Reactions of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea in aqueous solution

Products formed from the reaction of two chloroethylnitrosoureas in neutral aqueous solution have been identified and quantified. Mixture components recovered after a 1-h incubation period accounted for 75--85% of the starting nitrosourea. Approximately 65--85% of the reaction products were formed by an initial cleavage of the nitrosourea to the proposed intermediates 2-chloroethyl azohydroxide and an isocyanate and by subsequent hydrolytic reactions. A minor pathway, 5--10% of products, involves denitrosation of the nitrosourea with oxazoline formation. Stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry have been used to determine the reaction sequence and product origins. Reaction product identification has been made using high-performance LC isolation and comparison with synthetic material.     

Urinary metabolites of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea

Urinary metabolites of ring 14C-labeled 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (Methyl CCNU) from rats have been isolated and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. About 44% of the cyclohexyl moiety of CCNU was excreted in 24 hr and included approximately 10% of the excreted dose as free amines and 40% as conjugates that could be converted to amines by hydrolysis. Amine composition of free base plus hydrolyzable conjugates was 55% hydroxycyclohexylamines (3-trans, 3-cis, 4-cis, and 4-trans) and 30% cyclohexylamine. This strongly supports previous studies which indicated that CCNU is largely hydroxylated in vivo as well as in vitro. Rats pretreated with phenobarbital excreted high relative amounts of cis-4-hydroxy derivatives (41%), again showing a high degree of correlation between in vitro and in vivo results. Treatment of urine with beta-glucuronidase gave no apparent increase in free amines. However, sulfatase was about 25% as effective as alkaline hydrolysis for releasing free amines from whole urine. Major urinary metabolites were found to have m.w. of about 629, 413, 329, and 243 and represented 55%, 20%, 20%, and 5% of total excreted 14C, respectively. It was concluded that the higher m.w. metabolites may be conjugates of peptides possibly derived from active site-directed inactivation of specific enzymes. Previous work has shown that enzymes such as chymotrypsin and glutathione reductase are inhibited by isocyanates in this manner. Hydroxylated metabolites of Methyl CCNU had a pattern similar to that of CCNU. The major free (12%) and conjugated amine (54%) metabolites of Methyl CCNU in the urine in decreasing order of quantity present were cis-3-hydroxy-trans-4-methylcyclohexylamine, trans-4-methylcyclohexylamine, trans-4-hydroxymethylcyclohexylamine, and trans-3-hydroxy-trans-4-methyl-cyclohexylamine.     

Heme metabolism in liver and spleen of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU)-treated rats

The effect of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU), an anticancer alkylating agent of the nitrosourea group, on liver and spleen enzymes involved in the control of heme metabolism was studied. A single oral dose of 50 or 100 mg/kg CCNU caused a time-dependent loss in weight of both spleen and liver. Seven days after CCNU treatment (lOO mg/kg) the weights were at 45 and 65% of controls respectively. The activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALA-S), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme biosynthesis, declined in spleen and liver to 11 and 24% of control values, respectively, 7 days after CCNU treatment. Heme oxygenase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of heme breakdown, was moderately increased in liver and spleen following CCNU administration. In liver, heme oxygenase activity was 142% of control values at 24 hr, and in spleen the activity was 180% of controls at 1 week. Pretreatment of the animals with phenobarbital (PB) (40 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 4 days caused a reversal in the decline of liver weight with no effect on the decline in spleen weight following CCNU treatment. Similarly, PB pretreatment reversed the decline in hepatic ALA-S activity after CCNU administration but had no effect on the decline in splenic ALA-S activity. This study indicates that CCNU causes significant decreases in the activity of enzymes of heme biosynthesis in spleen and liver. The CCNU hemotoxicity in the liver was reversed by PB pretreatment whereas the splenic hemotoxicity was unchanged.     

Reproduction and teratological studies with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) in the rat and rabbit.

1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-Cyclohexyl-1-Nitrosourea (CCNU), one of a group of nitrosoureas used for the treatment of cancer, was evaluated for its effects on various parameters of reproduction and postnatal development in the rat and on embryonal and fetal development in the rat and rabbit. Weekly ip treatment of male rats for 9 weeks with 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg/week had no effect on copulatory activity, but untreated females bred to males receiving 5 or 10 mg/kg/week had a significant decrease in numbers of implantations, and the resorption rate was increased at all levels of treatment. Treatment of female rats ip with 0.75, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/kg/day for 14 days prior to breeding and through Day 20 of gestation resulted in a high incidence of intrauterine, perinatal, and postnatal mortality. Doses of 2, 4, or 8 mg/kg/day given ip during different 4-day intervals of organogenesis or 6 mg/kg/day given throughout organogenesis (Days 6–15) were teratogenic in the rat. Major abnormalities such as omphalocele, ectopia cordis, hydrocephalus, syndactyly, anophthalmia, and aortic arch anomalies occurred most frequently in groups given 4 or 8 mg/kg on Days 6–9, or 6 mg/kg on Days 6–15 of gestation. Treatment of female rats ip with doses of 0.75, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/kg/day during the last third of gestation and throughout 21 days of lactation had no effect on prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal survival, but pup weights on Day 21 were reduced at all levels of treatment. Doses of 1.5, 2.25, or 3.0 mg/kg administered iv or ip to rabbits on Days 6–18 of gestation resulted in a high incidence of abortion at 3 mg/kg but no drug-related fetal anomalies were detected.     

Haematotoxicity of doxorubicin and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) and of their association in rats

Doxorubicin is an anthracycline widely used in the treatment of leukaemias, lymphomas and solid tumors. Doxorubicin cannot pass into the cerebrospinal fluid. Nitrosoureas are known to be lipophilic and to be able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. CCNU is a nitrosourea used to treat Hodgkin's disease, brain tumors and other solid tumors. The authors have previously reported on the nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of these drugs; the present paper reports their findings on haematotoxicity in female Wistar rats. In one group 40 rats received 10 mg/kg doxorubicin. In a second group 40 rats received 20 mg/kg CCNU, and a further 40 rats received 50 mg/kg CCNU. In a third group 60 rats received the association doxorubicin 10 mg/kg plus CCNU 20 mg/kg. Blood counts were performed on days 4, 8, 15, 21 and 28 after treatment. Leucopenia and severe thrombocytopenia were noted after doxorubicin administration. A biphasic decrease in the leucocyte count was observed after CCNU treatment. More severe alterations were observed when doxorubicin and CCNU were combined. Very few data on haematological abnormalities following treatment of human patients have been published. Similarities can be seen between the haematological side-effects noted in rats and those occurring in humans treated with these cytotoxic drugs. Female Wistar rats seemed to be a good model to evaluate the haematological tolerance of anthracycline, nitrosoureas or of their association. If multiple courses of these drugs have to be administered, the evolution of haematological alterations must be known: the decrease phase of blood cells is followed by a rebound phase. The drug should be avoided during this phase of granulocyte activation.     

Enhancement of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) toxicity by acetohydroxamic acid analogues of 3-nitropyrazole in vitro

A series of acetohydroxamic acid derivatives of 3-nitropyrazole were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to potentiate (chemosensitization) the activity of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) against EMT-6 mouse mammary tumor cells in vitro. The compounds were designed to test the hypothesis that the chemosensitizing activity of the analogues would be proportional to the rate of isocyanate formation via a Lossen rearrangement, in part a function of the leaving group at the N terminus of each acetohydroxamate. Substitution of acetohydroxamic acid side chains at the N-1 position of the parent 3-nitropyrazole resulted in compounds which were preferentially toxic to cells treated under hypoxic conditions, and which were capable of enhancing the toxicity of CCNU in hypoxia. As was observed for cytotoxicity, the enhancement of CCNU toxicity by these sensitizing agents was significantly reduced under aerobic treatment conditions. A strong correlation was established between hypoxic toxicity and chemosensitizing potency. The activity of the analogue, however, was not proportional to their excepted rates of Lossen rearrangement. Nevertheless, several potent chemosensitizing compounds were identified; some of which were 10–50 x 's more potent on a molar basis than Misonidazole, the reference chemosensitizing compound.     

Hepatotoxicity of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea. (CCNU) in dogs: the use of serial percutaneous liver biopsies

Hepatotoxicity resulting from po administration of a single dose of CCNU to dogs was studied by weekly determinations of liver function tests and performance of percutaneous liver biopsies. Histochemical stains for glycogen and alkaline phosphatase in liver sections revealed an effect on these parameters within 1–2 weeks after dosage, the earliest sign of drug toxicity. Histopathologic changes were evident 7–14 days later, when increased activity of serum alanine aminotransferase was also present. Chemical indices of liver abnormalities were reversible, whereas glycogen depletion and increased alkaline phosphatase activity in liver biopsies persisted throughout the 2- to 3-month observation period. This study demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of serial percutaneous liver biopsies in determining both the qualitative and quantitative features of developing and recovering from drug toxicity in the dog.     

Stereoselective monooxygenation of carcinostatic 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea by purified cytochrome P-450 isozymes

Three highly purified forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450a, P-450b and P-450c) from Aroclor 1254-treated rats catalyzed 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MeCCNU) monooxygenation in the presence of purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, NADPH, and lipid. Differences in the regioselectivity of CCNU and MeCCNU monohydroxylation reactions by the cytochrome P-450 isozymes were observed. Cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenation of CCNU gave only alicyclic hydroxylation products, but monooxygenation of MeCCNU gave alicyclic hydroxylation products, an αhydroxylation product on the 2-chloroethyl moiety, and a trans-4-hydroxymethyl product. A high degree of stereoselectivity for hydroxylation of CCNU and MeCCNU at the cis-4 position of the cyclohexyl ring was demonstrated. All three cytochrome P-450 isozymes were stereoselective in primarily forming the metabolite cis-4-hydroxy-trans-4-Methyl-CCNU from MeCCNU. The principal metabolite of CCNU which resulted from cytochromes P-450a and P-450b catalysis was cis-4-hydroxy CCNU, whereas the principal metabolites from cytochrome P-450c catalysis were the trans-3-hydroxy and the cis-4-hydroxy isomers. Total amounts of CCNU and MeCCNU hydroxylation with cytochrome P-450b were twice that with hepatic microsomes from Aroclor 1254-treated rats. Catalysis with cytochromes P-450a and P-450c was substantially less effective than that observed with either cytochrome P-450b or hepatic microsomes from Aroclor 1254-treated rats.     

Molecular structure of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea

The three-dimensional structure of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MeCCNU, NSC-95441), an effective antitumor agent, has been determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction. MeCCNU crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/c, with cell dimensions a = 12.387, b = 10.810, and c = 10 .198 A , beta = 102.62 degrees , and Z = four molecules per unit cell. The structure was solved by direct phasing procedures and refinement by anisotropic least squares converged at a discrepancy index R = 0.065. The cyclohexyl ring is in the chair conformation with the plane of the nitrosourea moiety twisted approximately 90 degrees from the cyclohexyl ring. The carbon-nitrogen bonds of the urea group are significantly asymmetric.     

Main metabolites of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-[1'-(5'-p-nitrobenzoyl-2',3'-isopropylidene)-alpha, beta-D-ribofuranosyl]-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2',3', 4'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha, beta-D-ribopyranosyl)-1-nitrosourea in rats

The metabolism of two glycosylnitrosoureas, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-[1'-(5'-p-nitrobenzoyl-2',3'-isopropylidene)-alpha, beta-D-ribofuranosyl]-1-nitrosourea (RFCNU) and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2',3',4'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha, beta-D-ribopyranosyl)-1-nitrosourea (RPCNU), has been investigated in the rat. With the label on the carboxyl moiety of RFCNU, we have shown that hydrolysis of the 4-nitrobenzoyl ester occurred to a large extent in vivo; 4-nitrobenzoic acid and its glucuronide were the major urinary metabolites. Two other minor metabolites and their glucuronides were identified as 4-aminobenzoic acid and 4-acetamidobenzoic acid. With the label on the chloroethyl moieties of RFCNU and RPCNU, we have shown that chloroethanol was a major degradation product of this alkylating part of the molecule. The concentration of chloroethanol in plasma vs. time has been determined. In urine, four metabolites derived from alkylated glutathione, namely thiodiacetic acid and its sulfoxide, N-acetylcarboxymethylcysteine, and N-acetylhydroxyethylcysteine, have been identified.     

The lethal activity and repair inhibition capacity of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidyl)-1-nitrosourea

Summary The survival response of human colorectal carcinoma cells treated in vitro for 1 h with PCNU was characterized by a threshold exponential curve, Dq = 8 g/ml (1 h) and D ₀ = 22 g/ml (1 h). Continuous treatment induced decreasing degrees of cell kill although PCNU was biologically stable in solution for at least 24 h. Cells treated with PCNU were unable to recover from potentially lethal damage but were quite capable of repairing PCNU-induced sublethal damage. Thus, PCNU with different alkylating and carbamoylating than other nitrosourea congeners had similar cytotoxic and repair inhibition capacities. Any therapeutic gain in the clinical use of PCNU must derive only from its lipophilic properties and not from its superior activity at the cellular level.Abbreviations PCNU 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidyl-1-nitrosourea (NSC 95466) - CCNU 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (NSC 79037) - BCNU 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (NSC 409962) cis-acid, 4-(3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido)-cis-cyclohexane-carboxylic acid (NSC 153174) - MeCCNU 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-trans-(4-methyl-cyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (NSC 95441) - PE plating efficiency - Dq quasithreshold dose equal to the intercept with the abscissa (at 100% survival) of the exponential part of survival curve - D ₀ mean lethal dose equal to the concentration required to reduce survival by 63% on exponential part of survival curve     

An analysis of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea activity at the cellular level

The effect of five different 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosoureas on the growth of cultured P388 cells has been analyzed in terms of physical, chemical, and kinetic parameters that are related to the mechanism of action of this class of cancer chemotherapeutic agent. This study correlates structure with activity at the cellular level by using a dose function that is related to the amount of active species, the (2-chloroethyl)diazonium ion, that is formed during the period of exposure of cells to drug rather than to the initial drug dose. 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea analogues that rapidly enter the P388 cells are shown to have the same activity relative to the amount of active species formed. When analyzed in this way, activity is not influenced by the structure of the N-3 substituent, lipophilicity, or carbamoylating activity. The agents 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (CNU), 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidyl)-1-nitrosourea (PCNU), 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU), and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) all produce a 50% cell growth inhibition at 6 to 7 microM active species formed per cell volume. Chlorozotocin required a twofold higher effective dose to produce the same toxic effect. This decreased activity is attributed to the slow uptake of the water-soluble chlorozotocin into P388 and L1210 cells relative to the rate of chlorozotocin conversion to active species in medium. The yields to 2-chloroethanol from CNU, BCNU, and chlorozotocin were shown to be the same, indicating that these agents generate the same yield of alkylating intermediate at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4.     

Enhanced Oxygen Toxicity following Treatment with 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 -nitrosourea

Enhanced Oxygen Toxicity following Treatment with l,3-Bis(2-chloroethyi)-l-nitrosourea.Kehrer, J. P., AND PARAIDATHATHU, T. (1984). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.4, 760–l767. The anticancer drug l,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-l-nitrosourea(BCNU) inhibits glutathione reductase, an enzyme involved inoxidant defense systems. The 30-day LD50 for BCNU in male andfemale BALB/c mice was 52 and 46 mg/kg, respectively. A 35-mg/kgBCNU dose was not lethal to any animal. Glutathione reductasewas inhibited in lung tissue by about 50% for 4 days followinga single 35 mg/kg dose of BCNU. The prolonged inhibition ofglutathione reductase by BCNU suggested this drug might enhancepulmonary oxygen toxicity by diminishing the lung's antioxidantcapacity. Exposing mice treated with 35 or 50 mg/kg BCNU tocontinuous 85% oxygen decreased the LT50 from 13.1 to 6.3 and5.3 days, respectively, compared to vehicle-treated controls.All mice treated with 35 mg/kg BCNU or vehicle and exposed to85% oxygen only on Days 0–4 survived to Day 30. Extendingthe hyperoxic exposure 1 additional day resulted in the deathof all BCNU-treited mice, while 70% of the vehicle-treated micesurvived to Day 30. Pulmonary glutathione peroxidase, catalase,and superoxide dismutase activities were unaffected up to 6days following 35 mg/kg BCNU, 85% oxygen, or both. Pulmonaryglutathione reductase activity was unaffected by 85% oxygenalone, although hyperoxia extended the BCNU-induced inhibitionof this enzyme to Day 6. BCNU, 35 mg/kg, had little effect onlung reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. A significant decreasewas only measured on Day 4. Hyperoxia, either alone or withBCNU, had no effect on lung GSH content The total lung contentof hydroxyproline, an index of fibrosis, was unchanged by BCNU-treatmentseither alone or in combination with oxygen. These data showthat single BCNU doses of 35 mg/kg or more can increase thelethal effect of hyperoxia. The mechanism of this effect remainsunclear since, while glutathione reductase was the only antioxidantenzymatic activity inhibited, GSH levels remained unchanged.