, while the parental L1210 cells were strongly inhibited by this cytokine. Growth inhibition was estimated on the basis of [3H]thymidine incorporation, cell counting and colony-forming assay. Cisplatin-resistant L1210 cells were also shown to be much more resistant than the parental cells to both cisplatin- and TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis. These results suggest the existence of cross-resistance to cisplatin and TGF-beta1 in the studied leukemia cells.     

Nucleoside conjugates. 11. Synthesis and antitumor activity of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and cytidine conjugates of thioether lipids

Five 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine conjugates and two cytidine conjugates of thioether lipids (1-S-alkylthioglycerols) linked by a pyrophosphate diester bond have been prepared and their antitumor activity against an ara-C2 sensitive (L1210/0) and two ara-C resistant L1210 lymphoid leukemia sublines in mice were evaluated. These prodrugs of ara-C include ara-CDP-rac-1-S-hexadecyl-2-O-palmitoyl-1-thioglycerol (8a), ara-CDP-rac-1-S-octadecyl-2-O-palmitoylthioglycerol (8b), and ara-CDP-rac-1-S-octadecyl-2-O-methyl(or -ethyl, -hexadecyl)thioglycerols (8c-e). The cytidine conjugates include CDP-rac-1-S-octadecyl-2-O-palmitoyl(or -methyl)- 1-thioglycerols (9a and 9b). Sonicated solutions of the conjugates existed in the form of micellar disks (size 0.01-0.04 microns). Single doses (200-400 mg/kg) of 8a and 8b produced significant increase in life span (257-371%) in mice bearing ip implanted L1210/0 leukemia. In contrast, conjugates 8c-e were less effective (ILS 19-75%) and cytidine conjugates (9a and 9b) were ineffective. Even though 8a and 8b were found to be curative in a high percentage of mice bearing ip implanted partially ara-C resistant L1210 subline [L1210/ara-C(I)], they were completely ineffective against deoxycytidine kinase deficient ara-C resistant L1210 subline [L1210/ara-C(II)]. However, the present results, together with the previous, demonstrate that 8a and 8b are promising new prodrugs of ara-C with improved efficacy.     

8,11-dihydroxy-6-[(aminoalkyl)amino]-7H-benzo[e]perimidin-7-ones with activity in multidrug-resistant cell lines: synthesis and antitumor evaluation.

The synthesis of dihydroxybenzoperimidine derivatives, which are chromophore-modified dihydroxyanthracenediones with an additional pyrimidine ring incorporated into the chromophore, is reported. These derivatives are structurally related to the antitumor agent mitoxantrone. Their synthesis was carried out by the reaction of 6-amino-8,11-dihydroxy-7H-benzo[e]perimidin-7-one (5) or 6,8, 11-trihydroxy-7H-benzo[e]perimidin-7-one (10) with a number of respective (alkylamino)alkylamines. The dihydroxybenzoperimidine derivatives exhibited in vitro cytotoxic activity against murine leukemia L1210 and human leukemia HL60 cell lines comparable to that of mitoxantrone. These compounds also exhibited a range of in vitro activity against the human MDR-type resistant leukemia K562R cell line with the MDR phenotype. The most active compound of this series, namely 6a, exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against a panel of human cell lines. Furthermore, in contrast to both mitoxantrone and doxorubicin, it displayed little cross-resistance in cell lines characterized by a MDR phenotype. Cell cycle analysis in the sensitive HT-29 and mitoxantrone-resistant HT-29/Mx (not identified resistance mechanism) cell lines has revealed that both mitoxantrone and 6a induce a G2/M block. However, while the proportion of apoptotic cells after mitoxantrone treatment is similar for both sensitive and resistant cell lines, it is much lower for 6a. Compound 6a tested against P388 murine leukemia in vivo displayed a significant antitumor effect (%T/C 196 at an optimal dose of 10 mg/kg). The property of overcoming the cross-resistance was maintained also in in vivo efficacy studies, where no difference was observed in the antitumor activity of compound 6a against the A2780 human tumor xenograft and its MDR A2780/Dx subline. We conclude that benzoperimidines, if properly substituted, constitute a novel class of compounds that can overcome multidrug resistance.     

P-Glycoprotein mediated resistance to 5′-nor-anhydro-vinblastine (Navelbine®)

Summary Navelbine^? (NVB, vinorelbine tartrate) is a semisyntheticVinca alkaloid in which the catharanthine moiety contains an eight-membered ring in place of the nine-membered ring that is present in all naturally occurring members of the vinblastine group. This modification selectively reduces interaction with anoxalvs mititotic microtubules and may account for the lower neurotoxicity with improved antitumor activity that has been observed in clinical trials with breast, lung and ovarian cancer. We were interested in whether the structural modification in NVB would also alter the drug resistance profile. Specifically, our aim was to determine whether NVB, like vinblastine (VBL), participates in P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR). NVB-resistant, murine P388 cells (P388/NVB), were derivedin vivo and used in conjunction with a battery of drug-resistant P388 cell linesin vivo and murine and human tumor cell linesin vitro to develop a resistance profile for NVB. P388/NVB bells were cross-resistant to drugs involved in MDR (doxorubicin, etoposide, amsacrine, vinblastine, vincristine and actinomycin D), but not to the alkylating agents, cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and cisplatin, or to the antimetabolites, 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate. P388/NVB cellular resistance to NVB was stable without drug pressure during continuous passagein vivo for more than ten weeks andin vitro for at least five weeks. These cells exhibited increased expression of P-gp, and a 30-fold level of resistance of NVBin vitro, which was completely reversable with verapamil. The MDR phenotype was confirmed in other tumor models. P388 tumors resistant to vinblastine, vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide were cross-resistant to NVBin vivo. Likewise, human KB carcinoma cells resistant to colchicine, MDA-A1^R breast carcinoma cells resistant to doxorubicin, and murine B16/F10 melanoma cells transfected with the humanmdr1 gene were cross-resistant to NVBin vitro. Finally, P388 cells resistantin vivo to melphalan, a drug that does not participate in MDR, were cross-resistant to NVB. Therefore, cellular resistance to NVB, like otherVinca alkaloids, may arise by a P-glycoprotein-mediated MDR mechanism, but may also involve non-MDR mechanisms in cells that do not overexpress P-gp.     

一些植物成分对实验肿瘤的作用

观察了18个植物成分对S180、Lewis肺癌、B16黑色素瘤、Ehrlich腹水癌、白血病P388、L1210和L615等小鼠肿瘤的疗效。以白血病P388和L1210最为敏感,L615最不敏感。此外,试验了高三尖杉酯碱、美登素、羟基喜树碱和长春新碱对Friend白血病的疗效,仅高三尖杉醋碱有明显疗效。部分样品还观察了对~3H标记的前体参入肿瘤细胞核酸和蛋白质的影响。     

Studies with a 2,4-diamino-5-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-6-methylpyrimidine (DDMP)-resistant L1210 leukemia cell line without cross-resistance to methotrexate

An L1210 leukemia cell line resistant to 2,4-diamino-5-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-6-methylpyrimidine (DDMP) (L1210/DDMP) was developed in vivo by treatment of tumor-bearing mice. Resistance to DDMP was confirmed by subsequent in vivo survival experiments and by in vitro dose-response curves. The L1210/DDMP line demonstrated little cross-resistance to another folate analog, methotrexate (MTX). This was confirmed both in vivo, with survival experiments, and in vitro, using dose-response curves. A statistical analysis of the in vivo data confirmed DDMP resistance with lack of MTX cross-resistance. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity in the L1210/DDMP/R₅ line was no greater than in the parent cell line (L1210/S). and the K_m of DHFR for dihydrofolate was the same in the L1210/DDMP/R₅ and L1210/S lines. The K_i for DHFR of the L1210/DDMP/R₅ cell line versus the L1210/S cell line was increased 3.0-fold for MTX and 3.5-fold for DDMP. Total accumulation of [¹⁴C]DDMP was identical in the two cell lines. The explanation for the lack of MTX cross-resistance in the L1210/DDMP/R₅ line is unknown.     

Antiproliferative activity and mechanism of action of fatty acid derivatives of arabinofuranosylcytosine in leukemia and solid tumor cell lines

1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) is a deoxycytidine analog with activity in leukemia, which requires phosphorylation by deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) to allow formation of its active phosphate 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine triphosphate, but can be deaminated by deoxycytidine deaminase. Altered membrane transport is also a mechanism of drug resistance. In order to facilitate ara-C uptake and prolong retention in the cell, lipophilic prodrugs were synthesized. Fatty acid groups with a varying acyl chain length and number of double bonds were esterified at the 5' position on the sugar moiety of ara-C. The compounds were tested in two pairs of ara-C resistant leukemic cell lines (murine L1210 and rat BCLO and their resistant variants L4A6 and Bara-C, respectively) and two pairs of cell lines with a resistance to gemcitabine, another deoxycytidine analog (human ovarian cancer A2780 and murine colon cancer C26-A and their resistant variants AG6000 and C26-G, respectively). L4A6, Bara-C and AG6000 have varying degrees of decreased dCK activity, while the mechanism for C26-G is not yet clear. In the parent cell lines, ara-C was more active, but in the resistant variants several of the analogs were more active, while the degree of cross-resistance varied. In AG6000 with a total dCK deficiency, all compounds were inactive. Structure-activity relation analysis showed that ara-C derivatives with shorter acyl chains and more double bonds were more active in the parental and drug resistant cells. Further mechanistic studies were performed with the elaidic acid derivative of ara-C (CP-4055). CP-4055 inhibited deamination of dCyd partly and induced DNA synthesis inhibition effectively in C26-A and C26-G cells, but the retention of inhibition was much longer for CP-4055 than for ara-C. In contrast to ara-C, CP-4055 inhibited RNA synthesis for 60% after drug exposure. In conclusion, CP-4055 seems to be a promising prodrug, whose effects were different and longer lasting than for the parent drug.     

Studies on the mechanism of resistance of selected murine tumors to l-alanosine

Sublines of P388 and L1210 leukemia were rendered resistant to l-alanosine [l-2-amino-3-(N-hydroxy-N-nitrosamino) propionic acid] and designated P388/LAL and L1210/LAL. Assessments were made of certain biochemical and pharmacological determinants of the sensitivity or resistance to l-alanosine of these sensitive and resistant lines. It was observed that the antibiotic strongly inhibited adenylosuccinate synthetase and DNA synthesis only in the parent or sensitive lines; moreover, after a therapeutic dose of the drug, the concentration of l-alanosyl-AICOR (l-alanosyl-5-amino-4-imidazole carboxylic acid ribonucleotide), the putative active anabolite of l-alanosine, was dramatically higher in these parent lines as compared with the resistant variants. Enzymologic studies established that, in P388/LAL, the specific activity of the enzyme SAICAR synthetase (5-amino-4-imidazole-N-succinocarboxamide ribonucleotide synthetase), which is believed to conjugate l-alanosine with the nascent purine AICOR (5-amino-4-imidazole carboxylic acid ribonucleotide), was depressed significantly; the same was not true for L1210/LAL. In both resistant lines, however, the enzymes of purine salvage were present at levels about 200 per cent higher than those measured in the native strains. These studies establish that resistance to l-alanosine is very likely pluricausal, but that the ability of susceptible cells to synthesize or retain l-alanosyl-AICOR is an element important to the process.     

Deoxyribonucleic acid crosslinking by 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide in cyclophosphamide-sensitive and -resistant L1210 cells

4-Hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, a synthetic, activated form of cyclophosphamide, has been used to study DNA crosslinking in L1210 cell lines sensitive and resistant to cyclophosphamide. The time course of crosslink appearance and the proportion of inter-strand to DNA-protein crosslinks support the belief that phosphoramide mustard is the ultimate alkylating agent derived from cyclophosphamide. Cell survival and DNA crosslinking studies with a cyclophosphamide-resistant L1210 cell line indicate that resistance is associated with a failure of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide to produce DNA crosslinks. The ability to reverse this situation by exposure of resistant cells to disulfiram points to a role of aldehyde dehydrogenase in this mechanism of cyclophosphamide resistance.