Enhanced CMP-NeuAc:Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc-R alpha 2,6 sialyltransferase activity of human colon cancer xenografts in athymic nude mice and of xenograft-derived cell lines.

The activity of an alpha 2,6 sialyltransferase acting on N-acetyllactosaminic sequences (alpha 2,6 ST E.C. 2.4.99.1) has previously been found to be increased in 90% of human colon cancer specimens. In the present study, the alpha 2,6 ST activity of 6 human colon cancer cell lines grown in culture was compared with that expressed by the corresponding nude mice xenografts and by the cell lines derived from the xenografts. We found that xenografts of COLO 205, HT-29, SW 620, SW 948 and SW 948 FL (a non-adherent sub-line of SW 948) cells express an alpha 2,6 ST activity much higher than that of the in vitro-grown cells. SW 48 cells grown either in culture or as xenografts lack the enzyme activity. All the xenograft-derived cell lines except HT-29 retained the increased alpha 2,6 ST activity at least for the first 6 passages. Those derived from SW 948 xenografts showed an enrichment of round, non-adherent cells, strongly reactive with the NeuAc alpha 2,6 Gal/GalNAc-specific lectin from Sambucus nigra (SNA), thus indicating that a selection of these cells has occurred.     

CPT-11 in human colon-cancer cell lines and xenografts: Characterization of cellular sensitivity determinants

CPT-11, a new semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin, is active in a number of tumor types in the clinic, including colon cancer. CPT-11 is a drug that is converted into the active metabolite SN-38 by a carboxylesterase. Experiments were performed to obtain more insight in the cellular characteristics in 5 unselected human colon-cancer cell lines that account for the differential sensitivity to CPT-11 and SN-38. In vitro, the sensitivity to CPT-11 and SN-38 was highest in LS174T and COLO 320 cells, intermediate in SW1398 cells and lowest in COLO 205 and WiDr cells. SN-38 was 130 to 570 times more active than CPT-11. CPT-11 induced complete remissions in 6 out of 12 COLO 320 tumors grown as subcutaneous xenografts, but was not effective in WiDr tumors. The cellular carboxylesterase activity did not relate to the sensitivity to CPT-11. The enzyme activity was higher in normal mouse tissues, i.e., serum and liver, than in COLO 320 or WiDr xenografts, indicating that tumor carboxylesterase is of minor importance for CPT-11 efficacy. The topoisomerase-l mRNA expression in tumor cells was not predictive of the antiproliferative effects of CPT-11 or SN-38. We observed a positive relationship between the DNA topoisomerase-1 activity and the cellular sensitivity to carboxylesterase-activated CPT-11 (r = 0.75, p < 0.1) as well as to SN-38 (r = 0.89, p < 0.05). The higher topoisomerase-1 activity in COLO 320 cells and tumors when compared with that in WiDr cells and tumors reflected the differences in sensitivity to the drug(s). In conclusion, the DNA topoisomerase-1 activity was the best determinant for CPT-11/SN-38 sensitivity in this panel of unselected human colon-cancer cell lines. Int. J. Cancer, 70:335–340, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synergistic antitumor activity of the novel SN-38-incorporating polymeric micelles, NK012, combined with 5-fluorouracil in a mouse model of colorectal cancer, as compared with that of irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil

The authors reported in a previous study that NK012, a 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38)-releasing nano-system, exhibited high antitumor activity against human colorectal cancer xenografts. This study was conducted to investigate the advantages of NK012 over irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) administered in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). The cytotoxic effects of NK012 or SN-38 (an active metabolite of CPT-11) administered in combination with 5FU was evaluated in vitro in the human colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 by the combination index method. The effects of the same drug combinations was also evaluated in vivo using mice bearing HT-29 and HCT-116 cells. All the drugs were administered i.v. 3 times a week; NK012 (10 mg/kg) or CPT11 (50 mg/kg) was given 24 hr before 5FU (50 mg/kg). Cell cycle analysis in the HT-29 tumors administered NK012 or CPT-11 in vivo was performed by flow cytometry. NK012 exerted more synergistic activity with 5FU compared to SN-38. The therapeutic effect of NK012/5FU was significantly superior to that of CPT-11/5FU against HT-29 tumors (p = 0.0004), whereas no significant difference in the antitumor effect against HCT-116 tumors was observed between the 2-drug combinations (p = 0.2230). Cell-cycle analysis showed that both NK012 and CPT-11 tend to cause accumulation of cells in the S phase, although this effect was more pronounced and maintained for a more prolonged period with NK012 than with CPT-11. Optimal therapeutic synergy was observed between NK012 and 5FU, therefore, this regimen is considered to hold promise of clinical benefit, especially for patients with colorectal cancer.     

Liver metastasis models of colon cancer for evaluation of drug efficacy using NOD/Shi-scid IL2Rgammanull (NOG) mice

To examine the drug efficacy of a novel farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI), CH4512600, in vivo, we developed a reliable liver metastasis model of human colon cancer using NOD/Shi-scid IL2Rgamma(null) (NOG) mice. Eleven human colon cancer cell lines were examined for their ability to form diverse metastatic foci in the livers of NOG mice. When inoculated with 10(4) COLO320DM, HCT 116, HT-29, WiDr, LoVo and LS174T cells, liver metastasis was evident in 100% (6/6), 100% (6/6), 88.9% (8/9), 87.5% (7/8), 83.3% (5/6) and 50.0% (3/6) of the NOG mice, respectively. CaCo2, COLO201, LS123, SW48 and SW1417 showed no metastasis when seeded at 10(4) cells even in NOG mice. The mRNA expression levels and genetic mutations of N, H and K-RAS genes, which directly affect the levels of cellular RAS protein that would be molecular target for FTI, were also examined in these six metastatic human colon cancer cell lines for molecular biological and genotypic characteristics. Only three cell lines had a point mutation in the RAS oncogene. LS174T cell line had a point mutation of the K-RAS gene at codon 12 (gly12 --> asp; G12D), and HCT 116 and LoVo cell lines had a point mutation of the K-RAS gene at codon 13 (gly13 --> asp; G13D). Relative gene expression levels of N, H and K-RAS genes in the HCT 116 cell line were 2.6-5.0-fold lower than that of LS174T and LoVo cell lines. We selected HCT 116 cell line from our liver metastasis model for evaluation of FTI CH4512600 efficacy in vivo. Using the NOG mouse liver metastasis model, we demonstrated the effectiveness of FTI CH4512600 to suppress tumor growth in vivo and to prolong mouse survival significantly from 36.9+/-2.9 to 50.3+/-9.4 days.     

Detection of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage in response to treatment with topoisomerase I inhibitors: a potential surrogate end point to assess treatment effectiveness.

Cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by caspases is a prominent characteristic of apoptosis or programmed cell death shown to be induced by topoisomerase (Topo) inhibitors. Because Topo I inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of some patients with colon cancer, we considered the possibility of using PARP cleavage as an early predictor of responsiveness to this class of agents. We show cleavage of PARP in response to treatment with Topo I inhibitors in colon cancer both in vitro and in vivo: (a) in vitro in SW480, HCT116, VACO5, VACO6, VACO8, VACO411, VACO425, and VACO451 human colon cancer cell lines treated with topotecan (TPT) or CPT-11; (b) in vivo in SW480, VACO451, and VRC5 colon cancer xenografts grown in athymic mice treated with TPT or CPT-11; and (c) in vivo in colon cancer samples from patients undergoing a Phase II clinical trial with CPT-11. Our results show a strong correlation between percentage of PARP cleavage and percentage of acridine orange-positive cells in colon cancer cell lines treated with 0.1 microM TPT for 24 and 48 h, confirming that PARP cleavage is a useful marker for programmed cell death in colon cancer cell lines. Results from experiments performed on colon cancer xenografts also show an association between PARP cleavage and response to treatment with TPT or CPT-11. The increase of PARP cleavage in xenografts and in clinical samples corresponding to treatment with Topo I inhibitors suggests that this procedure may have early predictive value to assess effectiveness of treatment. These results provide the basis for determining the validity of using PARP cleavage as an early marker of chemotherapeutic effectiveness in human samples.     

Antitumor activities of JTP-74057 (GSK1120212), a novel MEK1/2 inhibitor, on colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo

The MAPK pathway is one of the most important pathways for novel anticancer drug development. We performed high-throughput screening for compounds that induce expression of p15INK4b, and identified JTP-74057 (GSK1120212), which is being evaluated in ongoing phase I, II and III clinical trials. We characterized its antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. JTP-74057 strongly inhibited MEK1/2 kinase activities, but did not inhibit another 98 kinase activities. Treatment by JTP-74057 resulted in growth inhibition accompanied with upregulation of p15INK4b and/or p27KIP1 in most of the colorectal cancer cell lines tested. Daily oral administration of JTP-74057 for 14 days suppressed tumor growth of HT-29 and COLO205 xenografts in nude mice. Notably, tumor regression was observed only in COLO205 xenografts, and COLO205 was much more sensitive to JTP-74057-induced apoptosis than HT-29 in vitro. Treatment with an Akt inhibitor enhanced the JTP-74057-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. Finally, JTP-74057 exhibited an additive or a synergistic effect in combination with the standard-of-care agents, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin or SN-38. JTP-74057, a highly specific and potent MEK1/2 inhibitor, exerts favorable antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Sensitivity to JTP-74057-induced apoptosis may be an important factor for the estimation of in vivo efficacy, and sensitivity was enhanced by an Akt inhibitor. These results suggest the usefulness of JTP-74057 in therapeutic applications for colorectal cancer patients.     

Comparative cytotoxicity of C-1311 in colon cancer in vitro and in vivo using the hollow fiber assay

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative effects of C-1311 (Symadex), a member of the imidazoacridinone family, in human colorectal cancer cells. In the in vitro screen, C-1311 led to the most prominent growth inhibition in HT29, HCT116, and COLO205 cell lines when compared to oxaliplatin, CPT-11, DFUR, 5-FU and capecitabine. The GI(50)values for C-1311 ranged from 0.12 to 0.83 microM and the TGI concentrations (resulting in total growth inhibition) were 6- to 13-fold lower than those of other agents. In the hollow fiber assay in vivo, C-1311 caused 77% growth inhibition of HT29 in the intraperitoneal site as compared to paclitaxel (17% growth inhibition). In the subcutaneous site, C-1311 produced 57% growth inhibition while paclitaxel showed no cell growth inhibition effects. This unique cytotoxicity profile of C-1311 warrants further investigation and supports its clinical development in colon cancer patients. Symadex (C-1311) is currently in phase 2 clinical trials.     

Antiangiogenic and anticolorectal cancer effects of metronomic irinotecan chemotherapy alone and in combination with semaxinib

Metronomic chemotherapy refers to the administration of chemotherapy at low, nontoxic doses on a frequent schedule with no prolonged breaks. The aim of the study is to rationally develop a CPT-11 metronomic regimen in preclinical settings of colon cancer. In vitro cell proliferation, apoptosis and thrombospondin-1/vascular endothelial growth factor (TSP-1/VEGF) expression analyses were performed on endothelial (HUVEC, HMVEC-d) and colorectal cancer (HT-29, SW620) cells exposed for 144 h to metronomic concentrations of SN-38, the active metabolite of CPT-11. HT-29 human colorectal cancer xenograft model was used, and tumour growth, microvessel density and VEGF/TSP-1 quantification was performed in tumours. In vitro and in vivo combination studies with the tyrosine inhibitor semaxinib were also performed. SN-38 preferentially inhibited endothelial cell proliferation alone and interacted synergistically with semaxinib; it induced apoptosis and increased the expression and secretion of TSP-1. Metronomic CPT-11 alone and combined with semaxinib significantly inhibits tumour growth in the absence of toxicity, which was accompanied by decreases in microvessel density and increases in TSP-1 gene expression in tumour tissues. In vitro results show the antiangiogenic properties of low-concentration SN-38, suggesting a key role of TSP-1 in this effect. In vivo, the CPT-11 metronomic schedule is effective against tumour and microvessel growth without toxic effect on mice.     

Augmentation of apoptosis and tumor regression by flavopiridol in the presence of CPT-11 in Hct116 colon cancer monolayers and xenografts.

CPT-11, a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, has demonstrated clinical activity in colorectal cancer. Flavopiridol, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is rapidly emerging as a chemotherapy modulator. To enhance the therapeutic index of CPT-11 in colon cancer, we studied the combination of these two drugs in relatively resistant human colon cancer cells, Hct116. Exposure of parental Hct116 cells to clinically achievable concentrations of SN-38 (the active metabolite of CPT-11) induces p21 and a G(2) arrest. However, these conditions fail to induce apoptosis. In contrast, Hct116 cells that are p21 deficient (p21-/- Hct116) readily undergo apoptosis after treatment with SN-38. In this study we show that the parental Hct116 cells can be sensitized to undergo apoptosis by the addition of flavopiridol after SN-38 treatment. The induction of apoptosis was greatest with sequential therapy consisting of SN-38 followed by flavopiridol. Clonogenic assays also showed greatest inhibition with this sequence. Sequential treatment with SN-38 followed by flavopiridol was associated with higher activation of caspase-3 and greater cleavage of both p21 and XIAP, an inhibitor of apoptosis, compared with other treatment schedules. CPT-11 induced some tumor regressions but no complete responses in the p21-intact Hct116 xenografts. CPT-11 with flavopiridol more than doubled tumor regression, compared with CPT-11 alone, and produced a 30% complete response rate. Our studies indicate that CPT-11 induces cell cycle arrest rather than cell death and that flavopiridol, by activating the caspase cascade, cleaves the inhibitors of apoptosis and sensitizes the cells to undergo cell death. Thus, flavopiridol combined with CPT-11 may provide a completely new therapeutic approach in the treatment of colon cancer.     

p53 dependence and apoptosis in response to FP treatment with p53-transfected colon cancer cell lines by use of thin layer collagen gel

The combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus Cisplatin (CDDP) (FP treatment) possesses synergistic cytotoxicity against colon cancer. The molecular mechanisms by which chemotherapeutic agents induce apoptosis have been clarified by identifying apoptosis-related genes such p53 and bcl-2. We previously established a new experimental technique in which cancer cells are distributed in thin collagen gel as 1 or 2 cell layers. additionally, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of FP treatment in the gastric and colon cancer cell lines, and examined the relationship between the response to FP treatment and apoptosis. In these results we reported transfection of normal p53 gene into p53 mutant and analyzed the impact of the p53 gene in a sensitivity test. In this study, we examined induced apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines and the status of p53 expression in response to treatment of HCT116, COLO320, SW480 and DLD1 with 5-FU alone, CDDP alone and FP treatment under flow cytometric analysis. Transfection of SW480 and DLD1 cells was performed to compare the chemosensitivity of naturally occurring mutant-type p53 SW480 and DLD1 cells with neo-transfected SW480 and DLD1 cells and transfected SW480 and DLD1 cells. Appreciable apoptosis was induced in HCT116 and COLO320 (p53 wild-type) but not in SW480 and DLD1 cells (p53 mutant-type). Transfected SW480 and DLD1 cells underwent significantly more apoptosis (p相似文献   

Effect of anti-DR5 and chemotherapy on basal-like breast cancer

The purpose is to evaluate sensitivity of basal-like breast cancer to treatment with anti-DR5 alone and in combination with chemotherapy. Cytotoxicity of TRA-8 anti-DR5 alone and in combination with doxorubicin or paclitaxel was examined. The role of a DR5-associated molecule (DDX3) in the regulation of apoptosis by recruitment of cIAP1 to the DR5/DDX3 complex was studied. SUM159 and 2LMP orthotopic xenografts were treated with TRA-8 alone and in combination with Abraxane or doxorubicin, and tumor growth inhibition determined. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to monitor early tumor response. The majority (12/15) of basal-like cell lines were very sensitive to TRA-8-induced cytotoxicity (IC(50) values of 1.0-49 ng/ml). In contrast, 8/11 luminal or HER2-positive cell lines were resistant (IC(50) > 1,000 ng/ml). Enhanced killing of basal-like cell lines was produced by combination treatment with TRA-8 and doxorubicin. Majority of basal cell lines expressed lower levels of DR5-associated DDX3 and cIAP1 than luminal and HER2-positive cell lines. TRA-8 inhibited growth of basal xenografts and produced 20% complete 2LMP tumor regressions. TRA-8 and chemotherapy produced greater 2LMP growth inhibition than either alone. An increase in apparent diffusion coefficient in 2LMP tumors was measured in a week of therapy with TRA-8 and Abraxane. Basal-like cell lines were more sensitive to TRA-8-mediated cytotoxicity than HER2-over-expressing and luminal cell lines, and chemotherapy enhanced cytotoxicity. High sensitivity of basal cells to TRA-8 correlated with low expression of DR5/DDX3/cIAP1 complex. Treatment with TRA-8 and chemotherapy may be an effective therapy for basal-like breast cancer.     

In vivo and in vitro antitumor activity of oxaliplatin in combination with cetuximab in human colorectal tumor cell lines expressing different level of EGFR

This study aimed to assess the effect of cetuximab (C225, Erbitux, a chimeric anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody) in combination with oxaliplatin in vitro and in vivo on four colon cancer cell lines (HCT-8; HT-29, SW620, HCT-116) expressing different levels of EGFR. In vitro, cetuximab combined with oxaliplatin significantly decreased the IC50 values of oxaliplatin in HCT-8 (EGF-R moderate) and HT-29 (EGF-R weak) cell lines, while SW620 (EGF-R negative) and HCT-116 (EGFR strong) cell lines remained unresponsive. This combination was synergistic in HCT-8 and HT-29 cell lines while cetuximab induced no major modification of the IC50 of oxaliplatin in HCT-116 or SW620 cell lines. We then determined the effect of cetuximab on the EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation and we highlight a correlation between the basal level of phospho-EGFR and the response to the combination. In vivo, the combination of cetuximab plus oxaliplatin significantly inhibited tumor growth of HCT-8 and HT-29 (tumor delay or Td = 21.6+/-2.9 and 18.0+/-2.9 days respectively, synergistic effect) compared to either oxaliplatin (Td=12.6+/-2.3 and 14.4+/-3.2 days respectively) or cetuximab (Td=13.4+/-2.9 and 14.5+/-2.4 days, respectively) alone in xenograft models. The combination had no effect on HCT-116 and SW-620 cell lines. The observed responses are strictly dependent on the cell type, and are not correlated with the level of EGFR expression but related to the basal level of phospho-EGFR. This study provides promising preclinical results for a possible clinical investigation of the combination of oxaliplatin plus cetuximab in chemorefractory colorectal tumors.     

The antitumor effect of a novel differentiation inducer, 2, 2-Bis (4-(4-amino-3-hydroxyphenoxy) phenyl) adamantane (DPA), in combinatory therapy on human colon cancer

An adamantane derivative, 2, 2-Bis (4-(4-amino-3-hydroxyphenoxy) phenyl) adamantane (DPA), was found to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Anticancer Drug Screen system. Our previous study showed that DPA inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cell Colo 205 xenografts. DPA-treated cells were arrested at G(0)/G(1), and the DPA-induced cell growth inhibition was irreversible after removal of DPA. Moreover, no acute toxicity was observed after an intra-peritoneal challenge of DPA in nude mice weekly. In this study, we examined the in vivo therapeutic potential of DPA combined with clinical chemotherapeutic agent CPT-11 in Colo 205 cell xenografts. The in vitro cytostatic and differentiative effects of DPA on human colon cancer cells was also evaluated. DPA exerted growth inhibitory activities in vitro against three human colon cancer cell lines (Colo 205, HT-29, and HCT-15). DPA-treated cells showed a more adhesive epithelial phenotype. The differentiation markers of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and fibronectin (FN) were significantly increased in colon cancer cells after treatment with DPA. Further studies showed the induction of p21/Cip1, p27/Kip1, E-cadherin and dephosphorylated p120ctn expression was involved in DPA-induced anticancer effects. Interestingly, DPA-induced elevation of p21/Cip1 was independent of the induction of p53 in Colo 205 cells. in vivo results demonstrated that DPA enhanced the in vivo anticancer activity of the chemotherapeutic agent, CPT-11, by elevation of p53-independent p21/Cip1 and p27/Kip1 expression. Our results suggest that DPA appears to be a new potentially less toxic modality of cancer combinatory therapy.     

The possible role of factor H in colon cancer resistance to complement attack

A soluble complement inhibitor factor H (FH) and its splice variant factor H-like protein (FHL) have been recently discovered to play a major role in malignant cell escape from complement-mediated cytotoxicity in lung-, ovarian- and glia-derived neoplasms. The role of FH in colon cancer has not yet been examined. Here, we studied immunocytochemically FH/FHL expression in tumor samples derived from 40 patients, with both primary colon adenocarcinoma and metastatic foci in the liver. FH/FHL immunoreactivity was present in stroma of both primary and metastatic tumors, in virtually all patients. The cellular immunoreactivity was observed infrequently. Importantly, when analyzed quantitatively, FH/FHL immunoreactivity was significantly increased in liver metastases when compared with the primary sites. In addition, we have analyzed FH and FHL expression in 5 colon cancer cell lines: SW480, SW620, HCT116, HT-29 and Lovo. FH mRNA and FH secretion were observed in SW620 and HT-29 cells, whereas FHL was produced only by HT-29 cell-line. By confocal and electron microscopy, FH immunoreactivity was associated with the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicular structures. Finally, we have analyzed the role of FH in the susceptibility of SW620 colon cancer cells to complement-mediated damage. When FH function was blocked, using specific antibody, the cells became more susceptible to lysis. Taken together, our results suggest an important role of FH/FHL in colon cancer cells defense against complement-mediated cytotoxicity, and in metastatic process.     

Drg1, a novel target for modulating sensitivity to CPT-11 in colon cancer cells

Treatment of the human colon cancer cells Hct116 with SN-38 (an active metabolite of CPT-11) resulted in G2 cell cycle arrest without induction of apoptosis. However, subsequent treatment of SN-38-treated Hct116 cells with flavopiridol induced apoptosis. One of the genes markedly up-regulated during cell cycle arrest by SN-38 and suppressed during apoptosis by SN-38 followed by flavopiridol in Hct116 cells is Drg1. We found that Drg1 had profound effects on SN-38 sensitivity. Inhibition of endogenous Drg1 expression in Hct116 cells by stable expression of an antisense (AS) Drg1 cDNA increased the sensitivity of cells to undergo apoptosis by SN-38. Clonogenic and apoptosis assays with AS Drg1-expressing cells showed a 2-fold decrease in the IC50 and a 4-5-fold increase in induction of apoptosis with SN-38. Conversely, the forced expression of Drg1 in SW620 cells increased the resistance of these cells to SN-38-induced apoptosis by 2-5-fold. Moreover, when xenografted in mice, AS Drg1-expressing Hct116 cells were 3-fold more sensitive to CPT-11 as compared with vector transfected Hct116 cells. Similarly, tumors established from Drg1 overexpressing SW620 cells were more resistant to CPT-11 as compared with tumors established from vector-transfected SW620 cells in mice. Taken together, our data suggest that Drg1 is a novel gene that plays a direct role in resistance to CPT-11. Inhibition of Drg1 may provide a new means to increase the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to CPT-11.     

Effects of the HDAC inhibitor CG2 in combination with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, or oxaliplatin on HCT116 colon cancer cells and xenografts

Chemotherapies for colon cancer have recently advanced. However, there is still a need to develop agents and identify effective regimens for better treatments of colon cancer. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have shown potential as anti-cancer agents. We investigated the anti-tumor effects of CG2 (an HDACI) in combination with irinotecan, 5-FU, or oxaliplatin. Combinations of CG2 with SN38 (the active form of irinotecan), 5FU, or oxaliplatin were more effective than the agents alone when used to inhibit the growth of HCT116 cells. The protein expressions of acetyl-H3, p21, caspase-3, -8, and -9, PARP, and XIAP were affected in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HCT116 cells treated with the CG2 alone or combined CG2 and SN-38. In HCT116 xenografts, the HDACI CG2 in combination with irinotecan dramatically inhibited tumor growth without showing additive toxicity. These data indicate that CG2 together with irinotecan is a promising combination novel treatment for colon cancer.     

Base excision repair as a therapeutic target in colon cancer.

Base excision repair (BER) is a fundamental cellular process used to reduce the cytotoxicity of alkylating agent chemotherapy. Heretofore, no therapeutic agents have targeted this DNA repair pathway. Methoxyamine (MX), which binds abasic sites, acting as an inhibitor of BER, was evaluated in combination with the methylating agent temozolomide (TMZ). Three human colon cancer cell lines were used, SW480 cells, which are wild-type for mismatch repair genes and have mutated p53, HCT116 cells, which are mutant in hMLH1 and wild-type for p53, and HCT15 cells, which are mutant in hMSH6 and mutant in p53 as well. Nude mice carrying these tumors received TMZ alone or in combination with MX or O(6)-benzylguanine (BG), an inhibitor of O(6)-alkylguanine DNA-alkyltransferase, daily i.p. for 5 consecutive days. At the highest tolerable dose of TMZ (120 mg/kg), a tumor growth delay of approximately 9.3 +/- 1.2 days was noted in SW480. Addition of BG resulted in a tumor growth delay of 25 +/- 2.4 days accompanied by significant weight loss (23%) and severe myelosuppression. In contrast, SW480 tumor-bearing mice treated with MX + TMZ had cessation of tumor growth for 50 +/- 13 days and very slow regrowth, yielding tumor growth delays of >70 +/- 14 days (P < 0.002) without additive systemic toxicity. HCT116 and HCT15 xenografts were completely resistant to treatment with TMZ alone or in combination with BG. However, treatment with MX + TMZ induced significant tumor growth delays (20 +/- 1.4 days in HCT116 and 14 +/- 3.1 days in HCT15 xenografts, P < 0.05). These studies demonstrate that a significant enhancement of the antitumor effect of TMZ by MX was observed in human colon cancer xenografts with mismatch repair proficiency and deficiency. DNA BER may be a useful pharmacological target through which tumor cells can be sensitized to alkylating therapeutic agents.     

Antitumor activity of new combination chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride and nedaplatin against human cervical cancer cell lines

Antitumor activity of combination chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) and nedaplatin was compared to that with CPT-11 and cisplatin. In vitro cytotoxicity of SN-38 (an active metabolite of CPT-11) in combination with nedaplatin or cisplatin was evaluated using three human cervical cancer cell lines (ME-180, CaSki and SiHa). IC50 values of nedaplatin against these three human cervical cancer cell lines were about 2-fold as high as those of cisplatin, indicating somewhat weak cytotoxic effects of nedaplatin. Interactions between two drugs in combination were investigated using a simultaneous-exposure schedule and analyzed by the IC50-based isobologram method. Simultaneous exposure to SN-38 with each platinum preparation showed synergistic and additive effects against ME-180 and SiHa. In vivo antitumor effects of CPT-11 in the combination with each platinum were studied using SiHa xenografts. While CPT-11, nedaplatin and cisplatin alone hardly showed any antitumor effects even at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) levels, the combination chemotherapy with CPT-11 and nedaplatin or cisplatin resulted in significant antitumor effects even at three-quarter MTD of CPT-11 combined with two-third MTD of platinum. All treatments were tolerable for mice, indicating that the combinations did not cause significant enhancement in toxicity. In clinical application, nedaplatin causes a lower incidence of nephropathy and does not require the replacement of a large volume of fluid, which is needed for cisplatin administration, facilitating treatment at the out-patient clinic. In addition, the incidences of digestive disorder, peripheral neuropathy and auditory disorder are lower. These findings suggest that the combination chemotherapy with CPT-11 and nedaplatin for squamous cell cancer of uterine cervix is very useful in clinical practice. A dose-finding study should be conducted.     

Antitumour activity of XR5944 in vitro and in vivo in combination with 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan in colon cancer cell lines

XR5944 (MLN944), a novel bis-phenazine, has demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against a variety of murine and human tumour models. In the present study, the antitumour activity of XR5944 was investigated in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or irinotecan in human colon carcinoma cell lines and xenografts. In vitro cytotoxicity of the combinations following exposure to the drugs sequentially or simultaneously was evaluated by the sulphorhodamine-B assay and interactions were determined using median-effect analysis. Antagonism was observed (CI >1) following exposure of HT29 cells simultaneously to XR5944 and 5-FU or SN38 (active metabolite of irinotecan). In contrast, sequential exposure of either combination in either order demonstrated at least an additive response (CI< or =1). At least an additive response was also observed with these combinations in HCT116 cells regardless of schedule. Antitumour activity in HT29 xenografts in nude mice was enhanced by sequential administration of 5-FU (65 mg kg(-1)) or irinotecan (CPT-11) (35 mg kg(-1)) 48 h before XR5944 (5, 10, or 15 mg kg(-1)) compared to single agent treatment at the same or higher doses. Administration of irinotecan (35 mg kg(-1)) and XR5944 (15 mg kg(-1)) just 30 min apart yielded similar efficacy to sequential administration 48 h apart. All combinations were well tolerated. These data suggest that combinations of XR5944 with irinotecan or 5-FU are of significant interest in the treatment of colon cancer.